“I was able to see immediately somebody standing there and I could identify him by his name, his rank and his appearance - and we got very intelligent responses,” states Dr. Hawk Horvath of After Hours Paranormal Investigations, about the investigation her team did at the Chatfield VFW in Chatfield, Minn. the evening of Saturday, October 3, 2020. “They approached and asked … [Read more...]
Whalan council receives amended petition, sets public hearing
In what has been an ongoing issue, the Whalan City Council has received an amended petition from the Murphy family to vacate a portion of 2nd Avenue. As per requirements, a public hearing has been slated for November 9, 2020, at 5 p.m. There will be a notice in the newspaper for two consecutive weeks regarding the time and place of the public hearing. The regularly scheduled … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Dam project complete
What had been an ongoing concern for Lanesboro city officials and residents is thankfully a worry of the past as a major project on the historic Lanesboro hydro-electric dam is now complete in Lanesboro, Minn. The Hydro Review reported in October 1995, that “The town of Lanesboro was founded in 1868 by the Lanesboro Company of New York City, which envisioned building a … [Read more...]
Whalan council approves preliminary levy
Faced with a full agenda, the Whalan City Council was able to complete a long list of items including the approval of the proposed preliminary budget. Present at the September 14, 2020, regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, council members Tanya Cook, Kim Berekvam, Thore Everett Johnson and Owen Lewis, along with City Clerk Michele Peterson. The … [Read more...]
Out of the Darkness Walk held in Chatfield
“If you know someone who is showing signs of anxiety or depression, reach out to them, show them that you’re a friend and that you are there for them and they can pull through this,” states Terry “Hogie” Haagenson, organizer of the Out of the Darkness Walk through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held in Chatfield’s Groen Park on Saturday, September 19, … [Read more...]
PawPrint Brewery blazes a trail in Chatfield
“It just evolved, with the right people, and the right place,” states James Kenison, owner of Chatfield’s first brewery, PawPrint Brewery. Kenison has spent the majority of his life serving the public and the time came when he wanted to serve the public in a much different capacity. Having served in the Air Force and in law enforcement simultaneously for 25 years, Kenison … [Read more...]
Whalan foregoes renting of city hall until further notice
Due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Whalan City Council has made the decision to not allow any rentals of the city hall building until after December 31, 2020. Present at the Monday, July 13, 2020, regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, councilmembers Owen Lewis, Tanya Cook, Thore Everett Johnson and Kim Berekvam, as well as City … [Read more...]
A new way to “Unwined” in Lanesboro
As summer gets into full swing, there is no better time to “unwined” when in Lanesboro, Minn., than a visit to Root River Unwined Wine Bar. The new and exciting business is just what people need to get out and explore something fun and relaxing. Owners Lori and Randy Rakosnik knew they wanted to purchase a building for their business somewhere in Minnesota, and after … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council meets virtually in June
The Whalan City Council continued meeting virtually for the June 8, 2020, regularly scheduled monthly council meeting. Engaged in the Zoom meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Council members Kim Berekvam, Owen Lewis and Tanya Cook, along with City Clerk/Administrator Michele Peterson. Council member Thore “Everett” Johnson was absent. Minutes of the regular scheduled … [Read more...]
LinkMe Lanesboro to be a valuable tool
When there are needs to be met by residents of a city, and volunteers to fulfill these needs, it seems that there should be a way to connect the two. A way to keep an entire city in touch with each other and stay informed about the many aspects of being a resident of that town by a simple click of a mouse or by making a quick phone call. A group of Lanesboro residents has … [Read more...]
Whalan Council approves contract with Lanesboro
After viewing revisions by the City of Lanesboro to the contract between the City of Lanesboro and the City of Whalan for administrative and city clerk services, the Whalan City Council approved the contract. The virtual council meeting on May 11, held via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic, included Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Council members Kim Berekvam, Owen Lewis, Everett … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Journal Teacher of the Year 2020 announced
Although the 2019-2020 school year has not exactly gone as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that did not stop the Fillmore County Journal and the sponsors of the Teacher of the Year Award from presenting a very deserving educator, Gerri Nielsen, of Fillmore Central Schools, with the Golden Apple Award for Teacher of the Year 2020. Nielsen grew up in Rushford, Minn., and … [Read more...]
Whalan looks at solution to city clerk position
After being without a city clerk for some time, and having interviewed several qualified candidates to fill the position, the City of Whalan may have found a way to solve their problem thanks to the City of Lanesboro and Michele Peterson, who has taken over the duties of the city clerk/administrator for the City of Whalan. Peterson began working with the City of Whalan in early … [Read more...]
Ferndale Country Club under new ownership
“It’s a very nice place out here,” states Dennie Darr, new owner of the Ferndale Country Club of Rushford, Minn. Darr had been helping the Ferndale Country Club board try to find a buyer for quite some time, with no luck. “I’ve been trying to help out here for a few years and they needed to get it in private hands,” commented Darr, as it had become complicated having … [Read more...]
Whalan searches for city clerk, once again
After a short period of time, the City of Whalan is in the process of interviewing for a new city clerk again after Karla Merchlewitz recently resigned from the position. Merchlewitz began working with the city in November 2019 after former city clerk Lolly Melander suddenly resigned. Merchlewitz cited the demands of her other full-time employment as the reason for her … [Read more...]