Jerry Marr of Spring Valley, Minnesota, passed away November 2, 2026, after a battle with cancer. Jerry Merle Marr was born July 27, 1943, to Leslie and Maureece (McDaniel) Marr in Riceville, Iowa. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was very important to him. He loved teasing them and was a jokester. His gentle soul impacted a lot … [Read more...]
Dale Eugene Dunn
Dale Eugene Dunn, age 71, of Rushford, Minnesota, passed away on October 30, 2026, after a short but fierce battle with multiple myeloma. Dale was born on April 15, 1955, in Loup City, Nebraska, to Floyd and Barbara Dunn. He spent his life rooted in hard work, family and the simple joys that brought him happiness. A lifelong dairy farmer, Dale proudly worked at Dunn Farms … [Read more...]
Allan C. Sackett
Allan Cohan Sackett, 79, of Rochester, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Marys Hospital after a brief struggle with cancer, surrounded by family. Allan was born May 25, 1947, to Leonard and Ethel (Mitchell) Sackett in Preston, Minnesota. He graduated from Chatfield High School in 1965. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1967 until 1971. … [Read more...]
Betty Hammell
Elizabeth (Betty) Lucille Hammell, 100, of Caledonia, died October 29, 2026, at Mayo Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was born June 26, 1926. Betty attended Hanover #3 School in Allamakee County, Iowa. She was a teacher for two years in a one-room school near Dorchester. On June 25, 1946, she was united in marriage to Walter Hammell at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hanover, … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Roland Garcia, 44, Hokah, MN; 6/6/2026, DWI - Third Degree Driving While Impaired - One Aggravating Factor (Concurrent/Consecutive), Fine $300, Total Fees $475. Local Confinement - 364 days (stay 361 days for one year). Credit for time served: three days. Supervised probation for one year - Conditions (10/21/2026): Sign Probation Agreement - as … [Read more...]
What’s for Dinner?
Ahh, the infamous question of the day … What’s for dinner? It’s something I use to dread each and every week. I was rotating between the same meals time and time again, and needed a little refresh. I’ve recently started a weekly ritual called Sunday meal prep. I take a few minutes and look at our pantry to take a quick inventory of what we all have on hand. From there, I plan … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – At the End of the Day
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) A school teacher asked her students to write an essay of 1,000 words describing something beautiful. One young student turned in a picture of a glorious sunset with flaming reds and oranges with dark, black clouds ... but with no writing … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project – How AI is Changing Society
By Brenna Krips What is AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) can mean different things to different people. Some see it as a helpful tool for everyday life, while others view it as a harmful machine that is hurting the planet and humanity. Factually, AI is a broad branch of computer science that builds systems to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as … [Read more...]
Measles cases in Minnesota hit highest total in 36 years
Health officials advise getting vaccinated for maximum protection The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today reported that the number of measles cases in Minnesota for 2026 has reached a total of 80 cases — the most the state has seen in a single year since 1990. Health officials are stressing that now is the time for people to check their vaccination status and make sure … [Read more...]
Chatfield Education Foundation’s 4th Annual Live and Silent Auction Set for November 21
The Chatfield Education Foundation (CEF) will host its 4th annual fundraising event on Saturday, November 21, 2026, bringing the community together in support of students and educational opportunities in Chatfield. Now in its fourth year, the event has become an opportunity for community members, local businesses and supporters to come together while raising funds that benefit … [Read more...]