Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Hoiland, 94, of Rushford, Minn., died on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Elizabeth Ann Semmen was born on June 20, 1928, near Bratsberg, Minn., to Alfred and Clara (Ferden) Semmen. She was raised on the family farm near Bratsberg. Betty was a graduate of Peterson High School. On December 7, 1947, Betty was … [Read more...]
James Dewey Patterson
James (Jim) Dewey Patterson, 94, of Rochester, Minn., died at Cottagewood Senior Communities on January 5, 2023. Jim was born February 28, 1928, in Minneapolis to James and Ardis (Dewey) Patterson. Along with his parents and brother Neil, he moved to Duluth but they eventually landed in Virginia, Minn., where he graduated from high school. After high school Jim joined … [Read more...]
You couldn’t buy a single green Dot in the outhouse
By Al Batt It was back when rocks were soft and coffee came in only one size — a cup. The old house creaked and groaned in the cold weather. The house exists only in my memory. It fell to age. Leonard Cohen wrote and sang in “Anthem,” “There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” It’s hard to argue with that, but our old house had enough … [Read more...]
Applications open for funding to help new farmers purchase land Qualified farmers will receive dollar-for-dollar matching money up to $15,000
ST. PAUL, MN. – Applications are now being accepted for a new grant program to support Minnesotans purchasing their first farm. The Down Payment Assistance Grant Program is managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and offers dollar-for-dollar matching up to $15,000 for qualified small farmers to purchase farmland. The MDA’s Rural Finance Authority (RFA) is … [Read more...]
Birth Announcement
Marney Louise Congratulations to Mitchell Williams (hometown Mabel, Minn.) and Nicole Heitman (hometown Waukon, Iowa) on the birth of their daughter, Marney Louise. Marney was born December 26, 2023, at 2:45 p.m., weighing 7 lbs, 7 oz and was 19 inches long, at Regional Health Services, Cresco, Iowa. Marney’s grandparents are Vance Williams and Stephanie Liddiard of … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Don’t sleep on recycling
By Maggie Lile As many of us know, climate change and environmental protection are both headlining issues of today. Landfills, a tool originally put in place to combat pollution put into our environment, have actually resulted in some pretty negative side effects; harmful gas is released into our atmosphere, as well as natural habitats are often destroyed in order to put … [Read more...]
Government this Week
Monday, January 9 •Whalan City Council, City Hall, 5 p.m. •Caledonia City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. •Grand Meadow City Council, Community Center, 6 p.m. •Houston City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. •Spring Valley City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. •Rushford City Council, City Hall, 6:30 p.m. •LeRoy City Council, Community Center, 6:30 p.m. •Chatfield City Council, City Hall, … [Read more...]
New year, new goals…
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Everyone runs to the gym, memberships spike, diet plans soar, fitness coaches, life coaches, all kinds of new year’s resolutions are being planned right now as I type. Those are all good things; do them, stick to them. But what if this year, instead of a new goal, we all grabbed hold of an ancient promise, a past … [Read more...]
Fillmore County District Court
On November 29, Lonnie Jerome Lee, 64, of Rochester, appeared before District Court Judge Matthew J. Opat. Lee is charged five times with Harassment; Restraining Order - Violate Within 10 Years of First of Two Previous Domestic Violence Convictions/Adjudications and once with Harassment; Restraining Order - Violate Within 10 Years of First of Two Previous Domestic Violence … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Anna Louise Novak, 53, Winona, Minn.; 10/14/2022, Driving After Suspension, Fine $200, Total Fees $275. Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Bo Thomas Williams, 51, Rochester, Minn.; 6/7/2022, Tamper With Motor Vehicle/Enter Without Owner Permission, Local Confinement - 27 days. Credit for time served: 27 days (file to be closed). Houston County … [Read more...]