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...]
Lois Marie Carson
Lois Marie Carson (Wordelman) died peacefully at her home on December 15, 2022, in Mesa, Ariz., at the age of 91. Lois is survived by her second husband Frank Klassen of Mesa, Ariz.; brothers Dale Wordelman of Rochester, Minn., (wife Lorrine), and Jon Wordelman of Kasson, Minn., (wife Marlene); children Sandy Fortney of Mesa, Ariz., (husband Daniel), Sheri Bauter of … [Read more...]
Mary Louise Bymers-Van Loon
Mary Louise Bymers-Van Loon was born on May 18, 1922, in Onalaska, Wis., to John and Leila Bymers. Mary went home to be with the Lord Jesus, her Messiah, while listening to Handel’s Messiah, on December 21, 2022, at the age of 100. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at the Hoff Funeral Home of Houston from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, January 7. Arrangements have been … [Read more...]