FULDA, MN, February 25, 2026 – First National Bank (FNB) is proud to announce that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire First State Bank of Fountain and Root River State Bank of Chatfield. The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals [and is expected to close at the end of the second quarter of 2026]. With deep roots in agricultural and … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Behold, I Myself Will Shepherd My People
By Rev. Peter Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church On that first Maundy Thursday, our Lord Jesus proclaimed that a day is coming, the great and awesome day of the Lord, when He Himself will judge all people, separating the sheep from the goats, the Christian from the non-Christian. There is a rich irony in this. The Judge is about to be judged. Nevertheless, He … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project – My Experience With Selfishness and How It Can Be a Good Thing
By Brennus Braaten I have learned a lot in the last couple of months about life and how I should live mine. Now I am not saying that I am any sort of genius when it comes to this, believe me, I understand that I have only lived a quarter of my life and still have a lot to learn. However I do believe that I have learned some very valuable lessons that I will hold on to for … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Shawn Michael Nisbit, 42, Rushford, Minn.; 12/9/2025, Parking During Snow Removal, Fine $20, Total Fees $32. Chatfield Police Department Devin Daniel Fitzgerald, 30, Spring Valley, Minn.; 11/21/2025, No Motor Vehicle Insurance - Owner, Fine $200, Total Fees $280. Skyllar Marie Ortega, 22, Owatonna, Minn.; 2/8/2026, Speeding (39/30), … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I am looking to purchase a used vehicle. I have been online and checking things out and some of these listings appears too good to be true. Do you have any advice on what a person can or should do so they don’t become a victim? Answer: If it’s too good to be true, it usually is. Online marketplaces are full of stolen and tampered vehicles. To reduce the risk of … [Read more...]
George Carl Berg
George Carl Berg, aged 88, of Rochester, Minn., passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, at Cottagewood Senior Communities Memory Care. Born December 7, 1937, in La Crosse, Wis., to Norman and Dorothy (Stanley) Berg, George spent his childhood in Rushford, Minn. After graduating from Rushford High School, he earned his teaching degree from Winona State University and later … [Read more...]
Arleen Amundson
Arleen Amundson, age 101, passed away in Chatfield on Monday, March 2, 2026. Arleen S. Amundson was born on June 13, 1924, in Lanesboro, Minn. She was the daughter of H. Oscar and Clara (Larson). She graduated from Preston High School in 1942. In 1943, she was united in marriage to Robert W. Amundson at Union Prairie Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. The couple made their home … [Read more...]
John C. Woltz
John C. Woltz, 82, passed away on February 21, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. He and his twin brother Kenneth D. Woltz of Wykoff, Minn., were born in Algona, Iowa, on November 30, 1943. John grew up in Iowa and Minnesota, and graduated from Chosen Valley High School, Chatfield, Minn., in 1962. John played guitar with his sister Jackie at various spots in the Rochester area. He … [Read more...]
Mark J. Lillegraven
Mark J. Lillegraven, 71, of Mabel, died Thursday, February 26, 2026, at his home following a four-year battle with cancer. Mark was born September 22, 1954 in Decorah, Iowa, to Wendell and Marian (Turner) Lillegraven. He graduated from the Mabel-Canton High School with the class of 1972. He worked at Oliver Tractors in Charles City, Iowa before purchasing a milk hauling … [Read more...]
Marlow Kenwood Boyum
Marlow Kenwood Boyum, 95, passed away at Good Shepherd Lutheran Nursing Home on February 25, 2026. Born April 1, 1930, in rural Peterson, Minn., to John and Gertrude Boyum. He was the oldest of six children. He graduated from Peterson High School in 1948 and went on to serve in the Army during the Korean War from November 1953 to September 1955. On August 3, 1957, Marlow … [Read more...]