To the Editor, I’m here from Kingsland Elementary school and I’m writing about ocean pollution. I’m writing because there is about 4,000 million pounds of trash in the ocean, or the size of Texas four times. And, most of this trash is plastic. Plastic cannot be broken down by water, only the sun’s rays can. Plastic is made up of chemicals that can’t be broken down by water. … [Read more...]
USDA accepting applications to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as 1% … [Read more...]
Mary Catherine Winkelman
Mary Catherine Winkelman, 87, passed away on January 16, 2021, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minn. She was born May 7, 1933, in Winona, Minn., to Catherine and Sylvester Meisch. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1951. In 1957, she married James Winkelman and they shared 41 years together, before his passing in 1998. Over the many years, she worked … [Read more...]
Jessie Ervin Wells Emery
Jessie Ervin Wells Emery, of Mabel, passed away on January 12, 2021, at the age of 91 years old. He was born January 25, 1929, to John and Vera Conklin Emery in rural Winneshiek County. He attended rural schools around Bluffton, Iowa. He was inducted into the Army on January 24, 1951, served as military police and was honorably discharged on July 19, 1956. He was married … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: A future with hope
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger “Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Six hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Jewish people in the Holy Land faced one of their darkest times. The northern … [Read more...]
Messages of peace, hope and justice welcome at January 18 event
The Fillmore County Discussion on Race (FCDoR) will be holding an observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Fillmore County Courthouse in Preston from 1-2 p.m. on Monday, January 18. The event is meant to be an open space for the public to discuss, speak and share messages of peace, hope and justice in this time of deep division. A table will be outside the courthouse … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Economic Development Authority launches new website
The Spring Valley community has a new website to help promote life in Spring Valley and offer connections, tools, and resources for local businesses and organizations. The Spring Valley Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced the launch of its new EDA website, springvalleyeda.org, Monday, January 11, 2021. The new website offers a variety of tools and resources for both … [Read more...]
Governor Walz directs $67.3 million to businesses impacted by COVID-19 closures
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the Minnesota Department of Revenue has issued $67.3 million in COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to 3,891 eligible businesses in Minnesota. The relief payments were part of bipartisan legislation passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in December to help restaurants, bars, gyms, and bowling centers … [Read more...]
Jeanette K. Budde
Jeanette K. Budde, 85, of Preston, Minn., died on Monday, January 11, 2021, at Mayo Clinic- St. Marys Campus in Rochester, Minn. Jeanette Katherine Gartner was born on December 28, 1935, to Frank and Ella (Scanlon) Gartner. Following her graduation from Preston High School, she worked as an EEG Technician at Mayo Clinic. In April of 1956, Jeanette married Daniel Schmidt and … [Read more...]
Richard “Pete” Neil Peterson
Richard “Pete” Neil Peterson, 78, of Mabel, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family at his home on January 11, after a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Pete was born on June 14, 1942, to Edwin and Verna (Redwing) Peterson; the second child, and oldest son, of six children. He was raised in and around the Mabel area, and attended Mabel High School. Growing up, … [Read more...]