Fillmore County Journal

"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"

Chatfield’s hybrid school board meeting

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By Wanda Hanson The Chatfield School Board meeting on October 7, 2020, was truly hybrid. Board chair Amy Jeffers, board members Rick Lowery, Matt McMahon, and elementary Principal Shane McBoom all attended via zoom while board members Katie Priebe and Lanny Isensee, high school Principal Randy Paulson, and superintendent Ed Harris were in person as well as Community Ed … [Read more...]

B&B Bowl league winners

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The winning team of the Monday night Powder Puff bowling league was Kelly Printing & Signs with members, left to right, Pam Ruen, Rita Wilson, Bettie Gulbranson, Debbie Finseth, and Sheila Craig.  Not pictured, Deb Lawstuen. Both women’s leagues ended one week early when B&B Bowl was forced to close its doors because of the COVID-19 virus.  Unfortunately, this … [Read more...]

Goal exceeded by seven at Harmony blood drive

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Thank you to all the donors who contributed to the success of the bloodmobile held in Harmony on September 29, 2020.  Once again, despite the circumstances involved with the COVID-19 pandemic, we exceeded our goal of 48 by collecting 55 units of blood. There were 48 donors presenting with three first-time donors. In addition to exceeding our goal, the following milestones were … [Read more...]

Houston Elementary awarded National Blue Ribbon School Award

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By Wanda Hanson On October 1, 2020, The Houston School Board heard from a humble principal Rick Bartz that Houston Elementary had been notified that it had been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. Only eight schools were selected for the award in Minnesota. The award is for “exemplary work in closing achievement gaps.” Normally the award would include a trip to … [Read more...]

Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports

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Caledonia Police Department Timothy Lee Schniepp, 58, La Crosse, Wis.; 9/23/2020, Speeding (42/30), Fine $50, Total Fees $125. Hokah Police Department Kristi Lynn Danielson-Vreeman, 51, Canton, Minn.; 5/14/2020, Initiate, Compose, Send, Retrieve, Read Electronic Message (While Driving), Fine $50, Total Fees $125.  Amanda Marie King, 35, Caledonia, Minn.; 8/12/2020, … [Read more...]

Spring Grove volleyball returns mostly young, but experienced lineup

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Experience and more height than usual provide optimism for the 2020 Spring Grove volleyball girls, who return nine of 10 letter winners from a 19-10 team, a third straight season with that many wins. Half of 10 setbacks came against state-ranked teams. The Lions, at 10-4 SEC, finished tied for second in the SEC East, a fourth straight runner-up finish with a playoff win. The … [Read more...]

One happy farmer

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By Wanda Hanson Amber Feine-Rasmussen has been farming full-time since 2003 when she asked her father if she could join him in the family operation. Amber had been attending UWSP (University of Stevens Point); she’d made the dean’s list and enjoyed her soils and water classes, but was tired of “sitting in a concrete box” and hated having to take tests. She had figured out … [Read more...]

Three days and 40 miles on the Root River

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When travelers residing in Southeast Minnesota or Northeast Iowa want to go on an adventure, they don’t have to travel far. Within Historic Bluff Country (a.k.a. The Driftless Region), one element of nature brings so many communities together.  The Root River. Throughout the summer months, locals and tourists will navigate the waterways with canoes, kayaks, and tubes.  The … [Read more...]

Meet the Candidates: William Gavin Candidate for Caledonia Mayor

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Tell us about yourself. I am a lifetime resident of Caledonia. I went to St. Mary’s School until the eighth grade, and then attended Caledonia High, graduating in 2001. In 2000 I joined the Army Reserve. After attending basic training, at Fort Knox, Ky., I served eight years in the Reserve. During my service, I served one tour in Kuwait for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Since … [Read more...]