By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches There was once an elderly woman who went to the grocery store in California to do some shopping. When she returned to her car, she noticed four men getting into her car in a big hurry! They were trying to steal the car! The woman dropped her shopping bags, reached into her purse, and pulled out a … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Recent Individual Artist Grant Awards
On September 9, 2025, the SEMAC Board of Directors awarded $75,750 in Individual Artist & Culture Bearer grants to applicants throughout Southeastern Minnesota. This included eleven Advancing Artist grants and three Emerging Artist grants. SEMAC, a non-profit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for eleven … [Read more...]
Campaigns Focused on Speeding, Impairment and Move Over Violations
ST. PAUL — A driver arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) with two young children in the car. A driver stopped twice in one day for speeding — 90 mph the first time, and 100 mph and arrested for DWI the second time. Those types of driving decisions can kill a mother, a toddler, a best friend, a spouse and a list of loved ones that goes on and on. That’s why law … [Read more...]
Houston County Fair General 4-H Results
4-H Club Legend BHSS - Black Hammer Swift Scooters; BW - Brownsville Wildcats; CR - Caledonia Rockets; HNH - Hearts and Hooves; HC - Hokah Chiefs; HCSS - Houston County Sharpshooters; IND - Independent; LCTL - La Crescent Tiger Lilies; LCAB - La Crescent Apple Blossoms; LL - Lazy Lopers; MBRS - Mayville Blue Ribbon Strivers; MCL - Money Creek Livewires; NN - Newhouse … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Robert Daniel Olson, 29, La Crosse, Wis., 7/5/2025, Driving Without a Valid License Endorsement for Vehicle Driven, Fine $100, Total Fees $175. 7/5/2025, Driver Must Carry Proof of Insurance When Operating Vehicle, Fine $200. Telly Ray Ranzenberger, 50, Hokah, Minn., 7/2/2025, Driver Fails to Stop at Stop Sign, Fine $50, Total Fees … [Read more...]
Minnesota Jobs and Workforce Grow in August
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota employers added 5,900 jobs in August, strong growth that defied a nearly-flat employment picture on the national level, according to new data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota’s growth equated to a 0.2% increase in jobs in August, compared to effectively flat employment for the United States as a whole. … [Read more...]
Caledonia Man Wins $100,000 in Powerball Drawing on September 6
ROSEVILLE, MN (September 9, 2025) — Minnesota Lottery player Michael won $100,000 on Saturday, September 6 with a Powerball® ticket with the Power Play® option that he purchased in Caledonia at the Kwik Trip located at 608 Esch Drive. His winning ticket matched four numbers (11, 44, 61, 62) plus the Powerball (17) and the Power Play® multiplier was 2. Michael shares his … [Read more...]
Diane Nikunen
Diane Nikunen Aug. 11, 1945 – Sep. 24, 2025 Diane, “the Little Finn,” Nikunen passed away in the early morning hours of September 24, 2025, from cancer and a stroke at her home in Rushford, Minn. Proud of her Finnish heritage, she lived a life of Sisu, a Finnish term that embodies determination, courage, and resilience. It represents a unique quality of extraordinary … [Read more...]
Nadine Susan Plowman
Nadine Susan Plowman, beloved mother, sister and cherished friend, passed away peacefully two days after her 83rd birthday on September 19, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. Nadine was raised in Granite Falls, Minnesota by her parents, Elik and Edith Smith, along with her sister Ellen and her brother Bill. She graduated from Granite Falls HS and attended the University of Minnesota … [Read more...]
Neva Swenson
Neva Swenson, age 89, of Chatfield, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield surrounded by her loving family. Neva Katherine was born on July 28, 1936, in Caledonia, Minn., to Henry and Irma (nee Kruse) Reinke. She attended school in Waukon, Iowa, and worked as a secretary for the Waukon School District. She married Arthur … [Read more...]