Paul I. Merkel passed away in his home Wednesday, July 24, 2019. He was surrounded by family and loved ones and the most important person to him, his wife Donna. Paul was born in Iowa on February 27, 1934, and grew up in a large farming family. They moved to Minnesota when he was a boy and he lived around the Spring Valley area until his time of death. He was a member of … [Read more...]
County creates finance department
Fillmore County commissioners, for several years, have worked toward centralized finance. At the July 23 meeting, the board unanimously voted to create a Finance Department, effective August 1 as recommended by the Personnel Committee. Commissioner Randy Dahl, who has long supported centralized finance, noted that a Finance Department is the norm for most counties in the … [Read more...]
The path forward
Watching the “news,” I’m reminded of seeing birds swooping down into a field picking kernels of grain from the excrement of cows grazing there. Finding information, truth and facts in the daily fare we are served by the media is a challenge. There is hope. In the midterm election the Democrats took over the House, igniting the possibility that common sense might play a … [Read more...]
Confirmation bias – the enemy of sound logic
In our polarized society, something that seems to be more prevalent than ever before is the faulty thinking pattern called confirmation bias. Simply put it occurs when a person tries to find information, data, or opinions that support his pre-determined belief. In other words he disregards all evidence that does not support what he wants to believe, no matter how valid this … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Police Reports
Chatfield Police Department Nancy Kay Boettcher, 73, Chatfield, Minn.; 6/12/2019, Failure to Yield at Stop Sign, Fine $50, Total Fees $140. Sakinah Lamoni Caradine, 19, Chatfield, Minn.; 4/16/2019, No Motor Vehicle Insurance - Driver, Fine $200, Total Fees $290. Jeanette Louise Finley, 52, Chatfield, Minn.; 4/25/2019, Driving After Revocation, Fine $200, Total Fees … [Read more...]
Fillmore County District Court
On July 17, Leroy Lamond Wiley, 30 of St. Paul, appeared before District Court Judge Matthew J. Opat. Wiley is charged with Theft - Take/Drive Motor Vehicle - No Owner Consent, and Receiving Stolen Property. Each are the felonies. The first carries a maximum criminal penalty of 20 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both; the second a penalty of not more than ten years in … [Read more...]
Roger A. Dyreson
Roger A. Dyreson, age 78, of Preston, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2019, while spending time at one of his favorite places, the Dyreson family farm. Committal service with military rights will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn. A Celebration of Life will follow at the B&B Bowl in Preston. Roger … [Read more...]
Brenda Schwartz
Brenda Marie Schwartz, age 58, of Plainview, died on Friday, July 19, 2019, at her residence. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 26, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Schad and Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the services at the funeral home. Pastor Mark Woodward will officiate. There will be a reception celebrating … [Read more...]
Grace M. Miner
Grace M. Miner, 92 of Winona, passed away peacefully Monday, July 22, 2019 surrounded by her family. Grace was born on September 15, 1926, to Henry and Anna (Tammen) Konken in Brownsdale, Minn. On February 1, 1948, she married Morris “Mike” Miner. Grace had the joy of staying at home to raise her family, but also spent a lot of her time volunteering at Winona Health. She was … [Read more...]
W. John Peterson
W. John Peterson, 77, of Rushford, Minn., died on Friday, July 19, 2019 at his home with his family at his side. John was born on July 9, 1942, in Lanesboro, Minn., to Walter J. and Opal (Norby) Peterson and raised in Choice, Minn. He was united in marriage to Jean Fogal on November 23, 1963. John worked at Bakken Construction in Rushford until the early 1970s when he … [Read more...]