Erma Shaw, age 98, passed away on January 21, 2018 at Cottagewood in Rochester, surrounded by her family. A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 25 at 11 a.m., with visitation on Wednesday, January 24 from 5-7 p.m., and one hour prior to the funeral; lunch will be served following the service. All services will be at the Free Methodist Church in Fillmore, 19127 … [Read more...]
Sand threats lurk in Fillmore County
The Rein frac sand mine on County Road 12 has a new name and a new operator since it was first permitted in 2013. Although not a single load of frac sand has yet been scooped, the newly named Highland Sand’s new operator Larry Thompson is seeking approval of additional hauling routes to as-yet-unknown destinations north and south of Fillmore County. Meanwhile, their original … [Read more...]
What awaits us in the New Year
As I take down the calendar for 2017 and replace it with a new calendar for 2018, I wonder what lies ahead in the New Year. Last year ushered in a disturbing trend. Truth, facts and reason were abandoned. The social fabric in our country was torn apart. It appears that as a nation we have lost our moral compass. I’ve always thought that life should be a search for the … [Read more...]
Government this week
Monday, January 22 • Fillmore Central School Board, High School Media Center, 5:30 p.m. • Rushford-Peterson School Board, Forum Room, 5:30 p.m. • Spring Valley City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. • City of Rushford City Council, City Hall, 6:30 p.m. • Chatfield City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m. • Chatfield School Board, High School Media Center, 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 23 • … [Read more...]
Marge (Moran) Utley
Marge (Moran) Utley, age 67, passed away on January 17, 2018, in Rochester. Marjorie Renae Moran was born June 30, 1950, to Marvin and Evelyn (Olness) Moran in Rushford. She was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson and confirmed at Rushford Lutheran Church in Rushford. She attended K-12 school in Rushford and then Rochester State Jr. College and Rochester Area … [Read more...]
Letter about News from Hillcrest Drive, Rushford…
To the Editor, It was thought now that the controversial Hillcrest Drive Project is mostly complete as I have received the official notice of my special assessment, and it is at a reduced rate, but still about six times greater that the annual real estate taxes on my home now! At a recent council meeting, one council member asked if there was a more effective way to prepare … [Read more...]
Resetting the topsoil trap Fillmore SWCD project restores capacity of 1955 flood control structure
The centerpiece of one of the first farmer-led conservation efforts in the U.S., a dam built in the 1950s to protect Preston from flooding, is being restored to its original capacity. The dam southwest of town maintained its flood-control function. But in 60-plus years, 15,000 cubic yards of topsoil filled the settling pond behind the earthen dike. By excavating that 7- to … [Read more...]
Kenny Mensink
Kenny Mensink, age 96, of Lime Springs, Iowa, died Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Ostrander Care and Rehab in Ostrander, Minn. Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 27, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Lime Springs, Iowa, with burial in Cherry Grove Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Lime Springs Community Center and at the church … [Read more...]
Red Cross blood shortage prompts urgent call for blood donations during National Blood Donor Month
This January, National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give now and help address a winter blood donation shortage. Severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations already this year, with more than 150 blood drives forced to cancel causing over 5,500 blood and … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Passion
By Ashley Haugerud What does passion mean to you? Is it just another word in the dictionary? Just a meaningless concept? Or is it one of the greatest gifts we, as humans, are given? To me it is exactly that. My passion is music, and I believe passion is an opportunity to build our ambition, faith, and love. Music is always pushing me to the limits, and never fails to make me … [Read more...]