Joan “Joni” Ellis, age 80, of Mabel, died in the arms of her daughter, Kathryn, on Sunday, January 14, 2018, at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisc. Joni was born a twin on July 29, 1937, to Harold and Amy Erlandson. She graduated from the Central High School in La Crosse, Wis. On April 25, 1955, she married Robert Ellis, Sr. in La Crosse. They lived in La Crosse … [Read more...]
Esther Viola Dudley
Esther Viola (Young) Dudley, 95, of Chatfield, died Thursday, January 14, 2018, at Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester. Esther was born September 16, 1922, to Edward and Nancy (Dean) Young in Lancaster, Pa. She married J.C. Dudley on January 1, 1946, in Florida. She earned her LPN degree in 1964. The couple moved to Chatfield in 1970. She was employed by Chosen Valley … [Read more...]
Athlete of the Week – Lauren Buchholtz
Earl Lawrence Branum
Earl Lawrence Branum, age 75, passed away in his home after a brave battle with esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his loving and devoted family. He showed his family and friends what it means to be resilient, strong, devoted, honest, faithful and kind. Earl was born on July 27, 1942, in Austin, Minn., to Lawrence and Ethel (Holmquist) Branum. He spent much of his … [Read more...]
Camp Creek Farm: A labor of love
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but seeing a picture of Camp Creek Farm doesn’t do it justice. You have to see it for yourself to fully appreciate the beauty, the tranquility and the feeling that you have entered a magical place. Located on the outskirts of Preston, Camp Creek Farm has been an ongoing project for owners, Mike and Cindy Tomashek since October … [Read more...]
Anita (Hovde) Anderson
Anita Sylvia (Hovde) Anderson, currently of Rushford, moved out of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home on January 6, 2018, and went to join her husband, Johnny (John Peter-JP) in heaven. She thought that after 21 years he would have completed all house repairs and have the garden planted. Anita was born June 12, 1918, in Rushford to John Peter and Hazel (Torgerson) Hovde. She … [Read more...]
Snowy owl irruption blankets the area
By Karla Bloem Executive Director of the International Owl Center Five snowy owls in Brice Prairie. Two in Winona. Another in Rochester. Another by Trempealeau. And probably many more I don’t know about. It’s safe to say that the big wave of snowy owls moving south this winter has blanketed our area. Why does this happen? People used to think it was due to a shortage of … [Read more...]
Letter about Original haul route is enough
To the Editor, Fillmore County is considering granting extra haul routes for the Rein frac sand mine near Highland. The original route toward Winona that was agreed to in 2013 is still open, available and not fully utilized. Extra routes mean extra troubles for locals. I drive through Trempealeau County, Wis., a couple times a week. My route includes a section of state … [Read more...]
Government this week
Tuesday, January 16 • Preston City Council, Council Chambers, 6 p.m. • Mabel-Canton School Board, Media Center, 7 p.m. • Rushford Village City Council, Village Hall, 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 17 • Kingsland School Board, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 18 • Houston School Board, High School Library, 6 p.m. • Fillmore County Planning & Zoning Commission, Courthouse, 7 … [Read more...]
Recycling 101
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator After a long break from this article, Recycling 101 is back with a new author. LaVerne Paulson has officially retired and we want to wish him the best with his retirement and thank him for his service to Fillmore County! Having grown up adjacent to Fillmore County in Olmsted, I have been trying to figure out where to start with … [Read more...]