At the June 9 Harmony City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the May 12 council meeting, the claims and May checks, the investment report, cash balances, and a review of the budget. A one-year subscription renewal for Win 911, the app the city uses to receive alarms from water and sewer utilities, was also approved. Riley Knutson from … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Lanesboro Council Considers Protection Against Cyber Attacks
At the June 1 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Mayor Alicia Pearson noted that she had seen some conversations online about the Root River Restoration Project. She noted that while it looks distressing to see so many trees go down, the project plans include replanting. She encouraged community members to read previous council meeting minutes to see what the plans include. The … [Read more...]
Community Members Start Non-Profit to Support Fillmore Central Families
At the May 19 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Megan Persons and Kari Thomas addressed the board about a non-profit called Fillmore Central Education Foundation that they are in the process of getting up and running. They are currently working with Corson Law Office to establish the non-profit. The foundation would work to strengthen the connection between families, … [Read more...]
Harmony Increases Weekend and Holiday Pay for Ambulance Crew
At the May 12 Harmony City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the regular April 14 meeting and the special April 28 meeting, the claims and April checks, the investment report, the cash balances, the year-to-date budget, liquor license approvals for Everybody Eats, The Bite, Harmony Spirits, On the Crunchy Side, Pam’s Corner … [Read more...]
Trout Route a Reality in Preston
Preston is known for its trout fishing and is often referred to as “Minnesota’s Trout Capital,” so it’s no surprise that it is now also home to the “Trout Route.” The Trout Route began when the city of Preston received grants from the Taylor Family Foundation and Preston Area community Foundation in 2025. Former Preston Economic Development (EDA) director, Allison Whalen … [Read more...]
Area Veterans Fly to D.C. on Honor Flight
It was a whirlwind of a day, but one that Donald Ruen, Cliff Sackett, Ron Vorwerk, and David Whalen will never forget. They, along with 82 other military veterans flew to Washington, D.C. on a North Star Honor Flight on April 27. North Star Honor Flight is one of over 128 hubs of the Honor Flight Network and is based out of Adams, Minn. It serves 10 counties in southern … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Shares Ownership of DuraPatcher with Chatfield and Stewartville
At the April 27 Lanesboro City Council meeting (which had been moved from May 4), the consent agenda was approved and included accounts payable, seven temporary on-sale liquor licenses on various dates for Lanesboro Arts, the acceptance of grants from the Lanesboro Area Community Foundation, and Resolution 2026-33 regarding the counting of write-in votes in compliance with … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Prepared for Next Tornado Drill
At the April 28 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad gave the elementary and high school reports. On April 16, the district conducted its annual tornado drill. The next day, actual tornado warnings gave the opportunity to practice in real life. Both buildings had to delay dismissal as students and staff sheltered in place. Olstad gave kudos to the … [Read more...]
SmallTown Square Opens in Preston
When Jeremy DeFlorian and his wife Rita moved from Galesville, Wis., to the southeast Minnesota area due to his job with Mad City Windows and Bath, Jeremy knew he wanted to open a business here. Back in Galesville, Jeremy had owned a small boutique called Serenity River Creations & Boutique with his sister Tammi DeFlorian and a friend. Rita and Jeremy began looking for a … [Read more...]
Harmony Begins Preparations for Annual 4th of July Celebration
The annual Local Board of Appeal and Equalization was held at the April 14 Harmony City Council meeting. Fillmore County Appraiser Stefan Holets reviewed the taxes and appeal process with the council, noting that property taxes are up about 2% in Fillmore County, but that Harmony is down approximately 4.5% overall. Residents were welcome to address concerns about their property … [Read more...]