Not many people remember a time when trains ran through Preston, but for life-long Preston resident Ila Mae Olstad, those memories are near and dear to her heart. “My dad worked on the railroad. He was section foreman here in Preston,” Ila Mae explained. Her parents, Art and Melda Noel, moved to Preston around 1921 and she was born 10 years later. Ila Mae’s father had a … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Seat opens up on Harmony City Council
At the May 10 regular city council meeting, the Harmony Council accepted a resignation from council member Tony Webber effective June 1. A resolution regarding his resignation will be voted on at a special council meeting on May 19. Anyone interested in filling Webber’s term, which ends this year, should submit a letter to the city by the regular June 14 meeting. Tom Olinger … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central parents address peanut allergy concerns
Fillmore Central parents Aaron and Emily Scheevel addressed the school board at the April 26 meeting to discuss concerns regarding their daughter’s peanut and tree nut allergy, especially as she transitions to the high school next year. “Everyone has been super supportive in the school and in the community,” Emily said, adding that she’s thankful that her daughter’s classmates … [Read more...]
Harmony Council reviews property tax change requests
The April 12 Harmony City Council meeting opened with the Board of Equalization and Appeals. Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin gave a presentation to the council explaining how property taxes and assessments work. The role of the assessor is to ensure that the property tax burden is distributed equitably and according to Minnesota statutes. Physical property inspections … [Read more...]
Public comment section added to Lanesboro council meetings
The Lanesboro City Council met for their regular meeting on March 7 at 6 p.m. The consent agenda was approved and included accounts payable, Resolution 2022-19 reestablishing precincts and polling locations, and a temporary liquor license for the fire department as well as a gambling permit, parade permit, and temporary liquor license for Buffalo Bill Days. At the February … [Read more...]
Harmony Council approves amended zoning ordinance
The March 8 Harmony City Council meeting took place in the community center gymnasium due to the large number of residents present. Council member Tony Webber was absent. The meeting opened with a public hearing on the proposed Industrial Park Plat. Jerome Illg spoke regarding the special meeting that took place on March 1. At that meeting, some people questioned how often the … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central addresses damage from December storm
The Fillmore Central School Board met virtually at 7 a.m. on February 22 due to icy road conditions. Two bids from Niagara Builders were reviewed. One bid was to build a dugout and adjoining storage shed for the junior high baseball field. The vocational class had constructed a small storage shed at that location around five to seven years ago, but unfortunately, it was … [Read more...]
Harmony council hears public comment on potential Dollar General
The February 8 Harmony City Council meeting began with a public forum at which six residents of Harmony spoke. None were in favor of a Dollar General store opening in town. “I think it goes against what I believe Harmony is,” Julie Little stated. Roxanne Johnson explained that many people see Harmony as a “Mayberry” type of town. “We do have lots of services to offer people, … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council reviews emergency protocols
At the February 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Fire Chief Rob Wagner addressed the community’s concerns over siren failures during the December 15 severe weather event. The failure originated with Fillmore County who had the only control over the siren. Wagner spoke to the sheriff and the county’s emergency director and came up with the solution of installing a switch in … [Read more...]
Parents express concern over Lanesboro school policies
At the February 9 Lanesboro School Board meeting, several parents were present to express their concerns over the policies in the student handbook regarding tardiness and sick days. Anna Loney explained how her son has a medical condition causing severe fatigue that can make it difficult for him to arrive to school on time. Because of that he is being assigned Saturday school … [Read more...]