From working in the marketing department at an electronics company in Rochester to doing graphic design at the Fillmore County Journal to working in tourism, the Chamber of Commerce and the EDA in Preston, Gabby Kinneberg has gained skills and formed relationships at each job that have helped her with her career at the veterans home in Preston. “It’s crazy how much I learned in … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
New Music Teacher for Fillmore Central
Jessica Spencer is the new music teacher for Fillmore Central Elementary School, teaching kids from kindergarten through sixth grade. She grew up in Rochester, Minn., but left the state to get her degree in Music Education at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. For over 13 years, Spencer has sang in choirs and played the clarinet for numerous groups, both … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Approves New Library Board Member
During the public comment portion of the October 6 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Peter Torkelson asked if the disciplinary action taken against the library director had been removed from the records yet as he had requested at last month’s meeting, citing improper procedure and misquotes. Sandy Webb also spoke in support of good things that were happening at the Lanesboro … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Sees Good Turnout for Conferences
At the September 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that 276 out of 277 students were represented by parents or guardians at the elementary back-to-school conferences. The high school open house was also well attended with many students turning in paperwork and picking up their computers. “It was successful at both the open house and … [Read more...]
St. Johns Lutheran School Celebrates 150 Years
St. Johns Lutheran School in Wykoff has traditionally taken part in Wykoff’s annual Fall Fest with a bake sale, but this year is extra special for the school as it is celebrating its 150th anniversary. St. Johns Lutheran Church was started in 1874 and just a year later, the school opened for its first students. The first and only parochial school in Fillmore County, it … [Read more...]
Harmony’s Small Cities Development Grant Goal Nearly Met
At the September 9 Harmony City Council meeting, Harmony resident Mary Sack noted that she had brought an issue with the handicap door at the community center to the attention of the city offices and was wondering if there had been a resolution yet. The door does not stay open long enough to allow someone with a mobility device to go through it. City Administrator Alyssa … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Kicks Off School Year with Conferences
Superintendent Heath Olstad reviewed the upcoming start of the 2025-26 school year with the Fillmore Central board at their regular August 26 meeting. Parent/teacher conferences will be held on the first two days of school at the elementary building just like in previous years. Olstad noted that that format has been well received by parents and staff, and that it seems to work … [Read more...]
Step Back in Time with Prairie School
The children run happily to their teacher, apron strings catching in the breeze and bonnets hanging down their backs, excited to start a new school day in their one-room schoolhouse. At first glance, it looks like a scene from “Little House on the Prairie,” but then a semi roars by on the nearby highway and it’s obvious that you’re still in the 21st century. Retired teacher … [Read more...]
Harmony Council Appoints New Council Member
The Harmony City Council reviewed four letters of interest for the open council seat at their regular August 12 meeting. Mayor Steve Donney made a motion to appoint Keith McIntosh and the motion was approved unanimously. McIntosh was sworn in and took his seat on the council. The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the July 15 meeting, the claims and July … [Read more...]
New Location for Maple Leaf Services
Dean Aug, executive director of Maple Leaf Services, had been looking for a new building in Preston for years and then one seemed to drop into his lap. Maple Leaf Services had been sharing a rented office space a block from the downtown area of Preston, but was ready for a change. Aug brought up his search to Dan Christianson, CEO of F&M Community Bank in Preston and … [Read more...]