Bill and Sue Lark met for the first time outside of the laundromat in Stewartville in 1968. Sue’s sister had moved out and Sue was spending so much time on the phone with her that their mom asked her to cut back so the phone bill wouldn’t continue to be so high. Rather than calling her sister from home, Sue stopped into the laundromat to call her instead. When she came … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
SE MN Ethanol, LLC dissolves under POET merger
In the mid 1990s, a group of local farmers decided that Southeastern Minnesota should have a biorefinery to create ethanol from corn, which would provide them with a new avenue of selling their corn. With that in mind, they created Southeast Minnesota Ethanol, LLC, also known as SME, and purchased some land just outside of Preston. The next step was to find someone willing to … [Read more...]
Local Boy Scouts learn how Lanesboro government works
Seven members of Boy Scout Troop 67 were present at the February 4 Lanesboro City Council meeting to learn more about how local government works and what roles, rights, and responsibilities youth have in the community. Mayor Jason Resseman explained the role of the mayor and council members to the troop and encouraged them to take active roles in the community of Lanesboro and … [Read more...]
New Lanesboro School Board member sworn in
Lanesboro School Board member Dave Lawstuen administered the oath to returning board members Lolly Melander, Steve Snyder, and Steve Storhoff as well as new member Mike Willford. Lawstuen was nominated and approved as the board chair, Steve Snyder as the vice chair, Chris Troendle as clerk, and Lolly Melander as treasurer. The Lanesboro School Board meetings will continue to … [Read more...]
Newly elected member of Harmony City Council sworn in
Newly elected Harmony City Council member Tony Webber was sworn in at the council’s January 8 meeting, along with returning council member Steve Sagen and Mayor Steve Donney. The easement agreement for the land swap between the City of Harmony and Fillmore Central for the football field has been completed and was sent to the school district for approval. They sent it back to … [Read more...]
Donna Rasmussen named Minnesota 2018 Outstanding SWCD Employee
Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District administrator Donna Rasmussen was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee award on December 10 at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ annual convention. She was nominated for the award by her co-workers at the Fillmore SWCD, who were thrilled to hear that she had … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school levy to increase thanks to November 6 vote
The Lanesboro school district held its Truth in Taxation meeting at the December 13 school board meeting. No one from the public was present for comments or questions. During the 2017-18 fiscal year, the district’s revenues were $4,915,918 and expenditures were $5,205,976. The levy was set at $423,478.95 during that time. This year’s levy has been set at $868,693.87 due to … [Read more...]
Longtime Preston restaurant announces it’s closing its doors
“I hope that sparks someone to purchase it,” Branding Iron owner Steve Bahl said about his recent decision to announce a closing date for his restaurant. Bahl has owned the Branding Iron since 1989, and while he has enjoyed his time at the restaurant, he and his wife Allyson are ready for a change. The Branding Iron was built in 1970 by a group of businessmen who made up the … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central board member recognized for six years of service
Fillmore Central Board Member Emily Ellis Onsager was recognized for her six years of service on the school board and presented with a plaque during the regular December 18 meeting. The board expressed their gratitude to Ellis Onsager for her time and dedication. The Fillmore Central School Board reviewed the 2018 levy and held a Truth in Taxation meeting. The total levy … [Read more...]
Harmony Fire Department commissions firefighter memorial statue
Chris Skalen from the Harmony Fire Department was present at the December 11 Harmony City Council meeting to ask the council to approve a down payment on a 70” bronze statue of a firefighter from Brodin Studios, Inc. in Kimball, Minn. The statue will be placed beside the fire station with benches and landscaping to complete the memorial. So far, approximately $52,000 has been … [Read more...]