In late January 2025, the Minnesota Newspaper Association released the results of the annual Better Newspaper Contest. There are 227 daily and weekly newspapers spanning the 87 counties that make up the State of Minnesota. Out of the 912 entries from all newspapers in the state, the Fillmore County Journal earned eight awards in the categories of advertising, editorial, and … [Read more...]
2024 Business Persons of the Year Ninnemans Receive Award of Excellence From Journal Readers
As a newspaper, we have an opportunity to bring people together for a common good. To inspire and foster positive news presented by our readers that lifts people up in the communities we serve. Starting in 2020, the staff at the Fillmore County Journal coordinated the first-ever recognition for the Business Person of the Year. The newspaper publishes a form to fill out … [Read more...]
Getting a Jump on College with PSEO
As students enter their final years of high school, they make plans for the future. For those wishing to attend college, they may be looking at an average cost of between $50,000 and $150,000 to complete a four-year program. But, what if they can cut that cost in half? More and more students are taking advantage of the opportunity to earn college credits with the Post … [Read more...]
Trump Wins Again – What About the Local Races?
The Presidential race was another one for the history books. In 2016, when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, Trump prevailed with 304 electoral college votes compared to Clinton’s 227. In that race, Trump won the electoral college but had fewer popular votes than Clinton – a point of contention among some voters. Trump had 62,984,828 compared to Clinton’s 65,853,514 … [Read more...]
Absentee, Mail-in Ballots; Anticipating Voter Turnout
Are people voting earlier with the option of mail-in and absentee balloting? Houston County Auditor/Treasurer Polly Heberlein shared, “At this point, I can tell you that absentee voting is becoming more popular. I do not have any definite numbers relating to vote-in-advance versus Election Day. When trying to compare, scenarios are so different now than there were in … [Read more...]
Tasty Temptations Cookbook Deadline is October 25
It’s that time of year again. It’s time to start pulling out your favorite holiday family recipes for gatherings. In 2010, the Fillmore County Journal started publishing the first-ever “Tasty Temptations Cookbook,” full of recipes from the best cooks of Bluff Country throughout our coverage area. This year, 2024, marks our 15th annual cookbook, and we’re excited to share … [Read more...]
Stolen Political Signs, Homecoming Prank
On the morning of Friday, September 27, a few residents of Preston, Minn., awoke to find their political signs had been removed from their property. Initially, concerned individuals shared on social media that this was a politically targeted action carried out by those with opposing political views. According to Christine DeVries, co-chairing the Fillmore County DFL along … [Read more...]
Contested Races and Candidate Shortage
In the contested races, it’s always like a game of musical chairs. When the election is over, the results are tallied, the music stops, and only a select few will have a seat at the table. On the other side of the coin, when the community is short candidates, it’s a question of who wants the job. But what happens if nobody wants the job? According to the Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Fravel trial set to begin October 7
The trial charging Adam Fravel with murder is set to begin October 7, marking 16 months since Madeline Kingsbury’s body was discovered along Highway 43 between Mabel and Rushford, Minn. In June 2024, Zachary Bauer, the attorney representing Adam Fravel, sought a change of venue, citing the pre-trial publicity and community involvement as reasons for moving the trial out of … [Read more...]
Won’t You Take Me To Tiny Town
I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with the Huntingtons, and talking about a little town with a big draw that rests upon a hilltop on the backside of their farm. When Bob and Carol Huntington purchased their 168 acre farm back in December 1979, they probably didn’t envision how this property would some day become the center of attention for their … [Read more...]
Davids Will Face Wolf in November
The primary election, held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, presented another opportunity for voters to make decisions about who they want to represent them during the next election cycle. Here’s how the numbers stacked up. Congressional District 1 Incumbent Brad Finstad reeled in 30,058 votes, locking in 90.90% of the Republican votes necessary to retain his spot on the … [Read more...]
Candlelight Vigil for Madeline Kingsbury on June 1, Her Birthday
On Saturday, June 1, 2024, starting at 7:30 p.m., there will be a candlelight vigil held in honor of Madeline Kingsbury at Levee Park in Winona, Minn. This event, which will be held on what would have been Maddi’s birthday, has been titled, “Shine Bright for Maddi and Break The Silence on Domestic Violence.” Women’s Shelter, HOPE Coalition, Winona Advocacy Center, and Bluff … [Read more...]
Father’s Day Cruise For a Cause in Honor of Madeline Kingsbury All Funds Raised Will Go Into a Fund For Her Two Children
The 2024 Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause will be in honor of Madeline Kingsbury, with all money raised going into a fund for the health, welfare, and education for her two children, Elliana and Noah. In 2023, a group including Kevin Jacobsen of Caledonia, Gina Jaquith of Chatfield, Eric Hammell of Fountain, along with myself, initiated the first-ever Father’s Day Cruise for … [Read more...]
2024 Volunteer of the Year
Last year’s Volunteer of the Year was Spring Grove Fire Chief Trent Turner. This year, we have another firefighter worthy of this community award. Paul Corcoran. When it comes to emergency response, Paul is the one you want on the scene. He’s a seasoned veteran, serving in both realms of fire department and ambulance service. Paul joined the Rushford Fire … [Read more...]
His Part in Harmony’s History
“Ralph Beastrom, age 81, passed away peacefully at Methodist Hospital in Rochester on Thursday, March 7, 2024, after a difficult battle with cancer.” His obituary shared his life’s story, but sitting down with his wife Carol added to Ralph’s legacy. We usually only share a story about the Volunteer of the Year; not the runner-up. But Ralph’s impact on the community and the … [Read more...]