Area schools have unexpectedly experienced a major shift in the way they educate children. With the global threat of COVID-19 prevalent in 34 out of 87 counties in Minnesota, Governor Walz issued an executive order to temporarily close all schools from March 17, 2020, until March 27, 2020. On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Walz announced that he was extending that executive … [Read more...]
Churches staying connected
If you’ve ever arrived late for a church worship service, that won’t be a problem for the foreseeable future. You’ve just reduced your travel time. And, you don’t have to get all dressed up in your Sunday best. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can relax in your pajamas, sit back on the couch, and watch your worship service on your phone, tablet or … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Compassion, selflessness, and humility
On the back page of this newspaper, our readers will find a full page presenting the message “STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES.” We encourage our readers to display this page in their windows as a sign of solidarity. While we are asked to stay in our homes due to the risks associated with spreading COVID-19, practicing our newly found social distancing skills, we are all in this … [Read more...]
Impact of pandemic
It’s like an episode of the Twilight Zone. Starting March 17, mandated by Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota’s school-aged children were sent home with the possibility they may return to school on Monday, March 30, 2020. Rumors have circulated that students will finish their school year at home with online learning. As of March 19, 2020, at least 92,000 public and private schools … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… We are all in this together
On Thursday, March 12, 2020, our family was joining friends at the Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis to watch the Fillmore Central girls basketball team battle for an opportunity to earn a state title. Before we left Preston, Minn., for their first game, there was speculation that the state tournament was changing to a single elimination format. By the next day, on Friday … [Read more...]
Sheriff DeGeorge regarding COVID-19
In response to concerns relating to COVID-19, Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge has instituted a few operational changes to minimize risk to the public and staff. According to DeGeorge, “When someone calls 911 or our non-emergency line for help, dispatch will likely ask a few questions to determine if the call may involve someone who is at risk for having COVID-19. Some … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Voting nostalgia
Have you ever purchased an item that offered a mail-in rebate? Yeah, me too. To receive your rebate, you usually have to jump through some hoops with sending a UPC code cut off of the box of the item along with filling out a form and including a copy of the receipt as proof of purchase. All that work, and from my experience, I have only ever received about one out of five … [Read more...]
Decades of entertainment and celebrations on the Outback
Nestled in the hills and valleys of Houston County, Minn., Jake and Holly Wieser are busier than a cowboy in a rabbit roping competition. They own Outback Ranch, Inc., Outback Entertainment, Jake Wieser Construction, Inc., and WIESER Septic & Excavating, all operating out of one location occupying 210 acres that straddles Sheldon and Yucatan Townships. The evolution … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… A puzzling winner
Since December 30, 2019, the Journal office has received a flurry of entries submitted for the 2019 Cabin Fever Word Search Puzzle Book contest. For our last issue of the decade and of 2019, we published our first-ever word search puzzle book. For this contest, all participants who submitted a completed and accurate puzzle (that appeared on the back page of the puzzle book) … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Ripple effects of tragedy
This past year has been full of tragedy for the Mabel-Canton School District, Mabel and Canton residents, the Amish community, and all associated emergency responders. There have been a number of vehicular accidents that have claimed lives. To say it has been emotionally taxing would be an understatement. In smaller communities where people are more connected — … [Read more...]