Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is celebrating 75 years of ministry this year. The theme for this year of celebration is “A Leap of Faith” as it both describes how Our Savior’s was formed, and our current faithful response to ministry today. Seventy-five years ago, discussions between Trinity Lutheran of the Norwegian ELC Synod and Zion Lutheran of the ALC German Synod came to … [Read more...]
Pailey Gordon
Writer/Reporter
pailey@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Rediscovering Myself, One Hobby at a Time
By Sara Mensink One of my goals this year was to find some new hobbies while rediscovering a few old ones. Now that my son is sleeping through the night (mostly), I have a little more “me” time and a whole lot more energy! Over these last few months I’ve thought to myself, what do I actually want to do with my free time? One thing I knew for sure was that I wanted something … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – A Warm Fuzzy or a Cold Prickly?
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) When I was in seminary, I had many blessed moments studying theology, Biblical studies, pastoral counseling, preaching, church administration and the various things needed in parish ministry. I had many talented and well-learned professors … [Read more...]
Bike Trail Death Press Release
On Wednesday, September 2nd at 6:46 p.m., Fillmore County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call of an adult male deceased on the Root River Bike Trail approximately two miles east of Preston. The investigation determined that a 63-year-old male from Iowa was riding eastbound on the trail ahead of a group of other riders, when a tree fell from the side of the trail onto the … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Jeffrey Allen Feine, 68, Caledonia, MN; 6/29/2026, Careless Driving - Operate Any Vehicle Carelessly on Street or Highway, Fine $100, Total Fees $175. Chatfield Police Department Peter Sylvan Hebrink, 22, Chaska, MN; 7/30/2026, Speeding (45/30), Fine $60, Total Fees $140. Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Katharine McCarthy Anderson, 24, … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – A Jealous God
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Jealousy is a deep and very real emotion. It bubbles up in ways that so often we categorize as negative. Being jealous over possessions, over a physical trait, talents, relationships, over all kinds of things we long for and indeed God commands us not to covet anything. But, and this is the most beautiful caveat you can … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department John Michael Luhman, 39, Caledonia, MN; 5/19/2026, Violate No Contact Order; Within Ten Years of the First of Two or More Convictions (Felony), Fine $50, Total Fees $200. Commit to Commissioner of Corrections, Minnesota Correctional Facility St. Could - 24 months (stay for five years). Local Confinement - 90 days. Credit for time served: two … [Read more...]
Fatal ATV Crash East of Fountain
On Saturday, August 15 at 2:15 p.m., Fillmore County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call of an ATV crash involving a 16-year-old male. The crash occurred on private property in Carrolton Township, east of the city of Fountain. Upon arrival by first responders, the male was unresponsive and was flown to St. Marys Hospital by Mayo 1. On Sunday, August 16, the victim died from … [Read more...]
Time in a Bottle?
By Angela Denstad Time and again we talk about the weeks flying by, we compare the current weather to that of past seasons, we remark on the changes we notice from year to year. Whether small talk or the most profound poetical musings, it all amounts to more or less the same thing: Time passes. And as it does, there’s comfort in predictability, a familiar grounding of … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair Non-Livestock Results
4-H Club Legend AHF - Arendahl Hi-Flyers, BC - Bloomfield Cloverleaves, CC - Carimona Cruisers, CW - Challenging Workers, HHH - Harmony Helping Hands, I- Independent, LL - Lanesboro Livewires, MBB - Mabel Busy Bees, NGG - Norway Go-Getters, RRR - Root River Rabbits Champion Aerospace: Porter Mathison, CC; Reserve Champion: Maverick Mathison, CC Champion Bicycle: Mae … [Read more...]