On May 12, 2026, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Board of Directors awarded $238,495 in Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations to 28 applicants throughout Southeastern Minnesota. Recipients are listed by county. Dodge County • Mantorville Theatre Company received $7,500 for October Dinner Theatre. Fillmore County • City of Chatfield … [Read more...]
Pailey Gordon
Writer/Reporter
pailey@fillmorecountyjournal.com
On Taking a Walk in the Woods
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) Recently, public broadcasting has presented an insightful documentary on the life of Henry David Thoreau. Produced by Ken Burns and Don Henley, the program offers an informative picture of Thoreau as an author, naturalist and American … [Read more...]
Lanesboro American Legion Post #40 Flag Burning Ceremony
Lanesboro’s American Legion Post #40 conducted its annual flag retirement ceremony on Monday evening, June 15, at the Bass Pond parking area near downtown Lanesboro. The national organization of the Legion adopted its flag code at its National Flag Conference in 1924, and in 1937, formalized its “Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags,” intended to be “a dignified tribute … [Read more...]
Apple Maggots
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN, June 30, 2026 – As the apples on your trees continue to grow there are numerous factors that we need to consider. The apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is the most important insect pest to Minnesota grown apples and typically starts to become active in July. Heavily infested apples are … [Read more...]
Happy Independence Cake!
Time and again, tastes change, and once beloved traditions fade to memory. In our modern 24/7 newsfeed societies, where we have social media misinformation and TikTok trends continually assaulting our senses, it’s a wonder anyone can recall what they had for breakfast, let alone what they read last week. Whether that’s by design or simply symptomatic of the Information Age we … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Royce John Fullerton, 42, Austin, TX; 6/3/2026, Speeding (80/60), Fine $70, Total Fees $220. Mark Darrel Gusa, 60, Spring Valley, MN; 5/30/2026, Speeding - Exceed Limit 55 mph Where Appropriate (62/55), Fine $40, Total Fees $120. Allen Joseph Larson, 21, Waterloo, IA; 6/1/2026, Speeding - Exceed Limit 30 mph - Urban District (39/30), Fine … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Christopher Joseph Graw, 45, Caledonia, MN; 12/6/2025, Fourth Degree DWI 0.08 Blood Alcohol Content Within Two Hours, Fine $300, Total Fees $400. Local Confinement - 90 days (stay 90 days for six months). Unsupervised probation for six months - Conditions (5/28/2026): Remain law abiding and be of good behavior, No driving without valid driver’s … [Read more...]
Party of Seven!
And just like that - we are Gerdes, party of seven!! You know when you’re 4 and you’re excited about being a “whole handful” when you turn 5? Well, I feel like I just turned 5 - a whole handful of treasure! It’s quite the adventure having a baby within the same week as you get a teenager. Our oldest turned 13 and seven days later, our youngest was born. To say we’re having … [Read more...]
The Great Awakening
I enjoy going to the JEM Movie Theatre in Harmony. The people who run the theater are always so friendly, caring and welcoming ... and the popcorn is delicious! (Be sure to bring your own container to put it in for extra savings.) Recently, I enjoyed the film “A Great Awakening.” The film depicts the story of the history of the early days of the United States and features … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: In last week’s article you wrote about e-bikes. Can you also just provide a reminder on all around bicycle safety? Thank you. Answer: If you’re riding a bicycle, you must: •Obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as you would when driving. •The only exception is that bicyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs when the intersection is clear. •Use … [Read more...]