Wykoff’s wastewater system, a possible new fire station, downtown improvements, and questions over city procedures were among the topics discussed during the May 11 Wykoff City Council meeting. Mayor Ryan Breckenridge chaired the meeting with council members Jeffrey Hare, Barbara Fate, Jane Baker and Missy Musel present. City Administrator Becky Schmidt also attended. The … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Woman Killed After Being Struck by Multiple Vehicles on Highway 63
A 67-year-old Spring Valley woman was killed Tuesday morning after being struck by multiple vehicles while crossing Highway 63 in Spring Valley. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the fatal crash occurred at approximately 5:29 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the intersection of Highway 63 and West Tracy Road in Fillmore County. The State Patrol reported that pedestrian … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Approves Wastewater Generator Purchase, Reviews Storm Damage and Cleanup Efforts
The Ostrander City Council met May 5 with Mayor DJ Start presiding. Council members Jimmie Dean, Lyn Massey-Mills, Dan Hellerud and Brodi Nesler were present, along with City Clerk Wendy Brincks. Much of the meeting focused on infrastructure projects, including inspections at the city’s water facilities and the approval of a generator purchase for the wastewater treatment … [Read more...]
Rushford Man Charged After Alleged Kidnapping, High-Speed Incident
A Rushford man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly forcing a woman into his vehicle, threatening her with a firearm, and driving at high speeds across multiple counties before she jumped from the moving truck to escape. Phillip Allen Heyer, 39, is charged in Fillmore County District Court with two counts of kidnapping, second-degree assault with a dangerous … [Read more...]
Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Fravel Conviction, Life Sentence in Kingsbury Murder
The Minnesota Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of Adam Taylor Fravel, ruling that the only reasonable conclusion supported by the evidence is that he planned and intentionally killed Madeline Kingsbury. In a decision filed April 29, 2026, the court rejected all arguments raised in Fravel’s appeal and upheld his sentence of life in prison without the possibility of … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Man Charged With Felony Voting Violation
A Spring Valley man is facing felony charges after authorities say he voted in the 2024 general election despite not being eligible. He told investigators and the Fillmore County Journal the situation stemmed from a mistake. Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, 39, has been charged in Fillmore County District Court with one count of perjury in writing under oath and one count of … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Approves Stop Signs, Sets Cleanup Date
The Ostrander City Council met April 7 with Mayor DJ Start presiding. Council members Jimmie Dean, Lyn Massey-Mills and Dan Hellerud were present, along with City Clerk Wendy Brincks. Council member Brodi Nesler was absent. The council approved the consent agenda without discussion. During department reports, City Maintenance employee Jeremy Runkle provided an update on … [Read more...]
Second Suspect Charged in Winneshiek County Case Involving Drug-Laced Meal
A second arrest has now been made in a Winneshiek County case in which authorities allege a home-cooked meal was laced with oxycodone in an attempt to cause a miscarriage. Matthew Louis Uthoff, 35, of Decorah, was arrested March 26, 2026, and charged in connection with the December 28, 2025, incident previously reported by the Fillmore County Journal. Uthoff is accused of … [Read more...]
Jury Resolves Years-Long Dispute Over Control of Bluff Country ATV Club
A dispute that began inside a small local ATV club and lingered for years has come to an end after working its way through the court system and ultimately being decided by a jury. At the center of the case was the Bluff Country ATV Club and a question that proved far more complicated than it first appeared: who was actually in charge. The conflict traced back to an April 21, … [Read more...]
Decorah Woman Charged in Case Involving Oxycodone-Laced Meal and Alleged Miscarriage Attempt
A home-cooked meal delivered December 28, 2025, is now at the center of a criminal case in Winneshiek County, where authorities allege it was used in an attempt to cause a miscarriage. Amber Dena Snow of Decorah faces multiple charges after investigators say a pan of lasagna was laced with a controlled substance and delivered to another family. The case began in January … [Read more...]