Truck driver Val Gudmundson delivered the goods across the U.S. and locally off and on for about 50 years. Val’s first experiences in trucking came when, as a boy, he joined his father in the cab as his dad hauled milk in Rushford. From then on, Val wanted to be a truck driver. Val mostly drove regionally in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, but he also did long haul stints … [Read more...]
Meet Our Intern – Isaac Snyder
My name is Isaac Snyder. I’m from Lanesboro, Minnesota, and graduated in 2024. I am a summer intern at the Fillmore County Journal, and an upcoming junior at Iowa State University, majoring in marketing and minoring in Spanish. Being a student at Iowa State has helped prepare my business and sales skills – assets I look forward to utilizing in future careers and next spring … [Read more...]
Maximizing the Value of Local Agriculture; Beef Tallow Skin Care
From their home in Lanesboro, Brian and Sue Roelofs have turned a personal health mission for their daughter into a business. Brian grew up near Greenleafton, Minnesota, and went to high school in Preston. He went to college at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and moved several times throughout his career. Eventually, he ended up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he met Sue, … [Read more...]
The Pit Stop is Open for Business
Mabel Economic Development and city council member Kirsten Wyffels announced at the June Mabel City Council meeting that it is nice to see the Pit Stop open and driving business to Mabel’s main street. In the blink of an eye, the for-sale sign was there one day, and the next day it was gone. The Pit Stop … [Read more...]
ICAN Celebrates 20 Years Serving Houston County
ICAN, LLC, a locally owned business, has been a proud member of the Caledonia business community for 20 years. The company operates from its building at 139 S. Kingston Street in downtown Caledonia, along the town’s former Main Street, now known as South Kingston Street. Proud owner Jessie Twite explained that ICAN is a for-profit business emphasizing that they want to be a … [Read more...]
Brown’s Tire & Battery, Inc. Celebrates 40 Years of Service
Art Brown and his son Gary first opened their shop in January 1986 in South Rushford. Prior to that they had run their shop in Arendahl for a few years. At first Brown’s Tire was a farm tire shop. They did oil changes and brake work: one employee worked alongside Art and Gary. The shop grew over the next 40 years. Today Brown’s Tire has six fulltime employees, a parttime high … [Read more...]
SmallTown Square Opens in Preston
When Jeremy DeFlorian and his wife Rita moved from Galesville, Wis., to the southeast Minnesota area due to his job with Mad City Windows and Bath, Jeremy knew he wanted to open a business here. Back in Galesville, Jeremy had owned a small boutique called Serenity River Creations & Boutique with his sister Tammi DeFlorian and a friend. Rita and Jeremy began looking for a … [Read more...]
Beaver Bottoms Saloon Under New Ownership
Although there is a new owner of Beaver Bottoms Saloon in Fountain, Minn., she is a very familiar face to those who frequent the business. Kylie Ramsey, daughter of former proprietor Jody Wiza, officially took ownership of the bar and restaurant on February 1, 2026, although she has grown up working in the business. Jody opened Beaver Bottoms Saloon in 2018 as a … [Read more...]
PACF Annual Dinner Draws a Record Crowd
The number of people in attendance at the 2026 Preston Area Community Foundation (PACF) 19th Annual Dinner and Auction on April 6 was quite impressive. With the event being held at the Branding Iron Restaurant in Preston, Minn., those in attendance filled the entire dining room with the additional bar area full of a large variety of silent auction items. Organizers of the … [Read more...]
Flex Craft Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation
Flex Craft is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The manufacturing company has been in business since 2006, starting in Wabasha, Minn., before relocating to Houston, Minn., in 2008. The company was started by the husband-and-wife team of Doug and Terri Sparks, originally from Beloit, Wis. Flex Craft began in humble surroundings, operating out of a high school … [Read more...]