The Preston Historical Society (PHS) has been hard at work preserving and revitalizing the city’s historical roots – agriculture and railroad. Since its founding in 2002, PHS has led the effort to bring the former railyard back to life. Once a bustling hub of activity, the railyard lost its centrality when interstates replaced rail as the primary mean of transportation. But … [Read more...]
Amazing Grace’s Accident Recovery
On Labor Day weekend 2024, Fillmore Central graduate Grace Kennedy had closed up her hair salon and headed out with her family for a ride along the Mississippi. Her family was riding motorcycles; Grace was following them in a slingshot. At an intersection, Grace’s life took a sudden turn. A man was southbound and about to make a left turn. A drunk person slammed into that man … [Read more...]
St. Johns Lutheran School Celebrates 150 Years
St. Johns Lutheran School in Wykoff has traditionally taken part in Wykoff’s annual Fall Fest with a bake sale, but this year is extra special for the school as it is celebrating its 150th anniversary. St. Johns Lutheran Church was started in 1874 and just a year later, the school opened for its first students. The first and only parochial school in Fillmore County, it … [Read more...]
FCJ Earns General Excellence Award
At the annual Association of Community Publishers conference, held in Mobile, Ala., the Fillmore County Journal was recognized with nine awards. Best Self Promotion (Other Media) - First Place Best Front Page-Cover (Special Section) - First Place Best Self Promotion (Community Service) - Second Place Best Self Promotion (Awards) - Third Place Best Educational … [Read more...]
Good Shepherd Lutheran Home Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Good Shepherd Lutheran Home (GSLH) in Rushford celebrated its 60th Anniversary on August 27, 2025. Scrapbooks and pictures containing the history of the home were on display. Guests enjoyed cupcakes, sandwiches, chips and lemonade as well as musical entertainment by Chad Cagle of Winona. Many former employees and families of residents attended to reminisce. The nursing home … [Read more...]
Village Farm and Home Celebrates 40 Years in Business
On Saturday, September 20, the Manning family and their team at Village Farm and Home invites the community to join them in celebrating the store’s 40th anniversary. For four decades, Village Farm and Home has been a trusted source of products for residents, businesses, and visitors in Mabel and throughout southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa. The store carries a wide … [Read more...]
Historic Forestville Ending Interpretive Tours
An irony existed when the banks of the Root River could not contain recent rainfall amounts temporarily closing Historic Forestville just days before the Minnesota Historic Society announced that on September 1, 2025, this site dedicated to preserving rural history in Minnesota would be closing. Will this closure be similar to a time over a hundred years ago when Thomas … [Read more...]
Celebrating 10 Years of Bringing Joy to the Community Through Preston Floral and Gifts
For over 40 years, Preston Floral and Gift has been a staple for those looking to celebrate or remember loved ones, find just the right gift or for those in search of a sweet treat. Ten years ago, Preston native Ashley LaFleur bought the shop in hopes of continuing her family’s legacy. “My grandma (Rita Simonson) owned the shop for 30-plus years. I helped her on the … [Read more...]
Making the News for Over 40 Years
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! This is a special edition of the Fillmore County Journal as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of publishing this community newspaper. What makes this so special is that we have an opportunity to celebrate something that rarely happens with community newspapers – especially these days. While corporations have gobbled up community … [Read more...]
New Location for Maple Leaf Services
Dean Aug, executive director of Maple Leaf Services, had been looking for a new building in Preston for years and then one seemed to drop into his lap. Maple Leaf Services had been sharing a rented office space a block from the downtown area of Preston, but was ready for a change. Aug brought up his search to Dan Christianson, CEO of F&M Community Bank in Preston and … [Read more...]