The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office recently received a donation of three life-saving fire suppression devices from the Chatfield Masonic Lodge and the Freemasons. “It can make a dramatic difference in a house fire,” stated Scott Oesterlin, member of the Chatfield Masonic Lodge (Meridian Lodge No. 25), who spearheaded the project. Oesterlin presented the devices to … [Read more...]
Trout City Brewing Reopens Under New Ownership
Operating a brewery is a brand new challenge for new owners Christa and Aaron Magnuson. The Magnusons took over Trout City Brewing in Preston, Minn., on September 18 and reopened it November 4. When the couple purchased the business, the former owners had already closed the brewery and were packing up to leave Preston. Christa left her old job in insurance behind and took … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Welcomes Walbridge as New Administrator
Mitchell Walbridge, new city administrator of Lanesboro, Minn., is a familiar face in the city. Walbridge attended Lanesboro High School, graduating in 2012. While in college, Walbridge worked as the assistant editor at the Fillmore County Journal. His focus in college was social science with an emphasis in political science. Although he received his teaching certification, he … [Read more...]
Ody’s Country Meats Carves Success With Second Spring Valley Location
As soon as Missi Koebke fills the cooler with pickle-flavored beef sticks, they are gone. Customers at Ody’s Country Meats can’t get enough of the new creation. But the popular flavor is only one reason behind the fantastic sales. The other is the new and easy access customers have to the tasty treat. In September, owner Cody Koebke and his wife opened a second retail … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Has a Latte to Be Excited About
With the opening of the new Paddle On Coffee Shop & Maker Emporium on main street in Lanesboro, Minn., area residents have some unique choices of not only several types of beverages, but so much more. Owners Ryan and Allie Palmer, who also own Root River Inn & Suites in Lanesboro, approached the former owners of the building on May 15, closed on the purchase of the … [Read more...]
Fire Destroys Miken Sports Production Building
Miken Sports, in Caledonia, Minn., a division of Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. experienced a fire in one of their older buildings on October 14. The company is assessing the damage in cooperation with the local fire department and the state fire marshal’s office. Miken will continue to operate the warehousing and distribution operation, as well as the MLB® helmet … [Read more...]
Why is There a Shortage of Law Enforcement Applicants?
Over the past few years, local law enforcement agencies have noticed a decline in applications for law enforcement positions. Where many organizations were accustomed to seeing hundreds of applicants, they are experiencing drought-like conditions. In August 2023, Goodhue Police Chief Josh Smith submitted his resignation at a city council meeting in Goodhue, Minn. Smith, … [Read more...]
It Pays to Belong to a Co-op
“There are currently 260 telecommunication co-ops in the U.S., serving 31 states and over one million people. Although this amounts to only 5% of telephone subscribers, the service area comprises over 40% of the country’s land with revenues totaling 3.9 billion dollars,” according to the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA). Utility cooperatives are formed to … [Read more...]
Career and Technical Education Exploration Day
September 21 was a sunny day with a slight breeze — the perfect day for the CTE (Career and Technical Education) Exploration Day held by Bluff Country Collaborative. For this, the third year of the CTE Exploration Day, displays from area companies were set up both inside and outside the Caledonia High School. Bluff Country Collaborative was formed in 2017 with partnerships … [Read more...]
Preston Welcomes New Chamber Director
Lindsey Reding loved the time she spent living and working in Thailand, but she knew it wasn’t going to be permanent. Her place, she felt, was in Southeast Minnesota. “I have always loved this area and knew I would eventually want to come back,” she explained. While living in Preston and working as an Interpretive Naturalist at Forestville State Park, she heard about the open … [Read more...]