To the Editor, Providing free school lunch for all children has numerous benefits that extend beyond just addressing hunger. By ensuring that every child has access to a nutritious meal during the school day, we can improve their overall health and well-being. Proper nutrition is essential for children’s physical and cognitive development, as well as their ability to … [Read more...]

Terri and Dick Markos La Crescent, MN We are responding to Jeff Erding’s one sided article in the Fillmore County Journal on the history of what is happening in Israel and Palestine. Just one example of his erroneous statements about the idea that “Muslim Arabs’’ have been offered a homeland five times since 1936 and rejected each proposal. First of all, these proposals … [Read more...]

To the Editor, I didn’t realize there were so many misinformed communists in South East Minnesota until Stan Gudmundson and Jason Sethre wrote their thoughtful pieces in the Fillmore County Journal. I have three reasons why we have become a nation of educated idiots. 1. Educational brainwashing about socialism. 2. Big techs only allowing the people to learn what … [Read more...]

By Scott Ewalt Harmony, MN Mr. Erding needs to re-examine his reading of the history of Palestine. The area of Palestine and the indigenous people of Palestine have been a part of history for nearly 4,000 years as a semi-autonomous area within many occupying empires (Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Ottoman and others). It has been an important trading … [Read more...]

To the Editor, I want to give Minnesota legislators a big shout out and thank you for ensuring that emergency funding for nursing homes was included in the budget surplus spending last legislative session. Some of our nursing homes were in desperate situations financially, as a lot of them have not been able to recover financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and … [Read more...]

By Tommy Thorson Ostrander, MN Mr. David Webb, January 22, 2024, Fillmore County Journal: “Statistics From Gaza.” He missed a few “statistics”; more follow: After WW2, many nations of the world gathered in the lUnited Nations and together agreed the Israelis needed their own homeland. After much deliberation, and considering different locations around the world, most … [Read more...]

By Tim Penny President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Since 1986, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) has invested $56.9 million in grants in our 20-county region. While these grants support a wide range of projects – from providing books to young children to supporting small town growth – they each have had a transformative and long-term impact … [Read more...]

To the Editor, Bipartisan immigration/border bills were rejected by Republicans in 2006, 2013, 2018 and now in 2024. Trump talked like he wanted an immigration/border bill in 2018 but then lost interest. Obviously, it was not important to him. Now Trump has told his puppets in Congress that there will be no border bill. The Republicans tried to impeach Secretary of Homeland … [Read more...]

By Jeff Erding Wykoff, MN In his commentary dated 1/22/23, David Webb attempts to excuse the murderous, inhuman behavior of Hamas terrorists against innocent Jewish citizens in Israel by using a common leftist tactic;  concocting a thick smokescreen of half truths to elicit sympathy  from the readers while skillfully avoiding the true history of the situation. Why are the … [Read more...]

By Ben Bisbach Mabel, MN Jason Sethre’s recent editorial, regarding the universal free school lunch program, brought a few things to mind for me. He is opposed to the state providing a benefit to everyone, and not just the very poor. But why? Large numbers of Minnesotans were considered too “well off” to qualify for the previous program, yet are not actually well off by any … [Read more...]

To the Editor, Alima Fairchild quote from January 22 Fillmore County Journal. Remember the letter I wrote you a while back, requesting that only positive and reasoned statements be accepted for publication. “Still quoting, “It’s the election year now. Time to solicit statements that tend to unify, rather repetitive denigration of the beliefs and politics of the majority by … [Read more...]

By Jason Sethre Publisher Fillmore County Journal jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com There’s a reason this saying exists. That’s because there is no such thing as a free lunch.  Somebody always has to pay for it.  Always. Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan signed off on a program that provides free breakfast and lunch for all students attending … [Read more...]

To the Editor, I’ve read with dismay the actions by local city and county boards to “oppose” a new Minnesota law. Using cost as an excuse, these elected officials oppose the new flag and seal and have stated they’ll vote no on transition costs. They intend to defy a Minnesota law passed by our duly-elected Legislators and Governor. What other laws will Houston County and … [Read more...]

By Jason SethrePublisher Fillmore County Journal jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com There’s been a lot of chatter about the new Minnesota state flag and seal to become official on May 12, 2024. I’ve been watching, reading, and listening to all sides on the matter. I haven’t thought much about the Minnesota state flag since we had to study state history in grade … [Read more...]

By Katherine Holbrook Houston, MN Questions regarding Adoption of Resolution 24-06 - Opposition To Redesigned State Flag and Seal: 1.) Were the concerns of expense cited in Sheriff Swedberg’s memo communicated to the State Legislators Emblems Redesign Commission when it was elected in May of last year? 2.) Were they addressed with the Redesign Commission during the … [Read more...]