As many of our readers grapple with the change that has taken place with our community newspapers over the past couple weeks, we are working behind the scenes at the Fillmore County Journal to expand our news coverage. With this transition, we realize that we have become the only newspaper serving all of Fillmore County and portions of Houston and Mower Counties. This is … [Read more...]
Lifeboat socialism
Howdy folks! Well, it’s the first day of having the kids home because daycare can’t keep them anymore. The morning was flash cards and working on handwriting for the 3- and 5- year-old respectively, then some games, then lunch, then a nap. Luckily, as my substitute teaching job was essentially covering the $300/week cost for their daycare, My wife and I are lucky to essentially … [Read more...]
From farm crisis to coronavirus crisis: a message of hope for southern Minnesota
In 1986, an economic crisis had shaken Greater Minnesota. Farms across the state faced bankruptcy and rural communities suffered. Accordingly, young people were leaving the small towns that had nurtured them in search of opportunities elsewhere. These developments created uncertainty about the future of rural Minnesota. In the midst of that “farm crisis” the urban-based … [Read more...]
Thank you to our political leaders
To the Editor, As a small business owner who has seen government mandates severely impact my business, I would like to thank our political leaders at all levels for shelving politics and working together to help us minimize the economic pain we’re experiencing from the coronavirus. In particular, I’d like to thank our Congressman, Jim Hagedorn, for joining with Rep. Chris … [Read more...]
How to beat the threat of a pandemic
By Mike Sieve Rushford, Minn. In these dark days of the coronavirus it’s important to believe that we will get through this and life will go on. But it’s also important to learn lessons so that we might be better prepared for threats like this in the future, as there almost certainly will be. With that in mind, it seems to me that there are three things that a country … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: Some gentle reminders
By Leah Himlie Hello everyone! I will start by saying that this is my last scheduled article through the project. Since I am a senior, I will not be coming back next year. Thank you to everyone who has read my articles through the past two years. I have received many nice comments and words of encouragement, and knowing how many people I have touched makes me smile. I like … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
The following is a true story. The names are not mentioned to protect the innocent from embarrassment. When I was in elementary school my sisters and I played with the three sisters who lived up the block. In the summer we built forts in a vacant lot, played kick ball, and had tea parties with our dolls. In the winter we went to their house to play school because in the … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Compassion, selflessness, and humility
On the back page of this newspaper, our readers will find a full page presenting the message “STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES.” We encourage our readers to display this page in their windows as a sign of solidarity. While we are asked to stay in our homes due to the risks associated with spreading COVID-19, practicing our newly found social distancing skills, we are all in this … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: The impact of COVID-19 on students and educators
By Kaycie Bellrichard Do you know a student or teacher who has been impacted by the Coronavirus? This pandemic has made an impact on the world, especially on those with major milestones coming up in their lives. Because of the coronavirus, many schools have been closed and school-sponsored activities have been cancelled or postponed. Both students and educators are facing a … [Read more...]
The impact of the pandemic
By Rev. James Leonard Spring Valley, Minn. I worked for two summers in college as a commercial roofer. Those two summers were enough to leave me with two lasting impressions. The first, I was happy with my choice to go into the ministry. The second, the nickname “Bright Side” given to me by my coworkers because of my frustrating habit of seeing the bright side of every … [Read more...]