WASHINGTON, August 8, 2023 – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressing concern over recent policy changes and rate hikes affecting local and rural newspapers. In July, the USPS eliminated the use of sack containers for newspapers and other periodicals and will now only accept newspapers … [Read more...]

Letter about too many lanterns... To the Editor, Relay for Life 2023 was held in Fountain on July 28. Around here we show up and offer support after diagnoses of cancer. Most of us have connections to the uncertainties, suffering, and pain of cancer. Looking around the long oval walking track that was lit by lanterns on both sides, my friend said, “Too many lanterns.” … [Read more...]

The newspaper business has been a part of my life for nearly 40 years, dating back to my early days as a Post-Bulletin route carrier. As many in our industry would say, “I have ink in my blood.” It’s truly a privilege to do what I do; to work with the people I work with.  We have an amazing team that continuously strives to improve both our content and our presentation of … [Read more...]

Opinions expressed here are those of the author and not of the Fillmore County Journal. By Pastor Norm Omodt, Retired Chatfield, MN I write this last commentary for 4 reasons. First: To help a few million people better  understand  who President Trump is.  He has a Border Line Personality, according to Doctors of Psychology,  which means he can’t function as normally as … [Read more...]

President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation July marks one of my favorite months at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). It is the time of year when we get to distribute more than 20,000 books to organizations that work with young children in our 20-county region. The importance of early literacy cannot be overstated. Not only does it build a strong … [Read more...]

Opinions expressed here are those of the author and not of the Fillmore County Journal. Letter about Houston School District 294 Referendum... To the Editor, I live in Winona County but my property lies within District 294 for taxation.  The district is holding an election on a referendum totaling over $30 million on August 8, 2023.  I consider this referendum to be … [Read more...]

Opinions expressed here are those of the author and not of the Fillmore County Journal. Letter about 92 with gratitude... To the Editor, Most of the elderly that I know seem to be grateful. Maybe they also have more time to express it. As I got older, I became more and more angry at all the things I could not do. Then I wised up and thought of all the things I COULD do. … [Read more...]

Opinions expressed here are those of the author and not of the Fillmore County Journal. By Sen. Steve Drazkowski Judging by the feedback I have been getting, many of you are aware of the proposal to create a new national park in southern Minnesota. The park would have been called Driftless National Park, and it was the brainchild of a man named Sean Macaday, a meteorologist … [Read more...]

By Jason Sethre Publisher Fillmore County Journal jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com First, I want to say that my beef with the USPS has nothing to do with anyone at a local level. Our local USPS postmasters, clerks and route drivers are absolutely wonderful to work with.  They are dedicated, and they truly care about providing the best possible service. My issues are with … [Read more...]

Letter about abortion in Minnesota... To the Editor, What has happened in our state? Our House, Senate and governor have succeeded in their stated goal to promote abortion in Minnesota. Here is what they passed. Minnesota state law now has legal abortion through all nine  months of pregnancy for any reason. Babies who survive an abortion can now be left to die without … [Read more...]

By Daniel Wilson Rushford, MN The State of Minnesota recently passed a state budget that will include up to $215 million over the next several years to expand internet access. With an additional $650 million coming from the federal government, there will be a lot of resources dedicated to solving the problem of broadband access. To make sure that this money is spent on the … [Read more...]

By Tim Penny President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Imagine being a kid in a small town in Minnesota who, more than anything, wants to dive into the city pool with their friends to escape the summer heat – but their family cannot afford the pool pass. This very situation is what prompted the Wabasha Kellogg Area Community Foundation (WKACF) to start … [Read more...]

With our daughter graduating from high school this year, we’ve attended quite a few ceremonies and open houses. It’s been truly wonderful seeing these kids grow up together, from pre-school on up to commencement. I’ve heard it so many times from those older and wiser than me, “They grow up so fast.”  It’s true. And, it’s full of mixed emotions.  As parents, we have so … [Read more...]

Letter about Juneteenth, Minnesota’s newest holiday To the Editor, This year, Juneteenth became a Minnesota state holiday to be observed on June 19. It honors that date in 1865 when enslaved Americans in Galveston, Tex., were finally told that they were free — nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and … [Read more...]