It was a dinner conversation that the members of both families would never forget. Neither family had met the other before, but prayers had been answered for both as they sat down together. The Hartman family prepared the meal, which however, took place in the Masenko home, however, a house the Masenko family was seeing for the first time. The Carl and Hazel Schild … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Receives Over $10,000 in Mini Grants
At the June 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad extended gratitude to the local banks for continuing the mini grant program; $10,500 was awarded to Fillmore Central. The Strength and Agility program is going well this summer with over 100 students participating. Multiple windows at the elementary school in the fifth and sixth grade hallway are … [Read more...]
SMIF Awards 75 Organizations with Grants
OWATONNA, Minn., May 12, 2026 - Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently awarded 26,797 children’s books to 75 organizations through its Early Literacy Grant Program, impacting 31,543 children in its 20-county region. This grant supports early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age eight by providing children with books. The … [Read more...]
Local Communities Invest Hundreds of Thousands in Graduating Seniors
Every spring across southeast Minnesota, graduating seniors receive scholarship awards funded by local memorials, churches, businesses, civic groups, and community organizations. The Fillmore County Journal contacted school districts throughout the region requesting information about scholarship totals, major awards, and long-running local scholarship programs. Caledonia Area … [Read more...]
Pay It Forward Scholarship Awarded to Izzy Torgerson
As Izzy Torgerson listened to a description of the next awardee at the Mabel-Canton scholarship awards, she thought it might be one of her classmates or maybe even her. The person worked at the Gundersen Harmony Care Center and was described as a friendly person who truly cared about the residents. When her name was announced as the recipient of a Pay It Forward scholarship, it … [Read more...]
St. Johns Lutheran School History
By Kim McKeon Edited by Mickey Angerman The long history of St. Johns Lutheran School, the first parochial school in Fillmore County, had its beginnings in the very earliest days of our St. Johns Church. Just one year after the organization of the church in 1974, a seminary student was engaged to teach school here in 1875. Those first classes were conducted in one room of the … [Read more...]
Parents Concerned about Films Assigned at Houston High School
Several Houston parents addressed the Houston School Board during the public comment period of the regular board meeting on May 7. Parents were given two minutes each to address the board. Susan Rosendahl pointed out that parents were not notified before the film “The Ugly … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Why Senior Year Goes By So Fast
By Savanah Huffman Senior year is arguably the most important year of high school. It’s the year when life starts to become truly serious. Senior year is the year for major decisions and forming paths to the future. It is supposed to be the longest, most exciting year of high school, but somehow it feels like it disappears in the blink of an eye. I used to think graduation … [Read more...]
Fruechte Recognized for Impact Beyond the Field
Caledonia’s head football coach, Carl Fruechte, received the 2026 John Gagliardi Legacy award on April 19 from the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. The ceremony was held at the Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota. “Carl Fruechte has so much respect and admiration across the entire Minnesota High School football community. He develops … [Read more...]
M-C School Board Names Mike Harvey as New Superintendent
The Mabel-Canton School Board approved hiring Mike Harvey as the school’s new superintendent at its April 21 school board meeting. According to his LinkedIn profile, Harvey is currently the CTE Construction teacher at Goodhue Public Schools in Goodhue, Minn. He has been employed in that capacity since August 2024. Before returning to teaching, he served as superintendent at … [Read more...]