On Thursday, April 3, Houston County Investigator Chris Frick and Sergeant Zach Swedberg led two active shooter training seminars. Approximately 50 Houston County employees attended the informative sessions. The Houston County Sheriff’s office uses the ALICE model – an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate - for training purposes. The ALICE model, one of … [Read more...]

Gavin Hubka was in the middle of a typical Minnesota summer when everything started to change. His family had been spending a lot of time outdoors – camping, hiking, just enjoying the season. That’s when his mom Sally noticed something strange about Gavin’s chest. It stuck out in a way that didn’t seem normal. They might not have caught it otherwise, but out in the open air … [Read more...]

At the March 24 meeting of the city council, a proposal submitted by Widseth was approved to update the city’s comprehensive plan. Approval of the Widseth proposal was recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Logan Tjossem, project manager/planner at Widseth, explained in a letter that the revision of the comprehensive plan will be a benefit to residents, … [Read more...]

“It’s never you. Until it is you,” whispered Andrew Serio of Preston, encapsulating the shocking reality that many of us often overlook. On the crisp morning of February 25, 2025, just as the sun began to cast its golden light over the landscape, Andrew’s phone rang, breaking the peaceful silence of his routine. It was a call no husband ever pictures receiving, the kind that … [Read more...]

There are certain people in life that you can always count on to step up and stand out.  Philip Abrahamson is one of those people for many reasons. In this specific instance, we are talking about Abrahamson’s 60 years of service to Holt Township as the treasurer of the township board.  The Holt Township Board consists of Loren Berge - chairman, Don Ruen - supervisor, Karroll … [Read more...]

In the 1990s, something began to capture the public’s attention: electric bicycles, or e-bikes. These were not just any bicycles; they were battery-operated. E-bikes first gained popularity in Europe and Asia, and by 1998, they started appearing in U.S. cities like San Francisco, New York, and Portland. They have since spread to many other areas. With the stunning trails in … [Read more...]

In the cold of winter, a large crowd could be found on the ice at the bass pond in Lanesboro for an event that makes even the coldest of days bearable.  No matter the temperature and no matter the weather, they have been there with ice fishing poles in hand. What began as The SnotRocket Ice Fishing Tournament has evolved in several ways over the years.  It has come to mean … [Read more...]

Two Fillmore County women got to experience the business world in India first hand last month. Emma Illg of Harmony and Malia Michelfelder Tessum of Lanesboro were chosen to be part of a group of six students from the College of Saint Benedict and St. John’s University’s global business program to study abroad in India.  Professor Kingshuk Mukherjee had presented the study … [Read more...]

At the February 4 Houston County Commission meeting, the bid for the Public Health and Community Services interior improvement project was accepted. The scope of the project includes remodeling the front office area of the building. “It’s going to make space better for all services that we operate,” said Public Health Supervisor Jordan Knoke. “We’re also increasing security … [Read more...]

In the year 1891, in the bustling city of San Francisco, a compassionate man named Captain Joseph McFee recognized a heartbreaking reality; countless individuals and families struggling in poverty were unable to afford a warm Christmas meal. Driven by a deep sense of empathy, he initiated a remarkable effort to provide not only holiday meals but also Christmas trees for those … [Read more...]