On Labor Day weekend 2024, Fillmore Central graduate Grace Kennedy had closed up her hair salon and headed out with her family for a ride along the Mississippi. Her family was riding motorcycles; Grace was following them in a slingshot. At an intersection, Grace’s life took a sudden turn. A man was southbound and about to make a left turn. A drunk person slammed into that man … [Read more...]
Looney Valley Lutheran Church Celebrates 150 Years
On Sunday, September 28, Looney Valley Lutheran Church will join together to celebrate a century and a half of its existence. Using a theme of “Yesterday we remember, today we celebrate, tomorrow we await,” the church will host a coffee hour at 9:15 a.m. followed by a special church service at 10 a.m., a noon meal of meatballs and turkey and a program at 1:30 p.m. Three of … [Read more...]
Go Green Kicks Off Plant Scavenger Hunt
Are you and your kids looking for a fun way to get out and enjoy nature this fall? The Go Green Club from Rushford-Peterson Middle School/High School, Mannix Darr, who is working toward his Eagle Scout rank, and the city of Rushford have worked to create a plant scavenger hunt using the trails at Magelssen Bluff Park in Rushford. The plant identification scavenger hunt will be … [Read more...]
Historic Forestville Ending Interpretive Tours
An irony existed when the banks of the Root River could not contain recent rainfall amounts temporarily closing Historic Forestville just days before the Minnesota Historic Society announced that on September 1, 2025, this site dedicated to preserving rural history in Minnesota would be closing. Will this closure be similar to a time over a hundred years ago when Thomas … [Read more...]
Adventure Racing Challenging Both Body and Mind
Last summer, Carin Hyter and Joshua Jacobson went to see the movie “Arthur the King,” a movie based on the true life story of a man who rescued a dog while competing in a world championship adventure race. Until then, neither Carin or Josh had heard of adventure racing. Intrigued, the couple researched the sport more and decided to try it. They found that adventure racing … [Read more...]
Alleged Drunk Driver Totals Classic Car and More
Over the past two weeks, anyone passing through Preston on Highway 52 has probably seen a black tarp covering a vehicle on the lot of Preston Service Plus. Passersby probably also noticed signs had been struck along with damage to the north side of the long-time body shop. The Statement of Probable Cause - Verbatim “On or about August 8, 2025, at approximately 1:25 AM, … [Read more...]
Making the News for Over 40 Years
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! This is a special edition of the Fillmore County Journal as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of publishing this community newspaper. What makes this so special is that we have an opportunity to celebrate something that rarely happens with community newspapers – especially these days. While corporations have gobbled up community … [Read more...]
Step Back in Time with Prairie School
The children run happily to their teacher, apron strings catching in the breeze and bonnets hanging down their backs, excited to start a new school day in their one-room schoolhouse. At first glance, it looks like a scene from “Little House on the Prairie,” but then a semi roars by on the nearby highway and it’s obvious that you’re still in the 21st century. Retired teacher … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Dedicated Couple Preserved History for Decades
At the Houston County Fair, he educated visitors inside the 1880 pioneer log cabin. His wife demonstrated how pioneer women spun wool on an antique spinning wheel in that same log home in the Houston County Historical Society complex, adjacent to the fairgrounds at the Main Street entrance. Harold and Ragnhild (Peterson) St. Mary donated countless volunteer hours at the museum. … [Read more...]
Fountain Looks Ahead to Highway 52 Project
There were several guests in attendance at the August 6 Fountain City Council meeting, including Paul Zagar from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The city will see a major reconfiguration of the current 3rd Street and County Road 8 intersection with Highway 52 next spring. Currently, the three roads meet in a “Y” intersection. MnDOT is planning to end the … [Read more...]