With spring approaching, many of us begin thinking more about the possibility of severe weather. Thanks to Fillmore Skywarn, a volunteer storm spotting group, we can rest a little easier. The storm spotters stress safety as the highest priority as they look for storms; people are placed to the side or in back of storms and never cross a bridge without knowing there is another … [Read more...]
Calvin Nagle, new Houston police officer
Calvin Nagle was sworn in as Houston’s newest police officer by Mayor Dave Olson at the regular Houston City Council meeting on March 14, 2022. Nagle will begin training with Police Chief Brett Hurley at once; both will take part in the yearly spring police training sessions as well. Hurley asked for pre-approval on purchasing a new squad car; currently the dealership in … [Read more...]
The new Spring Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
Forming a new Chamber of Commerce is like putting a puzzle together. It requires bringing community members together, figuring out how they fit together, and like putting the non-profit together piece by piece. In 2019, Spring Grove community members identified a need in the community. They came together to organize a Chamber of Commerce for Spring Grove and the surrounding … [Read more...]
Former Harmony dental office gets new life as Airbnb
Many may remember visiting the small blue house, located on Harmony’s 1st Ave Southeast, to see the local dentist. Regular check-ups may have led to some uncomfortable moments, which may have included filling, drilling or even some pulling! Now, when visitors enter the home, there is nothing BUT comfort to greet them. The former dental office has been converted into a … [Read more...]
Johnson’s Rolling Acres named Producer of the Year
Minnesota Milk chose Johnson’s Rolling Acres of Peterson, Minn., as Producer of the Year at their annual meeting in December. In order to be chosen, someone in the industry nominates a farm; the farm then fills out an application. Rolling Acres has been nominated for the last five years; this year they were chosen. Peers in the community of milk producers choose the award … [Read more...]
Bernard Bus — family-owned business for 75 Years
Locally owned in Chatfield, Bernard Bus Service is celebrating 75 years of family-owned business. Mike Bernard’s grandparents, Art and Evelyn, opened the business in 1947. Mike’s uncle was in charge when they retired with Mike’s parents, Chip and Lana, taking over the business in 1985. At that time, they had 9-10 routes in Chatfield with all the buses running on LP; they worked … [Read more...]
A busy guy in Grand Meadow
Grand Meadow resident Travis Warmka is a busy guy, but that’s how he likes it. As owner of three local businesses (J & S Repair, JCB, and Featherlite Graphics), Travis never has to worry about sitting idle and bored. He recently took a few minutes to answer some questions about how he stays busy. Travis is the owner of J & S Repair, which operates from locations in … [Read more...]
Preston and Lanesboro team up to sustain ambulance service
At a September 2021 Lanesboro City Council meeting, interim Ambulance Director Dan Jaquith declared, “We are on the verge of closing.” There just aren’t enough volunteers. Preston ambulance director Ryan Throckmorton said a conversation between the Preston and Lanesboro Ambulance Services began a few years back. In 2021 they started working together. Both staff and members of … [Read more...]
2021 Business Persons of the Year Slifkas receive award of excellence from Journal readers
Over the past several years, business owners have faced so many challenges – a pandemic, supply chain issues, and labor shortages, to name a few. In 2020, the staff at the Fillmore County Journal coordinated the first-ever “Business Person of the Year” award in collaboration with nominations from readers. This was an engaging community effort. The first recipient of this … [Read more...]
A father and his son, and hockey skates
This is the story of a Chatfield father who envisioned playing ice hockey as a youth, but because of the costs he could not take part in the sport. So along comes his son, who with his father’s support and enthusiasm started to skate at the age of three and grew up playing youth hockey in Rochester. An opportunity came along for Lyle Mullenbach to own a skating rink. … [Read more...]