By Axel Gumbel Craig and Vickie Hildestad already love the Preston community. Those sayings about Minnesota Nice? Vickie says they are so true. And that’s a good thing. The Hildestad’s recently kicked off their retirement in southeast Minnesota after living and working in the Jacksonville area for 30 years. But they are not sitting still. Craig and Vickie are the new owners of … [Read more...]
MiEnergy adds 9 MW of solar energy
At a media event called “Here Comes the Sun!” held on October 25, a bright and suitably sunny day, MiEnergy announced it has entered into a power purchase agreement with OneEnergy Renewables to buy up to nine megawatts (MW) of solar energy generated by solar arrays located in Rushford Village, Fountain, Lanesboro, and Stockton. To put it into perspective, 9 MW will power … [Read more...]
The legacy of Darian
If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever. ~ Winnie the Pooh Darian O’Connell, born on July 15, 1999, passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) on October 23, 1999. Darian’s parents, Karla and Dave O’Connell, and her two sisters, Kaylee, 20, and Kortni O’Connell, 16, and Darian’s extended family … [Read more...]
Virginia Arnold turns 104!
On October 1, Virginia Arnold turned 104 years old; as a baby, Virginia was either born or left at the Henke (Grandview) Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. Virginia never knew her mother. By the time she was nine months old, she’d been taken to the Lutheran Hospital; she was adopted from there by Archie and Tillie Dent who lived about 10 miles west of Rushford on a farm. Virginia … [Read more...]
Christianson pedals to victory in Breckenridge
Fillmore County native Jarad Christianson likes to ride his bicycle. A lot. And he’s gotten quite good at it. As proof, he recently placed first in the 30 and older age group at the highly competitive Breck Epic mountain bike trail race, in Breckenridge, Colo. Jarad recently sat for an interview about the experience. When asked to describe the Breck Epic, Jarad explained that … [Read more...]
Houston County Township Officers Association hosts 60th annual meeting
The 60th annual meeting and fellowship dinner of the Houston County Township Officers Association took place on Tuesday, September 28, at the Four Seasons Community Center, Caledonia. Typically, the association holds two separate events each year, a dinner and the annual meeting. However, since neither event happened in 2020 due to COVID-19 both events were combined into one … [Read more...]
#RhettStrong: Rural Preston boy fights cancer
“Rhett is proving to us that he is tough, he is loved, he is happy,” Kayla Carroll said about her son. “We are just doing our best to show him our support.” Rhett, an energetic, determined five-year-old, was recently diagnosed with a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor or MRT which is a rare childhood tumor that starts in the kidney and other soft tissues. Only about 15 cases are … [Read more...]
Harmony welcomes animal grooming business to Main Street
Who doesn’t love being pampered with a relaxing shampoo, haircut and blowout? After a little “buff and shine,” one can leave the salon feeling like a whole new person! It’s no different for our canine and feline loved ones and they can get a “custom cut, from nose to butt,” at Birch Bark Grooming in Harmony. Emily Ragan, a groomer for 14 years, opened her pet salon in July … [Read more...]
Houston Schools’ health and safety measures approved
After a failed resolution at the previous board meeting, the Houston School Board approved a revised health and safety plan for the 2021-2022 year, at their September 2 meeting. Before the approval, several members of the public commented once again on the masking and Covid procedures of the school. Tara Klinski spoke against contract tracing; Kendra Van Grundy wanted the … [Read more...]
Ian Meisner hiked the Appalachian Trail
Ian Meisner completed the first hike in his quest to conquer the Triple Crown of Hiking. Long distant hikers must complete the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide to earn the title Triple Crowner, recognized by the American Long Distance Hiking Association (ALDHA-West). The three trails total approximately 7,500 miles and cross 22 states. The … [Read more...]