It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. “She’s our everything,” Brandon Stackhouse said about his two-year-old daughter Bailee. “To be told she has cancer, it’s been devastating. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.” Brandon and his wife Sara live in Spring Valley with Bailee. In January, they received a phone call from their daycare provider telling them that she had noticed blood … [Read more...]
State Veterans Home in Fillmore County no longer just a dream
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released the State Home Construction Grants for 2021. Governor Tim Walz announced on March 30 that the three proposed new State Veteran Homes will each receive federal funding this year. The veterans home in Preston will be the only skilled nursing home for veterans in southeast Minnesota. Walz said, “We are pleased to be able to expand … [Read more...]
New owner, same great service at Matt’s Body Shop
“Business ownership was kind of always in the back of my mind as something I wanted to do,” Greg Melartin said. Melartin recently purchased Matt’s Body Shop and Tire Service in Spring Valley and fulfilled his dream of owning his own business. It started back in the fall of 2020 when Melartin stopped into the body shop for some business and noticed a “For Sale” sign. He didn’t … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton back to “full-time” learning model
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on March 16, with all members present. Social distancing and masks were in use. Superintendent Gary Kuphal summarized the school’s current learning model. “Well, we’re back to what I call full-time,” said Kuphal, “We know we get to have an early out on Fridays. We started it last week… I’m glad we’re back.” Senior class … [Read more...]
Houston teen part of inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts
Hailey Alfson of Houston not only hopes to be an inspiration for other young girls, but has committed to being a mentor to help them achieve their goals. As one of America’s first female Eagle Scouts, Alfson sees the importance of being a leader and paying it forward. At 17, she is a junior at Houston High School, where she is involved in basketball and soccer. While in the … [Read more...]
#SoltauStrong; local teen taking on cancer
“Shock” and “devastation” are the words that Kindra Soltau uses to describe the feeling she got after her 17-year-old son Wesley’s recent diagnosis with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the lymphatic system. LeRoy-Ostrander High School junior Wesley Soltau’s cancer journey started back in December of 2020 when his girlfriend Ashley noticed a lump on his neck. “She … [Read more...]
Virtual Reality (VR) programming taking root in Minnesota’s Bluff Country
Preston resident Vaughan Schmidt put Fillmore County on the worldwide map with his Virtual Reality (VR) work. Schmidt served as the lead programmer/consultant on the “live interactive virtual reality (VR) theater performance” of Finding Pandora X. “With the passing of ages, the Gods of Mount Olympus have faded away until only two remain: Zeus and Hera. Now they are in … [Read more...]
Rushford VFW Diamond Jubliee
The Rushford VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) organization is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year — organized in 1946, shortly after the end of WWII, the VFW has been around for 75 years. On Saturday, February 13, the members of the VFW celebrated the 75 years at their meeting held at Stumpy’s Restaurant. VFW District I Commander Dave Thul from Owatonna joined the meeting … [Read more...]
Forty years of quality hardwoods
Root River Hardwoods came from humble beginnings in 1980 when Andy Bahl’s dad Richard Bahl and his partners, Mike Merritt and Jeff Wand, purchased a sawmill in Preston, Minn. In 1988, Andy started working with millwork, supplying kiln-dried lumber to furniture and cabinet makers. His next step included purchasing a Weinig molder, the Cadillac of molders; he hired additional … [Read more...]
Lieb is booking it to Eagle Scout status
Determination, ambition and love of learning are three of the many characteristics of anyone who has worked their way up from entering Cub Scouts, moved their way on to Boy Scouts and then continues on even further to work toward becoming an Eagle Scout. Robert Lieb, 18, of Lanesboro, Minn., not only maintains these characteristics, but they are combined with numerous other … [Read more...]