Some of the members of RPHS class of 2002 gathered at the R-P Softball Field on May 23 to remember a well-loved classmate, Denise Jacobson Evans, who passed away June 28, 2020, from complications of diabetes. Denise was the R-P team pitcher; she loved and excelled at softball — she loved all sports. Her classmates thought it only fitting to plant a Norway Maple tree in her … [Read more...]
Rock it at West Main & Co.
Mobile boutique owner Marsha Von Arx of Hokah came to a screeching halt in Spring Grove earlier this spring. After running an in-home daycare in Hokah for 30 years and working as a pre-school assistant at St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Caledonia, Von Arx can be found hosting events and helping customers select the perfect outfit at Spring Grove’s only women’s boutique. Von … [Read more...]
Do you know CPR?
Fifteen ladies from New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, and Minnesota set out on a girls trip to Port Aransas, Tex., to enjoy time together and hang out on the beach. The group included sisters Karly Atwood and Brooke Carr, from Spring Valley. Atwood owns a hair salon in her home and Carr is the owner of Carr’s Club House. The ladies are friends and family that met through the … [Read more...]
Some local events coming back, others will not
After missing so many beloved events, traditions really, in the last year due to COVID, local residents will be happy to hear that some towns are planning on holding events again this year, but they will also be disappointed that some events will not be, and may not ever, come back. One of those big events that was cancelled in 2020 was Preston Trout Days, which will be held … [Read more...]
Welcome to Loubelle’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe
Local residents and visitors alike will be pleased to stop in to a new business opening in Lanesboro, Minn. After all, we all scream for ice cream! Kim Berekvam, owner of the building, which was most recently leased by Chelsey Clausen to run her business The Bite, and was formerly home to Berekvam’s own business Gil-B’s, was recently faced with a decision. “Chelsey was … [Read more...]
A day filled with surprises for Fillmore County resident, Shirley Jertson
A life-long resident of Fillmore County, Shirley Jertson spent Sunday afternoon, April 18, touring Fillmore County visiting friends and family while enjoying a day of surprises and comfort food, Casey’s pizza. Chris Humble, Director of Volunteer Services at Seasons Hospice in Rochester contacted Jertson’s daughter, Peggy Bjortomt. Humble played a pivotal role in helping … [Read more...]
Fillmore County recognized for “Excellence in Recycling”
Certificates of recognition were presented to engineering and maintenance from the Minnesota Office of the Governor at the Fillmore County Board’s April 13 meeting. The certificates received by County Engineer Ron Gregg and Highway Maintenance Supervisor Brent Kohn were given in recognition of the “Excellence in Recycling” demonstrated through a successful partnership with … [Read more...]
Two-year-old Bailee Stackhouse bravely fights cancer
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...]