Monday, May 15, found many of Mabel’s octogenarians (80-year-olds), nonagenarians (90-year-olds), and even two centenarians (100-year-olds), gathered in the Mabel Community Center. What brought them to gather there? A gold embossed invitation to once again attend the Golden Age Dinner. Anyone 80 or older was eligible to join the party and enjoy a free dinner. The two … [Read more...]
Looking back on deadly Wykoff tornado
Five tornadoes struck southeast Minnesota and neighboring Iowa and Wisconsin70 years ago on May 10, 1953. According to the National Weather Service’s website www.weather.gov/arx/may1053 those tornadoes stand out for their strength and the length of their tracks; four were F4 and one was an F3. An F4 tornado is a violent tornado with wind speeds up to 260 mph. One of the F4 … [Read more...]
Brownsville residents address city council about Bluffview Manor
A number of concerned Brownsville residents attended the May 3 Brownsville City Council meeting in response to a motion to explore the idea of selling Bluffview Manor due to costs of property maintenance, passed at the regular April council meeting. One Bluffview Manor resident stated, “We’re very concerned about the thought of even selling it.” (“It’ being Bluffview Manor.) … [Read more...]
Unanswered questions at Pine View Rehabilitation and Senior Living
The community of Caledonia reeled in disbelief after the Pine View Rehabilitation and Senior Living closed at the end of last year. The town was left with unanswered questions, residents without a home, and employees without jobs. Founder/CEO Nathan Hertzel, of the nursing home management company Nava Healthcare, was quoted on January 16, 2023, as saying that the facility was … [Read more...]
Area farmers learn to celebrate culture, family during Mexico trip
Local dairy farmers recently had the unique opportunity, though Puentes/Bridges, to see life from a new perspective as they traveled to Mexico to meet with their employees’ families and immerse themselves in the culture. On Monday, April 17, the Preston Lions hosted farmers Michael Johnson of Fountain, Cole Hoscheit of Caledonia and Puentes/Bridges President Mercedes Falk to … [Read more...]
Tri-county area searches for Madeline Kingsbury
Like a story we all watch on Dateline, 48 Hours or a host of other shows on TV that always seem to take place far away from home, so distant, except this time it is all too real for the family and friends of 26-year-old Madeline Kingsbury of Winona, Minn., who disappeared on March 31, 2023. Kingsbury, the mother of two children, a five-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son, … [Read more...]
Kendall Hammell’s fight
On February 16 after a seven day hospital stay, kindergartener Kendall Hammell and her family finally found out their opponent in their upcoming fight. Kendall had been doctoring on and off for a fever for about a month. Her doctor had decided to keep her hospitalized until he could get to the root of her problem. A PET scan showed abnormalities in her bone marrow. At first, … [Read more...]
2023 Volunteer of the Year Spring Grove Fire Chief receives award of excellence from Journal readers
Spring Grove must have something pretty special. Over the past 12 months, they’ve earned three awards of excellence with the help of Journal readers. The 2022 Teacher of the Year was Stacey Schultz, an elementary school teacher for Spring Grove. In January 2023, we recognized Jerry and Nancy Kraus, owners of Kraus Oil, as the 2022 Business Persons of the Year. Today, we … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central student second in nation with Voice of Democracy essay
“I never thought it would one day be heard by national judges instead of just my English teacher,” Fillmore Central junior Siri Corson said about her essay for the Voice of Democracy audio essay program held by the VFW each year. Thinking that not much would come of it, she didn’t even bother telling her parents that she had entered. They found out when they received a call in … [Read more...]
Stopping those who don’t stop
Mike Bernard of Bernard Bus Service, Chatfield, exclaimed, “I don’t understand how there can be confusion? Stop arms on school buses are great big, red signs with flashing red lights that say ‘STOP!’ STOP means STOP!” Bernard has been in the bus business for 36 years. The family business, in its 76th year, serves the Chatfield, Rushford-Peterson and Mabel-Canton school … [Read more...]
City of Canton honors 20-year employee
Public works director Jon Nordsving was recognized during the March 8 Canton City Council meeting in honor of celebrating his 20th anniversary working for the city. Nordsving presented his report to the council immediately after his recognition, simply saying, “We are geared up and ready to plow snow again.” The meeting opened with a public hearing regarding the zoning map for … [Read more...]
Congregation expands ministry with establishment of new church in Harmony
New and small beginnings can lead to big impacts. That was the message shared at the first Harmony service of the Root River Community Church on Sunday, January 29. The congregation, which had originated in Rushford with a small group in 1995, has now expanded its ministry to Harmony. The church is currently operating from the former Nativity Catholic Church, but purchased … [Read more...]
Journal launches TV network
Over the past year, the team at the Fillmore County Journal has been in launch mode with a new tech-based project. We’ve been quite busy learning new software, proprietary hardware, and installing televisions all throughout the newspaper coverage area, spanning multiple communities in Southeast Minnesota. Out-of-home digital billboard advertising has become very popular … [Read more...]
New stories for a 150-year-old building
Charles Bubbers, the owner of the former Bubbers Jewelry store, walked into the recently renovated space where he spent years selling jewelry — leaning next to the shiny black grand piano with tears planted on his cheeks, he proudly took in the transformation. New owners Jay Howard and Clare and Joshua O’Brien restored “his” stone building at 115 East Main Street in Caledonia … [Read more...]
Same familiar faces with added services at Major and Company
Major and Company Accounting & Tax has been a staple in the area for many years and that will not change with a new owner of the business. Customers will have the same tax consultant they have had in the past and the same friendly faces will be there to greet you. Aikan Major, the new owner of Major and Company Accounting, Tax & Financial Services, is no stranger to … [Read more...]