At their January 22 meeting, the Houston School Board listened to a presentation by St. Charles Superintendent Rob Routh, Houston Superintendent Mary Morem and Houston’s Director of Educational Success and Innovation Michael Mangan as they explained the concept of creating a partnership high school along I90 near St. Charles. This collaborative career and technical education … [Read more...]
Chatfield Community Development
Community Development Director Alison Bentley gave her report at the January 26 meeting of the city council. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Bentley recognized Michael Tuohy for his 22 years of service on the EDA board. She also thanked Jeremy Aug for the years he served on Planning and Zoning. Peddle Tea & Coffee opened in September. The fourth edition of Hilltop … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Names Theater After Teacher/Director Robert O’Reilly
At the January 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the board committee assignments were set for the 2026 year. All board members will continue to serve on the same committees as last year. The official appointments and designations for 2026 were also set with all staying the same as 2025. The Math Wizards did well at their first competition of the season on January 5. … [Read more...]
Rushford Reviews Security Proposals
The council welcomed a proposal request from Rushford Police Chief Adam Eide at their January 26 meeting. Every three years, the department undergoes an audit of its internet security system by the BCA. Specific rules are in place for the Criminal Justice Information System, which Eide called “a direct line to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” The first quote from the … [Read more...]
Caledonia Finalizes Doering Estate Purchase, Accepts Fire Department Donations
The Caledonia City Council met in regular session on January 26. Mayor Jeremy Leis called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present were Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, John Rauk, and Mayor Leis. Councilor Rauk moved to approve the minutes from the January 12 meeting. … [Read more...]
Houston County Reschedules Public Hearing on Deer Hunting with a Rifle
At the January 27 Houston County Commission meeting, County Coordinator Brent Parker announced that the public hearing on the use of rifles for deer hunting has been rescheduled from February 3 to February 4 due to precinct caucuses being held on February 3. An additional public hearing on the topic will take place on March 3 at 6 p.m. Both hearings will be held in the basement … [Read more...]
Local Legislators Hear Fillmore County Legislative Priorities
Representative Greg Davids and Senator Jeremy Miller listened to concerns of the county administrator and department heads at the January 27 board meeting. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery detailed the county’s 2026 priorities. These four areas were emphasized as they are super important to Fillmore County. Human Services Director Wanda Berg said the state’s human … [Read more...]
Kingsland Board Hears Update On New Curriculum
On Wednesday, January 21, the Kingsland School Board began their first meeting of the year with a presentation from teachers Angela Forland, fifth and sixth grade, and Tara Holmen, first grade, who spoke to the group about the new reading curriculum Minnesota’s Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act was signed into law in 2023. The goal of the act is to have all … [Read more...]
Police Report Error
In the January 5, 2026, issue of the Fillmore County Journal, there was error in the police report referencing Robert Ian Lieb with charges that were associated with Markus Mulvihill. Lieb was originally cited for no proof of insurance, which was later dismissed. We apologize to Robert Ian Lieb for this error. We make every effort to provide the most accurate information in … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Awards $99,865 in Economic Development Grants
OWATONNA, MN, December 29, 2025 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved six grants totaling $99,865 to support economic development initiatives in SMIF’s 20-county region. The Economic Development Grant program supports initiatives which enable communities to create more prosperous local economies by growing economic development and … [Read more...]