Grand Meadow Lutheran Church is celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2026. We have various events planned in the coming months. We have some of our previous pastors returning to lead us in worship as noted with the dates included below. There will be various displays set up throughout the year to highlight some of the groups working in our church as well as some of the … [Read more...]
Rushford Approves Project
The May 26 Rushford Council meeting was notably shorter in nature, but the council and staff discussed several previous items and did take action on a few resolutions and one project. Street maintenance continues based upon priority recommendations from Public Works Director Roger Knutson. They unanimously approved a bid from Asphalt Armor Sealcoating & Paving for a crack … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board fills vacant seat
The Kingsland School Board met for their last meeting of the school year on Monday, May 18, 2026, with their focus on filling the board’s vacated seat. Last month the board received Board Chair Kyle Rader’s resignation. Because there are more than 90 days left of Rader’s term, per statute, the board needed to appoint someone to take seat. At that time it was decided the board … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves Repairs to the Thurber Building
At the May 26 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a quote for Thurber Building repairs was approved. Councilors Dave Frank and Paul Novotny were absent. A proposal/quote had been submitted in the amount of $64,435 by Benike Construction to repair and mitigate the water damage to the Fillmore Room and the mayor’s office. Tuckpointing repairs are needed along with the … [Read more...]
Make a Day of it in Lanesboro at the Rhubarb Festival
Are you ready for the 22nd annual Rhubarb Festival? There is still time to make your favorite rhubarb dish for the rhubarb bake-off competition, which includes free tasting. Attendees get to vote on their favorite dish. Don’t forget to dress up for the rhubarb costume contest and practice your throw for the rhubarb stalk-throwing contest. The popular event takes place on … [Read more...]
SMIF’s Benya Kraus Addresses Houston County Commissioners
Benya Kraus presented information about SMIF (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to the Houston County Commissioners at their May 26 meeting. Kraus replaced Tim Penny as president and CEO of SMIF a year ago in June. Kraus lives in Harmony with her husband and four-month-old daughter. She comes from a farm background; her father was a sixth generation farmer in the area … [Read more...]
Committee To Consider Updates to Filmore County Hemp/Cannabinoid Ordinance
At the May 26 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, ordinance buffers/setbacks detailed in Section 6 Subdivision (8) of the county’s ordinance were discussed. This section details eligibility requirements for Cannabis businesses. The board discussed denying the Cannabis Microbusiness retail endorsement for 5th Sun Gardens LLC at 111 Coffee St. East in Lanesboro due to its … [Read more...]
Local Communities Invest Hundreds of Thousands in Graduating Seniors
Every spring across southeast Minnesota, graduating seniors receive scholarship awards funded by local memorials, churches, businesses, civic groups, and community organizations. The Fillmore County Journal contacted school districts throughout the region requesting information about scholarship totals, major awards, and long-running local scholarship programs. Caledonia Area … [Read more...]
Fillmore County District Court
On April 30, Phillip Allen Heyer, 39 of Rushford, appeared before District Court Judge Jeremy Clinefelter. Heyer, 39 of Rushford, is charged with six felonies; Kidnapping - Remove Any Person - No Consent - Great Bodily Harm or to Terrorize, Kidnapping - Terrorize, Second Degree Assault - Dangerous Weapon, Domestic Assault - Commits Act with Intent to Cause Fear, Domestic … [Read more...]
Village Considers New Zoning Fees
The May 19 Rushford Village meeting included further discussion of a new zoning fee schedule, as proposed by its Planning & Zoning Board. The draft proposal is not a final draft, but intended to serve as a starting point. The draft will be the basis for a public hearing on the fees. That hearing is slated for 6:45 pm on June 16. The most notable changes proposed include … [Read more...]