A Spring Valley man is facing felony charges after authorities say he voted in the 2024 general election despite not being eligible. He told investigators and the Fillmore County Journal the situation stemmed from a mistake. Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, 39, has been charged in Fillmore County District Court with one count of perjury in writing under oath and one count of … [Read more...]
LACF Annual Banquet Attendance Continues to Grow
Those attending the 2026 Lanesboro Area Community Foundation (LACF) Annual Banquet in Lanesboro, Minn., on April 20, felt as if they were at a garden party, with flowers in vases, flower shaped candies, flower petals and flower and vegetable seed packets found on each table. “Strong communities don’t just happen – they grow; Come Grow With Us,” stated the program for the … [Read more...]
Bonnie Hammon and Tom Hughes Inducted into Kingsland Booster Club Hall of Fame
The Kingsland Booster Club inducted two new members, Bonnie Hammon and Tom Hughes, to their Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 28, 2026. For the booster club this bi-annual event is one of their biggest fundraisers thanks to the auction and gun raffle. Around 125 area businesses and families donated to the auction. But the real focus is on those who have made a … [Read more...]
Spring Grove City Council Seat Opens Up
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, April 21 at 168 West Main Street, Room 100. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Wilhelmson, Morgan Buckland, and Mike Hagen. Trent Turner was absent. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also present. The Agenda and Consent … [Read more...]
R-P Successful in Hiring Season
At the April 20 regular Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard informed the board that he was “extremely impressed” with the candidates for positions at R-P. He shared that there were some hard decisions as a result in the hiring process. “I feel like we added some excellent people to the staff for next year,” Bernard concluded. New personnel … [Read more...]
SmallTown Square Opens in Preston
When Jeremy DeFlorian and his wife Rita moved from Galesville, Wis., to the southeast Minnesota area due to his job with Mad City Windows and Bath, Jeremy knew he wanted to open a business here. Back in Galesville, Jeremy had owned a small boutique called Serenity River Creations & Boutique with his sister Tammi DeFlorian and a friend. Rita and Jeremy began looking for a … [Read more...]
A New Police Chief in Chatfield
Scott Keigley has been sworn in as Chatfield’s new police chief. Keigley explained he has always had an interest in law enforcement. He was born and raised in Ames, Iowa. He grew up in a law enforcement family as his father was a police officer. After high school life took him on another path for a time. He explained that while growing up he didn’t have a lot so he … [Read more...]
Jake Timm, SE MASSP High School Principal of the Year
“It’s not a ‘me’ award – it’s a school that earned an award!” were the first words out of Rushford-Peterson’s MSHS Principal Jake Timm’s mouth when he was asked about his award. Timm humbly explained that the great school and students make him look good! Timm found out about the award March 26; the notification was sent to MASSP (Minnesota Association of Secondary School … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Emergency Relief Fund For Individual Artists and Culture Bearers in Southeastern Minnesota
SEMAC is launching an Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) designed to provide rapid, short-term assistance for individual artists and culture bearers facing unexpected hardship. The funds are distributed as one-time gifts to help stabilize recipients and address urgent needs, offering some relief during a difficult time so they can continue their creative work. The application is … [Read more...]
Community Grassroots Campaign Grows with Each Passing Week
Last fall, at the November 18 Houston County Commission meeting, commissioners heard from Dairyland Power Cooperative Manager Clay DeWitt, GridLiance Heartland S. Director of Development Jessica Hewitt, and GridLiance Heartland Project Director Josh Daubenspeck regarding the MariBell 765/161 kV transmission project. Open houses to discuss the proposed Gopher to Badger Link … [Read more...]