The theme for this year’s Relay for Life in Fillmore County is “Hope Lives Here,” which was also last year’s theme. The relay will be held on September 13 in downtown Spring Valley, Minn., at the VFW Hall, community center, and Spring Creek Park, all within walking distance of each other, making for a meaningful fall evening to demonstrate support for cancer survivors, those … [Read more...]
Convicted Killer David Engle Ordered to Serve More Time; Parole Continued Until 2028
The Minnesota Department of Corrections Supervised Release Board voted 4 to 1 on August 29, 2025, to deny parole for David Brian Engle, continuing his case for another three years. Engle, now 49, has been incarcerated for nearly three decades after being convicted of killing his step-grandmother, 86-year-old Gertrude Bestor, in Fillmore County in 1995. Engle appeared by … [Read more...]
Village Farm and Home Celebrates 40 Years in Business
On Saturday, September 20, the Manning family and their team at Village Farm and Home invites the community to join them in celebrating the store’s 40th anniversary. For four decades, Village Farm and Home has been a trusted source of products for residents, businesses, and visitors in Mabel and throughout southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa. The store carries a wide … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Requests State Disaster Assistance
At the August 26 county board meeting, Emergency Manager Jason Harmening asked commissioners to approve a letter to Governor Tim Walz requesting disaster assistance. The severe wind/rainstorm on July 28-29 resulted in damages across the county. On August 5 the board declared a local emergency. The county has submitted a damage/impact assessment. The preliminary assessment … [Read more...]
Houston County Commission Hears Public Concerns
Chairman Eric Johnson called the August 26 regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners to order at 9 a.m. Johnson opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members present were Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre. The board unanimously approved the agenda with a motion by Commissioner Wright, seconded by … [Read more...]
Bethany Evangelical Free Church Celebrates 120 Years
Bethany Evangelical Free Church located at 301 S. Ellsworth St. in Houston, Minn., will be celebrating its 120th anniversary as an organized church on September 13 and 14. The two day celebration titled “Faith, Hope, and Love: Celebrating God’s Goodness over 120 Years” will consist of a “history day” on Saturday with a pancake/sausage brunch, fellowship, and an address by EFCA … [Read more...]
Chuck and Sharon Schulte Pledge $1.5 Million Toward New Caledonia Library
At the August 25 city council meeting, longtime residents Chuck and Sharon Schulte announced a generous pledge of $1.5 million to help build a new public library in Caledonia. Their contribution represents half of the estimated $3 million-plus needed for the project. “This library will be built in the heart of our town,” said Chuck Schulte during the announcement, which was … [Read more...]
Chatfield to Purchase New Mobile Radios for Squads
At the August 25 meeting of the city council, the purchase of three new updated mobile radios for squad vehicles at a total cost of $21,520 from Motorola Solutions was approved. The price includes services and equipment. Police Chief Shane Fox noted the radios currently in use are 20 years old. Liquor License Violation Chief Fox led an investigation into a potential … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair Open Class Results
Arts & Crafts Grand Champion Jim Henley, Harmony, Adult Oil Painting; Reserve Champion Eunie Biel, Harmony, Adult Watercolor; Honorable Mention: Josie Schmidt, Chatfield, Mixed Media, Adelyn Nelson, Fountain, Pressed Flower; Brynn Fussy, Spring Valley, Pencil Drawing, and Wood Carving; Cora Mathison, Preston, Beadwork; Karen Vinson, Chatfield, Oil Painting/Florals; Jan … [Read more...]
Minimum-wage Rate Adjusted For Inflation as of January 1, 2026
Minnesota’s minimum-wage rate will be adjusted for inflation on January 1, 2026, to $11.41 an hour for all employers in the state. The 90-day training wage for workers under age 20 will increase to $9.31. These rates reflect a 2.5% increase. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have minimum-wage ordinances that require higher minimum-wage rates for work performed in … [Read more...]