Collectables Grand Champion Jenny Waege; Reserve Champion Elaine Semin Crafts Grand Champion Joyce Knutson; Reserve Champion Jennifer Gavin Crafts 14 and Under Grand Champion Stanley Eilers age 6-11; Grand Champion Cassidy Torgerson age 11-4 Dairy Cattle Brown Swiss Summer JR, Yearling, Jr Champ Hobby Stock Brown Swiss; Ayrshire Winter Heifer Calf up to 9 … [Read more...]
Arts & Entertainment – Local Stars Celebrate 25 Seasons at Commonweal Theatre
A duo of local faces we all know and love from the Commonweal Theatre Company are reveling a quarter of a century on their beloved home stage. Stela Burdt loves to tell the story that she has been acting since she was six months old, when she was baby Jesus at her home church. Stela grew up very musical; singing in church, taking piano, violin and voice lessons and … [Read more...]
Preston Brings the Past to Life with New Depot Museum and Riverfront Center
The Preston Historical Society (PHS) has been hard at work preserving and revitalizing the city’s historical roots – agriculture and railroad. Since its founding in 2002, PHS has led the effort to bring the former railyard back to life. Once a bustling hub of activity, the railyard lost its centrality when interstates replaced rail as the primary mean of transportation. But … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Sets 12% Preliminary Levy
The Caledonia City Council set its preliminary tax levy during its regular meeting on Monday, September 22. The proposed levy reflects a 12% increase. While the levy may be reduced before the final approval in December, it cannot be increased once it is set. Mayor Jeremy Leis made a motion to approve the 12% levy along with the 2026 revised budget as presented. Councilmember … [Read more...]
Rushford Hears Change Proposal for Building Permitting
A great share of the September 22 Rushford City Council meeting was used for a presentation by Tom Wiener and Tanner Young of Construction Management Services (CMS) on proposed changes to the city’s building permit process. CMS is shifting away from hourly and mileage based fees to a lump sum percentage fee for building inspections. Building permits will have a scalable … [Read more...]
Proposed Telecommunication Towers Debated
At the September 18 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, applications for conditional use permits for four telecommunication towers were debated during public hearings. Mike Huizenga, project manager for GSS, Inc., had applied for conditional use permits on behalf of Cloud 1 Services to construct a 195-foot self-supporting telecommunication tower in each of … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Recent Individual Artist Grant Awards
On September 9, 2025, the SEMAC Board of Directors awarded $75,750 in Individual Artist & Culture Bearer grants to applicants throughout Southeastern Minnesota. This included eleven Advancing Artist grants and three Emerging Artist grants. SEMAC, a non-profit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for eleven … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Sees Good Turnout for Conferences
At the September 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that 276 out of 277 students were represented by parents or guardians at the elementary back-to-school conferences. The high school open house was also well attended with many students turning in paperwork and picking up their computers. “It was successful at both the open house and … [Read more...]
Campaigns Focused on Speeding, Impairment and Move Over Violations
ST. PAUL — A driver arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) with two young children in the car. A driver stopped twice in one day for speeding — 90 mph the first time, and 100 mph and arrested for DWI the second time. Those types of driving decisions can kill a mother, a toddler, a best friend, a spouse and a list of loved ones that goes on and on. That’s why law … [Read more...]
Houston County Sets 7.905% Preliminary Levy
The Houston County Commissioners approved a 7.905% preliminary levy and adopted the 2026 budget at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 23. It was emphasized that the levy cannot increase once the preliminary levy is set, but it can decrease when it is finalized in December. The total levy, less County Program Aid (CPA), is $16,074,171. Administrator Carol Lapham … [Read more...]