Fillmore County Journal

"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"

Empty shoes

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On March 7, Fillmore Community Advocates Women’s Shelter, Inc. in Preston held an open house to honor the 21 Minnesotans who lost their lives to Domestic Violence in 2016. The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women has been collecting information about Femicide in Minnesota for 28 years and was one of the first states in the nation to keep such records. Each year they publish … [Read more...]

State gains 5,300 jobs in March

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Private sector surpasses 2.5 million jobs for the first time in state history - statewide unemployment rates drops to 3.8%. ST. PAUL – Minnesota employers added 5,300 jobs in March, according to seasonally adjusted figures announced today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). With these gains, Minnesota’s private sector has 2,504,400 jobs, … [Read more...]

Spring Valley resident receives VFW Lifetime Achievement Award

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Dale Wondrasch may not have been able to make it to his surprise open house on April 8 celebrating his VFW Lifetime Achievement Award, but he didn’t miss it completely. The members of the Spring Valley Post 4114 planned the open house to honor Wondrasch’s years of service to the VFW, Spring Valley, and the surrounding communities. The whole town worked hard to keep it a … [Read more...]

Canton discusses possibility of chicken ordinance

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As a newfound member of the city with the traditionally rural farm animal playing a significant role in her family’s personal life, resident Julie Pugh spoke before the Canton City Council on April 12 in hopes of adding regulations to the current ordinance on raising chickens within city limits. Pugh went on to note that many cities, including those of Lanesboro and … [Read more...]

Mabel-Canton learns of illegal agreements between districts

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A parent voicing concerns about the apparent illegal open enrollment and consolidation agreements between Decorah and Mabel-Canton (M-C) Schools was the first item on the agenda at the M-C School Board meeting April 18. Tina Michels, Hesper resident and parent of two M-C open enrollment students, recently discovered that her children will not be able to attend M-C because of … [Read more...]

Ostrander child abuse update

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On January 23, 2017, Ryan Robert Rechtzigel, 37, and Angela Lynn Stewart, 32, both of Ostrander, appeared in Fillmore County Court.  Each faced eight felony charges relating to a well-publicized November 17, 2016 incident notably involving methamphetamine possession around a child and multiple child abuses.  Each pleaded guilty to Third Degree Assault, Past Pattern of Child … [Read more...]

Journal Creative Director recognized as E & P Top 25 Under 35

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Every year, the nation’s leading newspaper industry magazine Editor & Publisher recognizes the “Top 25 Under 35.” For 2017, out of all of the nominees from daily and weekly newspapers throughout the United States, Fillmore County Journal Creative Director Jana Boyum made the list, and deservedly so.  Jana is one of only 25 individuals under the age of 35 recognized by … [Read more...]

Plans move forward for new Fillmore Central garage

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Fillmore Central Public School Superintendent Richard Keith and Craig Britton attended the April 11 Harmony City Council meeting to discuss the school’s plans for a new garage to store the football equipment and park some of the district’s vehicles.  The project has been in the works for several months now as details were hammered out between the school district and the City of … [Read more...]

Spring Valley Board of Review meets

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The Spring Valley City Council met for the annual Board of Review at 5:30 p.m. on April 10.  Members in attendance included Mayor Struzyk, Jesse Betts, Mike Hadland, City Clerk Deb Zimmer, and County Assessor Brian Hoff.  Hoff shared “ground rules” and duties of the Board.  His list included the statement that “Appeals must be based on facts.  The property owner must present … [Read more...]