Letter about Lanesboro Tobacco Ordinance... To the Editor, On July 11, the Lanesboro City Council approved a draft of a new tobacco ordinance designed to protect kids from the harms caused by tobacco. But inexplicably, when adopting the proposal the council voted (4 to 1) to allow the sale of flavored tobacco products, and to increase the number of tobacco licenses. The … [Read more...]
Full Teaching Staff at Lanesboro
The Lanesboro, Minn., School Board heard at their regular September 13 meeting that the school was fully staffed for the year, unlike last year when staff openings had existed and resulted in a need for creative staffing to cover classes. At this time, there is only a paraprofessional opening left to be filled. Superintendent Matt Schultz shared that a full-time K-3 reading … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Approves “Filthy Fifty” Street Closure
Lanesboro, Minn., resident Tom Pursell addressed the city council about the issue of flavored tobacco at their September 5 meeting. Pursell asked them to consider the results of a survey taken of Fillmore County teenagers by the health department along with other studies and statistics before the council makes any decisions about an ordinance regarding flavored tobacco. … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Girl Scouts take Educational Trip to Savannah
After years of studying Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, and celebrating Low’s birthday each Halloween, the Lanesboro Girl Scouts traveled to Savannah, Ga., to visit her birthplace as well as many other educational and exciting places. Girl Scout leaders Stena Lieb, Sasha Holst and Desiree Ferrie, along with volunteer Susy Riggott traveled with five Girl … [Read more...]
Merlin Thoen
Merlin Thoen, age 83, of Lanesboro, Minn., died on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Season’s Hospice House in Rochester, Minn. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Lanesboro Community Center in Lanesboro, Minn. Visitation hours will be from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. prior to the start of the service at the Lanesboro Community Center. … [Read more...]
Katherine Mary Rogers
Katherine Mary Rogers, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on August 10, 2023, at Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester. She was surrounded by her loving family as she peacefully passed into the arms of her Savior. Kathie was born on April 27, 1942, in her hometown of Foley, Minn. She was the daughter of James and Anna Hromatka. After graduating from … [Read more...]
Donald Vincent Enright
Donald Vincent “Vince” Enright, of Fort Worth, Tex., passed away peacefully at his home on July 22, 2023. He lived a remarkable life filled with family, friends, work, church activities and traveling the world. Vince was born on April 27, 1930 in Lanesboro, Minn., to Nellie Towey and John Joseph “JJ” Enright. He went from working on his family farm to joining the United … [Read more...]
Vander Plas new executive director of LACC
The Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) has a new executive director with a very familiar face. Melissa Vander Plas has accepted the position following the resignation of her predecessor, Andrzej Zalasinski, who had served in the position since 2019. “I’m very happy to be here, and I think it’s going to be a good experience,” states Vander Plas. Vander Plas was … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council approves funding for Little Norway bridge improvements
The Lanesboro City Council once again discussed concerns regarding the Little Norway bridge during its meeting on Tuesday, July 11. After a structural evaluation from the city engineers earlier this spring, the city had closed the bridge for safety concerns. Residents who live southwest of County Road 8, in the area known as “Little Norway,” want to see the bridge repaired or … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Schools gets new website
The Lanesboro school board met for a regular meeting on the evening of July 13 at 7 p.m. Present at the meeting was Steve Storhoff, Chris Troendle, Steve Snyder, Mark Holmen, and Kevin Horihan. Superintendent Shultz was also in attendance. After leading the room in the Pledge of Allegiance, Chris Troendle opened up the floor for public comment. Tamara DeGarmo was the only … [Read more...]
Naomi Wangen
Naomi J. Wangen, 90, of Rushford, died July 11, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Naomi was born September 4, 1932, to Herman, Sr. and Beulah (Vickerman) Hermanson, at her grandmother’s home in the Big Woods of Preble Township in Fillmore County. She grew up and attended school in the Black Hammer area. On March 13, 1948, she was united in marriage to … [Read more...]
Lanesboro makes a statement with new mural
As a town known for its arts and culture, Lanesboro has now made a large statement in the form of a colorful Theatre District Mural. The mural, located at the corner of O’Koren Law Office, 204 Parkway Ave. N., was a collaborative effort between Lanesboro Arts and Commonweal Theatre, who partnered with Joe O’Koren who owns the building. Lanesboro Arts and Commonweal Theatre … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board hears update on potential HVED building purchase
Board Chair Christine Troendle, who is the board representative to HVED (Hiawatha Valley Education District), reported to the Lanesboro School Board at their regular meeting June 14 that HVED was moving forward to purchase the entire former Winona Mall in Winona. Board members had received a draft joint powers agreement via email to review. All 12 HVED member districts will … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council continues walking bridge discussions
The June 5 Lanesboro City Council meeting opened with a public hearing discussing ordinance 35.02 regarding Rural Service District and ordinance 150.06 regarding Historic Preservation. One Lanesboro resident addressed the council about her thoughts on the proposed change to the rural service district ordinance. She felt that it wasn’t fair that residents who own more land … [Read more...]
John “JD” David Munter
John "JD" David Munter, 77, of Lanesboro, Minn., passed away on May 18, 2023, after a battle with cancer. JD was born in December 1945, in St. Paul, Minn., to George and Mary Munter, joining his older sister Georgeann. He grew up on Tanner’s Lake in Oakdale, and then attended North St. Paul High School. He received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in engineering from … [Read more...]
