At a September 2021 Lanesboro City Council meeting, interim Ambulance Director Dan Jaquith declared, “We are on the verge of closing.” There just aren’t enough volunteers. Preston ambulance director Ryan Throckmorton said a conversation between the Preston and Lanesboro Ambulance Services began a few years back. In 2021 they started working together. Both staff and members of … [Read more...]
Gladys Teresa Pulford
Gladys Teresa Pulford, 94, of Rochester, Minn., died January 27, 2022, at Madonna Towers Skilled Nursing Facility. Gladys was born October 23, 1927, in Preston, Minn., to Charlie and Nellie (Liester) Mangan. She graduated high school in Preston, Minn., in 1946. On May 24, 1948, she married Francis Rodney Pulford at St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston. The couple lived in … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – An attitude of gratitude
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley If I had my “druthers” in the winter, I would either fly to a warmer climate like the snowbirds, or go into hibernation like some other woodland creatures. I’m not a fan of winter. It’s common at this time of the year to go for weeks without seeing my … [Read more...]
December 15 storm losses
At the January 18 meeting of the Preston City Council City Administrator Joe Hoffman reported the storm of December 15 resulted in an estimated $57,000 in losses. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. Approximately $21,000 of those losses will not be covered by insurance. The city’s losses will not qualify for federal disaster funding but may qualify for state disaster funding. … [Read more...]
Preston’s veterans home on track to be completed by March 2023
It has been four months since construction started on Preston’s new veterans home project, and it is already 10% completed. Project Executive Derek O’Connor, Knutson Construction, a 110-year-old company out of Rochester, took time to answer questions and share aerial photos of the work completed at the construction site over the past four months. But first, O’Connor … [Read more...]
Birth Announcement
Clovis Mathison Loren and Carrie Mathison of Preston, Minn., are proud to announce the birth of their son Clovis Lyle Paul, who joins siblings Cora, Landyn and Clarice. Clovis was born November 16, 2021, at Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester. He weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces and was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Larry and Irene Mathison of Preston and Roger and Brenda … [Read more...]
Preston updates fee schedule
The Preston City Council attended to annual business items at their first meeting in the new year on January 3. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. Changes to the city’s fee schedule originally adopted in 2011 were approved. City Administrator Joe Hoffman said fees were discussed with department heads to get their input for recommended changes. Changes were minor and included the … [Read more...]
JoAnn LaDean (Kneeskern) Miller
JoAnn LaDean (Kneeskern) Miller, age 85, died peacefully Friday, December 31, 2021, at her home in Preston, Minn., following a five-year battle with cancer. JoAnn was born on January 26, 1936, in Frankville, Iowa, the daughter of Dean and Elsie (Schultz) Kneeskern. The family lived in Frankville, Luana, and Calmar, Iowa, before moving to Preston, Minn., in 1946 when she was … [Read more...]
Preston DMV changes hands
After 53 years of the Reicks family owning and operating the Reicks Auto License Bureau, the torch has been passed. On December 1, 2021, Sean and Bethany Feind officially took ownership of the office. “Hands were shook and papers were signed,” Sean said, adding that Kurt Reicks has still been popping in to check on things as Sean transitions to his new role as a small business … [Read more...]
Preston approves CUP for solar system
Several residents attended the December 20 Preston City Council meeting to speak against a request to rezone property owned by Tim Johnston at 216 Brownsville St. NE. Councilman Charles Sparks was absent. Johnston has requested the rezoning of 1.5 acres (three parcels) of his property from R-2 (One and Two Family Residential) to R-1 (Agriculture/Residential). The reason for … [Read more...]