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...]
Preston Christmas star has special meaning for Severson family
“They loved spending time with everyone close to them and I think Christmas was just a time that brought that all full circle,” Shelia Marzolf reminisced about her mom Carol Severson and sister Jodi Severson. In June of 1997, both Carol and Jodi tragically lost their lives in a car accident on their way to Rochester to do some shopping. Jodi’s eight month old son Jordan … [Read more...]
Esther Lou Kelly
Esther Lou Kelly went home to Jesus on December 14, 2021, at age 80.Esther, born on May 14, 1941, to Dwain and Eunice (Leonard) Feller in Elkader, Iowa, immediately brought joy and laughter into the world. Esther grew up with her parents and two sisters, Mary and Pam. Esther graduated from Orange High School in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1959. After graduating, Esther worked making ice … [Read more...]
Preston 2022 budget/levy review
City Administrator Joe Hoffman gave the annual budget/tax levy presentation at the Preston City Council’s December 6 meeting. The total levy for 2022 is to be $1,080,696, an increase of $46,273 over 2021 or 4.47%. Half of the city’s revenues will come from the tax levy in 2022. Hoffman compared that to 2004, which was the first year he served as administrator. In 2004 only 42% … [Read more...]