Jessica S. “Jessie” Camisa, age 44, of Menasha, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 7, 2019, surrounded by her family. Jessie was born on September 28, 1975, in Spring Valley, Minn., daughter of Marlow and Patricia (Drury) Vander Plas. After graduating from Fillmore Central High School in Harmony, Minn., she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern College in … [Read more...]
Hazel A. Riehl
Hazel A. Riehl, 96, formerly of Preston, Minn., went to be with her heavenly Father on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. She had been living at the Harmony Care Center since March 30, 2015. Hazel Alvera Holtet was born to Ben and Caroline (Valde) Holtet on April 26, 1923. She had two brothers, Clifford and Floyd, and two sisters Violet and Gloria. Hazel graduated from Lanesboro High … [Read more...]
Leo Patrick “Pat” Fitzgerald
Leo Patrick “Pat” Fitzgerald, age 91, of Preston, Minn., died on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minn. Pat was born on October 31, 1927, in Rockwell, Iowa, the son of Jack and Irene (Meehan) Fitzgerald. Pat graduated in 1946 from Sacred Heart Academy in Rockwell, Iowa. After graduation Pat joined the Army and went to the Philippines, … [Read more...]
Preston addresses housing issues and declining population
For the last 20 years, the population of Preston has been declining. In 2000, it stood at 1,429 residents, but it has been declining at the rate of approximately 100 people a decade. On September 20, a housing summit was held in Preston to discuss housing issues and future plans for the City of Preston. Tickets for the event were sold out, with 75 people attending as guests. … [Read more...]
Carla Rae Tiernan
Carla Rae Tiernan, age 50, of Albertville, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. She was born on September 17, 1969, in St. Paul, Minn., the daughter of Robert and Arlouene (Ask) Pickett. Carla graduated from Preston-Fountain High School in 1988, and was her family’s fourth generation to graduate from there. In high school she was a member of the National Honor … [Read more...]
Preston certifies preliminary levy
The preliminary 2020 budget and levy was adopted unanimously at the Preston City Council’s September 18 meeting. Councilman Charles Sparks was absent. The total preliminary levy for 2020 is $985,130. This will require a 4.57% property tax levy increase over 2019, or a difference of $43,084. These numbers can be reduced when the final levy is approved in December, but can not … [Read more...]
Informational meetings for citizen science stream monitoring opportunity
The National Trout Center will be hosting two informational meetings about a citizen science stream monitoring opportunity. This is a joint venture between the National Trout Center (in Preston, Minn.) and Winona State University in direct response to a 2015 fish kill that might have ended differently if better stream monitoring practices were in place. Learn about the … [Read more...]
Julius “Orville” Ruud
Julius “Orville” Ruud, age 74, of Preston, Minn., passed away Monday, September 16, 2019, at Traditions of Preston. Julius Orville Ruud was born on January 9, 1945, to Albert and Vivian (Hegg) Ruud in Spring Valley, Minn. He was a graduate of Spring Valley High School. At the age of 20, Orville was drafted into the Army, where he served two years in Vietnam. He married Dianne … [Read more...]
Two narcotics warrants executed in Fillmore County
According to Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge, two separate narcotics search warrants were executed on September 11, 2019 in Fillmore County. Fillmore County Sheriff’s Investigators, with assistance from the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on Hudson Street in Canton Minnesota Wednesday afternoon. Suspected marijuana plants … [Read more...]
James “Jim” Thompson
James “Jim” Thompson, 87, of Preston, Minn., died Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at Traditions Assisted Living in Preston. Jim was born to Elmer and Aurelia (Krause) Thompson on November 19, 1931. He graduated from Preston High School. Jim married Joyce Ericson on January 8, 1966. They were later divorced. Jim farmed in rural Preston for several years. He retired in 1998 due … [Read more...]
Dave Schmidt
Dave Schmidt, 77, of Preston, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2019, at Chosen Valley Care Center. Dave was born March 30, 1942, son of Gerald and Carol (Hahn) Schmidt. After graduating from Preston High School, he went on to college at Wartburg College for two years, and then transferred to the University of Minnesota; where he graduated with honors. In 1965, he … [Read more...]
Preston Housing Summit “Paving the Way” to be held September 20
The City of Preston Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Preston Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce they will be holding their first ever Housing Summit at F&M Community Bank’s Community Room in downtown Preston. This one-day summit will bring together home builders, developers, investors, suppliers, realtors, lenders, area residents and local officials … [Read more...]
Preston cancels 2019 street project
After a long discussion during the Preston City Council’s September 3 meeting, the council voted to cancel the 2019 Street and Utility Improvement project. A resolution was adopted by a 3-2 vote at the last meeting accepting the bid submitted by Rochester Sand and Gravel. It was the only bid submitted and over $100,000 higher than the engineer’s estimate. The entire project … [Read more...]
Monsignor Francis A. Galles
Monsignor Francis A. Galles went home to his heavenly Father at the age of 92, on September 7, 2019, at Traditions of Preston. Francis A. Galles was born in Iona, Minn., on March 8, 1927, to Charles and Virginia (Boltz) Galles. There were 10 children in the Galles family: Leona, Lawrence, Eugene, Charles, Lester, Sylvester, Clara, Gerald, Francis, and Rose Virginia. At the age … [Read more...]
Preston Historical Society announces 2019 raffle winners
The Preston Historical Society conducted the drawing for the winners of the recent raffle fundraiser at their August Society meeting. Proceeds from the raffle will be used for Historical Society projects. Raffle prizes were valued at over $1,400. The Society would again like to thank F & M Community Bank for providing matching funds of $1,000 (a dollar for each ticket … [Read more...]