Stevie Ersland from Kasson raffled off a quilt she had made to raise funds for a future veterans home in Preston. She attended the October 7 meeting of the Preston City Council to donate the proceeds in the amount of $2,500 to the city. Former Dairy and Farm site City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained Scheevel and Sons have nearly completed their work at the former … [Read more...]
Veterans home design tweaked due to budget limits
Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke outlined some veterans home design changes that will need to be made to stay within the current budget during a meeting at Preston City Hall on October 9. He updated local officials and Veterans Home Committee members on the proposed veterans home in Preston. Herke has served in this position since January 2019. The … [Read more...]
Jessica “Jessie” Camisa
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...]