Donna Mae Otterness, age 91 of Spring Grove, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Harmony Place in Harmony, Minn. She was born at home on August 4, 1931, to Odin and Viola Moen (Miner). On July 26, 1947, she married Alfred Otterness Jr and upon his passing in 2002, they had been married for 54 years. She has been a lifelong resident of Spring Grove except for one year, … [Read more...]
David Roger Norgard
David Roger Norgard, age 74, of Spring Grove, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Lewiston Senior Living Community in Lewiston, Minn. David was born on April 28,1948, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Alfred and Amanda (Mathias) Norgard. He was a long-time farmer in Spring Grove and his love of tractors and cats continued throughout his life. He was a Spring Grove High School … [Read more...]
2023 Volunteer of the Year Spring Grove Fire Chief receives award of excellence from Journal readers
Spring Grove must have something pretty special. Over the past 12 months, they’ve earned three awards of excellence with the help of Journal readers. The 2022 Teacher of the Year was Stacey Schultz, an elementary school teacher for Spring Grove. In January 2023, we recognized Jerry and Nancy Kraus, owners of Kraus Oil, as the 2022 Business Persons of the Year. Today, we … [Read more...]
Passport to Other Cultures: Local stories of the Hmong Diaspora
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center presents another fascinating Passport to Other Cultures program on Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. This March, we are honored to display much of a locally-curated Hmong cultural exhibit that grew out of a partnership between the La Crosse Public Library and Hmoob Cultural & Community Agency (HCCA)! Local experts Yia Vue and Tria … [Read more...]
Spring Grove blood drive dedicated to first responders Community invited to roll up a sleeve in honor of area firefighters March 30
SPRING GROVE, MN, March 14, 2023 – First responders support and protect our communities every day. To show gratitude for their heroic efforts, the community is invited to donate blood in honor of those who responded to the Spring Grove fire last December. “Our first responders risked their lives to keep people safe that night,” says Paula Gustafsson, Red Cross volunteer blood … [Read more...]
Spring Grove deals with feral cat issue
Spring Grove’s City Council met Tuesday, March 21 at 168 West Main Street in Room 100 from 6-7:30 p.m. Council members present included Mayor Saundra Solum, Karen Folstad, Trent Turner, and Chad Rohland. Council member Heather Edgington was absent. In addition, Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton attended. The city council adopted the agenda and approved the consent agenda after … [Read more...]
Spring Grove teachers find creative way to make up snow days
The Spring Grove School Board approved the recommended snow day make-up plan at the March 20 meeting. Hopefully the school has seen its last closure this year because of snow. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen explained, “The staff was surveyed. We have three and a half hours that we are behind at the high school level; we have been trying to figure out how we want to make it … [Read more...]
Thank you, Spring Grove School board members
Minnesota recognizes school board members each February for their time and dedication to the state’s youth. Spring Grove school board members Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Kelly Rohland, and Angie Solie were acknowledged at the February 21 board meeting. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen expressed her appreciation to the board during her monthly report, “Thank … [Read more...]
Spring Grove municipal liquor store ready to go on market
The Spring Grove City Council met on the Tuesday, February 21, as the first flakes of the powerful winter storm began to fly. Realtor Stephanie Gulbranson was present to discuss the progress of the liquor store sale. Nearly everything is ready for the store to go on the market. At issue was the asking price for the property, and how to balance maximizing the return for the … [Read more...]
Talks between Caledonia Ambulance and Spring Grove Ambulance gear up
The Spring Grove Ambulance, Inc. sent a letter asking the city to take ownership of the Spring Grove Ambulance license. At the city’s February 13 council meeting, the council authorized Caledonia Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom to move forward and draft a proposal. In the letter from Spring Grove, Todd Passig, Spring Grove Ambulance board president included, “The one aspect … [Read more...]
David “Dave” Holland
David “Dave” L. Holland, age 75, loving father, husband, and grandparent, passed away in the company of loved ones on January 28, 2023, in Roseville, Minn. He was Born August 14, 1947, in Spring Grove, Minn., to James and Palma Holland. On September 4, 1966, he joined in marriage to Ann (Torvick) Holland at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. He shared a birthday with his … [Read more...]
Gary B. Kroshus
Gary B. Kroshus, born July 25, 1947, at Spring Grove, Minn., son of Byron and Gertrud Hancock Kroshus, passed away January 27, 2023, after a long battle with cancer from Agent Orange exposure from time served in Vietnam. Gary was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church. He attended Kjome, Grindeland, and Highlandville country schools until the 8th grade then on to … [Read more...]
2022 Business Persons of the Year Kraus couple receives award of excellence from Journal readers
As a newspaper, we have an opportunity to bring people together for a common good. To inspire and foster positive news presented by our readers that lifts people up in the communities we serve. Starting in 2020, the staff at the Fillmore County Journal coordinated the first-ever recognition for the Business Person of the Year. The newspaper publishes a form to fill out and … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Ambulance holds town hall meeting
The Spring Grove Ambulance is recruiting for EMTs and EMRs. Call Angie at (507) 498-3098 to sign up. Spring Grove Ambulance held an informational meeting at the Spring Grove Cinema on Wednesday, January 19, from 7-8 p.m. Residents and other interested parties were invited to attend and hear from the Minnesota EMS Regulatory Board, Spring Grove Ambulance, and Caledonia … [Read more...]
Spring Grove City Council tackles lengthy agenda
The Spring Grove City Council had an exceptionally full agenda for their first meeting of the new year. The January 17 meeting began with a short public hearing, during which the council moved to approve the subdivision of a property held by the Richard and Julie Amundson Trust, and to formally repeal (effective July 1) the ordinance which had established the municipal liquor … [Read more...]