PRSRT STD ECR WSS US. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 70 MADELIA, MN 56062
POSTAL PATRON
“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Ask a Trooper page
8
Red Cross helping a family following fire page
4
Monday, January 2, 2017
Privilege explained page
5
Student films chronicling change page
10
Volume 32 Issue 15
Root River 1W1P final plan approved page
15
Cassidy Ruud, Burros • Kenzie Broadwater, Falcons
Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
The B&B Olympic Bowl: one year later
Paul and Shelly Hanson stand in the kitchen of the new B&B Olympic Bowl. Photo by Hannah Wingert By H annah Wingert hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
It’s been a year since that fateful New Year’s Day fire that decimated the B&B Olympic Bowl in Preston. At first, owners Paul and Shelly Hanson weren’t sure they would rebuild, but then they decided to go for it. “The last year has been stressful, but has actually gone pretty good,” Paul said. “Trying to figure this out when we’ve never done it before - that’s been the stressful part. I wish we had the knowledge back in March that we have now,” Shelly added. Despite the stress of rebuilding from scratch, Paul and Shelly don’t regret it one bit
and would do it again in a hope they don’t regret offering heartbeat. to help when I call them!” she The Hansons are getting laughed. closer to opening every day. At this point of the buildThey’re hoping to reopen the ing process, most of the major bowling alley in the third week things have been completed. of January. The bowling lanes and machines “If it weren’t for the local are installed, the items for the community, we wouldn’t be kitchen are still in boxes, but at rebuilding,” said Paul. least they’re in the kitchen area, “Everyone’s been so great the bathrooms are almost finhelping,” Shelly remarked. ished, and some of the dining She especially appreciates the room décor has been hung. On local businesses, such a Morem January 9, the scoring company Electric, Kingsley Mercantile, will install their system and and the Amish, just to name a train the Hansons and their few, who have had roles in the employees how to use it. rebuilding process. “I’m glad to “There’s going to be stuff a see them a part of our history.” year down the road that we’ll Shelly added that she’s had still be finishing up,” Paul several locals stop by and offer explained. to help put furniture together and install it once it arrives. “I See B&B OLYMPIC BOWL Page 7
Rushford grateful for project donations By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
After months of discussion regarding the 2017 budget and levy, the Rushford City Council has approved the originally proposed levy of $867,000. The amount represents a 9.75% or $77,000, increase from the previous year’s levy of $790,000. As explained, it would largely be used in continuing to both maintain and build fund balances. “There’s nothing hidden in there,” said City Administrator Tony Chladek. “It’s very clear what we’re trying to do.” Cladek further stated that while the funds are to be utilized in covering operating expenses and debt service, it will also provide for funds, such as Capital Improvments, to be built up as the city continues to trek along in upgrades. Chladek
indicated, as did Public Works Director Roger Knutson earlier in the month, that the city has a number of projects, such as the levee and work with Emerald Ash Borer, that the city has little control over. “There’s always one more thing to add to the list and it’s important.” The city will also continue working to rebuild fund balances, per audit and credit rating recommendations. At the last bond review, Standard & Poor’s indicated the city should have $500,000 or more in general fund reserves. Reserves dropped drastically in 2007 to just 11% of operating expenses, but sit above 60% in 2016. City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher indicated See DONATIONS Page 16
Comment on this article at www.fillmorecountyjournal.com
A&W Drive-In in Spring Valley welcomes new owners By H annah Wingert hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Tom Evanoff started off his career in retail at a young age. His parents owned Evans Department Store in Wisconsin, which was started as Evanoff Five & Dime by his grandparents in the 1940s. Evanoff’s dad’s rule was that, as soon as you could tie your shoes, you were old enough to work. Evanoff couldn’t wait to start working so he could earn his own money, at the grand rate of 10 cents an hour. “Candy bars were 10 cents
Prices Effective January 2nd - January 8th, 2017
back then, so that meant that I could buy a candy bar for every hour I worked,” laughed Evanoff. Evanoff worked with his dad at their store until his father decided to retire. Rather than asking his son to stay in the family business, he realized that downtown department stores were a dying breed and encouraged him to move on to something else. To help him figure out what he wanted to do with his career, Evanoff’s wife Mary asked him See A&W Page 2