PRSRT STD ECR WSS US. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 70 MADELIA, MN 56062
A JOURNAL
FLASHBACK
Do you remember what was happening in Fillmore County the week of January 20, 1986? Our team searched the archives to find Volume 1, Number 15 of the Fillmore County Journal, and here’s what we found.
POSTAL PATRON
“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Look inside for A Journal flashback
Chatfield hires deputy clerk
Monday, January 5, 2015
Volume 30 Issue 16
Candlelight Ski & Chili Cook-Off
Baum’s Elves Down Unbeaten Caledonia
New Year’s resolution
page 6
pages 10-11
page 12
We are closed for the winter, but come see us on Facebook.
Page 7 page 2 Lanesboro Historical Museum
Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
Sheriff looks forward to retirement By Jason Sethre
jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com
“My parents didn’t have a good opinion of college,” said Sheriff Daryl Jensen, who grew up in Clarks G r o v e , Minn. Daryl Jensen His father asked him, “What are you going to do when you grow up?” Daryl’s father owned a successful business that sold and repaired outdoor equipment like
lawnmowers and snowblowers. While none of his family had ever gone into law enforcement, he took in interest when getting acquainted with a neighbor who was a Freeborn County Deputy Sheriff. This neighbor, Tony Wayne, also talked about his job and spoke highly of it. So, back when he was in high school, he started doing ride-alongs with Tony, and he learned a lot. After graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1977, he earned an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement from 1977 to 1979. In August of 1979, he was
signed on to the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department under the Spring Valley contract. Initially, Daryl wasn’t sure if this was the right career for him, but another deputy told him to be patient. Daryl didn’t grow up in Fillmore County, so he didn’t know a lot of people and the first year was a little difficult to get acclimated. “Things change,” as the deputy said, and he was right. He met his wife Deanna, and they married in 1982 -now married for more than 32 years. Over the course of his career, Daryl reflects on a number of
great mentors. “My mom and dad had the biggest influence on me.” And, on the job, while Don Gudmundson was Sheriff, he learned how to best interact with people. “Gudmundson was good at interviewing and interogating. He got me into that.” In 1989, Gudmundson left the Fillmore County Sheriff’s position to become the Chief of Police for the Lakeville Police Department. At that time, Jim Connolly was appointed to be Sheriff by the Fillmore County Board. Connolly served as Sheriff until his retirement in 2005, at which
time Daryl was appointed to be the next Fillmore County Sheriff by the Fillmore County Board. Both previous Sheriff’s, Gudmundson and Connolly, served as great mentors for Daryl. Changes Over the course of Daryl Jensen’s 35-year career, he’s seen a lot of change. “The biggest difference is technology,” shared Daryl. The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department got their first computer in 1988. And, Sheriff Jensen recalled his first squad car had a radio with two channels. Today, the radios allow
See SHERIFF Page 3
Watching them fall...
The last day of 2014 ended with some lows for Fillmore County. Left is the Preston Motor Mart sign showing a price of $2.09 per gallon for regular unleaded. Right is Fillmore Central Elementary School’s sign displaying a high of 14 degrees above zero. Locals enjoyed gas prices tumbling to their lowest since 2009, while an arctic blast hit the region with a windchill factor as low as 35 degrees below zero in some areas.
Photos by Jason Sethre
Prices Effective January 5th-January 11th