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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Lanesboro Buffalo Bill Days 2013 was Ideal Page 3
Social Services to fill Staffing Gaps page
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Monday, August 12, 2013
Rushford Village street improvements page
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Volume 28 Issue 45
Fountain City Council has short Summer Meeting page
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Lanesboro Council approves permits page
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Canton l Chatfield l Fountain l Harmony l Lanesboro l Mabel l Ostrander l Peterson l Preston l Rushford l Rushford Village l Spring Valley l Whalan l Wykoff
Preston debates purchase of derelict properties By K aren R eisner karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Holli Bartelt (left) and Amy Petrich (right) stand with Holli’s son Blake (far left) and daughter Anna (far right) at their August 1 wedding at the Mall of America, one of the first same-sex marriages in Minnesota. Photo submitted
“Love is Love” for Wykoff newlyweds By Barb Jeffers barb@fillmorecountyjournal.com
August 1, 2013 brought a very special couple together in marriage. Every wedding day is special, as was this one, but the day was special for more than only the couple being married. It was a special day because it was the first day that this couple could legally be married in the State of Minnesota. Amy Petrich and Holli Bartelt met a little over two years ago through the website OKCupid. com and became friends immediately. Over time their friendship grew into a relationship which continued to grow stron-
ger. Amy said she knew right away that Holli was the one for her. Amy told her parents from the beginning of the relationship that she was “going to marry Holli” some day. With Holli living near Des Moines, Iowa and Amy in Wykoff, Minn. the couple were unable to spend a lot of time together but then the situation would change. Holli’s mom, Deb, was on a transplant list and she knew she would need to be in the area to be near her mom and help with things when the time came for her mom’s organ transplant so Holli moved to Decorah, Iowa, which brought Amy and Holli even
closer. Holli moved to Wykoff shortly thereafter. The time came where Holli wanted to propose to Amy but wasn’t sure how to do it. She had already spoken with Amy’s parents and in an old fashioned tradition had asked for their daughters hand in marriage. The couple had a trip to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. planned for Holli’s birthday on April 24, 2013, so Holli decided she would propose to Amy there. She contacted the Mall of America and explained her plans, and the contact person at the Mall of America helped her make her See LOVE Page 6
New LaNdING behind outfitters for tubing Tuesday is Tubing
101 Parkway Ave. S. Lanesboro • 507-467-3400
two-for-tuesday
Cathy Enerson, Preston EDA, presented details at the Preston City Council’s August 5 meeting for a possible land acquisition of three parcels. The potential purchases would be to further the EDA’s efforts to clean-up dilapidated properties near the Root River in Preston. Councilman David Harrison was absent. The three parcels include the Hellickson rental house on Mill Street SW which could be purchased for $1,500 and the Preston Oil Products (POP) old gas station at the corner of St. Paul Street SW and Mill Street SW and the bulkhead tank area near the trailhead for a combined price of $3,000. The Preston EDA recommended the purchase of the three parcels for a total of $4,500 with Robert Maust voting against. Enerson insisted that by removing the run down structures and cleaning up the property, there would be an opportunity for
commercial development. In the end the intention would be to sell the properties for commercial development. She added that the present condition of the structures discourages business development in the area. Councilman Robert Maust approved of purchasing the residential property, but was concerned about the potential expense for the city if the POP property was found to be contaminated when the underground tanks are removed. Enerson said the properties could be kept as green space until redevelopment could occur. She said they could go into a voluntary clean-up program to get the ground tested. If clean-up cost as much as $50,000 with a cost share program, the city’s maximum exposure would be $12,500. Enerson explained the first issue would be to remove the tanks. The city would have a year to have the tanks removed after purchase. There are funds See PRESTON Page 11
Whalan celebrates 30th anniversary of National Night Out By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Officially dubbed “America’s night out against crime,” National Night Out was organized by the National Association of Town Watch. “Dedicated to the development and promotion of various crime prevention programs, the introduction of National Night Out, ‘America’s
Summer Music!
Wed., Aug. 14TH • 5-9pm • Mike McAbee Fri., Aug. 16TH • 8-11:30pm • Joe & Vicki Price Sun., Aug. 18TH • 5-9pm • Charlie Warner
Night Out Against Crime’, in 1984 began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.” Held each year on the first Tuesday See WHALAN Page 8 Dirty
Martini
Lounge
109 S. Parkway, Lanesboro, MN 55949 www.riversideontheroot.com