A certain sense of satisfaction can be derived from the “fwump” sound created by the bugs being sucked through a vacuum hose and into a waiting pop bottle. For even the greatest lovers of animals find it hard to feel empathy for those pesky Asian Lady Beetles when they congregate and take over our homes in October and April.
“I hate to say it as a lover of animals but it’s fun,” said Dane Wolf inventor of “The BugBottler.”

Persons entering Caledonia City Hall just might see a new face in the economic development authority (EDA) office. Although she’s new to City Hall, Jane Schiltz is no stranger to Caledonia.
“I was born, raised, and schooled here,” said Schiltz, who took over the duties of staffing the Caledonia EDA office last week. “I’ve lived in Caledonia all my life and probably always will.”

Left to right: Security State Bank of Hokah Loan Officer and Marketing Director Rick Kuhl, Chief of Police Robert (Bob) Schuldt, Security State Bank Senior Vice President Patrick Sullivan and Hokah Mayor Jerry Martell stand next to the squad car which has had the equipment installed. Inset, the money used to purchase the In-car Video System was donated by the Fischer Foundation. Without the donations, Schuldt said the purchase would not have been possible.
Photos by Daniel McGonigle

In order for small communities to survive and thrive, they must support one another.
It helps to have philanthropic neighbors like the Fischer Family Foundation.
Recently the advisory committee of the Webster and Marcella Fischer Foundation announced the funding of three grant requests totaling approximately $36,000 to non-profit organizations in Lewiston, Hokah and Spring Valley.

Residents and staff at Valley View Nursing Home enjoyed some coffee, treats, and conversation during a program Saturday morning to honor 11 employees who have all worked 20 years or more at the facility. Those being honored are shown above, in front from left, Ruth Kempter (27 years), Marge Hundorf (26 years), and Janice Unnasch (26 years). In the back, Dallas Nelson (23 years), Judy Munson (22 years), Clara Post (33 years), Deb Dewey (22 years), and Connie Edwards (25 years). Not shown, Theresa Johnston (31 years), Linda Houge (29 years) and Gayle Papenfuss (29 years). Photo by JK Photography, Jodi Kinstler

Officials made a positive identification  of the body that was found in the charred ruins of a home in Brownsville that was destroyed in an early Sunday morning fire. The home, located at 817 N. Second St., was owned by Francis “Don” Keefe. The Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s office in Hastings confirmed that it was Keefe who perished in the three alarm fire that totally consumed the house.  

A funeral mass for Keefe, 72, will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Caledonia Friday at 10:30 a.m. Burial with military rites will be in Calveary Cemetery in Caledonia. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with an 8 p.m. prayer service at Holy Family Hall (behind St. Mary's) and 9:30 a.m. to services Friday at the church. McCormick Funderal Home in Caledonia is assisting with arrangements. A full obituary will appear on the Argus websit Thursday.    

The Houston County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an On Star operator early Sunday morning stating a passerby travelling on Hwy 26 reported a house that was fully engulfed in flames on a hillside in Brownsville.

The Brownsville Fire Department was paged to 817 2nd Street. Upon their arrival they were unable to locate any persons that may have been living there.

The Brownsville Fire Department requested assistance from Hokah and La Crescent Fire Departments. It took the three fire departments nearly 10 hours to put out the blaze. The home, which was completely made of wood, including the basement, was a total loss, Brownsville Fire Chief Gary Meiners reported.

The house overlooked the Mississippi River and the entire east side of the structure was glass. When the intense heat blew out the east end of the home, the shell of the house acted as a flue, which intensified the fire.  

At 11:30 a.m. the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshall began their investigation into the cause of the fire and the possibility that a person may have been inside the residence.

At 12:05 p.m. Sunday a body was found in the debris.

The State Fire Marshall stated that there was no way to determine the cause of the fire.

New Valley View NH administrator Chris Schulz.
Photo by Daniel McGonigle

Since December 26, The Valley View Nursing Home has been under the guidance of new Administrator/CEO Chris Schulz.
Schulz moved to the quaint little town from Nebraska on behalf of his wife who wanted to return to her native state and be closer to her family.