Category Archives: Local News

SMIF Accepting Applications for Early Care and Education Program

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Early Care and Education Grant program.  The program will help fund early care and education services for children birth to age 5.  Organizations that work with these children in the 20 county region are eligible to apply.  Requests of up to $20,000 will be considered.…read more »

Blue Earth Council Reads New Chicken Ordinance

On Monday, the Blue Earth City Council conducted a first reading of an ordinance allowing residents to keep chickens if they comply with various restrictions. The ordinance redefines chickens as separate from the city’s definition of farm animals, which are otherwise not permitted to be kept on city property. The ordinance also specifies restrictions for…read more »

Emmet County Traffic Stop Leads to Blue Earth Man’s Arrest

An early morning traffic stop last week in Emmet County resulted in the arrest of a Blue Earth man on felony drug charges. Emmet County Sheriff Mike Martens says shortly after 12:30am Wednesday morning a Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol in the 4500 block of Highway 9 initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a…read more »

Mapleton Man Charged in UTV Crash That Killed Elysian Woman

A Mapleton man was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol Thursday when he crashed a utility terrain vehicle, leading to a woman’s death. Fifty nine year old Susan Quiram of Elysian, was found underneath the UTV about a half mile east of County Road 7 near Mapleton. Fifty one year old Lance Leiferman was…read more »

USDA Says Crop Harvest is Underway in MN & Iowa

Minnesota had 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending September 18th, according to the USDA, as corn and soybean harvest is getting underway. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 26% short, 65% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn dented of beyond reached 86%.  Corn mature was at 21%, one week behind the…read more »

Maple River West Receives Award from the U.S. Department of Education

Maple River West Elementary School in Good Thunder is among 8 in Minnesota and almost 300 across the country, to be named a National Blue Ribbon School, an award recognizing student performance. National Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized each year by the U.S. Department of Education.  This year’s awards, which marked the 39th year of…read more »

Gov. Walz & Challenger Jensen To Meeting in Televised Debate on October 18th

Current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his Republican challenger Scott Jensen have agreed to a televised debate on October 18th, hosted at KTTC-TV in Rochester and broadcast on all Gray Television stations in Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota. The debate will air from 7-8pm, Tuesday, October 18th.  The broadcast will originate from KTTC in Rochester…read more »

Winnebago Man Charged After Allegedly Assaulting a Pregnant Woman in Mankato

A Winnebago man is accused of kicking a pregnant woman’s door, assaulting her and threatening her. Thirty three year old Donald Terrience Thomas III, was charged Thursday with felony counts of 1st degree burglary, domestic assault and threats of violence.  A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Mankato police responded Tuesday to the home…read more »