The City of Albert Lea is working to bring a private marina to Fountain Lake. The Albert Lea City Council voted to seek proposals from developers interest in taking up the project, which would replace the existing skate park and restrooms near City Beach. If a bid is accepted, the beach would remain a public…… read more »
Category Archives: Local News
Maple River’s Robotics Team Places First in Regional Competition
Maple River High School’s 12 member robotics team came home with first place honors from a regional competition in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Maple River Robotics was one of 45 teams from seven states that competed at the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology event Thursday through Saturday on the campus at the University…… read more »
Mankato Man Charged With Indecent Exposure After Removing His Pants in Front of Woman and Toddler
A Mankato man is accused of exposing himself to a woman and toddler. Gene Richard Dase, age 50, was charged in Blue Earth County Court with gross misdemeanor indecent exposure. According to a criminal complaint, a neighbor woman was in her driveway with her three year old daughter, when Dase, who had been sitting in…… read more »
Mapleton Man Accused of Assaulting and Threatening a Woman
A Mapleton man is accused of physically assaulting a woman known to him and sending her more than 100 threatening text messages. Forty five year old Peter George Rollinger, was charged in Blue Earth County Court with felony stalking, a second or subsequent violation in 10 years. He also faces gross misdemeanor charges for domestic…… read more »
MN Unemployment Rate Drops to Lowest Rate Since 1999
Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticked down two tenths of a percentage point to 2.7% in February, that’s the lowest unemployment rate in the state since 1999. The decline in Minnesota’s unemployment rate was entirely due to people moving from unemployment to employment, as the state’s labor force participation rate rose from 67.6% to 67.9% in February.…… read more »
Nearly 180 School in MN to Receive Grants from MnDOT
The Blue Earth Area School District is one of nearly 180 schools around Minnesota that will benefit from $8.2 million in planning, programming and infrastructure grants that support the Safe Routes to School program, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced. Blue Earth Area received a Boost grant that helps enhance existing programs the school has…… read more »
BEA Meets $2.4 Million Budgetary Supplemental Minimum, Able to Add Additional Sections and Staff for Next School Year
As a result of an increase in student enrollment and an influx of dollars from recent federal COVID funds, on Monday evening the Blue Earth Area School Board was able to meet the budgetary supplemental fund minimum of $2.4 million, which had been a goal of Superintendent Mandy Fletchers since she was hired in 2019. …… read more »
Mankato and New Ulm City Leaders Meet With Gov. Walz to Outline Public Safety Funding Needs
With Mankato and New Ulm in line for public safety funding in Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget, city leader from the two communities met with him Tuesday to outline their needs. The roundtable discussion at New Ulm’s fire station touched on the need for local control over how funds are used, along with the importance…… read more »
Delavan Couple Seriously Injured Following 4 Vehicle Crash Sunday Morning, North of Mapleton
An 85 year old Delavan man and his 83 year old wife were both seriously injured in a four vehicle accident Sunday, between Beauford and Mapleton, that resulted in non life threatening injuries for two other area women. Glenn Levern Pettit was driving a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country south on Highway 22, shortly before…… read more »
BEA School Board Gets Update on Student Achievements
The Blue Earth Area School Board received good news during their meeting on Monday night. Music teacher Paul Johnson gave an update on the music department at the school and informed the board that March is Music in our Schools Month. He reported that the orchestra received a superior rating at the Large Group Contes…… read more »