UHD Announces the Addition of Dr. Jodi Schulz to Their Obstetrics Department

United Hospital District (UHD) of Blue Earth announces the expansion of their Obstetrics department with the arrival of their new provider Jodi Schulz, and OB/GYN physician who is now seeing patients at UHD’s Blue Earth Clinic.

A Blue Earth native, Dr. Schulz graduated from Blue Earth, Frost, Winnebago, Delavan and Elmore High School in 1990, before it became Blue Earth Area High School.  She went on to receive her medical degree at the University of Minnesota.

She brings 24 year of experience to UHD, having care for patients of all ages across the lifespan of her career.  Certified with the American College of OB/GYN, she also served as a clinical instructor at the Mayo School of Medicine and as a trauma surgeon in Baghdad, Iraq.

Two Finalists for Fairmont City Administrator to Be Interviewed Next Week

Two finalists will be interviewed next week for the position of Fairmont City Administrator.

One of the finalists is Matthew Skaret, who currently serves as City Administrator for Jackson, Minnesota.  Skaret has previously served as City Administrator for Springfield, Minnesota, Milford, Iowa and Madison, Minnesota.  The other finalist is Nathan Unsworth, who is currently the Deputy Director for Scott County, Iowa’s Conservation District.

The Mayor and City Council will conduct the interviews on Tuesday, March 26th.

A third candidate who was to be interviewed has accepted another position.

Gov Walz Unveiled the Supplemental Budget on Tuesday

Gov. Tim Walz on Monday unveiled a $226 million supplemental budget, a scaled back proposal that prioritizes policies impacting children, public safety and water quality.

The spending plan, if approved by the legislature, would be extra spending in addition to the already approved $72 million budget for this two year budget cycle, the largest in state history, that lawmakers signed off on last year.

Funding for infrastructure through a bonding bill remains the primary focus of the session since it’s a non budget writing year.

The largest single line item in his proposal makes changes to the new child tax credit passed last year that researchers estimate could cut child poverty by one third.  Walz wants the legislature to first authorize advanced, periodic payment of the credit, which is a maximum of $1,750 per child.

Walz is also pitching money to support the transition to the new Department of Children, Youth and Families, which will have jurisdiction over child welfare and food assistance programs and to improve the state’s social service systems.  There’s also $5 million for food banks to tackle insecurity and a one time boost to teachers’ pension funds, saving $450 for an educator making $50,000 annually, Walz said.

Walz also earmarked $16 million to shore up emergency medical services that are on the brink of collapsing in some parts of rural Minnesota.  The money would be for aid for ambulance providers and to establish “innovation zones,” which a task force studying the industry’s woes discusses as a way to study new ways of delivering emergency care for communities.

That funding is much smaller than the $120 million some lawmakers want to pass to address the crisis, drawing some criticism.

The governor vowed a smaller supplemental budget following the budget forecast in which state economists and financial experts projected revenues would not keep pace with spending in the next biennium, which could lead to a future deficit if lawmakers aren’t careful.

Walz’s proposal, revealed Monday, would ensure $2 billion on the bottom line for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.  The legislature is considering its own additional spending priorities this session.

Two Men Dead in Fatal 2 Car Crash North of Mankato

The Minnesota State Patrol says a crash on Highway 22 late Sunday afternoon was fatal.

According to the updated crash report, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by 53 year old Michael Alvin Hoffmann of Mankato, was going north on Highway 22 and collided with a Dodge Charger going south on the highway.  The Charger was driven by 20 year old Dwan Pierre Long, of Jordan.  Both men died at the scene.

The crash happened just before 5:30 Sunday evening on Highway 22 at Milepost 59.  Traffic was detoured on County Roads until just after 9pm while authorities were on the scene.

Marlin Gerdts

A Celebration of Life for Marlin Gerdts, age 90, formerly of Blue Earth, will be Saturday, March 30th, at 2pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elmore.  Visitation will be Saturday, from 10:30 – 12pm at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth and one hour prior to the service at the Church on Saturday Afternoon.  Marlin Gerdts died January 26th, at his home.

Minor Injuries Reported in Two Vehicle Accident Near Elmore

Two men received minor injuries in a two vehicle accident about 3 miles northwest of Elmore on Thursday evening.

According to the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 6:33pm, 4o year old Nicholas Andrew Uecker of Elmore, was northbound on 370th Ave in a 2004 Chevy Silverado, when he disregarded a yield sign and struck a 2021 GMC Sierra driven by 37 year old Lucas Joseph Johnson of Fairmont, who was eastbound on 30th St.

Johnson and Uecker were both treated for minor injuries and released from the scene by United Health District Ambulance.

Uecker was cited for failure yield at a sign, driving after revocation and reckless driving.

The crash remains under investigation.

Construction on Cleveland Ave in Winnebago Set to Begin on April 1st

Cleveland Avenue in Winnebago is set to undergo construction this spring.

The project will run from the dead end at 8th Street, all the way down to Main Street.  The construction will improve a lot of the infrastructure that runs through the area, including all of the underground utilities and street, with full replacement of the sanitary sewer, the water main, services to houses and storm sewer, complete with new curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveways.

Tree marking and removal is done and construction is expected to start April 1st.

Motorists are advised to avoid Cleveland Avenue as much as possible during the construction, which is expected to finish in October.

North Iowa Approves Changing to a 4 Day School Week

The North Iowa School Board officially approved the move to a 4 day week beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.  The board approved the move during a special meeting Tuesday night, after holding a public hearing and looking at a calendar showing how things would work throughout the year.

The four day week will be Tuesday through Friday, with school starting at 8:05am and ending at 3:45pm.

North Iowa becomes the 3rd school district in Iowa to approve a 4 day week this year, as Sydel and Martensdale-St. Mary’s each approved the change last month.  Four school districts in Iowa are already using the 4 day week.

Paul “Ticker” Christensen

A Funeral Service for Paul “Ticker” Christensen, age 58, of Blue Earth, will be Friday, March 22nd, at 11am, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth.  Visitation will be Thursday, from 5-8pm at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth and one hour prior to the service at the Church on Friday Morning.  Paul “Ticker” Christensen died Thursday, March 7th, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth.

Daniel “Scotty” Hodge

Services for Daniel “Scotty” Scott Hodge, age 62, of Wells, will be Friday, March 15th, at 2pm, at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home on Friday Afternoon.  Daniel “Scotty” Hodge died Saturday, March 2nd, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.