Category Archives: Local News

Organizers Say Annual Food Scavenger Hunt in Blue Earth was a Success

Organizers involved with this year’s annual Food Scavenger Hunt, held Wednesday evening in Blue Earth, say that the event was an overwhelming success. Approximately 100 area youth went out into the Blue Earth Community from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, to gather non-perishable food items for the Faribault County Food Pantry. Youth from Saints Peter and Paul,…… read more »

Rep Hagedorn Holds Town Hall About Veteran’s Affairs

Minnesota Congressman Jim Hagedorn, a Republican from Blue Earth, held a telephone Veteran Town Hall event with a Veteran Service Officer from Olmsted County on Tuesday. More than a dozen callers from Southern Minnesota called into the event, with questions about veteran affairs. According to Ashley Laganiere, a Veteran Service Officer for the Olmstead County…… read more »

Swenson Named Executive Director of Wells Chamber

The Wells Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of a new Executive Director to oversee the organization. Tabitha Swenson, a native of Minnesota Lake, has been appointed to fill the position. Swensen is a graduate of Alexandria Technical and Community College, where she earned an Associated and Applied Science Degree in Communication Art…… read more »

Kiester Man Pleads Guilty in Winnebago County, Iowa

A Kiester man has been sentenced on drug and weapon possession charges in Winnebago County, Iowa. Michael Molina of Kiester pleaded guilty to possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance, marijuana, a serious misdemeanor and carrying weapons, a serious misdemeanor, stemming from a traffic stop by the Lake Mills Police Department on July 4, 2021.…… read more »

Fairmont Native Named Executive Director of “Visit Fairmont”

A new Executive Director has been named to oversee “Visit Fairmont” at the Fairmont Convention and Visitors Bureau. Nicole Johnston was recently appointed to the position by the Visit Fairmont Board in place of Stephanie Busiahn, who stepped down in May. Visit Fairmont promotes the City through a variety of mediums including billboards, digital campaigns,…… read more »

City of Wells Announces Finalists for City Administrator Position

The City of Wells has announced the names of four individuals selected as finalists for the City Administrator position. The candidates are Richard Baker, Evan Brown, Wendy Chirpich and Connor Lapointe. Richard Baker has an extensive background in community and economic development, along with non profit management and chamber work. Evan brown is a Lieutenant…… read more »

Good Thunder Organic Compost Facility Receives Approval to Accept Waste Again

On Wednesday, the Blue Earth County Planning and Zoning Commission gave its approval for a rural Good Thunder Organic Compost Facility to resume operations, despite ongoing complaints from neighbors about serious odor problems that have plagued the facility. Kip Bruender, who is a County Commissioner and a member of the Planning and Zoning Board, noted…… read more »

Maple River Suspends Student & Lunchroom Employee for Violating School Policy

A student from the Maple River School District has been suspended for violating school policy after he drove a truck flying a confederate flag near a group of protestors earlier this week and flipped one off. A District Lunchroom Employee has been put on administrative leave, as wells, while school officials investigate an allegation that…… read more »