The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer, a potentially harmful tree insect, in Freeborn County for the first time. Confirmed findings of the insect have now been verified in 28 Minnesota Counties. A contractor for a local electric cooperative was doing tree maintenance along utility lines…… read more »
Category Archives: Local News
Fairmont Area Names New Superintendent
In a special meeting this week, the Fairmont School Board approved naming Andy Traetow as Superintendent of the Fairmont Area Schools, effective August 1st. Traetow replaces Joe Brown, who resigned from the position just last week. Prior to assuming his new position, Traetow served as Co-Principal at Fairmont Elementary School. The Board…… read more »
Wells Home Total Loss After Tuesday Afternoon Fire
The Wells Fire Department was called to a report of a house fire late Tuesday Afternoon. At approximately 3:45pm, fire crews were summoned to a home located on 7th Street SE. According to Wells Fire Chief Guy Kimpton, the owners of the house were away from home when the fire broke out in…… read more »
Rental Home Near Vernon Center Destroyed By Fire Tuesday Morning
An unoccupied house outside of Vernon Center was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called to an unoccupied rental home located at 13805 Highway 169, just south of town around 2am, by a passerby who noticed flames from a nearby distance. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the home was fully…… read more »
Wells Man Injured in Motorcycle/Deer Collision on Saturday Evening
The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office was called to a motorcycle/deer collision on Saturday evening. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 75 year old Gary Schaper of Wells, was traveling on 110th Street, about a mile east of Faribault County Road 23 year Wells, just after 7pm, when a deer smashed into his left leg while…… read more »
Corn and Soybean Conditions in MN & Iowa Remain Relatively Steady Last Week
Minnesota Farmers had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork last week according to the USDA. In it’s report for the week ending July 18th, the USDA says corn silking in Minnesota, reached 62%, one day behind last year, but five days ahead of the average. Corn condition was rated 42% good to excellent. Soybeans…… read more »
B.E. Council Approves Application for State Funding for Waste Water Plant Improvements
At Monday night’s meeting, the Blue Earth City Council approved an application for State Funding for designated improvements at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility. An agreement for grant funding was approved with the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for the building of a new Reverse Osmosis Treatment System, along with related improvements at the City’s…… read more »
Iowa Man Injured in Single Vehicle Accident on I-90 West of Blue Earth
A northwest Iowa man was injured Sunday morning when his vehicle struck a barbed wire fence while traveling on Interstate 90 in rural Faribault County. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 30 year old Nicholas Sorenson of Dickens, Iowa, was driving west of Blue Earth when his 2009 Chevrolet Silverado struck a barbed wire…… read more »
Man Accused of Sex Crimes in Freeborn County Has 2 Trials Scheduled
A man accused of sex crimes in 2013 and 2021 in Freeborn County now has two separate trials scheduled. Vincente Martinez, age 41, of Glenville was first arrested in Freeborn County in 2019 and charged with first and second degree criminal sexual conduct. Investigators says the sexual abuse happened in 2013 and involved a…… read more »
Work on Highway 169 Between Winnebago and Vernon Center to Begin July 26th
Highway 169 motorists between Winnebago and Vernon Center are advised to expect delays beginning Monday, July 26th, as contractors begin work to resurface the highway. The work will be completed through the use of flaggers during daylight hours. The project is expected to be finished before September 17th, weather permitting. The project includes…… read more »