Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation recently approved 22 grants totaling $190,215 to support small towns of 10,000 or less in the foundation’s 20 county region. Five of the grants that directly impact our area are: $10,000 to the Blue Earth EDA for the “B.E. Welcoming Project” which will focus on community education and outreach for Diversity,…… read more »
Category Archives: Local News
Minnesota’s July Unemployment Rate Holds Steady From June
Minnesota’s unemployment rate held steady at 1.8% in July, tying the record low since the metric started being tracked in 1976, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. This was also the all time lowest state rate on record in the United States as of June. On a…… read more »
Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Down in July
Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.5% in July, down from 2.6% in June and 4.4% one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 3.5% in July. The number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 43,000 in July from 43,900 in June. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,667,200 in July, 1,800…… read more »
Filing Period for Open Seats on BEA School Board and B.E. Council Closed Tuesday
Filings for open seats on the Blue Earth Area School Board and for the City of Blue Earth ended on Tuesday. Incumbents Ann Hanna and Dan Ristau are running for an at large seat on the City Council, as well as Jacque Drew, where 3 seats are available. Also running for a special election for…… read more »
MN Officials Say Applicants Denied “Hero” Bonuses Have Until End of the Month to Appeal
State Officials say nearly 18% of applications for pandemic “hero” bonuses in Minnesota are facing denial. That adds up to more than 214,000 of the nearly 1.2 million applications submitted by last month’s deadline. Those who were denied should have been notified by email on Tuesday, people have until the end of the month to…… read more »
Suspect in Albert Lea Shooting Death Waives Extradition in Iowa, Will be Returned to Freeborn County
The man arrested for allegedly shooting and killing another man south of Albert Lea last week waived extradition Tuesday in a hearing at the Hancock County Courthouse. With the action, 32 year old Ben Moreno is expected to be returned to the custody of Freeborn County in the near future, where he will face charges.…… read more »
Man Who Attacked a Good Thunder Artist With a Hammer Pleads Guilty
The man who attacked a Good Thunder metal sculptor in late 2021 pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony first degree assault causing great bodily harm. Thirty five year old Brandon McMurtrey attacked 83 year old artist Arnie Lillo with a hammer in November. Lillo’s assistant reported he died from COVID-19 complications weeks later in December. McMurtrey…… read more »
Fairmont Man Charged With Felony Counts After Allegedly Setting off Fireworks in a Neighbors Bush
A Fairmont man is accused of setting fireworks off in his neighbor’s bushes, mocking police and a cancer stricken man. Twenty four year old Hunter James Cox was charged last week with felony counts of attempting to commit arson and terroristic threats. He also faces a multitude of other charges, including harassment, disorderly conduct, public…… read more »
Faribault Co SWCD Reminds Landowners They Can Request Assistance for Implementation of Conservation Practices
Faribault County Soil and Water Conservation District would like landowners to know that they can request financial and technical assistance for the implementation of approved conservation practices that protect and improve water quality. Program Administrator Nate Carr says two of those practices are cover crops and strip till. The program will provide up to 75%…… read more »
Minnesota Crops Benefit From Rainfall, While Iowa is Still Mostly Dry
Minnesota had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending August 14th, according to the USDA. Reporters not that row crops were looking better after recent rainfall. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 21% short, 67% adequate and 5% surplus. Corn silking was at 97%. Corn at the dough stage was at…… read more »