A new rapid COVID-19 testing site is opening Thursday in Albert Lea. The site is one of three locations announced Wednesday by Governor Tim Walz that will be using a new saliva PCR test. The rapid COVID-19 test will be offered at the former Shopko building at Northbridge Mall from 11am-6pm Thursday and Friday and…… read more »
Category Archives: Local News
Albert Lea’s Funk Named MN Superintendent of the Year
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators has named Michael Funk, Superintendent of the Albert Lea School District, as the “2022 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year.” Under Funk’s leadership, the Albert Lea Area Schools’ district wide grauation rates increased from 68% to 81% from 2012 to 2021. The District also saw increases in graduation rates between…… read more »
Estherville Woman Facing Charges After Allegedly Threatening People With a Gun
An Estherville woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly threatening several people with a gun. Jodeci Holmes, 19, of Estherville, faces multiple counts of going armed with intent, a Class D Felony and multiple counts of 1st degree harassment. On Friday, October 29th, Estherville Police were called to a report of a male subject having…… read more »
Warm & Dry Conditions Helping Farmers in MN & Iowa Wrap Up Harvest
Dry conditions allowed for harvest progress throughout Minnesota during the week ending November 7th. According to the USDA, 5.8 days were rated suitable for fieldwork. Corn harvested reached 92%, 12 days ahead of the 5 year average. The average moisture content of the grain at harvest was 17%. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% very…… read more »
Friday Fire at Wells Concrete Remains Under Investigation
A recent industrial plant fire in Wells is still being investigated by the Wells Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshall’s Office. The blaze was initially reported at around 5:45pm on Friday at Wells Concrete, located on State Highway 109, near the intersection of State Highway 22, in Wells. Fire Departments from Wells, Minnesota…… read more »
BEA School Board Approves Mascot Design Contest
A unique idea designed to better improve the Blue Earth Area School District’s overall marketing efforts was presented for consideration at Monday night’s Blue Earth Area School Board meeting. Jenn Berkner and Dar Holmseth came before the Board with the Idea of holding a mascot design contest, with the newly designed logo to be uniformly…… read more »
Gas Prices in MN & Iowa Higher This Week
Heading into the first weekend in November, AAA reports that gasoline prices in Minnesota and Iowa are higher than last week. The average price in Minnesota is $3.18 a gallon, compared to $3.15 a week ago. In Iowa, the average price is $3.20 a gallon, compared to $3.19 a week ago. Oklahoma had the lowest…… read more »
Write In Candidate Win in Tuesday’s Elections in North Iowa
A write in candidate from the November 2nd election has been elected to serve as the next Mayor for the City of Ledyard. Sharon Cowin received six of the nine write in votes that were cast to win the seat. The City of Ledyard also needed a write in candidate for a second open position…… read more »
MN Department of Health Reports 3 Additional COVID Deaths in the Area
The Minnesota Department of Health has reported three additional Covid related deaths in the area. On Wednesday, the Health Department reported two new deaths in Martin County and one in Blue Earth County. The Martin County cases involved a person in the 60 to 64 age category and the other person between the ages of…… read more »
Write In Candidate Declared Mayoral Race Winner in Thompson
A write in Candidate has been declared as the Unofficial winner from Tuesday’s Election for the position of Mayor in Thompson, Iowa. Mike Hauan has been declared as the winner of the Mayoral Contest, according to the Winnebago County Auditor’s Office.… read more »