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The Martin County Board of Commissioners is keeping the county's $10 wheelage tax in place for now. During Tuesday's meeting, commissioners discussed whether the tax is still needed after the county implemented a half-cent transportation sales tax last year. County Engineer Kevin Peyman said the wheelage tax generates about $220,000 annually and helps fund road and bridge projects. While some commissioners favored eliminating the tax to reduce costs for residents, the board agreed to revisit the issue in July of 2027. Commissioners also continued work on the 2027 budget, which currently includes a proposed levy increase of just over 7.5 percent. Officials [...]

(Sherburn) The Sherburn City Council heard concerns Monday night about a growing childcare shortage in the community after two daycare providers closed in the past month. Residents told the council many families are now traveling long distances for childcare, and with another provider planning to retire, they urged the city to explore solutions through a community committee and survey. Council members also received an update on Temperance Lake Ridge, where management reported the assisted living facility is 95 percent occupied and has made significant progress toward improving staffing, finances and resident services. In other business, the council approved an on-sale liquor [...]

(Fairmont) A proposed regional trail connecting Alpha, Jackson, Sherburn, Welcome and Fairmont was introduced during Monday's Martin County Economic Development Authority meeting. The concept would convert portions of an underused rail corridor into a multi-use trail for walking, biking and snowmobiling through the state's Rails to Trails program. Part of the rail line near Welcome remains active for freight service and is unlikely to be abandoned so that created some concern during the meeting. No action was taken, as the discussion was informational only. In other business, the City of Northrop is moving forward with creating its own Housing and Redevelopment [...]

Two more teenagers have been charged in connection with the May 23 shooting death of 17-year-old Tyson Goodsell in North Mankato. Eighteen-year-old Jaxon Sageng of Mankato is accused of helping set up the robbery by arranging a fake drug deal with Goodsell and providing Ryan Wolner with his vehicle and cellphone. He faces two felony counts, including aiding and abetting attempted first-degree aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. His bail is set at $100,000. Eighteen-year-old Devon Bakke of Saint Peter is accused of storing the rifle used in the shooting, knowing it would be used in the robbery, and [...]

The mother of a Mankato teen charged in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tyson Goodsell is now facing felony charges of her own. Fifty-three-year-old Christa Wolner has been charged in Nicollet County with four felonies, including aiding an offender by obstructing a murder investigation and helping her son avoid arrest. Prosecutors allege Wolner picked up her son, Ryan, after the May 23 shooting, helped search for discarded cell phones, allowed him to communicate with co-defendants using her phone, and helped move evidence while he was in jail. Investigators also say she deleted surveillance video from her business and refused to provide [...]

(Okoboji) A boating collision on West Lake Okoboji Sunday afternoon left one person dead and five others injured. The Iowa DNR says the crash happened near Pillsbury Point shortly before 1 p.m. Two boats were involved, with the person who died and the five injured passengers all aboard the same vessel. Three of the injured were seriously hurt and taken to hospitals in Spirit Lake and Spencer. Officials say everyone involved was wearing a life jacket and alcohol was not considered a contributing factor. The incident remains under investigation by the Iowa DNR and other responding agencies.

(Sanborn) A Sanborn teen was injured on Saturday a little after 7:30 when he lost control of the Polaris Ranger he was operating. The 15 year old was traveling Northbound in the ditch parallel to Hwy 71 when he lost control of the vehicle and rolled near 240th street. The teen was taken to the Windom Hospital with life threatening injuries. The Sanborn Fire Department, Sanborn Ambulance, Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office and the MN DNR all assisted at the scene.

(Sherburn, MN) Media were invited to take a tour of the new Martin County West School last week. Construction of the new school in Sherburn is more than halfway complete and remains on schedule for students to move in for the 2027-28 school year. Site Construction Manager Michael Beach says the project has stayed on track despite minor delays. Additional crews were brought in to keep plumbing and other work on schedule, with concrete work continuing throughout the building. Construction is also underway on the new football field and track. The field is expected to be ready for the 2027 football [...]

(Fairmont) The Fairmont City Council spent Thursday's work session discussing long-term priorities, including housing, blight, parks and city facilities. Results of a recent housing study were shared with the council. It found Fairmont has a housing shortage, flat population growth and a relatively high level of blighted properties. Council members agreed code enforcement should be a top priority, with some supporting the addition of another staff member. Finance Director Paul Hoye said the city has about $350,000 available for demolition projects, though acquiring problem properties remains a challenge.  Looking ahead, council members called for an updated needs assessment for city facilities, [...]