News

The Fairmont City Council met Monday for the sole purpose of selecting a new investigator to delve into city staff’s awareness of criminal cases allowed to expire under the statute of limitations during the tenure of former City Attorney Elizabeth Bloomquist. The investigator also will identify any individuals officially involved in the matter and the extent of the involvement and awareness from January 2012 to May 2019. The firm selected by the council at its Sept. 23 meeting — Jardine Logan and O’Brien — was unable to start an investigation until November, and Councilor Tom Hawkins and Mayor Debbie Foster, who [...]

Many residents in southern Minnesota and north Iowa are picking up the pieces after severe storms rumbled thru the area on Tuesday evening. In northern Iowa,  one of the hardest hit areas was Swea City, as numerous power poles and trees were knocked down by the strong winds that were part of a line of thunderstorms. Authorities said the storm took out power for nearly 100 customers in the Swea City area.. The city clerk in Swea City said "As part of the clean up, city residents should deposit their tree limbs and branches on the curb-side for pick up as [...]

The Fairmont Area School Board on Tuesday approved a 2020 property tax levy that will decrease 2.93 percent. The proposed levy is $5.5 million, a reduction of $167,000 from 2019. Superintendent Joe Brown reminded the board that the Minnesota Supreme Court will be at Fairmont High School on Oct. 9 to hold its 50th traveling oral argument. Fairmont High School has been selected as the site this year. “They’ll be hearing an oral argument case. We have invited other local schools as well,” he said. The justices are then expected to visit Fairmont classrooms. On the Tuesday night prior, a community [...]

Early Tuesday morning  the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Blue Earth Airport for an emergency landing by a  Mayo helicopter. The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the Mayo  helicopter had to make an emergency landing due to smoke in the cockpit. When deputies arrived on scene the helicopter was grounded and shut down. The crew was standing outside of the helicopter and they were safe. There was no longer any visible smoke inside the cockpit. The Blue Earth Police Department, Blue Earth Fire Department and the United Hospital District Ambulance Service assisted on the scene.

The Fairmont City Council voted 4-1 Monday to move ahead with a state forensic audit covering 17 years in two areas of the city’s books. After a lengthy discussion, council members decided on a time span from January 2002 to January 2019, focusing on the municipal liquor store and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Councilor Wayne Hasek, who cast the lone dissenting vote , questioned the need , citing the annual audit the city undergoes each year. Fairmont City Council members Tom Hawkins, Randy Lubenow and Ruth Cyphers. Out numbered Bruce Peters and Wayne Hasek, who opposed hiring an investigator to [...]

A Fairmont dental practice is partnering with the Mayo Clinic to open a new facility in its Fairmont Campus. Thanks to a multi-year grant pledge from the Schmeekle Foundation, Apple Tree Dental is set to receive $2.39 million to open the new clinic. According to a press release, the grant funds will be distributed over the course of five years. The dental clinic says it served nearly 100,000 patients last year and the new Mayo location will increase their reach by 1,100 patients initially, with an estimated 4,800 patient-increase once the facility is fully functional. A reception will be held September [...]

The Fairmont School Board on Tuesday approved a 10-year tax abatement for CHS Inc., which is planning a $100 million project at its existing plant in Fairmont. CHS estimates that more than $3.1 million will go to local contractors and materials for construction. The project will include the addition of equipment that will allow the plant to run at a 30 percent faster rate. Construction is expected to start this fall and be completed by 2021. The abatement will be for up to 10 years, beginning with real estate payable in 2022 and continuing through 2031, not to exceed $423,930. County [...]

Vista Prairie Communities (VPC), a nonprofit provider of assisted living, independent living, memory care and care suites in Minnesota, Iowa and Ohio, has named Pamela Rubis as the Executive Director of its Goldfinch Estates Senior Living Community, 850 Goldfinch Street in Fairmont. When she begins her new role on September 10, she will be responsible for all operations, contact with residents, staff and the community. A veteran human service executive, Pamela brings 20 years of experience in leadership and marketing positions with senior care, a nursing home and homes for people with developmental disabilities. Her experience includes service in care [...]

The public is invited to an open house on Wednesday, September 11, to learn about a roadway project in 2021 on Hwy 263 from I-90 to Ceylon, as well as provide input on proposed safety improvements on the segment through the city of Ceylon. Representatives from MnDOT will give a brief presentation at 4 p.m., followed by an open house format until 6 p.m. at the Legends II, 103 E. Main St., Ceylon. Hwy 263 from I-90 to Ceylon will be resurfaced in 2021 in preparation for a turnback of the highway to Martin County. During project development, the [...]