KSUM News

Winnebago Avenue reconstruction in Fairmont from TH 15 to the east end of the pavement will begin this week with full closures beginning on Friday, July 26th. Winnebago Avenue will be closed to eastbound traffic beyond the end of the pavement. Traffic will be directed to 10th Street where a truck route will be signed to provide access to all of the businesses in the east industrial park area. Access to the businesses along TH 15 on Winnebago Avenue in  Fairmont will be maintained throughout the project. The project will be completed in phases and access will be adjusted as [...]

A PICKUP/MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN FARIBAULT COUNTY SENT A DELAVAN MAN TO A ROCHESTER HOSPITAL EARLY THURSDAY  MORNING. ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL REPORT, A PICKUP DRIVEN BY 29 YEAR OLD ANDREW PAUL HOLM OF WINNEBAGO APPARENTLY REAR-ENDED A MOTORCYCLE OPERATED BY 36 YEAR OLD TYLER DAY NEAL OF DELAVAN WHILE BOTH WERE EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 109 IN DELAVAN TOWNSHIP. TYLER NEAL WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL WITH UNDETERMINED INJURIES ACCORDING TO THE REPORT. ANDREW HOLM SUFFERED NO APPARENT INJURY. DELAVAN FIRE AND FIRST RESPONDERS, WINNEBAGO AMBULANCE,BLUE EARTH POLICE DEPARTMENT,WELLS POLICE DEPARTMENT,WINNEBAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FARIBAULT COUNTY SHERIFF'S [...]

The Fairmont City Council Monday held a public hearing about proposed changes to Fairmont’s rental ordinance, local landlords delivered the same message to the Fairmont City Council on Monday: The existing ordinance is enough, but it needs to be enforced. After hearing the concerns, the council decided to hold a meeting with landlords and city staff before taking any further action. The proposed changes to the 2014 ordinance include reducing the licensing and inspection terms from three years to two, mandating that landlords run criminal background checks on all tenants and providing proof of an existing garbage contract for all [...]

Tom Hawkins, Fairmont councilman at-large, read a statement at the end of the City Council meeting Monday. He addressed the happenings of the past few months, saying citizens were owed an explanation. Hawkins said he drew on his experience running a business, working with other communities and taking “only the credible feedback” from constituents in making decisions. He admitted to having a personal agenda, one focused on code enforcement, eliminating excessive efforts to comply with state building codes and convincing a vocal minority that the council is doing what is best for the long-term health of the city. He listed [...]

THE FAIRMONT CITY COUNCIL MEETS AT 5:30 PM ON MONDAY. THE COUNCIL WILL RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES AND YEARS OF SERVICE AND HEAR PRESENTATIONS ON THE 2020 LAKE AVENUE PROJECT AND THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY. THE JUNE INVESTMENT REPORT,SEVERAL PERMIT AND LICENSE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACTED ON. THE CITY ADMINISTRATORS PERFORMANCE EVALUATION WILL AGAIN BE PRESENTED, A CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FOR AIPORT T-HANGAR IMPROVEMENT AND A LETTER OF SUPPORT WILL BE SHARED AT MONDAY'S MEETING AT THE FAIRMONT CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

Martin County Commissioners approved a motion Tuesday to authorize recruitment to fill the jail administrator position for the county, in the wake of the resignation of former jail administrator Mark Geerdes. At a previous meeting, the board approved a motion authorizing the chairperson to sign a grievance settlement agreement with Law Enforcement Labors Services Inc., accepting Geerdes’ resignation. The union had already signed the agreement, which states that Geerdes’ resignation was effective April 2; that the union will withdraw the grievance; and that Geerdes will receive payment of his earned personal time off and a portion of sick leave, [...]

THE FAIRMONT PARK BOARD PAUSED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE BEFORE THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY FOR JOE BURNS WHO PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY. BOARD MEMBERS TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH OF THE CITY'S ALMOST 8 MILES OF BIKE/WALK TRAILS JOE HAD A PART IN BRINGING ABOUT. THE BOARD SPENT SOME TIME REVIEWING PARK BOARD BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THAT LATER THIS YEAR. AMONG THEM IS THE MARGARET STREET TRAIL EXTENSION,WARD PARK SHELTER HOUSE MAINTENANCE, AND GOMSRUD PARK IMPROVEMENTS. NICK LARDY STREET AND PARKS SUPERINTENDET INFORMED THE BOARD ABOUT SOME ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE NOW INCLUDING THE [...]