News

(Fairmont) The Fairmont Housing and Redevelopment Authority has approved an increase in funding for improvements at Friendship Village. The Publicly Owned Housing Program grant was originally approved for one-point-nine million dollars. However, an error in the project figures left out some work, including plumbing, sewer lines, patio replacements and sidewalk widening across all 115 units. Minnesota Housing approved an additional 200-thousand dollars, bringing the total grant to 2-point-1 million dollars. The HRA board unanimously approved the updated grant. The board also discussed the proposed Jameson Bush Mill Circle housing development. Plans call for 28 one-story modular homes, built in two phases [...]

(Fairmont) The Fairmont City Council is working to address ongoing overcrowding and maintenance problems at the city's tree dump. Public Works Director Matthew York says crews maintain the site two to three times a week, but the lack of weekend staffing has contributed to access problems. Having employees on site both Saturday and Sunday could cost between 12-hundred and 24-hundred dollars. Council members discussed adding Saturday staffing and scheduling a work session to develop a long-term solution, including the possibility of burning accumulated debris. In other business, the council declared buildings at 112 and 114 West Fourth Street hazardous and ordered [...]

(Martin County) Martin County health officials are encouraging residents to check their vaccination status as measles cases continue to rise across Minnesota. The state has reported 80 measles cases, its highest total in 36 years, including an outbreak of 63 cases in Fillmore and Todd counties since mid-September. No cases have been reported in Martin County or surrounding counties. The M-M-R vaccination rate in Martin County currently stands at 75 percent, well below the 95 percent rate health officials would like to see. Officials say flu, COVID and R-S-V activity is beginning to increase as respiratory illness season gets underway. People [...]

The Martin County West drama department is performing the Wizard of Oz. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2:00 and will take place at the Sherburn Theatre. There are 40 7th through 12th grade students in the cast and 5 crew members. 45 K-6th graders will be the Munchkins which will be split into two groups with one group performing Thursday and Saturday and the other group Friday and Sunday. Adults $7, Students $5 and kids Pre-K and under are free. 

(Martin County) Several community events and activities are coming up across the Fairmont and Martin County area. The American Red Cross has announced several upcoming blood drives, including November 30th at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, December 7th at the Regional Worship Center in Sherburn, and December 18th and 30th at the American Legion Hall in Fairmont. Appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Turkey Bingo events are also planned, with Dunnell hosting November 13th at 7 p.m. at the Community Hall, followed by the Sherburn Legion on November 20th at 7 p.m. Other upcoming events [...]

FAIRMONT – The final major addition to the Martin County Veterans Memorial in Fairmont is expected to arrive by Veterans Day, November 11th. The memorial’s Compassion and Valor statues feature a female nurse tending to a wounded soldier. The statues have been in the works for some time and are expected to be installed soon, completing the original vision for the memorial, which was dedicated in May of 2024. Officials say donations, including support from the Anderson Sneed Foundation, have covered the statue's cost of more than 100-thousand dollars. Other recent additions include 11 military aircraft and four boat silhouettes along the back [...]

FAIRMONT – Fairmont High School students spent Friday afternoon giving back to their community through the annual Cardinals Give Back Day.Around 60 students in grades 9 through 12, organized into six advisory groups, helped at eight locations throughout the community. Projects included raking leaves, trimming bushes and trees, and other yard work for residents who needed an extra hand. Advisor Erik Walker says the program is about more than getting work done. It teaches students the importance of helping others and improving their community without expecting anything in return. Several residents who have received help over the years say they appreciate [...]

Fairmont High School Cardinal Theater is preparing to set sail with its fall musical, the classic comedy "Anything Goes." The production features 93 students in grades 7 through 12, participating in the cast, stage crew and pit band. Director Sara Gudahl says rehearsals have been going well after more than two months of preparation. The musical follows a series of comedic storylines aboard an ocean liner traveling from New York to London, featuring well-known Cole Porter songs including "Anything Goes," "You're the Top" and "I Get a Kick Out of You." Performances are scheduled for November 12th and 13th at 7 [...]

FAIRMONT – Community leaders and economic development experts gathered Thursday to discuss priorities for Fairmont’s future as Region Nine Development Commission develops a long-term economic strategy for South Central Minnesota. The 20-year plan will focus on jobs, housing, childcare, infrastructure and quality of life, while helping communities qualify for state and federal grants. Among Fairmont’s biggest needs identified were expanding childcare, keeping young people in the community after graduation and strengthening manufacturing through agricultural technology and automation. Participants also stressed the need for stronger partnerships, leadership and accountability to turn ideas into action. Fairmont Opera House Executive Director Blake Potthoff said [...]

(undated) Deer hunters in designated southern Minnesota permit areas will be required to have adult deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease during this opening weekend of the firearms season. The Minnesota D-N-R says the mandatory testing is part of a rotating C-W-D surveillance program covering 36 deer permit areas across southern Minnesota. Hunters who harvest a deer age one year or older in those areas must have it sampled. Deer must be registered before testing, and hunters will need their D-N-R license number and the township, range and section or GPS coordinates of where the deer was harvested. Staffed sampling stations [...]