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(St. Paul, MN)  --  The Department of Natural Resources says Minnesota's drought could dull this year's fall colors.  Severe drought can mute some colors and cause trees to lose leaves early.  More than half of Minnesota was in at least severe drought in early September.  Fall colors typically peak from late September through mid-October, starting in northern Minnesota and moving southeast.  The DNR begins publishing weekly fall color reports today. Fall Color Finder | Minnesota DNR

TRUMAN — The Truman City Council discussed economic development, public works and the 2027 budget and tax levy Tuesday. The council is expected to set its preliminary 2027 budget and levy at its September 21 meeting. In other business, the council approved increasing the employee travel and training per diem to 63 dollars, approved a roughly 47-thousand-500-dollar quote for a new public works truck and set the city cleanup day for September 19 from 9 a.m. to noon.

SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council heard an update Tuesday on a proposed Rails-to-Trails project connecting communities in Martin and Jackson counties. The project could include about 67 miles of former railroad corridor, including a proposed 12-mile section from Jackson to Sherburn. Organizers say potential trail uses could include walking, biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. A community survey is planned for Sherburn residents, along with a bus tour of the communities on September 29 and a public meeting September 30 at the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center. Officials emphasized the project would not involve eminent domain or taking [...]

(Fairmont) A Fairmont man is facing four charges after allegedly fleeing from a police officer during a traffic stop and crashing into another vehicle. According to the criminal complaint, 30-year-old Jared Taejon Fish was stopped on Highway 15 after a caller reported a gray Dodge Charger driving aggressively and nearly causing a head-on collision. Radar showed the vehicle traveling 71 miles per hour in a 60-mile-per-hour zone. Fish fled south on highway 15 after being told he was under arrest and then crashed about three miles later, the Charger lost control, struck a sign and skidded into an oncoming Ford Edge. [...]

(Fairmont) The Fairmont Area School Board received an update Tuesday on several summer building and maintenance projects. The tennis court mill and overlay project is nearly complete, with just two punch-list items remaining. Work was also completed on portions of the Fairmont Elementary roof, while the maintenance shop roof is nearing completion. Six HVAC controllers and a large boiler-room circulating pump were also replaced. Other improvements included new equipment for the elementary cafeteria and kitchen, new shelving and workstations at the high school kitchen, and new refrigeration equipment at the elementary school.The district is also removing 23 ash trees, with another [...]

FAIRMONT — A 44-year-old Truman woman is facing felony drug possession and DWI charges following a traffic stop in Fairmont. According to the criminal complaint, Erica Allyson Boerner was stopped early September 1st near First and Dewey Streets after an officer noticed her truck had no license plate lights. Boerner’s driving privileges were revoked. Officers reportedly smelled marijuana and found 11-point-8 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and small baggies inside the vehicle. Boerner also allegedly had difficulty staying awake and showed signs of impairment. She was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont for a blood sample [...]

(FAIRMONT) — A longtime Fairmont couple has left a record donation to the Martin County Library System. Robert and Hazel Clark have donated $248,000 to the library, the largest single donation in the system’s history. The Clarks lived in Fairmont from 1958 until their deaths and were longtime library patrons and donors. Hazel died in 2020 at age 101, while Robert died in July at age 104. The library’s annual budget is about one million dollars. Officials say no decisions have been made yet on how the money will be spent, and they want to be thoughtful about using the funds [...]

(undated) A proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment on this year’s ballot could provide additional funding for local schools without raising taxes. The amendment would increase the amount of earnings distributed from the Minnesota Permanent School Fund from two-point-five percent to four-point-five percent. For example, if this amendment is approved, Martin County West is estimated to receive nearly 21-thousand dollars more each year, while Fairmont Area Schools could see more than 59-thousand dollars annually. Jackson County Central could receive about 36-thousand dollars. Supporters say the change would provide schools with additional ongoing funding from money the state has already invested. Voters are reminded [...]

WELLS, Minn. (KEYC) - The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office says a Walters man has died, and two minors were hurt after a tractor rollover crash in rural Wells on Tuesday. Around 12:44 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities say they received a 911 call regarding a single farm tractor rollover crash near the intersection of 570th Avenue and 108th Street in rural Wells. The tractor was reportedly operated by Timothy Glen Steinborn, 48, of Walters, and was occupied by two juvenile males, ages 10 and eight. Once authorities arrived on scene, they reportedly found all three occupants under the tractor. Both minors were [...]

WELCOME — The Welcome City Council reviewed a recent meeting with the Fox Lake Area Sports Complex and said the partnership has been successful, with good communication and work getting done on time. The city will handle additional field dragging, lime and dirt removal, and weed spraying. The council also discussed holding a work day at the ball field during an upcoming M-C-W Give Back Day. The council also heard from Bolton and Menk about updating the city's codes, ordinances and permits. Topics could include cannabis, manufactured housing, solar panels, storage containers, variances and zoning maps. The work is expected to [...]