News

FAIRMONT — Health insurance costs were a major topic Friday as the Martin County Board of Commissioners held a workshop on the 2027 budget. The county is facing significant increases in health insurance premiums. Current estimates call for a 19-percent increase on the county’s low-deductible plans and a 31-percent increase on the H-S-A plan. The county is currently budgeting for an 18-percent share of the increase. Officials said covering 100 percent of the increase would add nearly 295-thousand dollars to the county budget, and they believe employees will need to share some of the additional cost. The county is waiting on [...]

FAIRMONT — The Martin County Board of Commissioners got a firsthand look at several county road and bridge projects during a tour Friday afternoon. County Engineer Kevin Peyman led the tour, highlighting this year’s construction and paving projects, as well as projects planned for 2027. Commissioners saw work on County State Aid Highway 50 near Truman, CSAH 53 between East Chain and Granada, and the former Highway 263, which has been turned back to CSAH 27. They also visited bridges on CSAH 9 and in Fox Lake Township that were completed this summer. Looking ahead, Peyman highlighted planned 2027 paving projects [...]

FAIRMONT — A new event celebrating Bohemian and hippie culture is coming to downtown Fairmont this weekend. The first Bohemian Hippie Market, sponsored by Giddy Up Boutique and Imagine Martin, will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on West First Street. The event will feature about 50 vendors, with additional vendors inside the Imagine Martin Community Information Hub and the Michael and Elizabeth Garry Building. Shoppers can find boho clothing, vintage décor, macrame, plants, crystals and more. There will also be food trucks, music, readings and henna tattoos. Organizers hope the market will bring people together for a [...]

(FAIRMONT) — The city of Fairmont is continuing to gather public input on plans to improve the downtown area. The city held a community open house Thursday, where residents and business owners could review potential improvements and provide feedback. The project covers eight blocks from Main Street to Park Street and from Blue Earth Avenue to Fourth Street. SEH, the engineering firm working with the city, says the goal is to revitalize downtown through infrastructure improvements, better livability, economic development and community pride. Nearly 400 people have completed an online survey, while about 40 comments have been submitted through an interactive project [...]

BLUE EARTH — The Blue Earth City Council has approved more than 54-thousand dollars in unbudgeted repairs for city facilities and equipment. The council approved 38-thousand-775 dollars in roof repairs for multiple city buildings and 16-thousand-205 dollars to repair a hydraulic leak on the fire department’s ladder truck. The council also discussed more than 11-thousand dollars in repairs needed at the municipal swimming pool, but held off on that work until a complete estimate is available. The council also approved a special assessment for one-thousand dollars in unpaid emergency service fees and declared two billiards tables at the Senior Center as [...]

CEYLON — The Ceylon City Council has approved several items, including hiring a temporary city employee while the city transitions between workers. The council approved a three-thousand-25-dollar bid from P-T-S Contractor to remove dead trees and stumps and also approved transferring funds to pay for city shop roof repairs. The proposed 2027 city levy is 262-thousand dollars. The levy can be lowered before the final budget is approved in December, but it cannot be increased. The council also renewed the Lake Belt Bar and Grill’s liquor license but denied a request to build a patio near the bar. In fire department [...]

(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. [...]