News

FAIRMONT — Preliminary research on the Fairmont Chain of Lakes is showing high levels of phosphorus and growing concerns about water quality. Dr. Ryan Wersal of Minnesota State University-Mankato presented the early findings Tuesday to the Lakes Management Committee. Researchers have been visiting the lakes weekly since May, collecting water, sediment and plant samples while also studying Curly Leaf Pondweed. Wersal says the lakes have significant historic phosphorus loading, with roughly half typically coming from internal sources and half from outside runoff. He says phosphorus is also being released from the lake sediment back into the water. Researchers also found lower [...]

(SOUTHERN MINNESOTA) — Heavy rain is expected across the area today and tonight, with two to four inches or more possible. Rain moved into southern Minnesota and northern Iowa early this morning, with some areas already receiving around a quarter to a third of an inch by 6 a.m. Rain will continue through the day before becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Temperatures will stay in the low 60s today, with winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour and gusts up to 30. Saturday will remain mostly cloudy with spotty showers and highs in the mid-60s. Sunday should be [...]

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont City Council has approved a one-season agreement allowing the Fairmont Youth Hockey Association to use the Martin County Arena. The agreement runs through April 15th of 2027 and covers hockey, skating and tournaments. The hockey association will pay operating expenses and utilities, while the city and Fairmont Ag Society aka the Martin County Fair Board, remain responsible for structural components and deferred maintenance. The city has 30-thousand dollars budgeted for hockey in 2026, but the agreement does not commit the city to continuing that contribution after April 15th. The council approved the agreement 4-to-1. The council also [...]

SHERBURN — The Civic and Commerce Club in Sherburn is offering residents, families, businesses and organizations the opportunity to sponsor new benches for the city’s parks. The club plans to replace deteriorating wooden benches with steel benches that will be powder-coated and painted blue to match city equipment. The benches cost 12-hundred dollars each, but sponsorships are being offered for $600, with funding assistance from Bank Midwest, the Martin County Area Foundation and the Civic and Commerce Club. Sponsors can create memorial benches with names and dates or recognize a community group or organization. The benches are being manufactured by Hansen [...]

BLUE EARTH — A local fundraising effort is putting more resources in the hands of Faribault County first responders. American Legion Post 89 in Blue Earth presented a check for 20-thousand-500 dollars to the nonprofit Bean and Bear. The money was raised through events organized by the Legion, Graham Redemption and the American Legion Riders. The funds will be used to create de-escalation tool kits for first responders working with people with autism or other special needs. The kits include noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, communication cards and fidget items. Bean and Bear founder Jamie Klug will also train first responders on how to use the [...]

FAIRMONT — A Lewisville man is facing three charges after a traffic stop in Fairmont turned up methamphetamine and a BB gun that allegedly resembled a real firearm. Thirty-eight-year-old Thomas Scott McMullen was a passenger in a Dodge Ram stopped shortly after midnight September first near First and Dewey Streets. According to the criminal complaint, an officer smelled marijuana and saw a container of marijuana on the dashboard. McMullen allegedly told officers he had a BB gun in his waistband that had the appearance of a real firearm. A search of the truck reportedly found 11-point-8 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, [...]

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 [...]