The Mountain Lake Police Department reported they had eight calls in the week of February 6th to the 12th. Officers assisted motorist with car problems, issued two separate citations for Driving after cancellation and suspension, they continue to investigate a Stop Arm Violation, delt with a Juvenile Truancy issue and assisted another agency with a Juvenile Detention. Officers also handled a disturbance call and checked on a report of a suspicious vehicle.
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Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported on the 13th at approximately 10pm The Heron Lake Fire Department and Deputies responded to a skid loader on fire east of Heron Lake. Personnel were on scene for about 45 minutes. On the 14th, Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle theft at Schwalbach Hardware. A customer reported that he was inside the store for about 20 minutes. When he returned to the parking lot to leave, he discovered his 2002 Chevy S-10 was missing/stolen. The matter remains under investigation. And in the evening a deputy responded to a child custody dispute at the Speedway Gas Station parking lot in Jackson.
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The Mountain Lake Public Schools continue to do great things and are seeing growth according to Superintendent Bill Strom. MLPS has seen an increase in enrollment in recent weeks which is not a typical trend for this time of year, but K-6 added five new students and 7th through 12th grades added 7 students for a total of 12 new students. The students are staying busy according to Strom. Strom took a moment to brag, that in One Acts MLPS were Section Champs and placed 2nd at State. The school hosted a knowledge bowl and sub regions will be in March. FFA Week will bring Dress up Days and Activities and there are six students that are interviewing for a State FFA degree. In the 8th Grade Spelling Bee Isabel Penner was the Winner and Kathryn Wassman was the runner-up.
Strom stated that working with neighboring districts is important. They are in partnership with Jackson County Central School District, and Windom Area Schools. In an Achievement and Integration for Minnesota Program. According to MN Statue, there are four points this program aims for.
- To pursue racial and economic integration
- Increase student academic achievement.
- Create equitable educational opportunities.
- Reduce academic disparities based on students diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in Minnesota public schools.
According to Strom this group will be focusing on the following aspects:
Achievement: Math & Reading
Integration: is all about getting all students together for example 4th grade kindness Retreat or 8th Grade Courage Retreat)
Summer Enrichment: Math, Reading Science, Technology and Engineering
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Rainstorms on the 14th and overnight into the 15th brought .55 inches of precipitation. The information is compiled by Dave Fjeld, the local weather observer and reported to the National Weather Service Office in Sioux Falls. Fjeld also stated that we had 0.2 inches of snow and to date there is 10-inches of snow on the ground right now. For the winter, Windom has received 29.5 inches of snow. Last winter, we received 32.2 inches and in 2020-21, we received 33.4 inches. Fjeld stated that our biggest snowfall in the five years that he has been doing the weather was 2017-18 when Windom received 77 inches, including 22.4 inches in April 2018.
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It’s an unofficial win for the Round Lake-Brewster School District on their $30.48 million building referendum. Citizens cast their votes at Brewster City Hall and Round Lake City Hall with a 219 FOR and 181 AGAINST. The count will remain unofficial until canvassing can be completed. The Round Lake-Brewster School discovered walls deteriorating and crumbling clay tiles since the Fall of 2021. The building has been deemed safe at this time, but with any further deterioration the building could potentially become unusable. The plan for reconstruction of the school will include demolishing the portion of the building with structural problems and add a new addition that will include a new gym, 20 new classrooms and an improved library and media center and student drop-off and pick-up area. According to Superintendent Ray Hassing, they plan to start moving forward with getting plans put into action for the new addition.