The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office released the following report, on the 18th at approximately 4:02 am the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle to which it then fled at a high rate of speed. The vehicle led deputies on a 35-mile pursuit. At this time, a successful PIT maneuver was done on the vehicle and the male driver was taken into custody for his outstanding warrants. The Office and Redwood Falls Police Department. The case is currently under investigation. On the 19th at approximately 11am the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a vehicle that had crashed onto the Minnesota River. In the 43000 Block of Harvest Ave. Upon arrival, a deceased male individual was located inside of the vehicle. The deceased male has been identified as 30-year-old Thaddeus Lorenz of New Auburn, MN. The vehicle Mr. Lorenz was operating did not break through the ice, and has been removed from the scene. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner is determining the cause of death. The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Belview Fire Department, Belview First Responders, Centra Care Ambulance, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Renville County Sheriff’s Office. The incident is still under investigation.
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Windom Police Department reported on the 18th Officers were call to the Windom Area Hospital Emergency Room at approximately 4:30pm for a patient that was acting aggressive. Once Officers arrived on scene and after investigation, there was a miscommunication, and all came to an understanding. Officers handled an non-injury accident at the intersection of 6th Ave and 19th Street. And Windom Police assisted the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Department in the search of a suspect that a stolen vehicle was recovered in the county.
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Windom City Council met on the 16th. The Annual Firefighters Relief Association Report was accepted, it showed a surplus over the liabilities for 2023 so that association is in good shape. In regards to the Finance Director/Controller position being open, an interim position will need to be found while the search continues. There were two proposals received from Ehlers and Abdominal Solutions. With the cost being similar to current service, the Council moved to allow City Administrator and Mayor to review the proposals along with consultation with current City Staff to make the decision of which firm to go with. The Council approved a A Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation – Cottonwood County Vet Clinic. The Council welcomed the Vet Clinic into the City of Windom! The Personnel – Parttime / Seasonal Wage Scale for Minimum wage in 2024 is now $10.85. The Council updated their wage scales to reflect increases. Pool staff will be between $10.85 to $14/hr and pool manager from $15.25 to $16/hr. Seasonal/non-union parttime employees will be between $12.75 to $14.75/hr. the Council approved all of Mayor Jones appointments for 2024 of Tony Scott to the HRA and Paul “Jake” Voth to Telecom Commission. Park & Rec Commission recommended the new Chamber Director, Darci Jones, to their commission.
According to Councilwoman Jenny Quade, The Cottonwood County Auditor/Treasurer reached out to the City of Windom to ask about a vacant lot of 24th Street that the County currently owns. There is a large tree that needs to come down. The cost is estimated at $10,000. The County would like the City to split that cost. The Council agreed to split the cost of the tree removal and the County would get the contractor and made sure they have the appropriate insurance coverage for removal. Next the County asked the CIty to forgive 50% of the assessment on that property. Motion was made and approved for the City to forgive 50% of the assessment.
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Windom School Board will be holding a work session meeting tonight at 6:30pm in the Windom City Council Chambers. On the Agenda will be approval of many policies, 2024 Committee Assignments, Therapy Dog Introduction Information and 2024-25 Calendar Information. This meeting can also be viewed live at Media SB22 on YouTube.
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Murray County Board of Commissioners will be meeting on Tuesday, January 23rd at 8:30am, in the Murray County Government Center. This meeting will include the Evaluation of the performance of County Administrator Carolyn McDonald. The County Board intends to close this portion of the meeting for the purpose of conducting a performance evaluation of County Administrator Carolyn McDonald, as permitted by Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subdivision. The meeting will not be closed if the employee requests an open meeting. Appointments will be confirmed for the Opioid Settlement Committee and Opioid Task Force Committee, discussion will be held on Capital Improvement and the Commissioners will go into closed session at 10am for Union Negotiations
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Mountain Lake Public Schools School Board will be holding a Special Meeting on Wednesday, January 24th at 5pm in Room #101 at 450 12th Street. Agenda items include Superintendent’s Contract for the 2023-24 School Year and then the Board will go into Closed Session Under Policy 205 to discuss Contract Negotiations.
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Windom Area Health Governing Board of Directors will be meeting Monday January 22nd at 5:30pm in the Large Conference Room at the Hospital.