Mountain Lake Police Department reported 12 calls for the week of July 8th to July 14th. An officer handled a Civil dispute and responded to a report of a gas leak at the intersection of golf course road and 4th Ave. Mt Lake Fire and Ambulance were called to scene. A 24-year-old male from New Hope was cited for Driving After Suspension and a 32-year-old male from Butterfield was cited for No Minnesota Drivers License. An officer responded to a disturbance which is still under investigation that could lead to charges of Disorderly and Criminal Damage to Property. An Officer started an investigation into a possible Domestic Assault and an Officer took a report of Fraud. An individual was assisted in getting back to Fulda and an officer took a report of terroristic threats. Mt Lake Police conducted a welfare check with everything turning out ok. A 29-year-old female from St James was cited for Domestic Assault and 5th Degree Assault and an officer handled an unfounded animal complaint.
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Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported 32 calls from July 10th to July 15th. A full listing and details of all calls are available by clicking on the link below.
Jackson County Sheriff Report July 10th-15th
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The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday. Conditional permits were approved for a new creamery in Amo Township, a breezeway on a property in Great Bend Township, Machine Shed in Shoreland and an extension of basement on an old footprint. The Commissioners approved a new contract for two Aquatic Invasive Species Billboards and approved to purchase software for network/security audit in the amount of $5,150. The Board then approved one million extra cyber coverage through Tokio Marine Group HHC in the amount of $ 11, 779.53. Low Bid to replace bridge on County State Access Highway 5 just north of County State Access Highway 15 went to Midwest Contracting LLC for $525,462.50. The Commissioners amended Policy 740- “Drug, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing Policy.
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The Windom City Council met on Tuesday. The Flood and it’s after effects were still top of the discussion. William Hanson a Windom Resident spoke during the public comment session on Flood-Related Permits. Hanson spoke to the Council about how he and many others in the community are having to rebuild and rehab their homes after the floods and now they have to pay for a permit install new furnaces/water heaters/electrical services. Hanson was seeking resolution of some type of forgiveness that could be given. This matter was referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further discussion. EDA Director Tiffany Lamb gave an update stating that FEMA and STATE Officials were in town on three different days looking at individual assessments. There are over 200 homes effected by the floods with 95 labeled at Major Damage and 7 homes TOTALLY DESTROYED. Lamb went on to say there are 52 individuals that have been displaced due to the flood and over 400 damage assessment forms have been turned in. Lamb stated that getting these forms in helped immensely with the FEMA assessments of damage. Lamb also stated they are wanting the river below 17 feet before starting to pick up sandbags from the curbs. The Council was informed that the Local Emergency Declaration expired on Wednesday the 17th and it was not extended. According to Councilwoman Jenny Quade, Funding Options were discussed by the Council for possible funding for flood mitigation. Several things were talked about from general obligation debt, USDA loans, grants and bonds, possible local 1% sales tax, storm water utility fees, general fund reserves and a one time or short-term property tax assessment. The majority of the Council was against looking at any additional utility fee or property tax assessment. Grants and bonds were the overall 1st choice of many with also consideration of the 1% sales tax. The sales tax would have to be put on the Nov 2024 ballot for the general election and voted on by our citizens to seek further approval. Then at that point it would still have to be approved by the state legislature. This will be reviewed at the August 6th meeting to see how the council would like to proceed with the possible tax as there is an August deadline to get it on the November ballot. The Planning Commission Variance at 1875 Red Leaf Court was approved and the Council approved the recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission to close the dump site at Island Park.
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