The Mountain Lake Police Department released the following Press Release last night at 5:30pm. On January 11th at 9:45pm the Mountain Lake Police Department received information from a third person about an adult male holding a handgun to their head. The male was believed to be highly intoxicated. Officers were able to contact the suicidal male’s wife, who was home with their children, and her husband. She confirmed that her husband was highly intoxicated. It was also discovered that a handgun was no longer secured in its typical storage location, and it was unknown where it was. A Mountain Lake Officer requested the wife and children to exit the home to ensure their safety as officers set up a perimeter around the house. This request wasn’t agreed to, but the wife confronted the husband, who was overhead saying he shot a gun and he’s a convicted felon and in trouble. She was able to convince him to exit the home alone. Once he exited, he had one hand concealed in and around his waistband, leading officers to believe he was hiding a weapon. Officers attempted to de-escalate and negotiate with him, but he remained uncooperative, at one point yelling at officers to shoot him. After several minutes and multiple requests that were refused by the individual to show both hands were not holding a weapon, officers on scene took action in a cohesive plan. A taser was deployed, which there was full effective contact and incapacitated the individual. This allowed officers to leave cover and take him safely into custody. No weapon was found on the individual, but a 9mm handgun was later recovered from inside the home. The individual was transported to the Emergency Department at Windom Area Health, where he was evaluated and discharged to be booked into jail. He is currently being held on the following charges: ~Felon in Possession of a Handgun ~Obstruction of Legal Process ~Dangerous Weapons – Reckless Discharge of a Firearm Within a Municipality The Mountain Lake Police Department was assisted by the Mountain Lake Ambulance Service, Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, and the Windom Police Department.
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) is offering a variety of internships across the state in areas such as fisheries, forestry, park operations, watercraft inspections, and communications. Interns will work 20-40 hours a week and earn a competitive wage of $19 per hour. To be considered, applicants must meet an academic requirement or be eligible to receive academic credit. You can find available internships and application details on the Minnesota Career Website at www.mn.gov/mnmb/careers/ Intern applications will be accepted until January 31st, with positions starting in May and June. If you’re interested in working with the MN DNR but are not eligible for an internship, be sure to check the website for seasonal and year-round job opportunities.
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Coming up Sunday, the Cottonwood County Historical Society is hosting a new exhibit titled ‘Give It Your Best Shot: Focus on Cottonwood County’s Flood of 2024 Parks.’ The photography showcase will open on January 19th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Remick Gallery in Windom. The event is free to attend, with light refreshments provided. Local photographers have captured powerful images of the historic 2024 flood, and now the community is invited to come view these emotional and thought-provoking photos. The public will even have the opportunity to vote for their favorite photograph. The Cottonwood County Historical Society, located at 812 Fourth Avenue in Windom, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Saturday visits available by appointment. For more details, call the museum at 831-1134. The exhibit made possible by the Robert & Helen Remick Endowment will be on display from January 19th through March 22nd. Don’t miss your chance to reflect on this pivotal moment in Cottonwood County’s history through the lens of local photographers.