The Economic Development Authority of Windom is meeting today at Noon at City Hall, with a full agenda focused on local housing and redevelopment. The meeting opens with the introduction of new EDA Director Sonya Wilt. Key items include a review of the $425,000 state grant used to redevelop the former Cemstone site. City officials say while demolition and infrastructure are complete, the planned housing, including a lake home, duplex, villa, and apartment building, must be finished by March 2026 to avoid repaying the grant. An update is also expected on the 40+ unit apartment project with Apollo Development, which has yet to close on the lot as financing details are still in progress. Additionally, the board will review a recent DEED monitoring visit related to a $1 million special appropriation used to support hiring at Premium Iowa Pork.
—————————————————
The Windom Area School Board will be meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Windom City Council Chambers, this meeting is also available to view live or anytime at Media SB22 on YouTube. Key agenda items include approving new teacher hires, reviewing the 2025–26 student handbook and high school intervention plan, and voting on the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance 10-year plan. The board will also consider a 2025–26 staff referral bonus, insurance updates, and policy approvals. Informational updates will cover strategic planning and the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee’s vote of concurrence. A closed session for the superintendent’s evaluation will conclude the meeting.
————————————–
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported 16 calls from July 7th to July 10th. Deputies responded to four separate domestic disturbances in Jackson, conducted several traffic stops, assisted other agencies and received a report of the unlawful deposit of garbage at the City Dump. Someone had deposited prohibited materials including furniture.
A full listing of all calls for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is available by clicking link below.
——————————————————
MN State Patrol reported a two-vehicle injury accident on July 6th at 10:31am on Lyon County Road 9 and Hwy 23 detour at 330th Street a 2012 Kia Forte driven by an 18-year-old from Cottonwood was traveling southbound on Highway 9 at 330th Street when a 23-year-old male from Marshall was traveling northbound on Hwy 9 in his 2018 Sierra GMC Pickup and the two vehicles collided. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and both were transported to Marshall ER with what was thought to be non-life-threatening injuries. Assisting at the scene were Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Cottonwood Ambulance and Fire Department. Also, at 12:09pm. According to the report a 2005 Chevy Impala driven by a 73-year-old female from Mt Lake was traveling southbound on 170th Street while a 2006 Honda Accord driven by a 39-year-old male from Hanley Falls was traveling northbound on MN Highway 23 when the two vehicles collided at the intersection of Hwy 23rd and Hwy 91 in Lyon County. Road conditions were reported as dry, and everyone was reported to be wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Honda and his passenger had non-life-threatening injuries and the female in Impala was transported to Marshall ER with what was thought to be non-life threating injuries. Assisting at the scene was Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Russell Fire Department and Ambulance and North Ambulance.
—————————————
At Tomorrow night’s Windom City Council meeting, Council members will consider accepting a $7,500 grant awarded to the Windom Fire Department. Fire Chief Ben Derickson applied for the funding in May to help purchase turnout gear for new firefighters. The money comes equally from Federated Rural Electric, Basin Electric, and Cobank, each contributing $2,500. Turnout gear refers to the protective clothing worn by firefighters during emergency response. It includes items like fire-resistant coats, pants, boots, gloves, and helmets—essential for protecting firefighters from heat, flames, and hazardous conditions on the job. The City Council is expected to vote on three resolutions to officially accept the donations, as required under Minnesota law.
——————————————
Windom Planning Commission met on the 8th with a full agenda, making key recommendations on several zoning variance requests. Two variance applications, one for expanded parking on Plum Avenue and another to delay garage construction on Cottonwood Lake Drive, were both unanimously recommended for denial. The Commission cited concerns about setting precedents and failure to meet legal requirements for variances under city code. A third request, to place a storage shed ahead of building a home on Matthew Drive, was tabled for further review. The applicants, Brent and Holly Anderson, want to use the shed to store lawn equipment while they prepare for home construction by 2027. The commission will revisit the issue next month. In other businesses, commissioners voted to move forward with potential rezoning of several properties—one from industrial to business zoning to aid in a property sale, and another set from industrial to residential to correct past zoning inconsistencies. Finally, the Commission recommended approval of a six-month moratorium on billboard permit applications while city officials study regulations, which was approved by Windom City Council.
————————————————————
Meetings on Tuesday include:
· Murray County Board of Commissioners at 8:30am in the Murray County Government Center.
· Jackson County Board of Commissioners and the Drainage Authority at 9am at the Jackson County Court House Commissioners Board
Room
· The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners at 9:00am at the Cottonwood County Courthouse in the Commissioners’ Room.
· The St James City Council meets at 5:30pm in St. James City Hall Council Chambers.
· The Windom City Council at 6:30 pm at Windom City Hall in the City Council Chambers.
———————————————————-
The Red Rock Central School District Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:00 p.m. Key agenda items include approval of the staff handbook, job descriptions, and a resolution calling for a general election. The board will also address topics like gym memberships, mulch and gravel needs, and streaming of board meetings. Notable donations include $2,500 from the Lamberton Foundation for the Weekend Food Program. Updates on contracted busing, the old school building, and upcoming community events are also expected.