Mountain Lake Police Department reported 15 Calls from December 8th to December 14th. Officers assisted the MN State Patrol with a wrong way driver and a semi blocking the highway. An Officer assisted the Cottonwood Sheriff’s Office and Mountain Lake Fire and Ambulance for a vehicle off the roadway on it’s side. An Officer took a report of a burglary of an unoccupied house. Upon investigation, a 55-year-old resident of Mountain Lake, was arrested. For a full listing of all calls from the Mountain Lake Police Department click on link below.
Mountain Lake Police Department December 8th to December 14th
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The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners met on the 16th, where several financial, personnel, and infrastructure items were approved. Commissioners adopted a resolution renewing participation in the Cottonwood County Home Initiative Program and approved moving 450-thousand dollars into a six-month certificate of deposit to serve as collateral for ElevaCare reimbursement claims. The board accepted a low bid of just over 701-thousand dollars from Midwest Contracting for two highway projects and adopted a Highway 30 detour agreement. An addendum to the county landfill lease was also approved, setting the 2026 rent payment schedule. Commissioners set the 2026 county levy at just over 14-point-5 million dollars, a seven-percent increase from 2025, and approved the 2026 budget with balanced revenues and expenditures totaling more than 31-million dollars. Public hearings were scheduled for February 11th at the Law Enforcement Center to gather input on a proposed ordinance limiting firearms used to take deer. The meeting concluded with approval of December warrants totaling just over 171-thousand dollars.
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The Windom City Council held a public hearing Tuesday night, December 16th, as part of its regular meeting to hear an update and presentation on the 2026 Street Improvement Project. The presentation was given by DGR Engineering and focused on planned improvements along 1st Avenue and 17th Street. The proposed project includes work on 1st Avenue from 6th Street to Highway 60 and 17th Street from 4th Avenue to 6th Avenue. Improvements would include pavement and road base removal, curb and gutter replacement where needed, sidewalk replacement, storm sewer infrastructure, water main replacement, sanitary sewer work, and new asphalt or concrete pavement. During the public hearing, one person addressed the council. Chad Merrihew, CEO and President of Leading Edge Credit Union, asked the council to reconsider the project. Merrihew expressed concern over the assessments tied to the project, stating they would be an unnecessary added expense for businesses in the area. He shared examples of how the cost would impact his business, noting that operating expenses in Windom already run higher than in other locations. Council members also discussed project logistics and communication. The total cost of the 2026 Street Improvement Project is estimated at 4.11 million dollars, with a maximum possible cost listed at just under 5.9 million dollars. Bids for the project are expected to go out in April or May of 2026, with construction anticipated to be completed by October 30th, 2026. City officials emphasized that information regarding street closures, business access, mail delivery, and garbage pickup will be shared through the City of Windom website and a dedicated Facebook page. Updates will be posted weekly during construction, and efforts will be made to maintain access to businesses as much as possible throughout the project. Following the public hearing, the Windom City Council adopted a resolution ordering the improvement and directing DGR Engineering to prepare final plans and specifications for the project.