A Mountain Lake home is a total loss following a fire that broke out Monday, January 26th. Mountain Lake Fire Chief Tim Conners says crews were first called to a house fire at 402 Fifth Avenue at 3:29 Monday afternoon. When firefighters arrived, smoke and small flames were visible coming from the roof. Crews remained on scene until about 5:30 p.m., and the home was checked again around 10 p.m. At 1:09am Tuesday morning, firefighters were called back to the residence and found the house fully engulfed in flames. Crews remained on scene for approximately three hours. Chief Conners says the fire was caused by an electrical issue that originated in the attic space. About 15 firefighters responded to the incident. Four adults and two children were living in the home at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported, and no pets were harmed. The home is considered a total loss, but Chief Conners says no other structures were ever in danger. The Mountain Lake Ambulance also assisted at the scene.
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Mt Lake Police reported 11 calls from January 19th to January 25th. Officers had ICE/HIS advising in area doing enforcement activities, took a complaint of egress into apartment building blocked from snow, Assisted MN State Patrol, private citizens, Mountain Lake Ambulance and Mt Lake Fire Department with a report of a gas leak. Officers investigated a possible OFP violation. For a full listing of all calls of the Mountain Lake Police Department click on link below.
Mountain Lake Police Department January 19th to January 25th
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Windom’s Way Forward, or WWF, continues to make progress on plans to create a new daycare center at Highland Early Learning Center. During the most recent committee meeting, Windom Area Schools Superintendent Jamie Frank and City Administrator Steve Nasby shared an overview of how the project is being positioned for long-term success. While initial start-up costs are expected to be covered through grants, the committee is also working with community partners to plan for ongoing operational support. That long-term planning includes conversations with Windom Area Schools, Windom Area Health, the City of Windom, Cottonwood County, and local businesses. The goal is to establish stable, multi-year commitments that will help support the daycare’s operations and ensure sustainability for the community. Several grant applications are already underway, including requests to O’Dell Wind Farms, Remick, and Sanford Health. According to First Children’s Finance, the project may be eligible for up to $300,000 in funding through Child Care and Community Care programs administered by DEED, along with other federal funding opportunities. Two grants from Taylor Family farms have already been secured for the day center proposal and for supporting existing in-home daycares. Community leaders say the need for additional childcare in Windom is significant, and this facility would help support local families, strengthen the workforce, and contribute to the long-term vitality of the community. Donations to support the project can be made through the Community Foundation.
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Windom Area Health Governing Board will be holding a special closed meeting today at 1:00 p.m. in the hospital’s large conference room. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with Minnesota statutes governing private board deliberations. The purpose of the session is to review and consider an offer to purchase the medical office building located at 2020 Hospital Drive in Windom, which is a publicly listed property currently occupied by healthcare partners including Access Health and Avera Medical Group. Hospital officials indicate that no additional information will be released until the board has completed its review and taken formal action.
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