Mountain Lake is moving forward with a major infrastructure project aimed at improving reliability and controlling electric costs. City Administrator Michael Muller says construction is underway on a new power plant being built just south of the city’s existing facility. While visible construction has paused during the winter, foundational work is already complete. Muller says once weather conditions improve, residents should expect to see more progress by late April, with walls going up as spring arrives. The new power plant is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with operations beginning in January of 2027. Muller stated that most of the equipment inside the new facility will be brand new due to much of the existing electrical equipment having reached the end of its lifespa. The city plans to scrap or sell what it can from the old building. As for the future of the current power plant building, Muller says the city is beginning early discussions about possible next steps.
Michael Muller Sound Bite
A key reason for the new facility is reliability. Muller says having backup generation ensures power remains available during grid strain or emergencies, while also helping stabilize electric rates for residents.
Michael Muller Sound Bite
Looking ahead to 2026, Muller says the city’s focus will largely be on maintaining existing infrastructure, including road preservation and chip sealing, with no major reconstruction projects planned. There is one more upcoming city project that includes installing solar panels at two city facilities. Muller says the project is supported by a state grant and will help offset electrical costs at the city’s ponds and water treatment facilities. The solar energy will be used exclusively for city operations and will not supply residential homes. Muller says the solar project is another step toward managing long-term energy costs while maintaining essential city services.
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The DFL and Independent Republican Precinct Caucuses will be held statewide on Tuesday, February 3rd, beginning at 7 p.m., this includes all counties in Minnesota. Precinct caucuses are local meetings where residents gather with others from their city or township to discuss issues, help shape party platforms, and select delegates who will represent them at future party conventions. Caucus locations vary by precinct. In Cottonwood County, DFL caucus sites include the Business, Arts & Recreation Center in Windom and the Westbrook Senior Center. Republican caucus locations, along with all precinct assignments for both parties, can be found online. To find the correct caucus location, residents can use the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Caucus Finder Tool at https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/how-elections-work/precinct-caucuses/
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It is Friday… It is ALMOST the end of January already. Is anyone else as surprised as I am? I HAVE to start out today telling the mysterious gentleman that gifted me the incredible wooden cross with the spot for a candle to glow along with other absolutely beautiful wooden crosses, THANK YOU. It is National Story telling day so get comfortable because I have a tale to tell. January has been a tough month. Actually since September when we got our lines cut at the station Radio Life has been rough… Then you throw all this rigamore that is happening in Minnesota at this time in and the dark cold weather on top of that… I don’t know if I have ever mentioned… hahaha I am a sunshine driven soul… Any ways Monday, I was at my wits end. Literally sitting on the edge of sanity and praying for God to give me a sign. I am not trying to force my beliefs on you, nor am I being political. I am just being a person that had the last string snap without being able to see the forest through the trees. THEN on Tuesday, out of the blue I am blessed by this stranger I mean Joe doesn’t even know who this gentleman was… Joe knows everyone! This gift shook me to the core because it was everything that I needed. My sign. My answer. My light. THANK you to whoever you are, YOU my friend that I really don’t even know are my heartbeat and I promise you that I will fullfill a mission of paying it forward. Thank you for igniting my Light in such a beautiful and deeply meaningful way. It is National Draw a Dinosaur Day, I am going to give it a shot, honestly the ONLY THING I can draw is a frog but maybe I can warp my frog into a dino!!! It is also Yodel for your Neighbors Day… THIS COULD BE A LOT of FUN!!!! Only thing I need to decide is if I yodel for my home or business neighbors… The most important National Day Celebration I am celebrating today though is National Escape Day… I AM OUTTA HERE!!!!