The Mountain Lake Police Department reported 32 calls from November 2nd to November 8th. Officers responded to a report of a missing or runaway child. The Fire Department assisted in the search, and the child was safely located and returned to their parents. Police investigated a theft from an apartment mailbox, which remains under investigation and a possible stolen vehicle, which was located and impounded. During the investigation, a 46-year-old Minneapolis man was arrested on outstanding warrants. The case remains under investigation. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance that resulted in the arrest of a 54-year-old man. Officers to a report of harassing messages on Facebook and Snapchat, welfare checks, domestic disturbances, and assistance to the Windom Police Department during an active domestic assault investigation. A full listing of all calls for the Mountain Lake Police Department’s Weekly Report is available by clicking the link below.
Mountain Lake Police Department November 2nd to November 8th
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Windom Area Schools administrators shared encouraging updates during Monday night’s School Board meeting, highlighting academic improvements, student attendance, and progress in filling staff positions. Middle School Principal Dane Nielsen reported the fewest missing assignments and failing grades during the first quarter that he has seen in his four years at the school. High School Principal Bryan Joyce also reported fewer students failing classes compared to the same period last year. Joyce said the high school’s chronic absenteeism rate stands at just 4.94 percent, well below the district’s goal of 10 percent or less. Joyce also highlighted progress in narrowing the mathematics achievement gap between Hispanic and white students, dropping from 28 percentage points in 2022 to 16 points this year. At the elementary level, Behavior Specialist Travis Janssen, reported that while office referrals have increased, targeted student support programs are helping reduce repeated behavior problems. Meanwhile, Special Education Director Amanda Wilson announced the district has reduced its number of open paraprofessional positions to five, with additional interviews underway. Wilson also discussed efforts to strengthen special education services through teacher collaboration and improved student support. Administrators credited dedicated staff and students for the progress while emphasizing their commitment to continued improvement throughout the school year.
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New housing, potential business development, and financial assistance for local businesses are among the priorities for the Mountain Lake Economic Development Authority. During Wednesday’s KDOM Kaleidoscope program, EDA Director Rod Hamilton reported that construction continues on a new 12-unit apartment complex, while Dirt Works is preparing its new facility for continued work through the winter. Hamilton says two additional commercial projects are also being explored.
“We’re working with some people on a warehouse distribution center, and hopefully we’re going to be able to put that together here over the winter months. And then we have some people that want to build out in our commercial park that want to build a restaurant.”
The proposed restaurant would be located near the hotel, with a feasibility study being considered before the project moves forward. Looking ahead to next year, Hamilton says the second phase of Lakeview Estates is also planned, with state funding helping cover some of the infrastructure costs. Beyond attracting new businesses, Hamilton says the EDA is working to connect existing businesses with financing programs and resources for expansion or restructuring.
“Well, absolutely it is, and these are the professionals, and they are there to help businesses or offer up services or whatever we just need to know where to go and that’s where whether it’s myself or Tabatha, or other Eda directors or whatever a simple phone call well, we can find the answers. And point you in the right direction.”
And Hamilton says economic development isn’t a competition between neighboring communities. When one Southwest Minnesota community succeeds, the entire region benefits.
“You’re spot on and I tell you what every one of our communities do better when we’re all doing better, right? And so it’s one of those things, we’re all excited to get that new business into our local community with that said, if windows, get the business, I’m excited for this thing James gets the business, I’m excited for him, right, because we’re seeing Southwestern Minnesota, grow, and like, I said, that benefits every single one of them, and we have highway 60 running right through our area and let’s look capitalize on that.”
Hamilton encourages business owners interested in available programs or development opportunities to contact the Mountain Lake EDA.
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