On Monday December 7th Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office were called to the 200 Block of Sorenson Street in Storden with a report of a person passed out in the drivers seat of a vehicle and was revving the engine. Upon inspection of the person, it appeared that the person was under the influence of alcohol. A 23 year old male from Storden was arrested. Charges are pending for DWI and carrying a pistol under the influence of alcohol.
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The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting will take place TODAY at 4:30 pm at the Cottonwood County Courthouse in Windom. Agenda items include Wetlands Conservation Act- HyLife Foods, Joint Powers Agreement, Federal Lands Access Program Grant, Support Staff Vacation Accural, Big Bend Snowriders Resolution, Purchase of Radar Units, A full-time Position with the Sheriffs Department, Area II JPA Renewal, Property Tax Late Payment Penalty, 2022 Wages for Non-Union Employees and Commissioner and Elected Officials. OTHER Business discussions will include- Commissioner Warrants, County Coordinator Updates, Commissioner Forum and the American Rescue Plan.
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Take time tonight to experience the Living Nativity at the American Lutheran Church in Windom from 5:30-7:30pm. There will be lots of fun activities, a bake sale and a $5 suggested donation for a Soup and Chili Supper from 5-7. Don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Windom Sharing Center.
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Don’t forget to get out and enjoy the “Lights of Windom”. The Windom Area Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Lighting Contest is in full swing! To vote for your favorite display go to www.windomchamber.com
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The Truman Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 42 year old Joleigha Johnson. She was last seen on December 1st at her residence in the city of Truman in Martin County. She drives a white 2009 Chevy Impala with MN plate CKX315. Friends and Family have not heard from her since the first and she does not have her cell phone with her. If you have seen or know the whereabouts of Joleigha Johnson- please contact the Truman Police Department at 507- 238-4481.
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Windom’s Sixth Annual HO HO HO Holiday Show will be held from 10am to 4:00pm at the Windom Community Center located at 1750 Cottonwood Lake Drive. This is a free admission event where you can make it a fun and festive shopping experience will you browse through the great variety of items available. You can register for door prizes and One-Way Catering will have snacks and hot meals available for purchase throughout the day.
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IT’s HERE!!!! The snow is falling, and the temperatures are plummeting, and it is time to admit it is winter! If there is one thing that I have learned about winter in Minnesota is that you really should be prepared! Snow and cold weather can make driving conditions more difficult, and the first few snowfalls of the year often catch motorists unprepared. If the mild weather has lulled you into the abyss of thinking it’s all good, think again… Don’t forget to do routine inspection on your car- including the battery, brakes, belts, hoses, oil, fluids, and tires.
According to Paul Marsh of PM Repair, the number one thing that lands people in his shop are batteries, following that is tires. Marsh suggests checking your tire tred. Driving in snowy, slushy and wet conditions are more treacherous with poor tredded tires. The best way is to check your tred according to Marsh is to check the wear bars on the tred. BUT if you are like me and don’t know what you are looking for, Marsh stated that you can take a penny and put Lincoln’s head down into the tred, if you can see Any portion of his head you need new tires. One more handy tip getting your car in winter condition is to check the antifreeze. Marsh stated that Anti-Freeze gets older with time and will freeze at some point if not tended to. His best advise is to check your anti-freeze. Marsh says you don’t want your car to be without antifreeze in the winter!
Kelsey Fossing, State Farm Insurance Agent out of Springfield said it is important to be a responsible driver and before driving away from your parking spot, Clear frost, snow and ice thoroughly from all windows and exterior mirrors of your car. Brush snow away so it does not blow into your line of sight while driving. and remember Never warm up your vehicle in a closed garage. This could lead to carbon monoxide problems.
The snow is beautiful and fun, but not if you are sitting in your broke down or wrecked vehicle waiting on a tow! Taking a few minutes prior to leaving might save you further hassle and a need to take the bus!
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Past Stories from December 1st- 7th
On November 30th Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible burglary in progress at a rural resident on County Road 99 in Carson Township. The caretaker of the property believed an individual to still be in the residence due to a broken window and a locked door from the inside.
Upon inspection, an individual was located hiding in an upstairs bedroom closet. A 25 year-old male from Mountain Lake was arrested. Charges are pending for Trespass, Damage to Property and Contempt of Court.
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Windom Police Department took a report of a hit and run at 3:53 pm in HyVee Parking Lot on December 5th. The owner of the parked vehicle was parked in the center parking area. After returning from shopping he discovered minor damage to the driver’s side rear door. The matter is still under investigation.
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Tonight The City of Windom will hold their regular scheduled Meeting Tuesday December 7th at 6:30pm
Tonight the City of Mt Lake will hold a Truth in Taxation meeting Tuesday December 7th at 6:30pm followed by their regular City Council Meeting.
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Don’t forget to stop by the Cottonwood County Historical Society’s Festival of Trees. The exhibit is located in the Remick Gallery. Exhibit Dates are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday’s 10am- 4pm until December 23rd.
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On a personal note, Robert Joseph Dole passed away Sunday at the age of 98. Bob Dole was a former Republican senator who represented Kansas from 1969-1996 He was a three time presidential candidate a World War II hero. News reporting is suppose to be unbias but I have to say in my opinion- Dole was an amazingly smart lawmaker and a tough negotiator who was willing to work across the aisle. He was such a force working to better the lives for citizens with the Americans Disabilities Act , Social Security Reform and landmark nutrition legislation. He was a true American with such integrity and character. I believe Former President Obama’s released statement Sunday following his death sums up Senator Bob Dole. He said, ““His sharp wit was matched only by his integrity, and he lived his life in a way that made it clear just how proud he was to be an American, and how committed he was to making this country everything he knew it could be.”
Flags are flying at half- mast in his honor. Rest in Peace Senator Dole and thank you for your service.
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Are you looking for a way out of your humdrum days? Not looking forward to the wintery cold days ahead. There is a fabulous place here in Windom that YOU can escape to. A place that will take you to foreign lands or have you floating in the ocean or maybe solving a murder mystery… OR maybe you are into fact finding and being in the know… YES, IT IS ALL RIGHT HERE IN WINDOM at the Public Library!!! You remember the fun as a child and the power you felt holding that library card in your hand… It is STILL possible. According to Library Director Dawn Aamot The Public Library is a fun and intriguing place for all ages! There is Storytime for Preschoolers on Tuesday at 4pm, Kindergarteners and up there is afterschool story time on Thursday at 4pm. AND get this starting in January Readers 16 years and up can participate in “Catch a Keeper at your Library”. This program will start on January 3rd and go for 3 months. You read for prizes!!! Where else can you get rewarded for doing what you love… READING!!! Aamot stated that the library really is more than just books, DID You know that you can do printing and scanning, and have free wi-fi AND there are computers for public access. If you are into e-books- THEY HAVE IT!!! Everyone is welcome at the library, and they are expanding their books in Spanish. IF you haven’t checked out the Windom Public Library, you are missing out. Come in and check out the children’s library or hang out on the adult side. Hours are Monday 9am-7
Tuesday-Friday 9-5:30 and Saturdays 9am-1pm. Check out their website at windomlibrary.org to see new releases and services they offer.. A Library Card is free, but it is priceless when it whisks you away from your everyday ordinary life!
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The monthly weather statistics have been reported for the city of Windom in November.
The information is compiled by a local weather observer and reported to the National Weather Service Office in Sioux Falls.
November was a dry month reporting only 44 hundredths of an inch of precipitation and only 5 days having any moisture. 33 hundredths of an inch was reported on November 11th.
1.4 inches of snowfall was reported for the month.
The high temperature was 73 degrees on November 7th with the average high for the month being 62 degrees. The low for the month was 7 degrees on November 26th and 27th. The average low for the month was 28.6 degrees.
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Lyon County Sheriff’s Office released information of a death investigation in rural Minnesota. On Wednesday December 1st Minneota Fire, EMS and Public Safety Services were dispatched to the 3600 block of 180th Ave approximately 2 miles Northeast of Minneota MN for a report involving a male trapped and pinned by his equipment at this location. The 44-year-old male was found to have sustained severe traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. It was reported that he was operating heavy construction equipment at this location for a construction project and the equipment overturned on the male. The matter remains under investigation.
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It’s Everyone’s Favorite time of the year!! Time to put on your creative thinking hat! The Minnesota Department of Transportations “NAME A SNOWPLOW” Contest has returned! Last winter, Minnesotans submitted thousands of creative names and voted on their favorites to officially name eight snowplows across the state. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is excited to announce that the agency’s Name a Snowplow contest is returning for a second year!
The submission form will be open until midnight December 15th 2021. You may submit up to three snowplow name ideas when completing the submission form. Each submission is limited to no more than 30 characters including letters and spaces.
Politically inspired names (including phrases, slogans, or plays on politicians’ names) will not be considered. Naming the snowplows is meant to be fun and lighthearted, and MnDOT is going to keep this contest non-political and nonpartisan. After the submission form closes, MnDOT staff will review all submissions and – at the agency’s discretion – select up to 50 finalists for the public voting round in January 2022. MnDot will consider factors such as (but not limited to) frequency of name submissions, uniqueness, and simplicity for broad public understanding.
To enter go to www.research.net back slash “R” back slash mndotnameasnowplow
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Donations are being accepted for the development of a new Veterans Memorial in Windom.
Windom’s City Council member Marv Grunig has been leading the effort to develop a new Veteran’s Memorial in Windom. He has visited other memorials in other cities and discussed the project with a number of groups and organizations.
If sufficient funds can be raised, work on the 50 foot wide memorial located in Lommen Park, just off highway 60-71 in Windom could start as early as next year. The goal is to have the project completely funded by donations. Initial estimates put the total of the project at 50-60 thousand dollars.
The Windom Area Foundation will accept donations for the project. If you want to make a donation, send checks to the Windom Area Foundation- designated to the Veteran’s Memorial or donations may also be made through the Windom Area Foundation’s Facebook Page.
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A Worthington Police Officer responded to a reported theft at the Walmart Store on November 27th. A 57 year old woman, from Windom- was charged with a felony level theft for allegedly attempting to take approximately eleven hundred dollars worth of merchandise According to police records, the Police Officer spoke with employees from the loss prevention department, and they stated the woman was observed scanning items at the self-checkout before walking away without paying. Employees stated that the Windom Woman admitted she stole the merchandise after being confronted. A receipt was presented with a listing of all the merchandise and cost of said merchandise. the 57 year old woman was arrested and transported to the Nobles County Jail.
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Mt Lake has a new City Administrator! Michael Mueller officially took the reigns on November 9th in Mountain Lake and has been busy getting situated in his role, and catching up on with current and past projects. Mueller comes to Mountain Lake from Burnsville MN where he was the City Administrator for Morristown MN. He brings with him his wife Brooke and three children- Scarlett, Charles and William. I asked Mueller what he sees as his position for Mt Lake and he stated, “ I am here to steer the Council to complete their visions for the City, as they are the true visionaries, as elected officials.” Mueller went on to say that he is very excited to be working for the City of Mountain Lake.
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The Windom Police Department had two accidents to report from December 1st. One was in HyVee Parking Lot and the other on Hospital Drive. Both had minor damage to vehicles and no injuries were reported.
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Salvation Army Red Kettle Bucket Campaign is in full swing. Did you know that all donations no matter how small help the greater cause. It is the season for giving and we are asking that you throw your spare change in a red kettle. It’s easy, it makes you feel good, and it helps!!! There are several buckets located throughout Windom- Kettles are located at HyVee, Schwalbach Ace Hardware, Runnings, Krick Insurance Agency, and at the KDOM Radio Station. In Mountain Lake you can donate at Maynard’s Food Center. Get in the spirit and BE the DIFFERENCE this Season. The Red Kettle Campaign runs till Thursday December 23rd.
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There will be one lucky local teenager that will be able to experience firsthand the pride of being an American by winning a free trip to Washington D.C. June 14 through the 19th in 2022. Federated Rural Electric, in Jackson, will be selecting the winner of this trip through its annual Youth Contest.
High School freshmen, sophomores juniors and seniors attending high school in Federated’s service area can enter. Interested students can pick up an application from their school counselor or contact Federated by calling 1-800-321-3520 or e-mail info@federatedrea.coop The application and further information can also be found on their website at www.federatedrea.coop
Five finalist will be selected for short interviews on March 22nd. The winner will receive the trip to D.C. and there will be a $150 cash prize for the runner up and a $100 prize for third place.
All applications are due by February 4th and as an added bonus the first 15 students to enter will receive a $20 gift card to Amazon.com.
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FREE MERCHANT MATINEE MOVIES are being featured at the Windom State Theater. The movies will be shown on the weekends from now until Christmas.
All Showings are on Saturday and Sunday and will begin at 1:00pm. Doors Open at 12:30.
All movies are family friendly and suitable for all ages. Parents are encouraged to drop off their children at the theater and use that time to complete their holiday shopping.
This weeks movie is “PETER RABBIT 2”
Movies are subject to change- Check the Windom State Theater on Facebook for updates.