The Trial for Ralph Leslie Apmann a Windom man charged with second degree murder without intent while committing a felony began on Wednesday in the Cottonwood County District Court. This is the first murder trial in the Cottonwood County Courthouse in 25 years. Apmann is being tried for the death of Juan Luis Morales-Rivera stemming from a fight the two men had at the Phat Pheasant on August 26, 2021. The proceedings are being overseen by District Court Judge Christina Wietzema. For the last two days testimonies and accounts of the evening are being heard from police, employees of the Phat Pheasant, Hospital Medical Staff, witnesses and acquaintances. Court proceedings are open to the public.
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It’s not too late to get a Blind Date for Valentine’s Day… You don’t even have to buy flowers or buy dinner for this date, all you need is a comfy spot, some good lighting and possibly a blanket… Yep, that’s right, Blind Date with a Book is back at the Windom Public Library! Stop down and choose your date with a book… Read your selection, Rate your Date and be entered in a drawing to win a prize! Best Valentine’s Day ever!
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At the Windom City Council meeting on Tuesday, the Council had City Administrator, Steve Nasby’s Annual Review. It was in an open meeting instead of closed session. Council Member Grunig as the chair of the personnel committee reported on the review. Grunig stated, Mr. Nasby has been with the City in this position for 17 years. He was scored in different areas on a scale of 0-10. His average score in the review was 8.3 with some 8’s and 9’s for scores. He had a very good review with many positive comments about his conservative financial approach and leadership as well as stepping up with the EDA position during this transition period. Grunig went onto say, he has shown his dedication to the City of Windom. On a personal note, I am not surprised that Steve was willing to have his review done in an open forum, to me it just shows integrity, I believe that he is willing to face everything head on. I am a Steve Nasby fan. I may not always agree with what is going on but I do know that Steve has always been available and willing to listen and give advice. I think Windom is lucky to have a City Administrator that is open to the public and is willing to share his knowledge in a professional and community first attitude.
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The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners met on the 7th. Part of the meeting was in closed session pursuant for the Attorney-Client Privilege to discuss a pending grievance and then to discuss the litigation of The Toro Company vs Cottonwood County. When back in open session, the Board moved to hire Ethan Waytas of Nagell Appraisal, Inc. as their expert witness for the two Toro tax court petitions. All hires and resignations were accepted and the Commissioners approved internal posting and to advertise for vacant positions. The Commissioner approved the 2023 Budget as it was presented at the January 17th meeting and moved to approve the Recorder’s Office to purchase two cameras for monitoring outside and inside the office. There was a Motion to adopt resolution 23-02-07 “Endorsing the efforts of the Community Supervision Work Group and urging the legislature to pass a new funding formula and significant appropriation during the 2023 legislative session and also the Commissioners approved the Fiscal Host/ Agent Agreement between Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services (Fiscal Host) and the Southwestern Minnesota Adult Mental Health Consortium consisting of counties of Rock, Nobles, Jackson, Pipestone, Cottonwood, Redwood, Yellow Medicine, Renville, McLeod, Lac Qui Parle, Chippewa, Big Stone, Swift, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Lincoln, Lyon, and Murray (collectively the Consortium)
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The Cottonwood County Ditch Authority met on the 7th and set the 2023 County Ditch assessment interest rate at 2.5%. The Authority then moved to assess JD #10 and JD#31’s negative balance to its landowners over a three year period and two year period respectively to bring them to a positive balance. Final action was to amend JD #1’s 2023 ditch levy to $89,000.
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The Windom Area School District School Board will have their regular meeting on Monday February 13th at 6:30pm in the Windom City Council Chambers You can listen live at MediaSB22 on YouTube.
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Murray County Board of Commissioners will be meeting Tuesday February 14th at 8:30am in the Murray County Government Center. You may attend meeting in person, or if you would like to listen in by calling or view the meeting via zoom you can find the information on the Murray County Homepage. https://murraycountymn.com/
You may attend the meeting in person, listen by calling 312-626-6799 (Passcode: 402764), or view the meeting live via zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91569319831?pwd=UXFDQ3VuRUlSSGhTczFrTGt0QzJGZz09
Meeting ID: 915 6931 9831
Passcode: 402764
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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So we are in the middle of February and it is National Umbrella Day today… What the heck??? Shouldn’t that be in April sometime? You know the saying April Showers bring May Flowers. That’s all I have to say about that… BUT today it is National Cream Cheese Brownie Day… NOW that is something to talk about. I mean we are talking about cream cheese and brownies…This combination has long been a favorite in the bakery. The brownie has been around since the 1800’s but was first documented in 1906 in the cookbook The Boston Cooking School Cook Book. Today there are hundreds of cream cheese brownie recipes… Hey if you have one, bake them up, drop them off at the Radio Station and we promise being the fine connossuiers of the brownie art will give you our honest ratings of YUM or YUMMY!!!