Drugged driving arrests are significantly up in Minnesota. New numbers from the DPS show drugged driving arrests went up 96-percent throughout the state between 2018 and 2022. Public Safety officials say its important for residents to understand that DWI charges can apply to many substances, including cannabis. DWI arrests overall in Minnesota are up slightly this year from the same time period last year.
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Mountain Lake Police Department reported 7 calls in the week of September 12th to the 17th. Officers responded to a burglary alarm at Casey’s which turned out to be a false alarm. Officers handled a report of possible intoxicated parties at Lawcon Park and took a report of a possible theft at Dollar General this remains under investigation. Mt Lake Officers took two separate calls on different days of a bench being damaged in Mt Lake City Park. Officers handled a dog at large call and an Officer checked on a group of 6 juvenile males- possible charges for criminal damage to property in city park.
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The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday. The Board approved all retirement and resignation requests and approved transfers to permanent full-time status’ after completion of 6-month probationary periods. The Board also approved the $51,147 per unit increase on equipment from TBEI for the snowplow trucks ordered in 2022 and accepted the quote from R & G Construction in the amount of $41,643 for the repair of the Area 2 water retention structure. The 2024 Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal was approved as presented. A motion was approved to increase the health insurance, single coverage cap to $900 effective January 1st, 2024. The Board set the preliminary 2024 levy which is an increase of 6.75% from 2023 and as per state levy limit requirements.
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The Mountain Lake City Council met on Monday. The Council approved the Electric Rate Study as presented, there were no public comments. Government Relations, Marty Seifert of the Coalition of Greater MN Cities (CGMC) presented a report on the past legislative session LGA and other activities the Coalition has been focusing on along with specific details to Mountain Lake. CGMC will continue to lobby for LGA, Property Tax Relief, Environment & Energy, Economic Development, Transportation, Annexation & Land Use, and Labor & Employee Relations, to name a few. Seifert fielded general questions and discussion from the Council. According to City Administrator, Michael Muller, the council opened a discussion about the current Fire and Ambulance Hall. The current hall does not have adequate space around apparatuses, adequate space for turnout lockers, maneuvering apparatuses, space for storage, and proper door heights for the ambulances. The current building is limited on expansion and meeting the proper safety measures. An overview of the history of reviewing options for the fire/ambulance hall were discussed and provided estimated costs. The council provided directions to keep moving forward on a solution. Further research on building materials, costs and financing options will be conducted by the city administrator. An update was given to the council regarding civil processes on various properties, public nuisances, current processes, court procedures, agreements, and plans by the City Attorney. The council and attorney discussed various items and strategies to solve the various nuisances. There was a second reading for regulating the use of cannabis and cannabis derived products in public places. City Administrator The administrator provided an update on the City’s health insurance plan and was able to change the plan to save the City $1500 on the premium, per each employee with family coverage. Due to the savings and increase in the plan’s deductible, the recommendation was for the city to contribute $700 more in the employees HSA for family coverage and $200 more in single coverage. The Council approved an increase in HSA City Contributions to $4,000 per year for family coverage and $1,200 per year for single coverage.
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The Windom Area Hospital Auxiliary is holding a quilt raffle! The quilt was donated by the Cotton Quilters Quilt Club. The quilt is all about the state of Minnesota and is currently on display in the Main Hospital Lobby. If you would like to purchase tickets, contact any Auxiliary Member or tickets can be purchased at the Windom Area Health Front Desk. All proceeds from this raffle will go towards the purchase of new Vital Signs Monitors for Windom Area Health. Tickets for the Quilt Raffle will be available until October 27th.
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