Windom Police Department reported a hit and run on a parked trailer on the 17th. Between the hours of 4 pm and 7:15pm a vehicle with a 97 Shore Boat Trailer was parked at Tegels Park/Cottonwood Lake parking lot. Another vehicle struck the side of the boat trailer causing minor damage to the driver’s side. The other vehicle involved left the scene without notifying the police or the owner.
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The Mountain Lake City Council has approved a new staffing approach for the city’s police department. At the July 21st meeting, Police Chief Louis Norell proposed hiring seasonal part-time peace officers to help fill gaps caused by multiple officers preparing for family leave.
Norell told council members, “With two officers expected to be out on FMLA this fall, that means half our department could be gone at the same time. Without help, we’d be looking at mandatory overtime and slower response times for residents.”
Instead of hiring new full-time staff, Norell recommended a seasonal model, which would bring in experienced officers on a part-time basis. He told the council, “The goal is to hire seasoned officers who don’t need a long training period and can step right in. We’re actively recruiting people with five to twenty years of experience who already know the job.” The seasonal model reduces costs by avoiding expensive hiring requirements while still ensuring coverage from qualified professionals. Norell explained the model also saves money, “by going this route, we avoid several thousand dollars in hiring costs and the 17.7 percent retirement contribution the city has to pay on full-time wages.”
Under the plan, part-time officers would earn $50 an hour, with flexible scheduling options. Chief Norell said this strategy is designed to bring in seasoned officers who need little training and can immediately step into patrol work. He also noted that some officers have already expressed interest in staying long-term. He went onto say, “This could be both a short-term fix and part of a longer-term staffing strategy.”
The City Council unanimously approved the proposal, voting 4–0 in favor. Norell emphasized that the goal is to maintain consistent coverage and service for residents, while preventing burnout among the department’s full-time staff. Norell concluded saying, “It’s our joint goal, with the police commission, that coverage and response times stay the same. Nothing is perfect, but this path greatly reduces the chance of service cuts.”
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The Jackson County Board of Commissioners met yesterday morning at the courthouse. Commissioners approved a contract extension for the county’s tax and property system until a new one is launched in 2026. A retailer’s tobacco license was granted to Casey’s General Store, which will take over Vet’s Whoa and Go this fall. Liquor licenses were renewed for the Jackson Motorplex and the Horse Barn and Hunt Club. The board also voted to join the latest round of national opioid settlements, bringing more funds for local prevention and treatment. Road project payments and contracts were finalized, and the county certified two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service easements in Rost and Minneota Townships.
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Windom State Movie Theater Free Movie Thursday will still be showing top notch movies till Labor Day when School Starts. Tomorrow the American Legion Auxilary will be lighting up the theater with WICKED. This musical fantasy tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned girl who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the popular young woman destined to be Glinda the Good. Their friendship is tested when they encounter the Wizard and choose very different paths. Featuring show-stopping songs like Defying Gravity. Clear your calendar and strap in for a BIG Adventure in Oz at the Windom State Theater. Show time is 1:30pm. Concessions are available for purchase.
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