A trial date has been set for 39-year-old Jamie Lee Voelker of Windom for the August 2025 fatal shooting of his mother, 70-year-old Kathryn Voelker of Windom. Voelker faces two counts of second-degree murder. The charges include second-degree murder with intent, not premeditated, and second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony. A pretrial hearing in the case is scheduled for July 30th at 1:00 p.m. Jury selection is set to begin August 18th at 9:00 a.m., with the trial expected to run through August 28th. If convicted, Voelker faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison on each count.
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The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported 24 calls from April 6th to April 9th. Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle with two individuals sleeping on private property in Rost Township, a suspicious vehicle on the southern edge of Jackson, 2 Disturbances in Jackson, 2- Juvenile Issues and a suspicious activity in progress in Jackson. Deputies conducted a welfare check on an individual and responded to a report of an abandoned dog found in a road ditch southwest of Okabena. A female German Shorthair/Pit Bull mix was found by a kennel. The kennel had a rope tied through it with the rope staked off in the ditch. Someone clearly abandoned the dog there. The dog, which was skittish at first, warmed up to the deputy. She was brought to the Windom Vet Clinic. A full listing of all calls for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is available by clicking link below.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Report April 6th to April 9th
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The Meadowlark Compost Site in St. James is set to open for the season on Wednesday, April 15th weather permitting. The site is located at 33890 733rd Avenue and will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. On Saturdays, hours run from 8 a.m. to noon, and again from 1 to 5 p.m. Residents are encouraged to use the site for yard waste and composting, and are reminded to follow all posted guidelines while on site. For more information, you can visit the City of St. James website at www.stjamesmn.org City officials say taking advantage of the compost site is a great way to help keep the community clean and green this season.
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The Economic Development Authority of Windom will be meeting TODAY at Noon in the Windom City Council Chambers. with several key items on the agenda. The board will discuss the resignation of EDA Director Sonya Wilt, which was accepted by the City Council effective April 12th. City staff have been authorized to begin advertising for the position, while Wilt will continue providing part-time consulting services during the transition. Also on the agenda is a request involving the potential assignment of a TIF note tied to the Lakeside Apartments property, as the current owners look to sell. The EDA is expected to make a recommendation to the City Council. Board members will review proposed changes to commercial rehab and façade loan programs, discuss guidelines for the new “Roots to Wings” child care provider program, and receive an update on a potential lease agreement with Toro for property in the Northwest Industrial Park.
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The Windom Area Health Governing Board is set to hold a special meeting TODAY at noon in the Hospital’s Community Conference Room. This meeting is open to the public with the main focus being a presentation and possible approval of the FY2026–2027 operating and capital budget. CEO Shelby Medina and CFO John Peyerl are scheduled to lead that discussion, outlining plans for the coming year. The meeting will center on planning and decision-making for healthcare services moving forward.
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The Windom Area School Board of Education will be meeting TONIGHT at 5:30pm in the Windom City Council Chambers. This meeting can be viewed live at Media SB22 on YouTube.Along with routine business the board will consider a lengthy list of staffing changes, including several paraprofessional hires, resignations, and adjustments in hours. The board will also act on hiring a new middle school special education teacher and a school psychologist intern for the upcoming school year. Major action items include awarding a bid for renovations at the Highland Childcare Center and approving the purchase of 395 new Chromebooks for high school students as part of the district’s regular device replacement cycle. Board members will also review the district’s budget-to-actual figures for the fiscal year and consider a recommendation to continue health insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield, which includes a proposed rate increase beginning July 1st. Administrative reports from preschool through high school, along with updates in special education and a superintendent’s report, are also on the agenda.
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Jeffers City Council will meet TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. at Jeffers City Hall.
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Windom Library Board will be meeting on Tuesday April 14th at 5:05pm at the Library.
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The Windom Planning Commission is set to meet Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m. at Windom City Hall. On the agenda, commissioners will hold a public hearing on a zoning application for variances at 901 Lakeview Avenue. Applicants Gary and Barbara Bennett are requesting approval related to property located in different subdivisions, as well as a side yard setback variance. Commissioners will also review a proposed ordinance involving the I-3 Planned Innovation, Research and Technology, or “PIRT,” District. The item includes a minor revision and a recommendation to the City Council. In addition, the commission will look over proposed minor code revisions before moving into any unfinished or new business, followed by comments and discussion. The meeting is open to the public.
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