A Butterfield resident was killed Saturday morning in a crash involving a sport utility vehicle and a semi-truck at the intersection of Highway 60 and 660th Avenue in Watonwan County. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 10:52 a.m. on June 20 in Butterfield Township. Authorities say a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport was traveling south on 660th Avenue while a 2023 Peterbilt semi-truck was traveling west on Highway 60. The two vehicles collided in the intersection. The driver of the Bronco 83-year-old Wayne Gary Hanson of Butterfield was pronounced deceased, and his passenger 83-year-old Zelda Carol Hanson was transported to St James Hospital with Life Threatening Injuries. The driver of the semi, 43-year-old male of Marshall, was not injured. The State Patrol reported that he was wearing a seat belt and that alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Road conditions were reported as dry at the time of the accident. Assisting at the scene were the Butterfield Fire Department, Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office, St. James Police Department, and Mayo Clinic Health System Ambulance St. James.
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It’s another exciting day at the Pow Wow, food and commercial stands opening in City Park at 10am and the midway opens at 2 p.m., and families can enjoy the petting zoo from 2 until 8 p.m. One of the biggest highlights of the day is the Grand Parade at 7 p.m. don’t forget to smile and wave at the KDOM BIG YELLOW RADIO! You could be captured in our “Inside Looking Out” Contest and become the lucky winner of a KDOM Prize Pack! Music starts at the bandshell after the parade! Bring your family, your friends, and your best parade wave for another great day at Pow Wow! Don’t forget if you see a KDOM employee with ANY KDOM or Hot Country apparel on tell them to SHOW YOU THE MONEY! You get to pull an envelope for the LA MOTOR SPORTS BIG 5K Giveaway AND get registered for the Final $2,000 giveaway at the End of Summer Barbeque. It’s another summer of fun celebrations and cold hard cash!
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Windom City Council met on the 16th and City Administrator Steve Nasby updated the council on the city’s ongoing efforts to seek additional FEMA funding related to the former public swimming pool since the city was initially denied. Since that decision, city officials have been exploring whether demolition costs for the aging pool facility could qualify for reimbursement through a separate appeal. The council had questioned whether demolition expenses could be submitted as a new funding request or if they would need to be deducted from the roughly $85,000 the city has already received through FEMA assistance. The city has also investigated demolition options for the pool structure. Nasby said a question had been raised about whether the pool could simply be buried in place. After consulting with the Minnesota League of Cities and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the city learned that the entire structure would need to be removed. According to Nasby, the demolition would require complete removal of the facility, including environmental testing for materials such as asbestos. As a result, demolition is expected to be costly. Earlier consultant estimates placed the project at approximately $250,000. Nasby told council members there is still time to decide whether to pursue another appeal and suggested waiting a few more weeks for additional information from FEMA and state officials before taking action. Councilwoman Jenny Quade supported waiting for more information, noting that while the pool will eventually need to be demolished to restore the area and expand use of the city’s dog park, the projected demolition cost makes it worthwhile to explore every possible funding source. Nasby added that very little equipment from the more than 50-year-old pool facility is expected to have salvage value. The Council agreed to submit the appeal to see if there is any funding available to help with the quarter million cost of tearing out the old pool site.
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I’m encouraging you to mark your calendars and attend the presentation tomorrow night at the BARC. Dr Anita Gaul is a historian who currently teaches at Minnesota West Community & Technical College and is a really dynamic speaker that pulls you into the conversation. Dr Gaul will be presenting “The Road to 1776: How to Destroy a Relationship in 13 Years.” tomorrow Tuesday, June 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the BARC Auditorium. This is a FREE presentation open to all!!! IF you are worried about feeding the family prior no worries.. The BARC will be holding a Fund Raiser Supper from 5-6:30pm with all funds supporting the New Roof Fund. Enjoy a pulled pork meal for $10 or a sloppy joe meal for $7 meal includes chips, cookie and a water. Take time out and enjoy this opportunity Tomorrow at the BARC.
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