The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says a woman who prompted a public safety alert in rural Jackson County is no longer believed to be in the area following an extensive search that began after a high-speed pursuit. The incident began after a 40-year-old woman led several neighboring law enforcement agencies on a pursuit at extremely high speeds before ultimately evading officers. The vehicle involved in the pursuit was later discovered concealed behind a wind turbine in Kimball Township, Section 31, near 560th Avenue and 890th Street. The woman was not with the vehicle. According to Jackson County Sheriff Shawn Haken, the woman later appeared at another rural residence at approximately 5:20 p.m., about a mile from where the vehicle had been abandoned. She asked the resident for water before walking away and fleeing into another cornfield. Law enforcement established a perimeter and conducted an extensive search of the area using K-9s and drones, but was unable to locate her. The search then apparently shifted toward Interstate 90. Haken said two reports were received at approximately 2:30 Wednesday morning of a woman matching the description emerging from a cornfield along I-90 east of Jackson and attempting to wave down passing motorists. Deputies responded but were unable to locate her. The Sheriff’s Office said the location was roughly an eight-mile walk from the rural residence where she had previously asked for water. With no additional sightings reported, authorities believe an I-90 motorist may have picked the woman up and given her a ride. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday morning that authorities know the identity of the woman but are not releasing her name. An update issued at approximately 11:15 Wednesday morning stated the woman is no longer believed to be in the area and thanked the public for its assistance. The original public safety alert had asked residents in the Kimball Township area to lock homes, garages and vehicles and immediately report any sightings or suspicious activity to 911.
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Mountain Lake Police Department reported 23 calls in the week of August 17th to August 23rd. Among the calls, officers investigated a report of a suspicious person attempting to remove two e-bikes from a Mountain Lake business. The individual left before officers arrived, and the bikes were taken into safekeeping as the investigation continues. Officers also responded to two people found on private property and investigated vehicles that appeared to have been tampered with. No damage or loss was reported. A full listing of all calls for the Mountain Lake Police Department is available on KDOM’s website by clicking the link below.
Mountain Lake Police Department August 17th to August 23rd
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Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners held a Special Meeting on Tuesday where Chairman Appel led discussions on the following budgets: SWCD, Public Works, Parks, IT, Law Library, Court Administration, General Administration, Appropriations, and Ditches. No action was taken.
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More details are now available regarding a special Windom City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, August 31st, as city leaders prepare for a deeper look at the future of WindomNet and the proposal from Federated Broadband. Windom City Administrator Steve Nasby confirmed Councilmembers Jenny Quade and Scott Benson called for the special meeting Monday under Section 3.01 of the Windom City Charter. The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Monday in the City Council Chambers. The discussion will include WindomNet, the Federated Broadband proposal and Mayor Hilary Mathis’ veto of the ordinance that would authorize the sale. The meeting is expected to focus heavily on factual and financial information surrounding both selling WindomNet and keeping the city-owned telecommunications utility. WindomNet is expected to present information including customer counts, its planned 2027 budget and future capital needs. Federated Broadband representatives are expected to be available to clarify or confirm portions of their proposal. Additional information being prepared for the council includes how outstanding WindomNet debt would be repaid, how bonds would be handled, potential interest earnings if proceeds from a sale were invested, and the independent appraisal and valuation of the WindomNet system. City officials are working to compile as much of that information as possible into a packet expected to be released by Thursday 8/27. Residents also have an opportunity to submit questions regarding either the proposed sale to Federated Broadband or the city keeping WindomNet. Questions will be collected at City Hall for the council to review and summarize for the meeting. Questions must be submitted by noon Monday, August 31st. City Hall has a short form available, or residents can submit a written question that includes their name, address and question. The special meeting will be open to the public and begins at 5 p.m. Monday in the Windom City Council Chambers.
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