Local Headline News

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported 41 calls for service from October 9th to October 15th. Among the calls, deputies assisted Lakefield Police with a child abuse investigation that resulted in the arrest of a 24-year-old St. James man for malicious punishment of a child. Deputies also recovered a stolen Ford Explorer abandoned in the Subway parking lot in Jackson, while a stolen scooter was located abandoned in Central Park. Other calls included a combine fire south of Bergen, a grass fire near Heron Lake, domestic disturbances, driving complaints, child custody disputes, and reports of harassment and scams. Deputies also responded to a dispute between two farmers over a harvested cornfield, a complaint involving an opossum in Okabena, an argument between motorists over two dogs at the Clear Lake Rest Area and deputies transported a St. Paul man to the Jackson County Jail on a felony warrant for failure to register as a predatory offender. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to report suspicious activity and contact law enforcement whenever assistance is needed. A full listing of all calls for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is available by clicking link below.

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As City Councils across our listening area begin working toward finalizing their budgets and setting their property tax levies for the coming year, I’ve been hearing quite a few opinions, frustrations, and concerns from listeners. And after listening to some of those concerns, I think it’s time for me to climb up on my soapbox once again and share a few thoughts of my own. Now, I understand that running a city isn’t easy. There are budgets to balance, services to provide, employees to compensate, and improvements that need to be made. And with the rising cost of just about everything, I certainly don’t envy the decisions our elected officials have to make. But there’s one question I hope remains at the forefront of every budget discussion. What can the people in our communities actually afford? During the first budget workshop, city department heads outlined rising expenses, increased personnel costs, higher insurance premiums, equipment needs, and the impact of inflation. These are legitimate concerns. Maintaining city services, retaining good employees, and planning for the future are all important responsibilities. But here’s something I hope our elected officials remember. The same inflation affecting city departments is affecting every household and small business in Windom. When expenses go up for a small business, there isn’t always additional revenue to cover them. Owners make difficult decisions. They delay purchases, cut expenses, work longer hours, and sometimes sacrifice their own paychecks just to keep their doors open. Families are doing much the same. They’re stretching grocery budgets, watching utility bills, and wondering how much more their paychecks can cover. And for those living on fixed incomes, even a few additional dollars each month can make a difference. It’s easy to look at a proposed fee or tax increase and say it’s only a few dollars. But those dollars add up. An increase here, another charge there, higher property taxes, and rising utility costs eventually become a significant burden. I don’t believe anyone is suggesting that city employees shouldn’t receive fair wages or that important services should be neglected. But shouldn’t the same consideration given to the city’s rising expenses also be given to the financial challenges of the people paying those expenses? The City Council has an enormous responsibility. Its decisions affect not only the services Windom provides today, but also whether families and businesses can afford to remain here tomorrow. As these budget workshops continue, I hope Council members ask not only what the city needs, but what the community can realistically afford. Because every dollar in that budget represents money earned by someone who has bills, responsibilities, and financial challenges of their own. A community isn’t financially healthy just because its city budget balances. It also has to be a place where its residents can afford to live and its small businesses can afford to survive.

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Murray County Board of Commissioners will be meeting Tuesday the 20th at 8:30am in the Murray County Government Center.

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Jackson County Board of Commissioners and the Drainage Authority will meet Tuesday at 9am at the Jackson County Court House Commissioners Board Room

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The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners will be meeting October 20th at 9:00am at the Cottonwood County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room.

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The Saint James City Council will be meeting on Tuesday October 20th at 5:30pm in Saint James City Hall Council Chambers. Meetings can be viewed live or anytime on the City of Saint James’s YouTube Channel.

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The Windom City Council will be meeting Tuesday October 20th at 6:30 pm at Windom City Hall in the City Council Chambers. Meetings can be viewed live or anytime on the City of Windom’s YouTube Channel.