News

The Fairmont City Council has begun discussing how to spend more than $12 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds after plans for a community center were abandoned last year. During a Thursday work session, council members reviewed three possible approaches: investing in one major transformational project, funding several medium-sized recreation projects, or spreading the money across multiple smaller community improvements. The sales tax, approved by voters in 2016, was originally intended to support recreational amenities, trails and a community center. Finance Director Paul Hoye says the city has $12.3 million available, including nearly $578,000 earned in interest, with about $6.2 [...]

(Sherburn, MN) An 18-year-old Sherburn man is facing felony charges after authorities say he brutally assaulted and robbed a juvenile on the east edge of Sherburn. According to a criminal complaint, Samuel Bryan Brewster allegedly attacked the victim along 120th Street on July 7 after pulling over in a tan sedan with two other occupants. Investigators say one passenger recorded the assault while Brewster repeatedly punched and kicked the victim before stealing a sweatshirt, wallet containing $180, a gold necklace, and a distinctive pair of Harry Potter-themed shoes. Witnesses provided a description of the suspect vehicle, including a wobbling rear tire. [...]

A 16-year-old driver and his 12-year-old passenger were injured Tuesday afternoon after their car collided with a Union Pacific train at a rural railroad crossing northeast of Lakota, Iowa. The crash happened around 3:53 p.m. on 190th Avenue, about a quarter mile south of Highway 9. According to the Kossuth County Sheriff's Office, the 2004 Chevy Impala struck an eastbound train at the crossing. A passing motorist, Alex Horak of Lakota, witnessed the crash, called 911, and pulled both boys from the vehicle before it caught fire. The car quickly became fully engulfed in flames just feet from railcars carrying ethanol. [...]

Not long after being released on bail, Ryan Wolner is back behind bars, according to Martin County jail records. Wolner's release came with several strict conditions, including surrendering his passport, remaining in Minnesota unless granted court approval to travel, avoiding contact with witnesses, co-defendants, the victim and the victim's family, possessing no weapons, and complying with GPS monitoring. According to the Martin County jail roster, the North Mankato Police Department arrested and booked Wolner on Wednesday evening on a charge of revocation of stay or initiation of probation revocation proceedings. Wolner is scheduled to appear in court July 23 on bribery charges [...]

Wild parsnip is spreading across Martin County after a wet summer, prompting warnings from city and county officials. The invasive plant, identified by its tall stalks and clusters of yellow flowers, can cause severe skin burns and blisters when touched in sunlight and can also harm livestock if consumed. City crews are spraying, mowing and monitoring known problem areas, including Cedar Creek Park. Officials are also urging parents to keep children out of tall weeds with yellow flowers and to report sightings to Fairmont city officials. Complaints regarding wild parsnip and any noxious weeds in the county can be sent in [...]

The Fairmont Police Department responded to Sylvania Park after a citizen reported locating bones and teeth on the ground in the southwest part of the park on July 7th. The remains were submitted to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office and were confirmed to be human remains. Due to the perceived age of the human remains and the Native American significance in Sylvania Park, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council was informed of the findings. The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council is now working to determine if this piece of land is an unrecorded cemetery. They are working closely with the Minnesota Office [...]

The Martin County Board of Commissioners has approved a three-percent rent increase for Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties but tabled a proposed five-percent increase for the Fairmont Police Department's lease at the Law Enforcement Center. Commissioners want more discussion on whether the increase should be higher as the county prepares for planned improvements to the building. The board also approved advertising for bids on parking lot improvements at the county's North State Street building in Fairmont, where several county departments will eventually relocate. Commissioners also accepted a low bid of just over $16,000 for fiber installation at the site. [...]

Fairmont High School's Leon Yang is the most humorous high school speaker in the nation. According to the results of the 2026 National Speech And Debate competition held in Richmond, Virginia, at least. Yang survived 13 rounds of competition from 270 other high school students from the United States to take home the top prize. This marks the first time ever a Fairmont High School student has won the top honor at this competition. The Top Six Award winners in the category: Leon Yang, Fairmont, MN Will Whitlock, Choctaw, OK Noah Martinez, Union City, CA Solanite Katema. Rosemount, MN Brady White, [...]

Here is the schedule for the Minnesota Youth Livestock Expo, to be held at the Martin County Fairgrounds in Fairmont this weekend:   Beef Events Friday, June 26 4-7 pm Beef Entries Accepted Sat., June 27 7:30-9:00 am Beef & Dairy Steer Entries 9:00 am Beef & Dairy Steer Check-in Deadline/Weigh Cards Due 10 am Beef Exhibitor Meeting | Kietzer Arena 11 am Beef Showmanship | Kietzer Arena 3 pm Prospect Calf Show followed by Dairy Steer Show & Market Beef Show | Kietzer Arena Sun., June 28 8:15 am Cowboy Prayer & National Anthem | Kietzer Arena 8:30 am Cow/Calf [...]

An officer with the Fairmont Police Department has been arrested and is awaiting charges following an investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). On the evening of May 30, 2026, Fairmont Police Department responded to a civil-custody issue involving Fairmont Police Officer Dustin Wade Schwebke. Due to the conflict of interest, Martin County Sheriff’s Office was requested to conduct the investigation. On June 15, 2026, an adult female reported additional crimes to the Fairmont Police Department. The accusations involve Officer Schwebke. For that reason, on June 17 the Fairmont Police Department requested the BCA take on the investigation as [...]