danbrookens

Northrop — Martin Luther High School’s annual rummage sale is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, growing from a one-day fundraiser in 1986 into a three-day community event. The sale was started by parents who formed the school’s Parent-Teacher League. Linda Becker, one of the original organizers, says the first sale brought in 900 dollars, with most items priced at just 25 cents. Today, the sale continues to offer bargains, with most items priced under five dollars. Proceeds support school needs, including parking lot improvements, student Chromebooks, janitorial equipment and new carpeting. The 2024 and 2025 sales each brought in at [...]

(Fairmont) The Fairmont City Council is seeking an independent engineering assessment of the steel beams at the Martin County Arena amid a dispute over repair costs. The Martin County Fair Board rejected a proposed shared-use agreement and is demanding the city cover the full cost of repairs. Council members unanimously approved seeking proposals for an engineering assessment to determine what repairs are needed and how much they will cost. The council also approved having Wayne Hasek and James Kotewa participate in potential negotiations with the fair board. In other business, Police Chief Mike Beletti reported a required two-year audit of body-worn [...]

(Fairmont) A 26-year-old Fairmont man is facing four felony charges of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor. According to a complaint filed Monday in Martin County District Court, Alexander Sterling Johnson is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a victim between June 2025 and January 2026 in the Fairmont area. The complaint alleges Johnson was a manager at the workplace where the victim worked, placing him in a position of authority. According to court documents, Johnson was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Martin County in 2021 and has been on probation since.

(Fairmont) Empower Coalition and Stronger Together Coalition are teaming up to offer a free interactive training that will focus on reducing stigma, encouraging conversations and promoting messages of hope, resilience and support to help change the narrative on Suicide & Mental Health. The Free training will run from 12:00 to 2:30 at the Best Western in Fairmont on Wednesday October 21st and lunch will be provided. Registration is required and we have provided a link with this story under the news tab at 1065lakesfm.com or ksum.com You can also contact Shelly Larsen with Empower or Kaley Hernandez with Fairmont Mayo Clinic [...]

TRUMAN – A 13-point-8-million-dollar renovation project at Truman School is nearing completion after two years of construction. Superintendent Lisa Shellum says the upgrades address aging electrical systems, an outdated boiler, asbestos, roofing and ventilation issues. The project also reopened classrooms that had been unused since 2019 and modernized the school kitchen. Students returned to renovated spaces this fall, with work on the gym, locker rooms, music and agriculture areas expected to wrap up by November 15th. The district plans to host a community open house December 8th to showcase the improvements.

(FAIRMONT) – Delays could push part of Fairmont’s Blue Earth Avenue reconstruction project into spring 2027. Public Works Director Matthew York says the section from the Prairie Avenue roundabout to Highway 15 is expected to be open today, but petroleum contamination discovered beneath the pavement near Park Street has delayed other work. The city is awaiting state approval for grant funding to replace the water main. The project includes reducing Blue Earth Avenue from four lanes to three, adding a stop at Park Street and installing a mini roundabout at Prairie Avenue. Meanwhile, all 11 of the city’s other mill-and-overlay projects [...]