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A head-on collision Monday evening on Highway 71 near Windom has claimed one life. The Minnesota State Patrol says an 80-year-old Glen Edward Letellier of Mountain Lake was turning southbound on to highway 71 when their vehicle collided with a northbound semi driven by 24-year-old Colin Hooley of Plymouth. Hooley was not injured in the crash. The Jackson and Windom Fire Departments, Windom Ambulance, Windom Police Department, the Cottonwood and Jackson County Sheriff’s Offices and the Minnesota DNR assisted at the scene.

(Fairmont) The Martin County Economic Development Authority heard a report Monday from Region Nine as the organization works on a five-year economic development roadmap for the region, including Martin County. Region Nine is collecting input to identify challenges and opportunities for the future. The group is updating its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2027, looking at areas including the economy, workforce, infrastructure and demographics. Officials say the plan will also address challenges such as business closures, natural disasters and declining birth rates. EDA members suggested holding additional listening sessions outside of Fairmont to gather input from more communities. The board also [...]

(Fairmont) Child Care Provider Appreciation Night & Open House will be held October 8th at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Doors open at 5:45 and the program will start at 6:15. Licensed Providers still have time to register and if you are considering becoming a licensed child care provider the open house is a great opportunity to connect with local and regional resources to learn more about getting started. The evening includes speakers, dinner and raffles along with many resources to answer any questions. The night is put together to celebrate day care providers from Martin & Faribault Counties.

FAIRMONT — D&S Trophies in downtown Fairmont is celebrating 40 years in business, while also being named Best Specialty Store and Most Community-Oriented Company in the 2026 Best Of Martin and Faribault Counties contest. Owner Sara Cyphers took over the business from her grandparents, Don and Sharon Oechsle, who started D&S in their basement in 1986 after making trophies for pedal tractor pulls. The business moved to its current Downtown Plaza location in 1999 and has since expanded beyond trophies to include screen printing, embroidery and laser engraving. D&S serves businesses and schools throughout Martin County and beyond, and also runs [...]

(FAIRMONT) — Water quality and management options for the Fairmont Chain of Lakes were the focus of a three-hour workshop Thursday involving city officials, DNR representatives, the Martin Soil and Water Conservation District and other stakeholders. Several technologies and management strategies were discussed, including nanobubble oxygenation, curly-leaf pondweed control, carp removal and biological treatments. During the presentation it was stated that 50% of bodies of water globally are impaired so this is just not a Fairmont Chain of Lakes issue.  MSU-Mankato researcher Ryan Wersal also reported an estimated 279 acres of curly-leaf pondweed across the chain of lakes. In Sisseton they [...]

MARTIN COUNTY — The Martin County Area Gymnastics Association is looking for a permanent home to keep its gymnastics programs growing in the area. MCA Gymnastics serves youth from 18 months through high school, with community education programs, special classes and competitive gymnastics. Classes can include up to 150 participants per session. The program is currently using the Fairmont Armory after previously operating at Fairmont High School and the former Welcome School. Association leaders say they’re looking for an existing building or land to construct a facility in Fairmont, Welcome or somewhere between the two. A gymnastics facility would need at least a 19-foot ceiling [...]