News

(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 [...]

(FAIRMONT) – Fairmont Area Schools is offering free early childhood screenings during MEA break on October 13th and 14th.The screenings check children’s vision, hearing, speech, motor skills, social development and immunizations to help identify concerns before they enter school.Appointments are available October 13th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and October 14th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Pre-registration is required. Parents can call Fairmont Elementary School at 507-238-4487 to schedule an appointment.

(MARTIN COUNTY) – Area school districts are taking different approaches to artificial intelligence, student cell phones and classroom technology. Fairmont, Martin County West and Granada-Huntley-East Chain all allow some use of artificial intelligence, but prohibit students from submitting AI-generated work as their own. Fairmont uses a green, yellow and red system to clarify when and how students may use AI, while MCW says reports of possible misuse have declined this school year. Cell phone policies also vary. Fairmont restricts phones during the school day, GHEC allows them in lockers and at lunch, and MCW requires students to store phones in classroom [...]

(Sherburn) The Sherburn City Council has voted to keep Cornerstone Management in place at Temperance Lake Ridge through 2027. During Monday’s meeting, Cornerstone representative Ryan Ravallette reported the facility’s financial situation has improved significantly. The shortfall is now about 4-thousand dollars over budget, compared with a roughly 275-thousand-dollar shortfall earlier this year. Revenue is up about 48-thousand dollars, while expenses have been reduced. The council approved continuing with Cornerstone on a 3-to-1 vote, with one abstention. Council members said another management change could create additional turmoil for residents and staff. They also asked Cornerstone to provide more frequent financial reports and [...]

(Fairmont) The Martin County Board of Commissioners heard an update Tuesday on MnDOT’s 10-year Capital Highway Investment Plan, including several projects affecting the area. MnDOT officials said the Truman sidewalk project is receiving engineering and construction funding through the agency’s Local Partnership Program, which provides about 700-thousand dollars a year for locally led projects in state highway rights-of-way. Commissioners also questioned MnDOT about improvements to Highway 15 south of Fairmont. Officials said there currently is no project scheduled for next year, although the highway remains on MnDOT’s radar. The board also unanimously approved moving forward with a 20-thousand-dollar grant application through [...]

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 [...]