News

Emmet County Sheriff Mike Martens was arrested over the weekend on a charge of Operating While Intoxicated in Dickinson County. The 61-year-old Martens was arrested at around 8:50 pm Saturday at the Marble Beach State Recreation Area, on the west side of Big Spirit Lake. According to the criminal complaint, Martens was observed by an officer driving a Honda side-by-side that drove past two signs that clearly stated that golf carts and side-by-sides were prohibited. According to the complaint, when the officer exited his vehicle, Martens pulled over to him. Martens was asked if he had a license and stated that [...]

Two men arrested in a shooting incident in rural Truman last July have pleaded guilty to felonies and been sentenced to prison.  19-year-old Lavont Shaw of Owatonna pled guilty to four counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and will serve a total of 144 months.  He has started serving his sentence at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud.  Shaw was also fined over $6800. 21-year-old Matthew Davis of Owatonna pleaded guilty to four counts of aiding and abetting second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.  He has also started serving his sentence of 36 months for each count at [...]

At 6:20 a.m. on May 31, 2024, the Emmet County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shots fired incident in the 5400 block of 120th Avenue outside Armstrong, Iowa. The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office responded and discovered a male subject who had sustained a single gunshot wound. The subject was transported by ambulance to Avery Holy Family Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. There is no danger to the public at this time. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, Armstrong Ambulance Service, and the Emmet County [...]

The Prairie Star Quilt Guild  will meet on Monday, June 10th at the Fairmont Evangelical Covenant Church, 901 Woodland Ave., Fairmont, MN 56031. The quilt board will meet at 12:30 pm and the regular membership meeting will begin at 1:30 pm. Karen Lester will speak on dyeing fabric and fibers.  Sew and share will follow the meeting. The evening group will meet at 5:30 pm at Jake's Pizza. For more information, contact President Elisa Kotewa at 507-236-3144.

The 1975 murder of Joann Bontjes in Martin County has never been solved, but law enforcement officials are keeping the case open with the help of some outside assistance. The next CREST Lunch & Learn will take place on Monday, June 10th at 11:00am at the Senior Citizens Center, located at 21 East 1st Street in Sherburn. The program will feature retired St. James police chief Don Mickelson, who has been researching the case for many years and has helped local officials get closer to solving it. A lunch will follow the program. If you plan to attend this event, please [...]

Wednesday evening at 8:50 p.m. emergency personnel were dispatched to a report of a one-vehicle accident on I-90 west of Sherburn. An eastbound 2004 Chevy Trailblazer went into the median, came back onto the road, then entered the south ditch, where it rolled multiple times. The driver of the vehicle, William Derrell Coney, age 53, of Rapid City, South Dakota, was declared deceased at the scene of the accident. Coney was not wearing a seat belt. Alcohol is not believed to have been involved.   Sherburn Fire and EMT, Sherburn Police and the Martin County Sheriff's Department all responded to the [...]

The 129th Annual East Chain Memorial Day observance will take place on Monday. Coffee and Doughnuts at 8:45 a.m. with program beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the East Chain Activity Center (former school building.) Following the program, there will be an honoring of deceased veterans at Wolter Park in East Chain. The 4H Honor Guard will have a wreath and cross ceremony along with a firing squad salute and the playing of taps at the Holy Family Cemetery. For more information contact Moby Whitman at 236-4189.

The Martin County Veterans Memorial Committee will be hosting a dedication ceremony on Saturday, May 25th for the now completed memorial. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at the memorial site at 507 Winnebago Avenue in Fairmont. Guest speaker will be Vietnam veteran and author William Albracht. Scheduled events include Honor Guard presentation, a flag ceremony, and a brief history of the memorial provided by Terry Anderson, Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee. Music will be provided by the Fairmont High School band.   The ceremony is free, and open to all who wish to attend. After the dedication, there will [...]

United Hospital District (UHD) of Blue Earth announces their inaugural Community Health Fair, coinciding with Hospital Week in May. The event will be May 16th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the 10 Talents Art Center in Blue Earth. The fair will be open to all community members who will be free to participate during the event’s open hours. Several exhibits will be available for viewing, demonstrating to attendees UHD’s services and contributions to the community. UHD will provide refreshments throughout the event. Additionally, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, there will be a Provider Meet & Greet Hour, where you may interact with [...]