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MPCA recognizes 75 wastewater facilities in southern Minnesota for operational excellence The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recognized 75 wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in southern Minnesota for outstanding permit compliance. To receive this recognition, facilities were required to demonstrate consistent compliance with monitoring, operations, and maintenance requirements, submit all reports to the MPCA correctly and on time and employ staff certified by the MPCA in wastewater operations.The following facilities in southeastern Minnesota have received the award (facilities are listed alphabetically by city): Adams WWTP Michael Foods Inc. - Lake Prairie Farm (Le Sueur) Altura WWTP Lewisville WWTP Bellechester WWTP Lonsdale WWTP Blooming [...]

The Fairmont Area School Board met in regular session on Tuesday evening. The board heard a presentation from Sara Gudahl, director of the spring play, and students who will be performing roles in the comedy "The Internet Is A Distract-Oh Look, A Kitten!" which is scheduled to be performed on April 9th and 10th. The Fairmont Teacher of the Year, Heather Stromberg, was recognized as well. Stromberg, who is in her 11th year of teaching Kindergarten at Fairmont Elementary, reached the semifinals of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year competition.   The Board heard financial summaries, Superintendent Andy Traetow gave an [...]

Five people were injured after a three-vehicle crash in Faribault County involving a van, a semi and a Blue Earth Fire Truck. According to the State Patrol, the crash happened yesterday after 2 a.m.  They say a semi, driven by 41-year-old Solomon Sagot was traveling eastbound on Interstate 90 near Jo Davies Township when it crashed into a van, driven by 29-year-old Adam Beckett of California and a Blue Earth Fire Truck, driven by 46-year-old Corey Survis on Blue Earth.  Five people within the three vehicles suffered non-life threatening injuries.

  Fairmont High School Robotics - Team 2847/The MegaHertz, in its fourteenth season, competed in the Northern Lights FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in Duluth, MN, last week (March 2-5). The team's deadly accurate scoring and speedy, reliable climb earned them an 8-1 record after a day and a half of qualification matches. At the end of qualification play, the MegaHertz was ranked #4 in the field of 53 teams. This fourth place ranking guaranteed the team a spot in the playoffs. Team 2847 became the #3 Alliance Captain, choosing the teams from Edina High School and Park High School in Cottage [...]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a conservative Republican from southern Minnesota who followed his father’s footsteps into Congress, has died after a battle with kidney cancer, his wife said. He was 59. Jennifer Carnahan said in a Facebook post Friday that Hagedorn “passed away peacefully” Thursday night. “Jim loved our country and loved representing the people of southern Minnesota,” wrote Carnahan. “Every moment of every day he lived his dream by serving others. There was no stronger conservative in our state than my husband; and it showed in how he voted, led and fought for our country.” Under state law, Gov. [...]

Local law enforcement agencies arrested a Fairmont man for drug possession on Thursday. The Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force said it executed a search warrant in Fairmont around 2 p.m. Thursday. During the execution of the warrant, agents located and seized 608 grams, or about 1.3 pounds, of methamphetamine. Agents also located evidence of controlled substance sales, marijuana and THC-infused edibles. Roger Clay, 68, of Fairmont, was arrested and is currently being held in the Martin County Jail. He is charged with first-degree controlled substance sales and first-degree controlled substance possession. Clay was out on bail for the same charges [...]

A Winnebago man narrowly escaped serious injury Tuesday when his electric wheelchair became stuck in the railroad tracks at Highway 169 and 4th Avenue SE in the city. 57 year-old  Darryl David Garman of Winnebago crawled from his wheelchair and off the tracks before a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Train struck it. Garman was transported to United Hospital District Blue Earth with non-life threatening injuries according to a report from the Minnesota State Patrol. Winnebago Police, Fire, and Ambulance and the Faribault County Sheriff's Office all responded to the incident, which was reported at 12:29 Tuesday afternoon.

At 9:42 p.m. Monday evening the Martin County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a report of an automobile accident in the 1700 block of 120th Street (County Road 26) west of Fairmont. A Pontiac sedan was located was located, rolled over in a field off the roadway. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver has been identified as Tyler Bonin, 39, of Fairmont.  The accident remains under investigation. Assisting at the scene were the Minnesota State Patrol, Fairmont Police Department, Fairmont Fire Department, and Mayo Ambulance. Tyler was previously employed for many years [...]

NOTICE TO FAIRMONT RESIDENTS   The City Council will be submitting a list of candidates to be appointed by the Chief District Court Judge to fill vacancies and to serve as alternates on the Fairmont Charter Commission.  The Charter Commission reviews and studies the present Charter and makes recommendations for amendments.  This is a four-year term.   If you are interested in serving on the Charter Commission, please fill out the Application for Citizen Advisory Boards and Commissions, found on the City of Fairmont’s website at:  https://fairmont.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CABC.pdf or can be picked up at City Hall.  The application should be returned to:  [...]