News

(FAIRMONT) — A longtime Fairmont couple has left a record donation to the Martin County Library System. Robert and Hazel Clark have donated $248,000 to the library, the largest single donation in the system’s history. The Clarks lived in Fairmont from 1958 until their deaths and were longtime library patrons and donors. Hazel died in 2020 at age 101, while Robert died in July at age 104. The library’s annual budget is about one million dollars. Officials say no decisions have been made yet on how the money will be spent, and they want to be thoughtful about using the funds [...]

(undated) A proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment on this year’s ballot could provide additional funding for local schools without raising taxes. The amendment would increase the amount of earnings distributed from the Minnesota Permanent School Fund from two-point-five percent to four-point-five percent. For example, if this amendment is approved, Martin County West is estimated to receive nearly 21-thousand dollars more each year, while Fairmont Area Schools could see more than 59-thousand dollars annually. Jackson County Central could receive about 36-thousand dollars. Supporters say the change would provide schools with additional ongoing funding from money the state has already invested. Voters are reminded [...]

WELLS, Minn. (KEYC) - The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office says a Walters man has died, and two minors were hurt after a tractor rollover crash in rural Wells on Tuesday. Around 12:44 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities say they received a 911 call regarding a single farm tractor rollover crash near the intersection of 570th Avenue and 108th Street in rural Wells. The tractor was reportedly operated by Timothy Glen Steinborn, 48, of Walters, and was occupied by two juvenile males, ages 10 and eight. Once authorities arrived on scene, they reportedly found all three occupants under the tractor. Both minors were [...]

WELCOME — The Welcome City Council reviewed a recent meeting with the Fox Lake Area Sports Complex and said the partnership has been successful, with good communication and work getting done on time. The city will handle additional field dragging, lime and dirt removal, and weed spraying. The council also discussed holding a work day at the ball field during an upcoming M-C-W Give Back Day. The council also heard from Bolton and Menk about updating the city's codes, ordinances and permits. Topics could include cannabis, manufactured housing, solar panels, storage containers, variances and zoning maps. The work is expected to [...]

FAIRMONT — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved the Lake Charlotte Solar Project in Martin County, despite concerns raised by some nearby residents. The project, developed by Geronimo Power and Lake Charlotte Solar, will include a 150-megawatt solar facility and a 600-megawatt-hour battery storage system. The solar array will cover about 662 acres in Rutland Township, with the overall project area covering more than 1,200 acres. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the project becoming operational in late 2029. The project is expected to generate about 358-thousand dollars in annual tax revenue for 30 years, including roughly 287-thousand [...]

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont City Council is looking at an 11.9 percent increase in its proposed 2027 property tax levy, although city staff hopes to bring that figure below 10 percent. The proposed levy increase would be about 943-thousand dollars, while the estimated impact on the city’s overall property tax rate is currently 5.8 percent. The discussion came Tuesday during the council’s third budget workshop. The finance department has also proposed to increase by 124-thousand dollars, largely for technology expenses, including a new server. Council members also discussed how financial information is presented to them. The council is expected to consider [...]

Plans for a potential rail-to-trail connection between Jackson and Fairmont are moving forward, although the project is still in its early stages. The Martin County Economic Development Authority heard an update Monday from Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services representative Luke Ewald. The project began with a parks and trails master plan in Jackson, and a 2023 MnDOT grant helped expand the vision toward Fairmont. Planners are considering a multi-phase trail. Ewald said the rail line from Jackson to Sherburn has not been used for some time and could potentially be the first phase. The section from Welcome to Fairmont [...]

A 44-year-old Fairmont man is facing a felony drug possession charge following an incident last November. According to a criminal complaint, Nicholas Cassie Thimesch was found slumped over the wheel of a pickup parked in the 800 block of North Elm Street in Fairmont. A citizen had reported seeing him in that position twice within an hour. An officer who responded allegedly found the vehicle’s keys in the ignition and noticed a marijuana pipe and a flask containing alcohol. A preliminary breath test registered point-zero-four-four. A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up syringes and a substance the officer identified as [...]

A Wisconsin woman is facing multiple charges after authorities say she led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through rural Martin County. According to a criminal complaint, 40-year-old Courtney Hyttinen of Trempealeau, Wisconsin, was initially stopped after an officer spotted her vehicle traveling in a ditch near Highway 30 on August 24th. Hyttinen allegedly gave officers a false name before driving away. Authorities say she reached speeds of 80 to 90 miles per hour on gravel roads while fleeing into Martin County. Officers later found her vehicle parked at a farm site near Truman. The complaint alleges Hyttinen then accelerated toward [...]

(Fairmont) FAIRMONT — Today marks the final day at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for longtime employee and outgoing President Kandi Menne. Menne has been with the chamber for 11 years, including the past four as president. She first joined the organization in 2015 as office manager before taking over as president in the fall of 2022. During her tenure, Menne helped navigate new state employment laws, gave the Fairmont Area Life visitor guide a fresh look, and oversaw a rebranding that included a new logo and website. She also helped launch several community events, including the annual Sip and [...]