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FAIRMONT — The Fairmont City Council has started discussions on its 2027 budget, holding a two-hour workshop Wednesday. The council reviewed a draft five-year Capital Improvement Plan, including proposed spending on a parks master plan, citywide facilities assessment and operational and staffing assessment. Some council members questioned whether those projects should be included in the 2027 budget. The council also discussed future needs for city hall, the police department and the ice arena, as well as major equipment replacements. Street projects totaling about $5 million are proposed for 2027, including work on Park Street, Fairview Avenue, Parkwood Place and Orient Street. [...]

FAIRMONT — Housing continues to be a top priority for the Fairmont Economic Development Authority. A recent housing study shows Fairmont could face a shortage of more than 400 housing units over the next five years. Officials say the city's population of residents age 75 and older is projected to grow nearly 15 percent, while overall households are expected to decline slightly. The study also found more than 1,300 Fairmont households spend over 30 percent of their income on housing. Rental occupancy rates are also extremely tight, with more than 96 percent of multi-family rentals occupied. FEDA board members discussed possible [...]

Blue Earth Area School Referendum Question 1 Yes - 1,450 55.4% No - 1,160 45.5%   Question 2 Yes - 1,363 52.8% No - 1,221 47.2% U.S. Senator   results for Martin County ONLY 4105 precincts in contest. 37 of 37 precincts reported in County. Republican Candidate Totals Percent Adam Schwarze 544 29.31% Bob "Again" Carney Jr. 26 1.40% Ahmad R. (Raafat) Hassan 7 0.38% Patrick Munro 51 2.75% Joyce Lacey 46 2.48% Tom Weiler 120 6.47% Cynthia Gail 31 1.67% Michele Tafoya 810 43.64% Royce White 221 11.91% Democratic-Farmer-Labor Candidate Totals Percent Peggy Flanagan 466 49.26% Peter John Murgic 7 0.74% [...]

(Jackson) Federated Rural Electric is reminding local organizations that the next deadline to apply for Operation Round Up funds is September 18. Operation Round Up allows Federated members to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar, with the extra change going into a community trust fund. About 74 percent of Federated members in Jackson and Martin Counties participate. Since 1995, the program has distributed more than one million dollars to groups including schools, senior dining programs, hospice, fire and ambulance departments, and high school scholarship programs. Funding is available for projects involving community service, disaster relief, youth education, [...]

FAIRMONT — A longtime Fairmont school transportation provider is changing ownership. Reliant Transportation Group, formerly known as Minnesota Coaches, has acquired Minnesota Motor Bus, which has served Fairmont schools for more than 45 years.Reliant also acquired Southwest Coaches, a family-owned company that has provided transportation to the Marshall School District for about 70 years. The companies were owned by brothers Tom and Jim Hey, who say they chose Reliant to preserve the businesses' legacy and continue serving local communities. There will be no interruption in service or changes to routes, and the Minnesota Motor Bus name will remain on Fairmont school [...]

FAIRMONT — Pickleball courts, building code enforcement and a review of the city administrator were among the main topics discussed by the Fairmont City Council Monday. Council Member Randy Lubenow proposed using about 191-thousand dollars already set aside for improvements to the Veterans Park tennis and pickleball courts to instead build new courts at the Jeffrey Kot Soccer Complex. Lubenow said the city could potentially have two pickleball courts and a tennis court ready by next spring. Council members discussed building as many as four outdoor pickleball courts. According to the survey results most respondents favored four to eight pickleball courts, [...]

FAIRMONT — Despite a stormy morning with heavy rain and hail, Heritage Acres’ annual Threshing Day in Fairmont drew an estimated 400 people. About 360 pork chop and hot dog meals were served, along with a large selection of homemade desserts. Activities included bounce houses, wagon rides, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, live music and educational demonstrations. Most activities were free, thanks to support from area businesses, community members and the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council. Heritage Acres’ next major event is the Fall Festival on October 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New playground equipment has also [...]

(Bricelyn) A large fire at a hog operation near Bricelyn Saturday afternoon destroyed a farrowing barn and killed 624 pigs. The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office says the fire was reported around 1:45 p.m. at a hog operation on 110th Street. The Frost Fire Chief spotted the fire while driving by. No workers were at the site when the fire started. More than a dozen fire departments from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa responded as crews battled the intense fire and worked to supply the large amount of water needed. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the south farrowing barn, [...]

(SHERBURN) — PowerOn Midwest is narrowing down potential routes for a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line through southern Minnesota, and one of three routes is now off the table. The route that would have followed I-90 through the Fairmont area has been eliminated because of obstacles including cities, airports, existing infrastructure and environmental concerns. That leaves two routes under consideration — one south of Fairmont near Dunnell, and another north of Sherburn, Welcome and Fairmont. PowerOn Midwest officials say public feedback will help determine which route is ultimately selected. A final route must be submitted with the project's routing application in February. [...]

FAIRMONT — Martin County is facing a shortage of about 200 childcare spots, and local officials say they are working to encourage more people to open in-home daycares. There are currently 45 licensed in-home providers in Martin County, including 18 outside Fairmont. Communities such as Sherburn, Ceylon and Granada have very few providers, while some communities have none. Officials say the shortage is forcing some parents to stay home, rely on grandparents or seek unlicensed childcare so they can continue working. One of the biggest challenges is getting people to leave a steady job and take on the risk of running [...]