danbrookens

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 [...]

MARTIN COUNTY — Bravo Zulu House, which is a veteran recovery house, is expanding its canine therapy program for veterans through a new partnership with K9s for Warriors. Canine therapy has always been part of the plan since the house was developed in 2023. The facility includes kennels, space for dogs to run and allows veterans to bring their own dogs. The new partnership will provide dogs for veterans who don't already have one. K9s for Warriors will bring a station dog named Polar to Bravo Zulu House on August 20th. Program Director Elizabeth Odenthal says Polar was originally considered too [...]

Three people who were arrested this week in connection with the murder of Tyson Goodsell are all out on bond. Jaxson Sageng, Devon Bakke, and Christa Wolner all posted non-cash bonds meaning they signed an agreement saying they would follow the stipulations of their release. If they break the agreement, then they have to pay the full bail amount. Sageng has been charged with two felonies, Bakke is facing 6 felonies, and Christa Wolner has been charged with four felonies. In total, seven people have been charged in relation to this case including Ryan Wolner who is also out on bail. [...]

(Fairmont) Fairmont Community Education and Recreation is moving back to Fairmont Elementary School after spending the past five years at the Southern Minnesota Educational Campus building. CER is relocating into the space formerly occupied by Open Door Health Clinic, with the move timed to be completed before students return for the new school year. Officials say the school board wanted CER back in a school setting in order to better serve students and families. The move began Monday with Fitzgerald Moving and is expected to be complete by the end of the week. CER says families can continue to reach the [...]

(Madelia) The Madelia Economic Development Authority has approved a $3 million loan to Madelia Health as the rural hospital works through ongoing financial challenges. Hospital officials call the funding a lifeline that will help maintain local healthcare services, while city leaders say the investment is essential to protecting one of the area's largest employers. Madelia Health employs about 188 people and supports an estimated 120 additional jobs, accounting for roughly 21 percent of all jobs in the city. An economic impact study estimates the hospital generates about $75 million annually for the regional economy while serving patients from Madelia, St. James, [...]

The Martin County Board of Commissioners is keeping the county's $10 wheelage tax in place for now. During Tuesday's meeting, commissioners discussed whether the tax is still needed after the county implemented a half-cent transportation sales tax last year. County Engineer Kevin Peyman said the wheelage tax generates about $220,000 annually and helps fund road and bridge projects. While some commissioners favored eliminating the tax to reduce costs for residents, the board agreed to revisit the issue in July of 2027. Commissioners also continued work on the 2027 budget, which currently includes a proposed levy increase of just over 7.5 percent. Officials [...]

(Sherburn) The Sherburn City Council heard concerns Monday night about a growing childcare shortage in the community after two daycare providers closed in the past month. Residents told the council many families are now traveling long distances for childcare, and with another provider planning to retire, they urged the city to explore solutions through a community committee and survey. Council members also received an update on Temperance Lake Ridge, where management reported the assisted living facility is 95 percent occupied and has made significant progress toward improving staffing, finances and resident services. In other business, the council approved an on-sale liquor [...]

(Fairmont) A proposed regional trail connecting Alpha, Jackson, Sherburn, Welcome and Fairmont was introduced during Monday's Martin County Economic Development Authority meeting. The concept would convert portions of an underused rail corridor into a multi-use trail for walking, biking and snowmobiling through the state's Rails to Trails program. Part of the rail line near Welcome remains active for freight service and is unlikely to be abandoned so that created some concern during the meeting. No action was taken, as the discussion was informational only. In other business, the City of Northrop is moving forward with creating its own Housing and Redevelopment [...]