danbrookens

(Fairmont) – The Fairmont City Council has unanimously approved changes to the city’s special assessment policy following concerns about fairness and flexibility. The revisions allow the council to deviate from its assessment guidelines in unique circumstances, provided it complies with state law. They also establish a standard 36-foot street width for calculating reconstruction assessments. Councilor Britney Kawecki questioned whether the changes provide enough safeguards against favoritism, particularly as the city works through a dispute involving assessments for the Lake Avenue project. The city attorney said state law requires similar properties to be treated consistently. The new policy applies to projects beginning [...]

FAIRMONT — A new independent bookstore is opening its doors in downtown Fairmont. Evermore Books, located at 72 Downtown Plaza, will hold its grand opening Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. The business is owned by Abby Shoen, a Sherburn native and 2009 Martin County West graduate. Shoen says her experience running her family’s feed mill, publishing All Things Home magazine and working on home renovation projects helped prepare her for opening the bookstore. Evermore Books features sections for fantasy, romance, thrillers, children’s books, fiction, nonfiction and cookbooks. Customers can also request books to be ordered through the store. The space [...]

(Estherville) Iowa Lakes Community College has established a new endowment supporting students pursuing careers in law enforcement and nursing. The Thom-Pedersen Endowment comes from a gift of more than $100,000 from Hank and Pam Pedersen. The college’s Board of Trustees formally accepted the gift September 15th. The endowment builds on scholarships the Pedersens established in 2022 in memory of their longtime friend Robert “Bob” Anthony Thom. Those scholarships began in 2023, with five students receiving $1,000 annually.

(Fairmont) After 42 years in business, Richard and Betty Wiederhoeft are retiring from Richard’s Auto Repair and Towing in Fairmont. The couple, both Martin County natives, started the business in 1984 after Richard left his job at Poppe’s. The business has operated at several locations over the years, including its current location on East Blue Earth Avenue. Just a year after opening, the business was forced to start over after a fire destroyed its North State Street location in December of 1985. The Wiederhoefts were able to temporarily operate out of DeBoer Motors before purchasing Zenk’s Repair on Park Street in [...]

(Hutchinson) A 56-year-old Fairmont woman was seriously injured in a crash that happened in Hutchinson shortly after 9pm last night. Amy Lynn Derrar as well as her passengers 44-year-old Kacee Griffith of Slayton and Jadie Saliaris, age 41 of Little Falls, were all transported to HCMC with life threatening injuries. Jaqueline Summers, age 40 of Hutchinson was driving a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on highway 22 near California street when it collided with Derrara’s 1989 Pontiac 6000 wagon, which was stopped in the westbound lanes. Sommers and her 16-year-old passenger Destiny Stroklund did not sustain any injuries. Alcohol was NOT [...]

27-year-old Jared Lee Malokowsky of St. James was driving a 2020 Freightliner eastbound on highway 14 when the truck left the roadway and crashed. Malakowsky was taken to Mayo Clinic in Rochester via life flight, with life threatening injuries. Faribault County Sheriff’s Office, Winnebago Fire & EMS and Life Flight all assisted at the scene.

(MARTIN COUNTY) — After nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Martin County Chief Deputy Corey Klanderud is retiring September 30. Klanderud began his career with the Fairmont Police Department in 1997 after studying law enforcement at Minnesota State University, Mankato. During his time with the department, he worked in patrol, the drug task force, tactical team, as a patrol sergeant, school resource officer and detective. In 2011, Klanderud joined the Martin County Sheriff's Office as chief deputy under Sheriff Jeff Markquart. He says one of his biggest accomplishments has been helping build and develop a strong staff within the Sheriff's Office. [...]