News

Algona residents are eligible for funds through the City of Algona Residential Tree Program. With approved applications, residents can be reimbursed 50% of the cost of the tree, up to $150 per tree, with a limit of two trees per year. This program is supported by Algona Municipal Utilities and the City of Algona. In order to receive program funds, the first step is to apply for a tree permit through the City of Algona. Residents must apply for a permit before they purchase and plant the tree. The permit will include information about contacting Iowa OneCall, tree planting location, and [...]

Yesterday, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first 10 drugs to participate in the new Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program. This program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs.   Senator Amy Klobuchar (D - Minnesota) commented on the announcement, saying more are on the way. The ten drugs chosen to start the negotiation process are Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, Fiasp; Fiasp FlexTouch; Fiasp PenFill; NovoLog; NovoLog FlexPen; and NovoLog PenFill.   According to HHS, these drugs cost Medicare recipients a total of [...]

37yo Stephanie Vigdal of Milford was recently arrested after a traffic stop near Sheldon last Thursday. According to the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, Vigdal was pulled over on Nettle Avenue at around 3 p.m. and a search of the 2009 Buick Enclave revealed various drug paraphernalia such as a THC vaping pen, a glass pipe containing methamphetamine residue, a pouch containing marijuana, and a pipe containing plant residue. Vigdal allegedly admitted to having smoked marijuana earlier in the day, and was put under the care of a drug recognition expert who determined she was under the influence of both cannabis and [...]

A tragic workplace accident that claimed the life of 27yo Austin Brett Trebesch on Tuesday morning is currently under investigation. Trebesch died at the Sleepy Eye Medical Center after sustaining severe injuries due to a farm implement accident at Miller Sellner Implement on Highway 4. Multiple 911 calls were received around 8:43 am, and first responders arrived at the scene to treat Trebesch before transporting him to the hospital. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and the Brown County Sheriff's Office are currently conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the fatal accident. More information is expected to [...]

The Minnesota State Patrol has released the identity of a man involved in a deadly school bus collision on I-90. The State Patrol says the deceased driver is 55-year-old Mark Alan Tigner of Brandon, South Dakota. Tigner was wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred according to the patrol report. Waseca Public Schools says members of its school’s volleyball team were on the bus and no students or staff were seriously injured in the accident. The bus was returning from Fairmont where the Waseca team had competed in a match in the Big South Conference showcase games. The accident happened Saturday [...]

Clay County Sheriff's Office reported last Thursday that a juvenile male has been taken into custody after a traffic stop in the 3000 block of Highway 18 near Dickens. The 16-year-old was allegedly found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, marijuana, methamphetamine and tobacco products.   After being transported to the Sheriff's Office, citations were issued for minor in possession of tobacco, possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine. No further information has been provided.

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the elevation of Justice Natalie Hudson to Chief Justice of the state's Supreme Court Wednesday. Hudson, who has served on the court since 2015, is the first Person of Color to assume this role. Both Walz and Flanagan expressed their trust in Hudson and acknowledged the trust placed in her. Hudson also thanked her friends, family and fellow justices before vowing to uphold the state constitution. Hudson has 13 years of experience on the state's court of appeals prior to her appointment in 2015. She believes that the last 8 years have [...]

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has officially launched their wireless emergency alert system in the state. The system, which can be sent directly to Minnesotans' cell carriers, works similarly to other emergency alerts sent by the state. Only those in the affected areas will be sent the alert and it will only be used in emergencies requiring quick attention. According to MnDOT's Brian Kary, the system will likely only be used a few times a year and it will depend on where people live. The system is currently active and will be used as soon as a road emergency arises.

On Tuesday afternoon, 80-year-old Louise Ann Hodapp from Eagle Lake was sent to the Mayo Clinic Mankato with non-life threatening injuries after being involved in a crash with a semi near Mankato at 2:45 PM. According to a Minnesota State Patrol crash report, both the SUV and the semi driven by 64-year-old Thomas Everett Walters of Mapleton were going eastbound on Highway 83 when the collision occurred. Fortunately, Walters was unharmed in the crash.

Florida Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Estherville, Florida, this Friday. DeSantis will be at J & J Ag Solutions from 4 to 5 p.m. Afterwards, the Governor will make an appearance at a campaign fundraiser for State Representative John Wills in Dickinson County. This is part of DeSantis' ongoing effort to build support for his Presidential campaign.