News

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.

A two-vehicle accident in Osceola County on Sunday morning has resulted in the death of a woman and a nine-year-old child.   According to Iowa State Patrol, the accident took place at the intersection of County Road A34 and U.S. Highway 59 east of Ashton. The report states that the collision was caused by a failure to stop at a stop sign by the driver of a 2005 GMC, 27-year-old Dore Hernandes Canales of Sioux City. The cars, the GMC and a southbound 2016 Ford driven by 22-year-old Benjamin Gibson of Sibley, left the intersection following the crash, with the GMC [...]

As most Minnesota schools prepare to start after Labor Day, the Minnesota School Boards Association conducted a survey from Aug. 3 to 9 that has revealed 349 open teacher positions in greater Minnesota and 519 teacher vacancies in the seven county metro area around Minneapolis/St. Paul. The survey further revealed that of the 349 open teacher positions in greater Minnesota, 217 of the positions never had anyone apply for them. Additionally, the survey discovered 571 paraprofessional openings in greater Minnesota, with the Minneapolis metro needing 698 paraprofessionals. Of the openings in greater Minnesota, 352 of them had no applicants. Moorhead Public [...]

Residents of Estherville, IA had a rude awakening Saturday morning when a water main leak led to a drinking water advisory for an area west of the Des Moines River, south of Highway 9, east of Grandview Drive and north of and including Park Road. Officials from the City of Estherville Water Supply have advised residents in the affected area to boil their water before drinking or cooking or use an alternate source. It is recommended not to drink the water without boiling it. The advisory will remain in effect until the Water Supply is able to adequately disinfect the water, [...]

On Thursday afternoon, a fatal crash occurred in New Ulm that authorities suspect is related to alcohol consumption. The victim in the crash was an 82-year old New Ulm woman whose name has yet to be released. The accident happened around 2 p.m. on Broadway (Highway 68) at the 15th South Street intersection. According to a Minnesota State Patrol crash report, a BMW 435 was headed south on Highway 68 when it collided with an SUV heading north. The driver of the BMW, 53-year-old John Roy DeLeo of Lake Crystal, was injured and taken to New Ulm Medical Center with non-life-threatening [...]

Last Saturday night, at approximately 11:30pm, the St. James Golf Course and Rivers Edge Grill caught fire. Jason and Jen Kuester, owners of the course, arrived on scene soon after the fire departments and were quick to plan to keep the golf course running.   Jason reports that the golf course is still functioning, and that people may book tee times on a tee-time app as well as be able to use credit cards for payments. In addition, the Kuesters are in the process of setting up a temporary space for office equipment, as well as tables and restaurant space for [...]