A Freeborn County restaurant owner has lost her bid to remove the judge in her criminal case for allegedly violating the state’s COVID safety rules. Melissa Lynn Hanson, 57 of Hayward, was charged with seven misdemeanor violations of emergency orders and one misdemeanor count of public nuisance. Authorities say Hanson opened her business, The Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro in Albert Lea, despite the coronavirus restrictions ordered by Governor Tim Walz.
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