The former chief financial officer for a Rochester-based snack-foods company is facing multiple charges after he allegedly spent more than $600,000 of company money on personal expenses between 2013 and 2019. Thomas James Wiechmann, 55, of Austin, is charged in Olmsted County District Court with four felony counts of theft by swindle. He is scheduled … Read more
Ellendale Community Action Group is holding Designer Purse Bingo and beer garden this weekend. The fundraising event will be held behind RJ’s Bar & Grill, Saturday [Oct. 2] to help raise money for a new community-use digital billboard. -0-
(ABC 6 News) – Demolition got underway this week on the Central Water Tower in Albert Lea. City officials say the first phase of the reconstruction project will require sidewalk closures between Fountain Street and Newton Avenue. Temporary road closures and detours will also be in place. -0-
Road construction began overnight Thursday [September 30] on I-90 in Austin. According to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, motorists will be detoured at 28th St. NE from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday, October 1st, while crews pour concrete for the new bridge deck. -0-
(ABC 6 News) – Austin Public Schools is moving to the next stage in its COVID matrix which includes implementing masking requirements. The schools also updated its quarantine guidance for close contacts. The changes are ‘due to the increased transmission of COVID-19 and officials said their goal is to keep kids in the classroom. Effective … Read more
Albert Lea homeowners will be paying more for property taxes. The Albert Lea City Council voted 6-1 Monday to approve an overall 9.98% preliminary tax levy increase for 2022, and the increase equates to $2.73 more a month in taxes for a $100,000 home, Albert Lea’s City Finance Director said. State law requires councils pass … Read more
An Austin man allegedly seen driving a truck towing a stolen trailer and a stolen bike in the bed made his first appearance recently in Mower County District Court. Justin Thomas Rios, 31, has been charged with felony theft after police found several stolen items inside the stolen trailer. Rios is due back in court … Read more
ABC 6 News) – A Glenville man is facing felony charges for wounding a man who was trying to steal his truck over the weekend in rural Freeborn County. 38-year-old James Joseph Vinton is facing 2nd-degree assault in connection to the September 26 incident on 800th Ave in Freeborn County where deputies found a man, … Read more
Austin public school students will be masking up to help prevent the spread of COVID. The Austin Public School Board voted to implement a universal mask mandate at their meeting on Monday, according to Austin Public School Board Chairperson Kathy Green. Currently, Austin Public Schools has 110 students isolating or quarantining. There is no timeline … Read more
NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A Worth County man is pleading not guilty to leading law enforcement on a drunken, high-speed chase last month. Jalin Jamaal Davis, 23 of Northwood, was arrested on August 21 and charged with eluding and OWI, after authorities say Davis almost hit a deputy’s patrol car during the police pursuit, before pulling … Read more