A southern Minnesota state lawmaker has tested positive for COVID-19. After experiencing flu-like symptoms last week, Senator Dan Sparks (DFL-Austin) revealed in a statement Monday that he is infected with the virus and has entered a voluntary two-week quarantine. Senator Sparks said he has not attended any in-person events and has continued to participate remotely … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – It took crews hours to bring a blaze under control at a vacant home that caught fire Monday morning in Albert Lea. Emergency personnel said no one was inside the house on Giles Place which had smoke billowing from the roof when crews got there. Firefighters battled the blaze for about … Read more
An Austin Halloween tradition will still be held this year amid the pandemic, with some COVID safety protocols. The Mower County 4-H Haunted House will be held from 6:30-9:15 p.m., at the Mower County Fairgrounds on Oct. 31. However, participants will be required to pre register, and only groups of six will be able to … Read more
NORTHWOOD – A Northwood woman who initially pleaded not guilty in a cancer fraud case intends to accept a plea deal at a November 9th plea change hearing. 43-year-old Jennifer Mikesell is accused of claiming to have cancer and accepting money and gifts donated to her, incluidng a bedroom makeover from the non-profit My Happy … Read more
Minnesota schools and communities wanting to develop safer places for students can apply for three different grants this fall through the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program. SRTS “Boost” grants support existing SRTS work, like helping more students walk and bicycle to school safely. The application deadline for these grants is Nov. … Read more
The pandemic and a new superintendent were some of the topics discussed when Albert Lea Area Schools board candidates took part in a community forum recently (Thursday) at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea. The seven candidates also discussed MSHSL fees, and the possibility of the district’s superintendent leaving, among other issues in the third … Read more
Bacon makes everything better, even the pandemic perhaps. Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel has created the Black Label Bacon mask made with the “latest in pork-scented technology.” Hormel is giving away packs of the limited-edition Black Label Breathable Bacon face masks for free – all you have to do is enter to win through Oct. 28. And, … Read more
People are invited to line the sidewalks in Waseca on State Street to welcome home Waseca Officer Arik Matson. Matson, who has been hospitalized for nine months after he was shot in the line of duty on Jan. 6, will return home to Freeborn on Monday. An escort of emergency vehicles will bring Matson past … Read more
Clean up at the Blazing Star Landing has been approved. The Albert Lea City Council voted Monday to apply for grant funding for the five contaminated acres at the site believed to have been from a coal ash pile on the southern portion of the property that is being considered for a new multi-family housing … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – A Mower County woman accused in a 2018 jealous rage assault in Freeborn County has learned her fate. Law enforcement says, Athena Alizabeth Berg of Austin, attacked a woman at her home after telling the victim to stay away from her boyfriend. The 27 year old has been sentenced to 63 … Read more