(ABC 6 News) – COVID cases continue to climb in the state. The Iowa Department of Public Health website reports 697 new coronavirus cases bringing the total statewide to more than 92,550. The IDPH reported 4 more people died on Sunday, bringing the COVID death toll in the state to over 1,380. -0-
(ABC 6 News) — Rochester native, and Minnesota’s 37th lieutenant governor, Sandy Keith, passed away on Saturday. According to the Minnesota Legislature website, Alexander MacDonald “Sandy” Keith, is believed to be the first person in the state to have served in all three branches of government. He was 91 years old. -0-
A former Somerby Golf Club employee facing theft charges has accepted a plea deal. Court records show 53-year-old Gordon Perkins of Austin stole about $500,000 from the private golf club in Byron beginning in 2012 through last year after unauthorized charges were discovered on Somerby’s credit card accounts. Perkins is scheduled to be sentenced in … Read more
The Albert Lea Area Schools board approved a proposed 1.17% levy increase this week in hopes of boosting the pandemic depleted budget. The increase is expected to help pad losses from state aid and the district’s revenues. About 11% of the district’s budget comes from the levy, while about 80% comes from state aid. School … Read more
More than 100,000 Minnesotans have now tested positive for COVID-19, and those numbers played a part in the Minnesota State High School League’s decision to limit the winter sports season. MSHSL voted unanimously Thursday to reduce contests by 30%, in a effort to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Under current guidelines from the … Read more
The Minnesota Department of Health has now reported over 99,000 positive COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Health officials reported 689 positive tests Wednesday, bringing the cumulative statewide total to 99,134. In Mower County 1,348 COVID cases were reported Wednesday. MEANWHILE… Minnesota’s death toll from the coronavirus rose by 16 Wednesday to more … Read more
(ABC 6 News) – Two Rochester teens are in trouble after a drug deal turned robbery Tuesday night. The Police Department said a 17-year-old was robbed at gunpoint after meeting up with two others at Bear Creek Park to buy marijuana, before the daring duo fled with $500. Anyone with information about these pot perpatrators … Read more
It will be ‘Happy Days,’ if an Albert Lea groups efforts to get a bronze statue of Marion Ross built in front of the Performing Arts Theatre pans out. The group called “Marion Ross Statue” have a Facebook fundraising page to promote their initiative that pays tribute to the Happy Days star who used to … Read more
A two-vehicle crash on Minnesota Highway 13 sent three people to the hospital Tuesday afternoon, including an elderly Florida couple. Police say, 78-year old Charles Pierce and his 78-year old wife Peach Pierce, collided with 53-year old Scott Anthony Merten, of Adams, on the I90 exit ramp. All three were taken to an Albert Lea … Read more
The Albert Lea school board on Monday voiced concern with an increase in Minnesota State High School League membership costs, which have almost tripled and include two new fees tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Albert Lea Superintendent Mike Funk said the district’s normal invoice to the league, which oversees sports and some activities across the … Read more