(Fairmont, MN)--The Martin County Fair is in full swing at the fairgrounds in Fairmont. Lisa Stromberg with the Martin County Fair Board says today is Senior Citizens Day at the Fair.

Stromberg says Saturday will be the busiest day of the fair.

She says the final day of the fair is Sunday.

For a complete schedule of events, visit martincountyfairmn.com.

(New Ulm, MN)--One person was killed early Wednesday in a two vehicle accident in south central Minnesota that injured a Fairmont man.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened shortly after 5:30 am on Highway 15 near New Ulm. The patrol says a 2016 Jeep Compass was southbound on Highway 15 and a 2019 Ford F-250 pick-up was northbound on Highway 15 when the two vehicles collided near mile marker 50.

The driver of the Jeep, 29-year-old Guadalupe Maria Miramontes of New Ulm, was killed in the accident.

The driver of the pickup, 21-year-old Hunter Grathwohl of Fairmont, was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

(Algona)--An Algona woman is facing multiple charges after a domestic incident this past weekend.

Shortly after midnight on August 16^th, the Algona Police Department and the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 600 block of South Blackford Street. Upon arrival the officers found a male, 36-year-old Dustin Williams of Algona, with lacerations and called Kossuth County EMS. A female suspect was not at the residence when the officers first arrived but later returned to the scene.

30-year-old Lacey Durant of Algona was charged with three felony offenses including willful injury causing serious injury, assault on a police officer causing injury and operating while intoxicated-third offense. She’s also charged with driving while barred, interference with official acts causing bodily injury and interference with official acts.

Algona police say additional charges are pending. Durant was arrested and placed into custody. Following the incident a search warrant was obtained to search the residence. A sharp object, which was allegedly used by Durant as a weapon, was found and placed in the evidence file.

 

(Terril)--The city of Terril has a new mayor and council member.

The Terril city council Wednesday evening appointed Mark Lair to fill out the remaining term of former Mayor Julie Theissen who resigned earlier this month. Lair is a business owner and former member of the Terril City Council.

The council also appointed Greg Valentine to fill a vacancy on the council created by the recent resignation of Amy Ness.

(Estherville)--Most northwest Iowa schools are starting back up next week and the Iowa State Patrol is reminding motorists about school bus safety rules. Iowa State Trooper Kevin Krull says the law is simple.

Krull says drivers need to pay attention and follow the law.

On another topic, Krull reminds motorists of the dangers posed by tall corn at rural intersections. Krull says you should always slow down at rural intersections.

Krull spoke with Dave Van Roekel Thursday morning on KILR FM 95.9

(Spirit Lake)--The Spirit Lake Community School Board Wednesday evening unanimously voted to move ahead with plans for a $69.9 million bond referendum for numerous school improvements.

Projects covered by the bond issue include new HVAC, electrical, windows, lighting and roofs along with new classrooms at the high school and elementary school and upgrades to the middle school restrooms.

There are also athletic improvements including new turf for the football field, new lights for the football, baseball and softball fields, and an additional bus barn. A field house or athletic bubble that was proposed earlier has been dropped from the plans.

The board now needs to gather a petition with at least 150 signatures and have it turned into the Dickinson County Auditor’s Office by August 26^th. The board will then hold another special meeting to get the bond issue placed on the November ballot.

(Spirit Lake)--A wetland restoration project is planned for this fall at the Welch Lake complex in Dickinson County.  Chris La Rue, Wildlife Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the Welch Lake complex protects West Lake Okoboji by filtering 16 percent of its watershed.

La Rue details the work that will be done this fall.

Welch Lake wetlands and prairies are one of the top pheasant and waterfowl hunting spots in Dickinson County. La Rue says it’s also home to many non-game birds.

La Rue says the restoration project should be completed by December.

(Fairmont, MN)--Martin County Jail Administrator Tanya Rathman was recently honored with the Above and Beyond Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for going above and beyond in supporting our employees who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

The Above and Beyond Award is presented to employers who have had at least one supervisor or manager recognized with a Patriot Award, which Rathman was awarded in June 2025. This award recognizes employers and supervisors who demonstrate exceptional support for service members and their military commitments

(Des Moines)—Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon recognized 33 Iowa farm families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards during a ceremony Wednesday at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

Area farm families receiving recognition include Sharon L. Chism of Palo Alto County, Roy Jensen of Kossuth County, Steve and Kathleen Struecker and Andy and Brittany Struecker, also of Kossuth County and  Neil and Sandy Krummen of Clay County

The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recognizes farmers and farm families who demonstrate outstanding voluntary efforts to improve and protect Iowa’s soil and water resources while also serving as leaders in their communities.

(Fairmont, MN)--A new specialty clinic is coming to Fairmont this fall.

Windom Area Health has announced plans for a clinic in the Victoria State Crossing Building, in the space most recently used by Center for Specialty Care. Officials say the clinic opening will happen in phases, beginning with general surgery, OB-GYN and urology services.

Future plans include adding primary and acute care, lab and imaging services, extended clinic hours and eventually a surgery center.

For now, surgeries and deliveries involving Fairmont patients will continue to take place at Windom Area Health’s hospital in Windom.

Clinic-based procedures, including skin biopsies and wound care, are expected to be offered in Fairmont.

(Jackson, MN)--The annual Pioneer Days at Ft. Belmont in Jackson will be held this coming Saturday and Sunday. Anthony Von Ohlen with the Ft. Belmont Association, says the event is a great way for visitors to learn about the past.

Von Ohlen says Ft. Belmont will be open from 9 am to 4 pm each day and admission is free.

He says there will also be some musical entertainment.

Von Ohlen says attendees can also learn how to play cricket.

He says the event also includes Living History Camps.

He says food will also be available on the grounds for purchase. For more information, visit fortbelmont.org.

(Estherville)--The Estherville City Council earlier this week approved an amendment to the agreement with Tantalus for the Grid Management, Monitoring and Control Project. Estherville City Administrator Penny Clayton says the amendment pushed back the timeline for the project.

The target date for initial deployment of the system has been pushed back to January 31^st, 2027 with full deployment on July 31^st, 2027.

(Estherville)--Property tax statements have been sent out by the Emmet County Treasurer’s Office. New this year, the “total property taxes levied by taxing authority” will show the total dollar amount levied over all counties the authority operates in, not just the Emmet County portion like in the past.

The tax bills are the result of the annual property tax process that involves determining the value of each individual property parcel in the county and applying the property tax rates of various local entities to the sum of those values. Several modifications take place through the process based on laws intended to make the system as fair as possible.

Cities, school districts, agricultural extension agencies, assessor, townships, benefited fire districts, community colleges and counties are the primary property-tax levying bodies. Their governing boards and councils determine property tax rates by April 30th.

These tax amounts are provided to the county treasurer, who mailed out the bills and will collect the taxes. The tax rates determined in the spring of 2026 are applied to the January 1, 2025 property tax values, and the taxes are payable in two installments: the first in September of 2026 and the second in March of 2027.

If you have any questions, contact the County Assessor’s Office 712-362-2609, the County Auditor’s Office 712-362-4261, or the County Treasurer’s Office 712-362-3824.

(Ruthven)--A Des Moines man wanted by authorities in Polk County was arrested Sunday in Ruthven.

Shortly after 3:15 p.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45-year-old Rian Risinger, of Des Moines on multiple warrants out of Polk County.  Risinger’s warrants were for 1^st degree burglary, assault committed by a person against who a protective order is issued, domestic abuse assault-3rd or subsequent offense, operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, false imprisonment, and a contempt violation of a no contact/protective order. 

Risinger was arrested in the 1600 block of Bruce St of Ruthven without incident and transported to the Palo Alto County Jail to await his extradition to Polk County.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

(Arnolds Park)-- The Okoboji Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026-27 Youth in Philanthropy program. Mindy Gress of the Okoboji Foundation says students attending Spirit Lake, Harris-Lake Park and Okoboji High Schools are eligible to participate. Gress says this is the 17^th year for the program.

Gress says the students meet monthly during the school year.

She details the requirements for the program.

Gress says since the program began, nearly $900,000 has been raised for non-profits in Dickinson County.

Gress says applications for the program are available by going to okobojifoundation.org and clicking on Youth in Philanthropy. 

(Spirit Lake)--The Spirit Lake Community School District will host a public informational meeting this afternoon (Wednesday) on a facilities improvement plan aimed at addressing aging infrastructure and long-standing maintenance needs in the district. Spirit Lake Superintendent Dr. David Smith.

Smith says the project will also include additional upgrades.

He says those upgrades include new classrooms.

Plans also include improvements to the bus barn. Preliminary cost estimates for the project are about $63 million. Smith has recommended a proposed $13 million field house, or “athletic bubble,” be removed from the project.

Community members can tour the elementary and high school this afternoon beginning at 3:30 p.m. A question and answer session will follow at 4:30 p.m. in the Sami Center, with the Spirit Lake School Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. The school board will decide whether to move forward on a November bond referendum for some or all of the improvements.

(Fairmont, MN)-- Two people suffered minor injuries Monday afternoon when a small, single-engine plane crashed in southeast Martin County.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the crash was reported around 3:20 p.m. near the intersection of 50th Street and 310th Avenue, near the Martin-Faribault County line. Authorities say the occupants of the aircraft reported minor injuries but it’s unclear if anyone was transported to a hospital for treatment.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified and will investigate the crash.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Fairmont Fire Department, and Blue Earth Fire and Ambulance.

(Arnolds Park)– The long time assistant Police Chief in Arnolds Park will be promoted to head the department.

The Arnolds Park city council last week approved the appointment of Jeremy Kleve to the position when current chief Al Krueger steps down at the end of this year.

Krueger has served as police chief since June of 2004.

Kleve began his service on the Arnolds Park Police Department in the summer of 1996 as a reserve officer. He became a full time officer in August of 2000, and was appointed Assistant Police Chief in July of 2006.

Krueger announced his intention to resign as chief in March of this year.

(Okoboji)—The schedule has been announced for this year’s Dee’s Bee and Butterfly Festival hosted by The Dickinson County Nature Center. Community Relations Coordinator Amy Heibult says the festival will be held on Friday, September 11^th from 4 to 7 pm.  Heibult says there will be a variety of family friendly activities.

Heibult says there will also be acrobatics performances.

She says bees will also be part of the event.

Festival activities are free to enjoy, with food, beverages, native plants and bee products available for purchase. For more information, visit www.dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com

(Spencer)--The Clay County Fair has announced the finalists for this year’s Worlds Greatest County Fair Food contest.

The six finalists are Brown Sugar Bacon Twizzles from Side Door Concessions, LLC; Chicken Cheesesteaks from Jersey Jo's,  Lily Fries from TnT Concessions;  Loaded Mac 'N' Cheese Bowl from Stu's BBQ; Peach Cobbler Donuts  from Bask in the Donuts; and Puerto Rican Beef Empanada from La Borinqua.

The contest will take place on Sunday, September 13th at 11:00 a.m. on the Farmers Savings Bank Stage inside the Creative Living Center. The winner will be decided by a panel of local celebrity judges.

There will also be the annual People's Choice Contest. From Saturday, September 12th through Wednesday, September 16th, fairgoers can sample all six finalists and cast their vote online for their favorite. The People's Choice winner will be announced Thursday, September 17th, ahead of the lunch hour.

(Estherville)--The Estherville City Council Monday evening approved an ordinance amending the city code regarding the regulation of electric scooters, e-bikes and other micro-mobility devices. Estherville City Administrator Penny Clayton says the amendment is an expansion of the city’s bicycle ordinance.

Clayton says the ordinance includes provisions for operating the devices in a safe and responsible manner.

She outlines the possible penalties for violating the ordinance.

A motion to waive the 2^nd and 3^rd readings of the ordinance did receive the six votes required for approval.  Some members of the council brought up the idea of adding a minimum age requirement for the operation of some devices on city streets. Clayton says the council could add that requirement at a later date.

In other business, the council approved an ordinance amending city regulations for the operation of ATVs, UTVs, and ORVs.  Clayton says the amendment was needed to bring city code in-line with state law.

The council also tabled the 2^nd reading of an ordinance creating a 10 mph speed limit for all wheeled devices on public sidewalks outside the central business district due to concerns about enforceability of the ordinance. The issue was sent back to city staff for further study.

(Wallingford)—The annual Fall Festival at the Brugjeld(Bru-yeld) Peterson Point Historic Farmstead near Wallingford is set for Saturday, September 12^th from 11 am to 3  pm. Stacie Berg-Nelson, President of the Peterson Point Preservation Foundation, says this is the 4^th year for the festival.

Admission is free. Berg Nelson says there will be events for all ages.

She says attendees will also have the opportunity to Draw the Barn.

Berg Nelson says a meal will also be available.

For more information, visit Brugjeld(Bru-yeld) Peterson Point Historic Farmstead on Facebook.

(Des Moines)--A lawsuit filed by Summit Healthcare Operating Partnership of California and Fantasia Investment of the Cayman Islands claims six Iowa nursing homes that operate under the common ownership of Accura Healthcare owe more than $2.1 million in back rent.

According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the six nursing homes include Accura facilities in Bancroft, Milford and Spirit Lake.

Summit and Fantasia allege that in late 2022 and 2023, each of the six care facilities began to fall behind on their rent payments. The plaintiffs allege that instead of pursuing foreclosure they restructured the debt, with the facilities agreeing to pay the back rent over 18 months, beginning in January 2024 and ending in June 2025.

The plaintiffs claim the facilities didn’t make good on that pledge and now owe $2,105,617 in base rent.

Accura, the plaintiffs alleged, has now taken the position that because the deal between the owners relates to the collection of back rent, they have a right to enforce the terms of that agreement — which, Accura claims, calls for another 18-month repayment plan that would begin in January 2027.

In their lawsuit, Summit and Fantasia argue Accura’s position makes no sense and is completely unsupported under Iowa law.

(Fairmont, MN)--A Fairmont man is facing multiple charges after two domestic disturbances that occurred earlier this month at the same residence.

According to a criminal complaint, 26-year-old Tanner Klug allegedly grabbed a woman’s forearm and shoved her to the ground during the initial incident. Police were then called back to the home the following day after Klug allegedly forced his way through a locked door, damaging the door frame. Once inside, he is also accused of pushing another person and making threatening statements. The complaint also alleges that two people had received threatening messages from Klug.

Klug was later apprehended and charged with first-degree burglary, felony domestic assault, property damage and disorderly conduct.

Bail for Klug was set at $50,000.

(Fairmont. MN)--The Martin County Fair gets underway Tuesday in Fairmont and runs through Sunday, August 23rd. Fair Board Secretary Lisa Stromberg says there are a couple of new events at this year’s fair.

Stromberg says Tuesday is Veterans Day at the fair with half price admission for all veterans

She says another full day of events is planned for Wednesday.

The farm family of the year will also be announced on Wednesday evening. Stromberg says Thursday is John Deere Day and Disability Awareness Day.

The weekend schedule is highlighted by the Little River Band performing on Saturday evening. The concerts are free with a paid admission to the fair. A complete fair schedule is available on-line at the Martin County Fair Facebook page.