Windom Police Department- reported on the 28th officers took a theft report from the 1300 block of 3rd Ave. The reporting party stated that the theft took place within the past 3 weeks. Someone entered his detached garage, the door was open so no forced entry. Missing is a Dewalt ½ inch cordless drill in a black carry case with two rechargeable batteries and drill bits. Estimated loss is $70. On the 27th at 2:21 am officers were called to the 300 block of 7th Street for a welfare check. After investigation, Gross Misdemeanor DWI charges are pending a 41-year-old Windom Female who drove a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more as measured within 2 hours of driving with two aggravating factors present, specifically two prior alcohol related license revocations within the past 10 years, pending review by County Attorney’s Office.
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Jackson County Sheriff’s Department reported on the 28th Deputies responded to a child custody dispute in Jackson around 1pm and at 1:42pm The Heron Lake Fire Department, Heron Lake Ambulance, and deputies responded to a fire alarm at the Expressway gas station in Heron Lake. An electrical issue was determined to be the cause of the alarm. Personnel were on scene for about a half hour.
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges the public to use extra caution when approaching traffic signals following a heavy snowfall event. Motorists and pedestrians should be prepared to stop at intersections with traffic signals, as snow-covered traffic indications can be challenging to see.
For reasons of energy efficiency and longer service life, the state’s traffic signals have switched from using incandescent bulbs to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs produce less than half the heat as incandescent bulbs, and do not emit enough heat to melt off snow and ice that may accumulate on them.
“Following a snow event, our top priority is clearing roads for the traveling public. Once complete, city, county, and state maintenance crews address other key areas,” said MnDOT District Traffic Engineer Scott Thompson. “We urge motorists to come to a complete stop before going through intersections with snow-covered signal indications. It’s the safest solution until city and county crews can ensure the indications are visible.”
For updated statewide road conditions visit www.511mn.org.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Cottonwood County, Minnesota as a primary natural disaster area due to Drought. Contiguous Counties also eligible are Brown, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Redwood and Watonwan. This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. Application Deadlines are June 15, 2023.
A news release containing additional information on the designation and additional counties that are eligible for emergency loans has been posted to the state FSA website and can be accessed at the following link, USDA Designates Cottonwood County, Minnesota, as a Primary Natural Disaster Area.
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December 1st through the 23rd the public is invited to view the FESTIVAL OF TREES EXHIBIT AT The Cottonwood County Historical Society. This is free to the community. Come in and view the 12 wonderfully decorated trees and bring your quarters to vote for your favorites. The Exhibit will be available to view Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm and Saturdays by appointment and as an added bonus will be open for Windom’s “Christmas by Candlelight” on Thursday evening, December 15th.
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I know it is snowy out and thinking about birds is probably the last thing on your mind but I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late to go birding!!! According to the DNR, while the southbound migration is down to a trickle for Minnesota’s nesting birds, boreal birds are arriving daily. December is a great time to view numerous owl species, often drawing birders from around the world. The Explore Minnesota Birding Update encourages you to not miss the opportunity to see large numbers of eagles, swans and other birds along the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota’s bluff country.