News
headlines
Winter weather advisory in effect
Feb. 8, 2010
JACKSON - A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Jackson
County until 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Areas of blowing snow can be expected Monday afternoon, mainly in
northwest Iowa where the winds will be strongest. Light snow will
develop from the northwest by the end of the day and increase Monday
night. Winds and blowing snow will also increase tonight. Periods of
snow will then continue into Tuesday.
Total snowfall accumulations will range from 3-6 inches, with the
greatest accumulations in southwest
Minnesota.
Northwest to north winds will generally range from 10 to 20 miles
per hour in southwest Minnesota and 15 to 30 mph in northwest Iowa
Monday afternoon. Winds of 20 to 30 mph with higher gusts will
become widespread Monday night into Tuesday.
This will result in reduced visibilities in blowing snow. The
low visibilities will become widespread tonight. Because of the
lighter winds in southwest Minnesota Monday afternoon, the
greatest worsening of conditions tonight will be there.
The wind chill values will generally range from zero to 15 below
Monday afternoon through Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Martin County and areas through south central
Minnesota are in a winter storm warning until noon Tuesday.
Spirit Lake man critically injured in accident
Feb. 7, 2010
WORTHINGTON - One person was critically injured in a one-vehicle rollover at 9:46
p.m. Thursday
in the eastbound lane of Interstate 90, west of Worthington.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 49-year-old Donny Utley of Spirit Lake was
driving a 2002 Chevy Silverado pickup eastbound when he lost control on the icy
roadway, entered the median and rolled. His passenger, 48-year-old Deborah Abshire of Phoenix, Arizona was ejected.
The Worthington Ambulance Service responded to the scene.
Utley was taken to Sanford Worthington Regional Hospital, where he was treated and
released. Abshire was also taken to the hospital, where she was
listed in critical condition.
Severe damage was reported to Utley’s pickup.
The Nobles County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the
scene.
One-vehicle rollover is investigated
Feb. 7, 2010
JACKSON - The Minnesota State Patrol investigated a one-vehicle rollover at 8:43
p.m. Thursday in the westbound lane of Interstate 90, six miles west of Jackson.
Chad Evenson of Winona, 32, was driving a 1998 Ford Ranger pickup that
went off the road and rolled over.
Evenson had no apparent injuries.
Moderate damage was reported to his pickup.
Operation Round Up deadline approaching
Feb. 7, 2010
JACKSON - The deadline is approaching to apply for the next round of funding through
Federated Rural Electric’s Operation Round-Up Fund. The next awarding of
Funds will be in
late March.
Operation Round Up involves about 70 percent of Federated’s members in Jackson
and Martin counties.
They allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded up to
the nearest dollar amount. Those funds go into a trust fund.
An
independent trust board, which consists of Federated members, evaluates local
funding requests and distributes the funds.
The deadline for submitting application is Feb. 26. The application form
can also be downloaded from Federated’s website.
You
can also call Federated at 507-847-3520, 728-8366 or 1-800-321-3520. Ask for
Andrea or Sherry to request an application.
Since 1995, the trust board has distributed more than $318,000 to
local organizations including senior dining, hospice, fire/ambulance departments
and as high school scholarships.
Organizations that serve Federated members in Jackson or Martin counties can
request funds for projects involving community service, disaster relief, youth
education, community leadership programs, environment programs and emergency
energy assistance.
Emmetsburg man facing charges
Feb. 7, 2010
EMMETSBURG - An Emmetsburg man faces charges after an incident
last weekend.
According
to the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy made contact with Jayson
Allen Wiley and a woman in the 900 block of Monroe in Emmetsburg on Saturday,
Jan. 30. It
was discovered that Wiley and the woman had a no-contact order in place by the
Kossuth County Courthouse.
During the detention of Wiley, Wiley allegedly resisted. He was taken into
custody. Wiley also allegedly made threats of bodily harm to the deputy after
the arrest which resulted in Wiley being charged with Harassment in the Second
Degree.
Wiley was taken to the Palo Alto County Jail by the Emmetsburg Police
Department. He was booked into the jail and charged with violating a
no-contact order, interference with official acts and harassment in the second
degree.
No injuries reported in accident
Feb. 6, 2010
JACKSON - Jackson police investigated a two-vehicle accident around noon Wednesday
at the intersection of 4th Street and North Highway.
Involved was a 1997 Dodge Neon driven by Shawn Berglund of Iona
and a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Robert Maday of Granada.
There were no reports of any injuries to either driver or to Maday’s
passenger, Andrew Jensen of Fairmont.
Moderate damage was reported to both vehicles.
Police investigate two-vehicle mishap
Feb. 6, 2010
JACKSON - The Jackson Police Department investigated a two-vehicle accident around 3:45
p.m. Tuesday
on Morrison Avenue.
Involved was a 1995 Lincoln Town Car driven by Christopher Tusa of Jackson
and a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by Jean Day, also of Jackson. There were no reports of any injuries.
Slight damage was reported to the Lincoln driven by Tusa, while moderate damage was
reported to Day’s vehicle.
Accident claims life of Estherville
woman
Feb. 5, 2010
EMMETSBURG - An 18-year-old Estherville woman died from injuries
sustained in a two-vehicle accident around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
Deborah Weideman of Estherville was driving a 2006 Chevy Impala
south on Highway 4, about four miles north of the junction with
Highway 18 in Palo Alto County.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, due to the ice cover on the
highway, Weideman lost control of her vehicle and it crossed the
center line and struck a northbound Peterbuilt semi driven by
45-year-old Todd Travis of Mallard. by Travis. Both vehicles
went into the east ditch.
Weideman was taken by ambulance to Palo Alto County Hospital in
Emmetsburg, where she was pronounced dead.
Travis was taken to the hospital by private vehicle. There was no
information regarding any injuries to Travis.
The accident remains under investigation.
Two-vehicle accident investigated
Feb. 5, 2010
JACKSON - The Jackson Police Department investigated a two-vehicle
accident at the intersection of Bailey and Sixth Streets.
Involved was a 2000 Ford Truck driven by Larry Smith of Jackson
and a 2001 Dodge Dakota driven by Steven Nelson, also of Jackson.
There was no report of any injuries.
Slight damage was reported to Smith’s truck, while moderate
damage was reported to Nelson’s vehicle.
Spirit Lake man faces several
charges
Feb. 5, 2010
SPIRIT LAKE - A Spirit Lake man faces several charges after being
arrested Thursday. David Moore, 29, was arrested for the alleged
possession marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Around 7:20 p.m., Spirit Lake police made a routine traffic stop
of a 2003 Buick Rendezvous driven by Moore.
Upon further investigation and a search of the air around the
vehicle by the Spirit Lake Police Department’s K9 unit, a green
leafy substance-marijuana and drug paraphernalia was allegedly found
inside the vehicle.
Moore was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Jail on
charges of possession of a controlled substance-marijuana-3rd
offense, an aggravated misdemeanor; possession of drug
paraphernalia; failure to obey a stop sign; and operation without
insurance, all simple misdemeanors.
Parking recommendation discussed
Feb. 4, 2010
JACKSON - The Jackson City Council tabled action on a street committee
recommendation that would have established a parking ban for the remainder of
the winter due to the streets getting narrower because of all the snow.
The ban would have allowed parking only on the south side of the street for
east-west streets and parking only on the east side of the street for
north-south streets.
Some of the council members had questions on how the ban would affect parking at
locations as Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and at Sacred Heart Clinic.
There were also questions on how such a ban would be enforced.
Police Chief Tony Legnani asked the council not to establish a ban, but for now,
appeal to the city’s residents to park on one side of the street to allow room
for emergency vehicles and traffic.
Legnani said he would like to work with Street Superintendent George Tauer to
look at developing plans for the future where parking for people would be
available not only in the City H all lot, but in other open lots around town such
at the schools when there is a lot of snow and streets need to be cleared.
Council tables action on proposed dog ordinance
Feb. 4, 2010
JACKSON - The Jackson City Council tabled action on a proposed ordinance
that would restrict the chaining or tethering of dogs.
The ordinance
pertains to the humane care of dogs, would not allow a dog to be chained or tied
to any object for more than 4 hours at a time, specify the length of the
chain or tether and would require an exercise enclosure for a dog six months of
age or older to be 150 square feet per dog.
Tim Treybal, representing the organization, Dogs Deserve Better, along with
several others spoke to the council about the proposed ordinance.
Council members were not against the ordinance, but felt that it needed to be revised.
Councilman Jerry Palmer said he is a dog lover,
but was concerned about some of the provisions of the ordinance. He said
there are people who take care of their dogs, but maybe have an outside kennel
that's 120 square feet, instead of the 150 square feet as spelled out in the
ordinance. He said some people will not have the space in their yard for a
larger kennel.
Palmer also said there are people that work and may have their
dog on a chain for eight hours, but their dog has shade, water and food and is very
well cared for. Having them outside when they are working is what works best for
those dog owners.
Councilman Gary Willink said he owns three dogs. He said he didn’t have a
problem with the intent of the ordinance, but had questions about some of the
specifics. He said half the dog owners may not meet the
specifications in the ordinance.
Councilman Fred Bern asked how the proposed ordinance compares with the
state ordinance. He said the city doesn’t need to go
beyond the state ordinance. It was stated there is nothing in the state ordinance regarding tethering.
Police Chief Tony Legnani said it's a good idea to make people be responsible in
caring for their dogs, but people take care of their dogs in various ways. Legnani expressed concerns on being able to enforce the ordinance with a limited
number of officers who may be taking care of priority service calls. He said he
is willing to work with anyone on constructive measures for the care of dogs and
so there aren't dogs running loose
Action on the proposed ordinance was tabled. Palmer and Willink will work with those proposing the ordinance in making revisions before
it’s brought back for council action.
New city administrator named
Feb. 4, 2010
JACKSON - Patrick Christopherson is the new Jackson city administrator.
The Jackson
City Council ratified the search committee’s recommendation to hire Christopherson, who has been serving as the city administrator in Wanamingo.
Christopherson’s hiring is contingent on completion of a background check. He
will begin his duties on March 1. His starting annual salary will be $68,994 and will increase to
$71,074 upon a satisfactory employee
performance review after six months.
Current City Administrator Dean Albrecht is retiring after nearly 24 years. His final day at work will be March 5. There will be a
retirement open house for Albrecht from 2:30-4 p.m. that day in the council chambers.
No update on river project available
Feb. 4, 2010
JACKSON - The Jackson City Council did not get an update on the river
restoration
project at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Economic Coordinator Sue Pirsig told the council that not
all the information for a presentation was available. That’s expected to
come at a meeting with the contractor and engineering firm Thursday.
She
asked the council to table any decision on delaying the completion date of the
project until all the information is available.
A memorandum from Barr Engineering last week recommended delaying
construction activities and extending the substantial completion date until
Aug. 27. The recommendation was being made as a result of various
occurrences including unexpected weather and permit delays that did not allow
Beemer Companies to perform the work required to complete the project as
originally scheduled.
In other action, the council approved hiring Brandon Peil as a full-time police
officer with a 12-month probationary period and starting salary of $18.27 per
hour.
The council approved the agreement for professional services for land and
airspace zoning with Bolton and Menk engineers with a cost not to exceed $47,360. Federal entitlements will pay for 95 percent of most of the tasks
involved with the rezoning process.
The council also adopted resolutions designating Bank Midwest, United Prairie
Bank, Jackson Federal Savings and Loan and Farmers and Merchants State Bank of
Alpha as depositories of City funds.
Councilman Ken Temple also extended the city council’s condolences to the family
of Margaret Salzwedel, who died in a traffic accident on Monday. Salzwedel had
been employed with the city for 23 years as a police officer and
investigator.
Montana men receives sentence
Feb. 3, 2010
JACKSON - A 34-year-old Froid, Mont. man
has been sentenced in connection with a
two-vehicle accident nearly a year ago.
John Fordyce has been sentenced in Jackson County
District Court in connection with the accident that injured 80-year-old Beth Benson of Jackson.
The accident occurred on Feb. 25 on Highway 71
near the intersection with County Road 34.
According to court documents, Fordyce’s blood alcohol content at the time of the
accident was .16.
Through a plea agreement, Fordyce pleaded guilty to one felony count of criminal
vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm. A second felony count and a
misdemeanor count were dropped.
Judge Linda Titus suspended prison time and put Fordyce on supervised probation
for up to five years if he meets requirements of his sentence. Those
requirements include serving 270 days in jail with credit for good
behavior, undergoing a chemical dependency assessment and follow recommendations,
abstain from alcohol and drugs, write a letter of apology to Benson, maintain
full-time employment, attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving impact panel if he
can find one within 100 miles of his home and pay restitution.
Portions of the sentence will be delayed when Fordyce is called to active duty
in the military. He was released on bond and must report to jail on March 1 with deferral
for the time that he will deployed for military duty.
Caucus attendees make choices for governor
Feb. 3, 2010
JACKSON - Two Democrats and two Republicans are establishing themselves as the
candidates to beat for the party backing in the Minnesota Governor’s race.
Tuesday’s caucuses were stage one for the party endorsement process.
State Representative Marty Seifert attracted 50 percent of the vote in a
Republican straw poll and was declared the winner of the seven-person race by
the state Republican party early Wednesday.
Fellow Representative Tom Emmer came in second with 39.5 percent, with 95
percent of Republican precincts reporting.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher were
leading among the 11 Democratic candidates. Rybak had nearly 22 percent and
Kelliher had 20 percent with 77 percent of precincts reporting. More than 14
percent of Democratic voters chose uncommitted.
Jackson County Republicans overwhelmingly chose Marty Seifert with 59 votes.
Tom
Emmer received six votes, with Bob Carney, Bill Hass and David Hand
each receiving one vote.
There were 42 people at the Republican caucus at Minnesota West and 36
at the Multi-Purpose Building in Lakefield.
The
Jackson County Republican Convention will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 at
the Multi-Purpose Building in Lakefield. It will be preceded by a
dinner at noon to honor volunteers.
Approximately 30 people attended the Jackson County DFL caucus at the American
Legion in Lakefield.
In a straw vote for governor, 11 votes were undecided, Matt Entenza received
five votes, with other candidates each receiving one vote.
The Jackson County DFL County Convention will be held at 2:30
p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Multi-Purpose building in Lakefield. A
fund-raising meal will precede the convention at 1 p.m.
Spirit Lake voters approve levy
Feb. 3, 2010
SPIRIT LAKE -
Voters in the Spirit Lake school district Tuesday approved a physical plant
and equipment levy by a vote of 816-638.
The levy will be in effect the next three years at a rate of 65 cents per
$1,000 of valuation.
Revenue generated by the levy will be used to
purchase laptop computers for each student in fifth through 12th grade, along
with carts with computers on them for kindergarten through fourth grade.
Revenue
from the levy will also be used to upgrade to a wireless network for the school
district’s buildings, along with other technology improvements.
Judging team places at national convention
Feb. 3, 2010
SAN ANTONIO - A Jackson County judging team placed second in competition at the National Cattlemens’ Association Convention.
The team of Nolan Hohenstein, Evan Koep, Zack Post and
Tanner Post placed second in the beef quiz bowl and second in
the beef judging contest.
Individually in beef judging, Post was second and earned $300, Koep was
sixth, Post 28th and Hohenstein placed 32nd.
Plaques were awarded and the team received 300 for the
beef quiz bowl.
There were 32 senior teams in competition, representing 97 individuals. The
Jackson County team placed among the top third.
In addition, Maggie Post placed 26th in the junior beef judging. Brian Post also competed in the
adult beef judging and placed second in a field of 24 as he earned a plaque and
$150 in prize money.
Lakefield Business Association holds annual me
eting
Feb. 3, 2010
LAKEFIELD - Todd Van Epps and Eric Kruger were unanimously elected to the
Lakefield Business Association’s Board of Directors at the Association’s annual
banquet and meeting at the Emerald Valley Golf Club. They fill the vacancies of
Donna Hendrickson and Janet Stammer, whose terms on the board ended.
Van Epps and Kruger join board members Dwayne Hage, Sue Hedrick, Tracy
Wheeler and Tonia Bandy.
The many accomplishments and projects of the Lakefield Business Association
were reviewed. Highlights of the past year included the annual Easter Egg Hunt,
Summerfest events, the Taste of Harvest, and special events for Christmas.
Following the business meeting, Jim Wuerffel played guitar and sang, followed
by karaoke with Terry Wheeler.
ILCC reports increase in credit hours
Feb. 3, 2010
ESTHERVILLE -
Iowa Lakes Community College is reporting an increase in credit hours for the
spring term.
Credit hours climbed to 36,978 for the spring 2010 semester, an increase of 15.5 percent from a year ago. Student head count increased by 289, up
7.5 percent from the spring of 2009.
The most significant increase was in adult students age 25 and older. Julie
Carlson, dean of students at Iowa Lakes Community College said most of those
were dislocated workers returning to college to retrain and upgrade their
skills.
Instructors reported having the older students in the classroom was positive in
that they were able to share their life experiences with younger students.
One-vehicle accident investigated
Feb. 3, 2010
WINDOM - One person was treated and released following a one-vehicle accident
at 7:52 a.m. Tuesday on Highway 60, just south of Windom.
Francisco Garza of Windom, 30, was traveling on Highway 60 when his 2004 GMC
ran off the road to the left and overturned coming to rest on its wheels.
Garza was taken to Windom Area Hospital, where he was treated and released.
Moderate damage was reported to his vehicle.
The accident was investigated by the Minnesota State Patrol.
Lakefield woman dies in accident on I-90
Feb. 2, 2010
LAKEFIELD - A 47-year-old Lakefield woman died in a two-vehicle
accident Monday morning west of the Lakefield exit on Interstate 90.
Margaret Salzwedel died at the scene of the accident, which
occurred at 10:04 a.m. in the westbound lane.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Salzwedel was driving a
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound in front of two westbound semis.
All the vehicles were in the right lane.
The semi that was behind Salzwedel went into the left lane and
passed Salzwedel.
That created a snow cloud and the front end of other semi that
was behind Salzwedel driven by 23-year-old Adam Kleinsasser of
Faulkton, S.D. collided with the rear end of Salzwdel’s Jeep.
Salzwedel’s vehicle went into the median and turned over one
time. Salzwedel was ejected from her vehicle and died at the scene.
No apparent injuries were reported to Kleinsasser.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene.
Sibley man faces drug charges
Feb. 4, 2010
JACKSON - A 37-year-old Sibley man was arrested Monday night by the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Department for allegedly possessing marijuana.
Around 7:40 p.m., the Minnesota State Patrol, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Jackson
Fire and Ambulance were called to a one-vehicle rollover on Interstate 90 east
of Jackson.
Marvin Lopau was driving a 1992 Ford Escort
westbound on I-90 when he lost control and ran off the road and rolled once.
Lopau sustained minor injuries.
His passenger, 37-year-old Ellis Hargis, also sustained minor injuries.
At the
accident scene, Hargis agreed to sit in a sheriff’s deputy’s squad car to keep
warm and out of the way of oncoming traffic.
Once in the squad car, the deputy
began to smell the odor of marijuana. After a search of Hargis, the deputy
located three pounds of marijuana on his person.
Hargis was arrested and remains
in custody in the Jackson County Jail under a $15,000 bond.
Sibley man hurt in rollover
Feb. 2, 2010
JACKSON - Minor injuries were reported in a one-car rollover at 7:44
p.m. Monday on Interstate 90, east of Jackson.
Marvin Lopau of Sibley, Iowa, 37, was driving a 1992 Ford Escort
westbound on I-90 when he lost control to the left, overcorrected
back to the right where he ran off the road and rolled once, coming
to rest on the roof.
The Jackson Ambulance Department responded to the scene.
Lopau and his passenger, 37-year-old Ellis Hargis, also of
Sibley, both sustained minor injuries. Moderate damage was reported
to Lopau’s car.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department assisted the State Patrol
at the scene.
Snowmobile accident injures Spirit Lake man
Feb. 2, 2010
SPIRIT LAKE - The Spirit Lake Police investigated a snowmobile
accident at 11:05 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of 41st Street
and Sunner Avenue.
According to police, 37-year-old Michael Fisbeck of Spirit Lake
was operating a 2007 Ski Doo northbound on the snowmobile trail
along Sunner Avenue.
Fisbeck lost control, rolled his snowmobile and was thrown off.
Another northbound snowmobile, a 2005 Ski Doo, driven by 33-year-old
Todd Fine of Spirit Lake was traveling behind Fisbeck and struck
him.
Fisbeck was taken by ambulance to Lakes Regional Healthcare. It
was reported he was later airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital. Fine
and a passenger on his snowmobile were not injured.
Fine was charged with operating while intoxicated-first offense.
Fisbeck was charged with operating while intoxicated-third offense.
Damage was estimated at $1,000 to each snowmobile.
The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department, Spirit Lake First
Responders, Lakes Regional Healthcare Ambulance and paramedics, and
the Iowa DNR assisted at the scene.
Accident involving snowmobile reported near Fostoria
Feb. 2, 2010
FOSTORIA - A 29-year-old Prairie City, Iowa man was injured in a
snowmobile accident near Fostoria.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Justin Vetter was operating a
snowmobile southbound in the Highway 71 right-of-way around 2 p.m. Saturday when he lost control, causing his snowmobile to roll end-over-end.
Vetter was thrown from the snowmobile. He was taken by ambulance to Spencer
Hospital and then airlifted to McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. The extent of
his injuries were not immediately known.
Vetter’s snowmobile sustained an estimated $1,500 in damage.
The Spencer Hospital Ambulance, Spencer Emergency Response and Fostoria Fire and
Rescue assisted at the scene.
One-vehicle mishap is reported
Feb. 1, 2010
MAGNOLIA - The Minnesota State Patrol investigated a one-vehicle accident at 8:35
a.m. Monday in the eastbound lane of Interstate 90 at the Magnolia exit in Rock
County.
Roger Johnson of Webster, S.D., 62, was driving a 2002 Chevy
van when a semi passed him causing a snow cloud. Johnson drove off the road and
struck a Department of Transportation sign and other marker posts.
Johnson was not injured. Severe damage was reported to his van.
Hendricksen, Hohenstein reign over
winterfest
Feb. 1,
2010
Briel Hendricksen and Alex Hohenstein
Other king candidates were Joel Hartzler, Cody
Christensen and Matt Kocak. Other queen candidates were Stacey Schuller,
Heather Heser and Jaci Runksmeier.
Junior attendants were Natalie Reardon and Brandon Pygman, sophomore
attendants are Abby Buarapha and Jayden Montz and
freshman attendants were Michelle Van Epps and Darick Vancura.
The princess and prince were first-graders Halle
Hunt and Daniel Eggink. Also part of the royalty was Neda Davoudi, a foreign exchange
student from Austria.
Rachel Buresch, accompanied by Ben Connors, sang 'The Best Days.'
Megan Johnson, Jake Johnson and Andrew Paulson performed the song
'Born to Fly.'
Chelsey Mitchell and Levi Buresch were emcees.
