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Nicollet looking for new maintenance worker

The Nicollet City Council on Monday gave the personnel committee the go ahead to pursue a new maintenance employee. During the meeting, it was announced that Josh Anderson will be leaving the position on March 9. He has worked for the city since 2007. The committee members — Councilman Kevin Ostermann and Councilwoman Mary Wels — worked with Darin Drill, public works maintenance supervisor, to write an updated job description for the position. The council reviewed the job description during the meeting. Councilman Phil Radel suggested the new hire could possibly go to Iowa for two ...

Winnebago mayor, son arrested after drug raid

WINNEBAGO — Winnebago Mayor Scott Robertson and his son Jacob Robertson were arrested Thursday following a drug raid on three Winnebago properties. The Robertsons were transported to the Faribault County Jail for alleged cultivation of marijuana offenses, according to a South Central Drug Investigative Unit (SCDIU) news release. About 240 plants believed to be marijuana and many other items of evidence were seized at 15/17 Main Street, 522 1st Ave. S.W. and 18195 340th Avenue. An investigation by the SCDIU, Faribault County Sheriff’s Office, Faribault County Attorney’s Office ...

FBI arrests Redwood Falls man on federal charges

REDWOOD FALLS — The FBI arrested a 40-year-old Redwood Falls man at his workplace Wednesday for illegally possessing ammunition. Following an FBI year-long anti-terrorist probe, Andrew David Munsinger was arrested on federal charges. He has prior methamphetamine sale convictions that bar him from firearms or ammunition possession. Munsinger is in Sherburne County Jail custody. He appeared in federal court in St. Paul Wednesday where a judge ordered him to remain detained prior to Feb. 12 hearing and preliminary examination. Several hours after Munsinger was arrested, a SWAT ...

Former payroll clerk for Nicollet schools accused of overpaying herself $32k

NICOLLET — A 57-year-old Winthrop woman who formerly did payroll work at Nicollet Public School faces eight felony charges for allegedly overpaying herself $32,462.49 from January 2021 to May 2023. One felony count of embezzlement of public funds and seven counts of felony theft were filed Feb. 2 in Nicollet County District Court against Lisa Cheryl Bode, 57, of Winthrop. According to court documents, the Nicollet Public School superintendent contacted Nicollet County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jared Thelemann June 16, 2023. The superintendent said an employee, Bode, was believed to have ...

Sleepy Eye ECFE receives $11.5k project grant

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye Early Childhood Family Education was awarded a $11,500 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) Jan. 23 Sleepy Eye ECFE was among 32 organizations receiving $393,000 in early childhood project grants. A $10,000 grant was also awarded to the Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center Association. Megan Koenigs, Sleepy Eye ECFE instructor said funds will be used for early childhood program screening at summer preschool and visits to children’s homes and daycare sites. “Our goal is to help families by giving small children height, weight, ...

Absentee voting begins

NEW ULM — Absentee voting for the March 5 Presidential Nomination Primary (PNP) is open. In-person absentee voting began Jan. 19. Hours at 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Brown County Auditor-Treasurer’s (AT) Office on the courthouse second floor. The AT office offers ...