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Narvaez sentenced to 79 months for death of SE woman

ST. PETER — A 39-year-old former Sleepy Eye man accused in the death of a 35-year-old Sleepy Eye woman last fall, received a 79-month sentence in Nicollet County District Court Monday. Casey Dlynn Narvaez pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in an April 1 plea agreement. Felony second-degree intentional murder and aiding suicide charges were dismissed. Charges stem from Oct. 26 911 call at 12:54 a.m. to Nicollet County Dispatch from Narvaez at a Minnesota River boat ramp near Highway 4 who said “it didn’t work,” and “I don’t know why I’m alive.” First ...

Courtland Council discusses drainage issues

COURTLAND — Courtland City Council members on Thursday listened to concerns from residents regarding water drainage issues on their properties. Residents, Tom Suess and John Stadick, expressed concern about water not draining off their properties on Wishbone Way in Courtland. After discussion, the council agreed with Councilman Justin Kraus’ suggestion to have Bolton and Menk’s engineers check the culverts to be sure they are draining properly and to figure out if cleaning the ditches might be a solution. “Be sure they check the culverts on both sides of a driveway as that ...

Comfrey Comets 4-H Club gets Helping Hands Award

BROWN COUNTY — The Comfrey Comets 4-H club recently received a $750 Helping Hands University Extension Service community service grant to be used to purchase fabric to sew gowns for mammography patients at the Allina Health-Springfield Clinic. The Comets will team with local quilting ladies to assist and gain insight into fabric purchasing and patterns in the project called Sewing Kindness in our Community. Brown County 4-H Extension Educator Janessa Palmer shared her thoughts on the grant. “This is the third state-wide grant that the Comfrey Comets 4-H Club has earned in the past ...

Hunter hosts sought for Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener

SLEEPY EYE – All eyes in the pheasant hunting community will be on Sleepy Eye this October and the community is looking for hunting guides to help showcase the community. The community was selected to host the 2024 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener (GPHO), Sat. Oct. 12. The GPHD is part of a weekend of festivities that will showcase many hunting, recreational, and travel opportunities. The actual pheasant hunt is expected to bring hundreds to Sleepy Eye including Gov. Tim Walz. In preparation for the hunt, Sleepy Eye is looking for hunter hosts to help guide those participating ...

Heartland fined $11,200 for air permit violations

WINTHROP — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has fined the Winthrop Heartland Corn Products (HCP) ethanol plant $11,200 for failing emission stack tests. Tests in November 2021 and February 2022 showed the company emitted volatile organic compounds and particulate matter above what is allowed by its permit, according to an April 25 MPCA news release. A carbon dioxide scrubber failed an emission stack test for emitting volatile organic compounds that were 37% above the permitted limit. An investigation confirmed that due to a misinterpretation of pretest numbers, ...

Mental health conference Wednesday

SLEEPY EYE — A waiting list remains open for the South-Central Minnesota Mental Health Conference set for Wednesday, May 1 at the Sleepy Eye Event Center. The free, inaugural conference coordinated by the Brown County Mental Health and Wellness Action Team (MHWAT), is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It includes keynote talks at 9 a.m. by Garrett Ebling, Emily Krekelberg at 10:40 a.m. and Chris DT Gordon at 2:30 p.m. Ebeling of New Ulm and author of “Collapsed: A Survivor’s Climb from the Wreckage of the 35W Bridge,” will talk about reclaiming purpose after trauma. He will share ...