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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 ...

SE FFA Chapter named Minn. Premier Chapter

SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter and its many members have won many awards through the years, at regional, state and national levels. This year, it reached the pinnacle of state FFA chapter awards, finishing first in the Minnesota Premier FFA Chapter contest at the 95th Minnesota FFA ...

4 fire departments respond to rural SE fire

SLEEPY EYE — Rural Sleepy Eye resident Dean Domeier said he was burning brush Wednesday afternoon when the fire quickly consumed an abandoned residence, old cars and a grove of trees just south of CR 24, a couple miles west of State Highway 4. “I was just burning a brush pile. The next ...

Troublesome beaver poses challenge for trapper clearing county ditch

BROWN COUNTY — Comfrey trapper Matt Bowman said he likes trapping beaver, but a beaver may have escaped Bowman’s efforts in Mulligan Township by taking his trap earlier this month. “It’s a challenge. I enjoy it. I grew up around it. It gets me outside with Mother Nature. I’ve trapped since I was young,” said Bowman. Commissioners unanimously approved paying Bowman, who is the Watonwan County Public Works crew chief and highway inspector, $280 for the beaver trapping and ditch clean-out, motion by Commissioner Brian Braun, seconded by Tony Berg. On April 17, Bowman trapped ...