WINTHROP — Winthrop City Administrator/EDA (Economic Development Authority) Director Michael Looft is smiling a lot these days. The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved a $20,000 grant to fund an eNavigator position to provide regional entrepreneurial guidance ...

NEW ULM — The upside-down Christmas Tree in German Park will be coming down early in the new year, but will likely return next holiday season along with the Weihnachts Markt. The tree was initially hung in German Park back in November. The 40‑foot blue spruce, displayed inverted in German ...

SIBLEY COUNTY — The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the second-degree murder conviction of Travis Joel Bauer earlier this month. Bauer, 49, of Winthrop, was found guilty by a Sibley County jury Oct. 22, 2024 in the September 2022 shooting death of Dennis Weitzenkamp, 79, of Winthrop. The ...

NEW ULM — Free short-term radon test kits are available while supplies last beginning Monday, Jan. 5 at the Brown County Public Health Office, 1117 Center and at Sleepy Eye, Springfield and Comfrey City Hall. More than 70% of Brown County homes tested have elevated radon levels, according to ...

1.) Four major housing projects get started NEW ULM – In 2025, New Ulm saw a spike in housing projects. The New Ulm Planning Commission and New Ulm City Council reviewed and approved the start of two apartment projects on the Highland Avenue corridor: a new combination storage/dwelling ...

NEW ULM — One year after a hit-and-run crash left her critically injured, Michaela Howk has resumed physical training and is preparing for distance running events in 2026. “Since being discharged from physical therapy in October, I’ve been steadily rebuilding my strength and ...