A Level Three sex offender is moving to Waseca. It will happen sometime this week. 36-year-old Mark Wayne Petersen is moving from Waterville. He will live on the 300 block of 2nd St NW. Waseca Police say Petersen was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2003. They say Petersen “engaged in sexual contact with a known female teenager." A community notification meeting will be scheduled.

State Rep. Jack Considine (DFL – Mankato) announced that he will not seek reelection to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020. Rep. Considine, a third-term lawmaker serving Mankato and Eagle Lake, thanked constituents for the honor to serve them at the State Capitol. Prior to his election in 2014, Rep. Considine served 16 years on the Mankato City Council. Professionally, he’s worked as a behavior analyst at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter and as a jail program coordinator and counselor for the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Department. He encourages constituents to remain in touch with their viewpoints throughout [...]

“ASK A TROOPER” by Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol   Question: I heard DWI arrests are declining, is this this true? What about non-alcohol related DWI arrests? Answer: While alcohol-related DWI incidents have dropped over the past 10 years in Minnesota, controlled substance-related DWI incidents have increased over the past 30 years. Controlled Substance Convictions 1990: 5 controlled substance-related DWIs 1997: 128 2007: 659 2017: 1,982 We believe that most drivers know to get a sober ride when they had consumed too many alcoholic beverages. Illicit and some prescription medications can also affect our ability to safely operate a [...]

On February 25th at 4:55 PM, deputies from the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on Nicollet County Road 20 south of 358th Street in Lake Prairie Township, north of St. Peter. A 2009 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 33-year-old Nathan Holtz of Le Sueur, was traveling northbound and collided with a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 31-year-old Travis Holtz of St Peter, that was traveling southbound. After the collision, the Silverado rolled into the ditch. Both drivers were transported to the hospital by ambulance for non-life threatening injuries. The Sheriff says it is believed that Nathan was [...]

Firefighters from several departments were called around 4:30 Tuesday morning to a fire believed to have originated in or near Raapers (rappers) Eatery and Ale building in Alexandria. Reports indicate the fire also affected three other buildings including RM Tattoo, Charlies' Bazaar and Little Darlings. Quincy Roers works at nearby Roers Bakery just north of the fire: "Smoke coming out of one of the apartment windows above Raapers -- there were squad cars already sitting there so we knew they were aware of the situation. And from there it escalated smoke started pouring out of every single opening and window available." [...]

Sound off on plans for Riverfront Drive in Mankato. The city says you can view a virtual demonstration and provide feedback on three improvement options for the Riverfront Drive corridor: Four-lane with parking on the east side only. Four-lane with no parking. Three-lane with parking on both sides. The study is designed to help address pedestrian safety, speed issues for safety and freight and local access for businesses. In addition to online feedback, residents may call 311.

The public can look at the Environmental Review of a proposed Mankato Motorsports Park Comments about the review will be accepted March 2 through April 1. It will be located in the City of Eagle Lake.  The project will be constructed on property currently in agricultural use, approximately 230 acres in size. Copies of the review, which document the purpose and need for the project, along with the anticipated social, economic, and environmental impacts, are available for the public beginning March 2.

Area farmers will meet with Ag Commissioner, Attorney General During Farm Crisis Forum. It takes place Feb. 29 in Mankato It goes 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. Land Stewardship Project member-farmers from across Minnesota, other rural residents, Minnesota Commissioner Thom Petersen and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will be there. Land Stewardship members will be there to present them a petition that calls for numerous policy changes as well as enforcement of current law as it relates to the structure of agribusiness. Participants in the Farm Crisis Forum will take part in small group discussions and share [...]

Senator Rich Draheim of Madison Lake introduces a bill to increase awareness of school bus stop arms. The Minnesota Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee held a hearing regarding school bus safety and the dangers of not stopping for school bus stop signs. The legislation would create a public relations campaign to convey the importance of stopping once a school bus has its stop sign extended and help highlight the shocking amount of infractions occurring in our state. Each year, the Department of Public Safety conducts a one-day survey where they request all school bus drivers report how many stop-arm violations [...]

At 7 a.m., Wednesday (February 26) portions of Belleview Avenue in Mankato (between Woodshire Drive and Swiss Street) will close for utility repair. Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen Friday (February 28).