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Job Growth in Mankato

St. Paul (KMKO)-Private sector job growth continues to grow in the greater Mankato area, according to the latest report from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The Metropolitan Statistical Area that includes Blue Earth and Nicollet counties had decreased numbers for the public sector, but increased for the private sector. The greater Mankato area

Jobless Rate Down in Minnesota

St. Paul (AP)-Minnesota's unemployment rate fell two tenths of a point last month, even though employers cut 3100 jobs. The April rate of 5.6% was a point lower than a year earlier. Officials say even though there was a net loss of jobs last month, there has been a gain of nearly 15,000 over the past 12 months. The unemployment rate for the greater Mankato area was 5.1% in

Mankato Road Work

Mankato (KMKO)-The Warren Street closure (between Stadium Road and Maywood Avenue) in Mankato that was originally scheduled for Monday has been closed this morning. The road will be closed for utility construction and is expected to reopen by the end of the day Saturday. A portion of Mulberry Street (between North Division and Hinckley streets) has also been closed for utility construction.

Water Main Break Repair Continues

Mankato (KMKO)-The City of Mankato public works staff continues repair work at the intersection of Cherry and South Front streets where a recent water main break occurred. Engineering staff have evaluated Front Street (from Cherry to Warren streets), Cherry Street (from Second Street to Riverfront Drive) and the mall area. No evidence of additional damage below the street surface was

Click It or Ticket Starting

Nicollet County (KMKO)-The Nicollet County Sheriff's Office is starting it's Click it or Ticket campaign Monday. The office will join other agencies working overtime patrols in an effort to get motorists to comply with the state's primary seat belt law. More than 400 unbelted motorists have died in traffic wrecks in Minnesota over the last three years. That's 43%

River Bend Open House

Mankato (KMKO)-River Bend Academy will hold two open houses next week. The public charter school in Mankato invites students and parents to tour the school and learn more about project-based education. River Bend Academy has small class sizes for children in grades six though 12. The open houses are scheduled for Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00

Relay for Life Fundraiser

Mankato (KMKO)-The WOW Zone is supporting the fight against cancer. A Relay for Life fundraiser will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the WOW Zone. $25 per person will get you three beer tickets and unlimited pizza. $15 will go to the Relay for Life. WOW Zone owner Pam DeMarce tells KMKO she is looking forward to the event as it hits close to home becuase she is a breast cancer

Mankato Marathon Registration

Mankato (AP)-Participants exceed expectations for the Mankato Marathon with over 6,000 registered runners so far this year. Anna Thill, President of the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau, tells KMKO news she's pleased that other participants can see who else is competing.
For more information on how to register, visit mankatomarathon.com.

Mankato Road Work

Mankato (KMKO)-The intersection of Holly Lane and Fair Street is closed so a fire hydrant can be relocated. The intersection is expected to open by the evening. Belle Avenue/Bassett Drive to Kennedy and East Main streets would provide an alternate route. Another project begins on Monday. The Blue Earth County Library in Mankato will begin repair and resurface work on the north

Mankato School Concerts

Mankato (KMKO)-Several concerts are coming up at Mankato schools in the next week. The East High School's "Band Pops Concert," will be held tonight starting at 7:30. Next Tuesday, the spring concert will be held featuring the sixth through 12th grade orchestras from Bridges Community School, Franklin and Garfield elementary schools and East junior and

Assistant Principle Award

Mankato (KMKO)-Mankato East High School may soon have an interim principle in place for the 2012-2013 school year. On Monday, a recommendation will be made to the school board that current Assistant Principle Jeff Dahline be named to the post. Dahline, who has been at East for five years, was recently named Assistant Principle of the Year from the southwest division by the Minnesota

Historic Site Tours

Mankato (KMKO)-Public tours will be held at two historic Mankato buildings to commemorate their new status. The Mankato City Council has approved a recommendation by the Historic Preservation Commission to grant the Historic Blue Earth County Courthouse and the Historic R.D. Hubbard House historic designation. The courthouse tours will take place every 30 minutes from 4:00 to 6:00 this

New Winona State University President

St. Paul (AP)-A current administrator at Minnesota State University Mankato has been named the new president of Winona State University. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees appointed Scott Olson yesterday. Olson is currently the provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Mankato. He becomes the 15the president at Winona State,

Free Speech Lawsuit

Little Falls (AP)-A Little Falls woman is suing the city after officials ordered her to remove the political signs in her yard. Robin Hensel's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, says the city violated her constitutional right to free speech last fall by ordering her to remove the signs, which supported the Occupy Wall Street and peace movements. The city made the move after

Buffalo Invasion

Sibley, Iowa (AP)-If you see some buffalo running loose in Nobles County today, they're fugitives from Iowa. Authorities are still trying to round up some wayward buffalo that escaped from a ranch in northwest Iowa. About 200 buffalo broke out of their pen at the Frick and Joe Buffalo Ranch in Sibley on Sunday. The animals have since been spotted in five counties - Lyon, Osceola, Sioux and

Mankato Woman Drowns

An afternoon on the Blue Earth River floating on inner tubes turned tragic yesterday. Jenny Mae Kraling of Mankato was with three friends when the incident happened about 3:00 pm. Officials say she fell off her inner tube below the Rapidan Dam south of Mankato. Her friends tried to save her, but she never returned to the surface. The dam was turned off as searchers from

Dakota Conflict Lesson

Fifth graders from Mankato's Monroe Elementary School learned about the Dakota Conflict during a special presentation at Reconciliation Park. The program, called "Who are the Dakota", covered the conflict that occurred in 1862 while many young men were in the south fighting the Civil War. When the U.S. government broke its promises to help the starving Indians, the Dakota went

Three Arrested in Mankato Burglary

Three North Mankato men are facing burglary charges from a Monday night incident. A Patrol Lieutenant came upon 19 year old Brandon James Westphal of Madison Lake, 20 year old Florentino Castillejos Jr. of Mankato and 19 year old Conway Joseph Shakal of Albert Lea breaking into units at Arnolds Storage. He held the suspects at gun point until help arrived. The men

Mankato Traffic Update

Traffic is able to travel on the newly paved portion of Madison Avenue from Seventh Street to the south side of Victory Drive. Starting at 9 this morning, a portion of Broad Street from Mulberry to Plum streets will close so a tree may be removed. The closure is to help ensure the public's safety. The road is expected to reopen at the end of the day.

Red Jacket Trestle Unveiling

Come be a part of a historical unveiling in West Mankato. The newly remodeled Red Jacket Trestle will be unveiled at a celebration this Saturday from 10a.m. to noon at the Red Jacket Trail Park along State Highway 66. The trestle was under repairs for the last couple of years due to damage from the 2010 flooding. The Greater Mankato Bike & Walk Advocates and Blue Earthy County are pleased to

U of M Paid Leave Police Change

The University of Minnesota's president is recommending an end to special administrative paid leaves. A Board of Regents committee is considering the policy change recommended by President Eric Kaler for administrators returning to the faculty. Departing executives could take traditional sabbaticals, which would be shorter and pay less. The committee on executive compensation and leaves

New Winona State University President

A new president for Winona State University is expected to be named today. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees meets in St. Paul at 9 a.m. and will decide on two finalists who were interviewed earlier. Before the board announces the new president, it will announce who will serve as a Winona State's interim president. Current president Judith

Twin Cities Hospitals Strike

Workers have authorized a temporary strike at eight Twin Cities hospitals 91% of union members voted in favor of a two to five days strike. The union represents 3,500 nursing assistants, technicians and support staff. The union is required to give 10 days' notice before striking. Neither the union nor its members are commenting as they head back into negotiations today. The two

Minnesota Crop Report

Minnesota farmers are taking advantage of the warm, dry weather. According to the USDA's weekly crop-weather report, corn planting jumped to 88 percent planted, with 45 percent of the crop emerged. Soybeans are 44 percent planted, compared with 7 percent last year and 29 percent for the five-year average. Three percent of soybeans have emerged. Small grains are rated in good

MnSCU Budget Proposal

Officials of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system Board of Trustees considers spending plan today. Under the proposed budget, tuition for full-time students at the 24 state colleges would go up an average of 3.7% to $4,815 annually. Full-time students at the seven state universities would see tuition go up 4.4% to an average of $6,782 annually. MnSCU

Dayton Vetoes Tax Bill

A second attempt by Minnesota Republicans to craft a tax-cut bill has met the same fate as the first. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the yesterday, saying sponsors of the bill didn't abide by his requirement that the cuts be paid for in future years and not add to a projected deficit. Dayton also took issue with the mix of tax breaks, saying businesses made out far better than

Mankato Road Work

The intersection of Cherry and Front Streets in Mankato remain closed for street repair. Extra pavement tests are being done to ensure the road is drivable and safe once it's reopened. Since the weekend water main break in this area was significant, extra precautions are being taken for short- and long-term driving safety. Businesses in the area remain open. In

Envision 2020 Meeting Today

Envision 2020 will hold a meeting this morning at the intergovernmental center in Mankato. It's a long-range community plan that involves hundreds of community stakeholders. The group is focusing on six key performance areas: education, economic development, transportation, health and human services, livability and community planning. Today's meeting deals with the

Peace Officers Memorial Day

Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day, when we honor officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Government offices, many businesses and citizens will lower their flags in remembrance of those who gave their lives. An estimated 140 to 160 officers are killed in the line of duty each year. Todd Miller, Mankato Director of Public Safety, tells KMKO news the memorial day got

Eagle Lake Safety Fair

Eagle Lake is holding a public safety fair today. The event at Eagle Lake Park begins at 5:00 pm with a procession honoring crash victims. It features Blue Earth County Sheriff, Eagle Lake Police and Fire with equipment, South Central Minnesota Emergency Medical Services, Gold Cross Ambulance and helicopters from the Minnesota State Patrol and Mayo One. This is Sgt. Jackie

New Rules for Mankato Parks

The Mankato City Council has heard enough about the incidents at Hiniker Pond Park. After reports of littering and bad behavior, much of it related to alcohol consumption, the council voted last night to tighten rules at the popular park. No glass containers will be allowed, no smoking, alcohol use by permit only, pets allowed only on a leash and a 10:30 pm closing time are the new

Council Gets Air Show Update

The 2012 Minnesota Spectacular Air Show is less than a month away and the Mankato City Council was updated on preparations at last night's meeting. Officials with Verizon Wireless Center outlined the steps being taken to bring the show to Mankato. The Navy's Blue Angels will headline the show, set for June 9th and 10th. Verizon Wireless Center spokesman Burt Lyman spoke

Governor Signs Stadium Bill

The Vikings stadium bill was signed into law yesterday by Governor Mark Dayton. The signing was accompanied by cheers as the team's owners and several state legislators attended the ceremony. The Vikings hope to be playing in the new stadium by 2016. The team will sign a 30 year lease to remain at the site.

Deer Crash into Moorhead Mall

Shoppers at the Moorhead Center Mall got a big surprise over the weekend. A herd of about six white-tailed deer went crashing into windows and doorways at the mall on Saturday. Two of the deer died — one went crashing through a window and another was hit by a minivan and then ran into the front door of a store. The surviving deer made their way back to the river as

Mayo Mount Everest Study

A Mayo Clinic research team is back home in Minnesota after doing research at Mount Everest.
The team left in mid-April and stayed at a base camp until a week ago, then began a 50-mile trip with plans to do 10 days of research. But they returned a couple days early for reasons related
to athletes they were studying. Mayo officials say the highest mountain in the world is a natural lab for

Asian Carp in Minnesota

Minnesota's fishing season is underway, but officials are still worried about invasive species. There's a back door for Asian carp to sneak into Minnesota, and fisheries officials are worried the invaders might have found it already. It runs through Iowa. Commercial fishermen recently netted dozens of Asian carp in northwestern Iowa's Great Lakes. Those waters connect with

Senior Expo Tomorrow

The Eighth Annual Senior Expo is coming tomorrow at Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato. The event features over 100 several exhibit booths, along with live entertainment, medical screenings, door prizes, snacks and beverages. The keynote speaker at this year's event will be legendary Vikings head coach Bud Grant, who's scheduled to speak at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Habitat's ReStore Program

Helping to build homes for families in need is just one of the services provided by Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota. Since its opening five years ago, the organization's ReStore program has diverted 400 tons of building materials from area landfills. Habitat for Humanity has been working in conjunction with area contractors, businesses and the public to make it

Bullying Task Force

A forum on the issue of bullying will be held tonight in North Mankato. The public comment session is open to students, parents and residents from all over south central Minnesota. It's one of only seven meetings scheduled by the Governor's Task Force on the Prevention of Bullying. Several members of the Task Force will be in attendance and school officials are expected

Paving on Madison Avenue

Paving on Madison Avenue (between Seventh Street and Victory Drive) resumed this morning. Intersections of Long and Dane/Swiss streets are closed and are expected to reopen when paving is complete. For more information call engineering staff at 387-8634.

Mankato Bike Award

This is National Bike to Work Week and the greater Mankato area is being honored as a bicycle friendly community. The city is being designated in the bronze award level for being safe and more accessible for bikes. The award by the League of Bicyclists honors the community for working to promote safe biking opportunities in town and along our extensive trails. Paul Vogel is the

Governor Signs Stadium Bill

Governor Mark Dayton will sign the Vikings stadium bill into law today. Dayton has been one of the biggest supporters of the $975 million project, which won final legislative approval Thursday after years of failed attempts. The legislation commits the state to raising $348 million by allowing electronic pull-tabs and bingo in bars and restaurants. There are also backup funding

Bachmann Citizenship

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is giving up her citizenship in Switzerland. The Minnesota Republican said she sent a letter to the Swiss Consulate asking for withdrawal of her Swiss citizenship. She said she wanted to make clear she is 100 percent committed to the United States. A Bachmann spokeswoman said earlier this week that Bachmann had been eligible for Swiss citizenship because her

Mankato Road Work

The Madison Avenue construction project is entering a new phase. Paving got underway this morning on Madison Avenue between Seventh Street and Victory Drive. Beginning today, intersections of Long and Dane/Swiss Streets will be closed and are expected to reopen for weekend accessibility. Starting Monday morning, the same intersections will be closed and are expected to be reopened

Leadership Award

Two Mankato area men have been chosen as participants in the Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program. Sam Ziegler of Good Thunder in Blue Earth County and Randy Wanke of North Mankato were nominated, went through an interview process and were honored to take part in the Class 7. It's a leadership development program designed to develop the skills needed to maximize

MNDOT Mankato Grant

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced a round of grants to six Mankato elementary schools as part of the Safe Routes to School program. The Mankato schools received funds to help in the planning phase to help more children walk and bike to school. Officials say that will mean less traffic on the road and in front of schools, improving safety and promoting healthier

Educare Grant

The Educare Foundation is pleased to announce the approval of one Ed Waltman Mini Grant to help Mankato Area Public Schools offer enhanced educational opportunities to students. The recipient is Rosa Parks Elementary School, which gets $497. Educare is hosting their annual "Toast to Spring" fundraiser at the Mankato Golf Course today starting at 6:30 pm. You can learn more

Mankato Job Growth Ranking

A new study has ranked the Mankato-North Mankato area as having one of the best job markets in the country. NewGeography.com's 2012 Best Cities for Job Growth rankings puts greater Mankato as tops in Minnesota. Nationally, it's at number 80 among all 398 metropolitan statistical areas. Greater Mankato is listed at 52nd in the nation among small sized metro areas, those with

TCF Stadium Agreement

The Vikings have reached an agreement with the University of Minnesota that will allow the NFL team to use TCF Bank Stadium while their new stadium is being built. The deal has the Vikings reimbursing the university for all the changes they need to the facility. The Vikings will pay the U $250,000 for each game played at the stadium.

Viking Bill Goes to Governor

The future of the Vikings in Minnesota is now in the hands of Governor Mark Dayton. The state senate passed a 975 million dollar stadium bill yesterday, hours after the house approved the measure. The bill now awaits the governor's signature. The legislation ties the team to Minnesota for 30 years. The new fixed-roof stadium will be located on the current Metrodome

Reservation Homelessnes

A new study finds that despite housing improvements on Minnesota's Indian reservations, homelessness still persists. Researchers with the nonprofit health and human services
organization Amherst H. Wilder Foundation visited eight of the state's 11 reservations. They found nearly 2,100 people who are homeless or living in crowded conditions with friends or relatives.
The most recent

Fishing Opener

Waconia will host the 2012Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener. Gov. Mark Dayton plans to attend tomorrow's community picnic in Waconia, then fish Lake Waconia just after midnight Saturday, and fish again later Saturday morning. The 3,000-acre lake west of Minneapolis is one of the largest in
the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, second only to Lake Minnetonka. But regional

Task Force in North Mankato

The Governor's Task Force on the Prevention of Bullying is coming to North Mankato on Monday. The public comment session is open to students, parents, and residents from all over south central Minnesota. It's an opportunity for students and adults to share their concerns and solutions together in a common forum. Several members of the Task Force will be in attendance and

Mankato Loyola Fair Trade

Loyola Catholic School in Mankato has been named a Fair Trade School. The designation comes after the school signed a fair trade resolution that pledges to honor certain beliefs. Among those beliefs is that the food and drink we purchase impacts producers and the environment, and producers are often subject to harsh working conditions. By becoming a Fair Trade high school,

Speech Students Honored

The Mankato Rotary Club held its annual Forensics Banquet last night at the Mankato City Center Hotel. The banquet honored students from each high school in Mankato. Loyola students Matt Fink, Wes Otto and Brady Taylor were chosen. Julia Hamann and Rebecca Snapp are the winners from Mankato East. Mankato West was represented by Alexandra Adams, Anna Kate Nolan and Claire

County Commissioners Forum

A group of commissioners from several different counties met yesterday in St. Paul to talk about issues that affect each of them. The Minnesota Inter-County Association is an organization of counties that work together to solve common problems and exchange ideas about ways to improve services. Blue Earth County Commissioners Mark Piepho and Kip Bruender attended yesteday's

South Central Graduation

It's graduation day at South Central College in Mankato. 619 students will receive diplomas in areas involving agriculture, business, construction trades and health. Recent news about college graduates being unable to find work has made many people fearful, but Placement Coordinator Josh Domeier tells us South Central College grads learn skills that are in demand. A

Mankato Road Work

The Madison Avenue project continues to chug along as phases end and begin on the construction. Utility construction began yesterday and is scheduled to be complete by May 24th, weather permitting. Phase 1B, which includes the intersections of Dane/Swiss and Long Street, will be undergoing extensive work to be completed by the 17th. This will cause periodic closings of those streets.

Saturday Food Drive

A food drive will be coming through your neighborhood this Saturday. The US Postal Service will be handling the event. They're asking you to put your donation of non-perishable food items in a bag and leave it by your mailbox. The letter carriers will pick it up on their rounds and transport it to the Echo Food Shelf in Mankato. Several companies are teaming up non profit

Vikings Bill Goes to Senate

Vikings fans may be celebrating later today. The political soap opera surrounding the financing of a new stadium is nearing an end. The Minnesota house early this morning voted in favor of a 975 million dollar bill that was worked out in conference committee. The senate takes up the matter today. The Vikings have agreed to a new plan requiring them to pay $50 million

Fridley Abuse

Police say a Fridley mother and her boyfriend shaved the head of the woman's 12-year-old daughter and made her run up and down the street in a diaper because she wasn't getting good grades.
A neighbor called police Monday night after a crowd of about 50 people had gathered to watch the girl, who was also wearing a tank top. Police Lt. Mike Monsrud says the girl was crying and hysterical

Bachmann Citizenship

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has been granted citizenship in Switzerland.
Bachmann's spokeswoman Becky Rogness says the congresswoman has been eligible for dual citizenship since she married her husband of Swiss descent in 1978. Some of the couple's children wanted to exercise their eligibility for dual citizenship, so they went through the process as a

Mankato East Principle Leaving

Mankato East High School is saying goodbye to its principal. Shane Baier has announced that he's leaving for Spearfish, South Dakota at the end of the school year. Baier, who has been at East High School for nine years, tells KMKO news the he leaves Mankato with fond memories Jeff Dahline has been named interim principle at East High School effective July 1.

Grant Opportunities

Grant opportunities are available for the Region 9 District and an open forum is being held to learn more about companies involved. Region 9 District provides technical assistance to the local units of government in the nine county area of south central Minnesota, including Mankato. The meeting this Thursday is free and open to any organization looking to receive grant funding.

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting

Narcotics Anonymous held a forum this week in Mankato as an opportunity for addicts to get together and share their experiences. The organization is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. It includes recovering addicts who meet on a regular basis to help each other stay clean. The organization has a no-nonsense approach:

Road Projects Continue

Another construction project with cause a road closure in Mankato tomorrow. Starting at 7:00 am, a portion of North Fifth Street (between Lime and Adams streets) will close for utility construction. The road is expected to reopen by the end of next week. Work on the Highway 14 construction project continues this Friday as Nicollet County Road 41 will close at the

Vikings Bill Approved

The Minnesota Senate yesterday approved a plan to build a $975 million stadium for the Vikings.
Senators debated for ten hours before voting 38-28 in favor of the deal. That comes a day after the house approved its own stadium day after the House passed its own bill. The packages will now go to a conference committee, which will work out differences before a final vote can be

Missing St. Peter Patient

St. Peter Police are still looking for a patient reported missing from the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center yesterday. Staff reported just before 2:00 pm that William Pfeffer, Jr. was missing. He's described as a white male, 5'6" tall, weighing 240 pounds with a black beard and a shaved head. He was last seen wearing black pants, a navy blue t-shirt, black

Sexual Abuse Plea

A Stearns County sheriff's deputy has reached a plea deal on charges that he sexually abused three teenagers. Sgt. Phil Memken reached the deal as jury selection was scheduled to begin in Anoka County. Meemken pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of providing alcohol to a minor. He faces probation with possible jail time but no prison time at

Crop Weather Report

Rain and thunderstorms slowed fieldwork in some parts of Minnesota this past week. In its weekly crop weather report for Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says only 11 percent of the state is now short or very short on topsoil moisture, compared with 20 percent a week earlier. But 18 percent of the state now has a topsoil moisture surplus, compared with 3 percent the previous week.

Dogs Join Ash Borer Fight

Minnesota is now using dogs in the battle to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has trained sniffer dogs that can help fight the invasive pests, which threaten ash trees across the state and across the country. The department is partnering with Working Dogs for Conservation, which has experience in detecting invasive species and has found

Property Tax Due

Nicollet County residents, here's a friendly reminder that your bill is due. County Auditor-treasurer Bridgette Kennedy wants proper owners to know that the deadline for first half property tax payments is May 15th, which is one week from today. You can make payments by mail, in person at the Nicollet county government center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or at the county's web site

West High School Donation

The parents of a former Mankato West track star have honored the memory of their daughter. Randall and Patricia Appel have donated $10,000 to put up a new scoreboard at the school. The announcement at last night's school board meeting memorializes Kandyce Stoffel. The 23 year old woman died in October 2010 after being hit by car in Minneapolis.

Dakota Meadows Book Fair

Here's an opportunity to stock up on books for you children's summer reading list. The Dakota Meadows Middle School in North Mankato is holding a scholastic book fair today and tomorrow. It's a big sale, with twice the normal number of books available at a book fair. They also have a two for one special. The sale will be held in the Dakota Meadows gymnasium, so

Funding Bills Pass House and Senate

The Minnesota House has passed a bill to fund public works projects across the state, including two projects in the Mankato area. The $566 million measure includes funding for Minnesota State University – Mankato and the St. Peter campus of the Minnesota Security Hospital. The St. Peter Regional Treatment Center would receive $3.6 million for design and initial construction of

Stadium Bill Clears House

A plan to build a stadium for the Minnesota Vikings has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The state house last night approved a plan to build a $975 million stadium for the Vikings, but there is a big change. The bill would require the team to pay 532 million dollars, which would mean the state would chip in 105 million dollars less than what was planned under the first

Nelson Named New East Volleyball Coach

Mary Nelson has been named head girls' volleyball coach for Mankato East High School. Nelson has coached at Moorhead and West High Schools and the International School of Stavanger in Norway. She also was the assistant track coach at East. Nelson has two years of service with Mankato Area Public Schools.

MVAC Has New Home

MVAC will have a new 5 million dollar home. The Minnesota Valley Action Council purchased the old Shopko building, where Johnson fishing was located on victory drive across from Madison East Center. MVAC will occupy 2/3rds of the building while Again thrift and more, which is an MVAC operation, will move to the rest of the space. MVAC provides services to low-income individuals such as heating

Two Mankato Teens Reach Plea Deal In Shooting

Two teenagers arrested after a March 6 drive-by shooting in Mankato have reached plea deals with prosecutors. An agreement with one of the teens also requires he provide information about the shooting to investigators. That information will likely be used against 18-year-old Alexander Rapheal Marxen, the adult facing attempted murder charges for allegedly being the shooter. Marxen is accused of

Mankato Losses Out On Bonding

Mankato's Civic Center expansion is noticeably absent from both of the Republican spending proposals in the Legislature. But the Senate's $496 million bonding bill includes a few similar projects that have local leaders a little upset. Despite a lobbying effort back in February, it looks like Mankato will end up empty-handed in Minnesota's 2012 bonding bill at this point in the

Brown Co. Farms Robbed

Brown County authorities are asking for your help in solving a rash of recent burglaries. Officials say the crimes have occurred on various farmsteads, involving intruders going into houses looking for valuables. Roughly 10 of these incidents have occurred within the past month. Sheriff Rich Hoffman of Brown County says his department is investigating the burglaries. One particular suspect was

New North Mankato Polls

There will be some changes this election year to polling locations in North Mankato. After redistricting was finalized by the state, new polling locations were decided at the March 19th North Mankato city council meeting. The number of polling locations was drastically cut down. There will now be seven polling places available to voters, That's down from the 12 in previous years. Some of the

Ove Court Appearance

The St. Peter man accused of kidnapping and assaulting his ex-girlfriend earlier this month turned himself in to authorities Tuesday. Nielsen Ove made an appearance in Blue Earth County court this morning. Bail was set at $50,000.00 with conditions. After yesterday's hearing, Ove's defense attorney addressed the media. Calvin Johnson said, "He asserts his

Brown Co. Burn Ban

Brown County officials are sending a message to area residents. That message, NO OPEN FLAME. A burning ban has been implemented county-wide due to warm weather and low precipitation levels. High winds, and low moisture have set the scene for the risk of wildfire. Officials say the burning restriction will remain in effect until the winds subside and precipitation levels increase.

Local Boy Found

11 year old Desmond Pickens, of Mankato, who was reported missing by his mother on Monday, March 26, has returned home. Pickens had gone to a friend's home and did not return. When the parent realized Desmond was missing the contacted the Department Of Public Safety. The boy was missing for about 18 hours. Desmond Pickens was last seen about 5:30pm Monday evening. His mother, Gailina

Tweeten Headed To L.A Again

She already made it to the national stage once with American Idol, now it’s her second time to be recognized nationally. Mankato’s Shelby Tweeten is heading back to L.A. for the 16th Annual “Erasing the Stigma Mental Health Leadership Awards” next month at the Beverly Hilton. Shelby talked openly on American Idol about her Bipolar Disorder and officials of Didi Hirsch

New Local Artwork!

The cities of Mankato and North Mankato will be seeing some new sculptures in a couple months. In fact 34 of them will be in the downtown area. Last year the first City Art walking Sculpture tour was introduced to the area to attract more visitors to the downtown area of Mankato and North Mankato. 25 sculptures where in a variety of locations. 10,000 plus people in the past year have picked up a

Tools Returned To Blue Earth Co.

Blue Earth County is getting some of it’s stolen property back. 2 years ago 140 tools were stolen out of a county building. Timothy Garth Hansen Sr. was arrested in 2010 after being accused of receiving stolen property. Police always had their suspicions that he played a major role in the theft. As apart of the plea deal Hansen agreed to return some of the tools he received. Sheriffs

North Mankato Lotto Bonus

North Mankato business is about to get a nice chunk of change after selling a winning lottery ticket. PJ's Liquor is slated to see a $10,000 bonus after dishing out a slip of paper that made one area family nearly $3 million richer. The business owner says he's not sure what he'll do with the money yet. But one employee at the store was all smiles as he thought

Accident In Nortm Mankato

One person was taken to the hospital this morning after an accident on Highway 169. It happened about 8:00 a.m. in North Mankato at the Webster Avenue intersection. A 2005 Freightliner semi driven by 61 year-old Jerome Flink, of Colby, Wisconsin, rear-ended a 1995 Chevy pickup. The driver of the Chevy, a 79 year-old Mankato man, needed extrication before being taken

Auto Body Contest

South Central Community College is hosting a well known auto body competition tomorrow. SCC has been trying to get the SkillsUSA Minnesota State Leadership and Skills Conference to the school for years. Even though the SkillsUSA competition has never been to SCC the event is not new to students who study auto body. Students from the college have preformed well in the past, one student has even

February Jobs Up!

The cities of Mankato and North Mankato received some good news yesterday. The employment rates have gone up last month. Minnesota employers added 6,200 jobs in February, with the Mankato area leading the way. Year over year job growth in the greater Mankato area rose 4% in February - the highest rate in the state according to figures released Thursday morning by the Minnesota

West Students Build Bird Houses

Mankato West students are showing off their artistic side while helping the community. The students in the visual art class were given a famous artists painting and told to recreate that onto a bird house. The bird houses will be auctioned off at the Habitat for Humanity’s “Home Tweet Home” event next month. If you are interested in bidding on one of these bird houses, the event

Mankato Man Transfered To Rochester

A man that was hit by a vehicle Tuesday night has been transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital in. 57 year old Kim Chapman was walking across 2nd street at around 8pm when he was struck by driver Joan Hertel. Chapman remains in critical condition.

Mankato Kidnapping Update

MORE DETAILS ARE BEING RELEASED IN A KIDNAPPING CASE IN MANKATO. NIELSEN FRANCIS OVE, WHO’S HAS BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE SUNDAY, IS ACCUSED OF STALKING AND BEATING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND. POLICE HAVE LEARNED THAT OVE HAD STARTING BEATING HIS GIRLFRIEND OVER A YEAR AGO AND SHE HAS BEEN TRYING TO END THE RELATIONSHIP. IT ALL CAME TO A HEAD WHEN THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT WHEN OVE'S EX-GIRLFRIEND

Accident Victim Injured

AN ACCIDENT ON TUESDAY NIGHT HAS LEFT ONE MAN IN THE HOSPITAL. JOAN HERTEN WAS DRIVING AT 8PM NORTHBOUND ON 2ND STREET WHEN SHE HIT 57 YEAR OLD KIM CHAPMAN. HERTEL SAID SHE DIDN’T SEE CHAPMAN IN THE ROADWAY. THE RAINY CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD THAT NIGHT ALSO MADE IT HARD FOR HERTEL TO DO ANYTHING TO PREVENT THE CRASH. CHAPMAN REMAINS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

Mankato Burglary Busted

A POLICE OFFICER INTERRUPTED AT BURGLARY ON TUESDAY IN MANKATO, THE OFFICER WAS ON PATROL IN THE 1800 BLOCK OF POHL ROAD WHEN HE SAW A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE SAW THE OFFICER IT FLED THE AREA AND THE OFFICER THEN INITIATED A TRAFFIC STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ONE SUSPECT GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND FLED. 2 OTHER SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED AT THE SCENE. 40 YEAR OLD ROGER JOHN

Former Lake Crystal Coach

A FORMER BASKETBALL COACH FROM LAKE CRYSTAL WELCOME MEMORIAL PLEADED GUILTY TO 5 FELONY CHARGES OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT. STEVE CAMPBELL HAS ALREADY SERVED 63 DAYS IN JAIL FOR HAVING A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE OF THE GIRLS ON HIS BASKETBALL TEAM IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER OF 2010. CAMPBELL WAS 28 AT THE TIME WHILE THE STUDENT WAS 17. THE VICTIM’S PARENTS TOLD THE JUDGE IN THE CASE

Tornado in Elysian

A TORNADO PACKING WINDS UP TO 85 MPH, TOUCHED DOWN IN ELYSIAN MONDAY NIGHT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS THE TWISTER WAS UP TO 100 YARDS WIDE. THE STORM LEFT BEHIND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE IN ITS WAKE AS MANY RESIDENTS SPENT THE DAY PICKING UP THE PIECES. 44 FAMILIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE STORM, BUT OFFICIALS SAY NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES WERE REPORTED. SHINGLES RIPPED FROM

Nibbe Case Update

THERE ARE MORE DELAYS IN THE JENNIFER NIBBE TRIAL. PROSECUTERS AND NIBBES DEFENSE TEAM MEET WITH DISTRICT COURT JUDGE BRADLY WALKER YESTERDAY. THE REASON FOR THE DELAY IS BECAUSE OF WITNESSES. THEY NEED TO FIND A TIME THAT WORKS FOR MOST OF THEM. JUROR QUESTIONAIRES WERE SUPPOSE TO GO OUT LAST WEEK BUT THOSE WERE DELAYED BECAUSE THE DEFENSE WANTED TO USE A HEAT OF PASSION MURDER DEFENSE, WHICH

FBI In Mankato

THE FBI IS IN MANKATO. EACH YEAR THE FBI SELECTS DIFFERENT CITIES TO AUDIT. THE AUDIT INCLUDES RECORD KEEPING, AND CRIME STAT REPORTING. YESTERDAT THE FBI FOUND ONLY 1 MINOR DISCREPENCY THAT HAD TO DEAL WITH AN ARSON CASE. TODAY THE FBI WILL CONDCUT A SECURITY SWEEP OF PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS AND LOOK AT RECORD KEEPING ACCESS .ALL IN ALL THE FBI IS PLEASED WITH THE MANKATO DEPARTMENT OF

High Speed Chase For Mankato Man

A 47 YEAR OLD MANKATO MAN IS IN CUSTODY TODAY AFTER FLEEING OFFICERS IN A MULTIPLE COUNTY CAR CHASE. JAMES ALLEN EIRING WAS BEING CHASED BY 4 DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHEN EVENTUALLY HE PULLED OVER IN SIBLEY COUNTY. ONCE PULLED OVER EIRING GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND PULLED A KNIFE AND MADE STABBING MOTIONS TOWARD OFFICERS. EIRING WAS HEARD SHOUTING AT OFFICERS “WHY DON’T YOU

Blue Angels Need Help

WITH THE BLUE ANGELS PREPARING TO LAND IN MANKATO THIS SUMMER, THERE IS ONE DEFICIENCY ON THE PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST FOR THE UPCOMING AIRSHOW, AND THAT'S VOLUNTEERS. SPOKESPEOPLE SAY 450 VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED EVERY DAY DURING THE EVENT. SO FAR, ONLY 50 OR SO PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP. VOLUNTEERS NEED TO BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE AND AVAILABLE FOR A MINIMUM OF SIX HOURS. GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS WITH

North Mankato City Buys Building

A LOWER NORTH MANKATO BUILDING THAT’S SEEN MORE THAN 100 POLICE CALLS IN THE PAST DECADE WILL BE PURCHASED BY THE CITY AND TORN DOWN. THE 815 PARK AVE. BUILDING, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF PARK AVENUE AND LAKE STREET, IS THE LAST REMNANT OF AN OLD COMMERCIAL AREA. CITY ADMINISTATOR WENDELL SANDE SAID THE ADDRESS — WHICH IS ABOUT ONE LOT OFF OF BELGRADE AVENUE — HAS BEEN

Kidnapping Suspect Sought

MANKATO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP TODAY IN FINDING A KIDNAPPING SUSPECT. POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE 1300 BLOCK OF SOUTHHAVEN DRIVE AROUND 6:30 SUNDAY MORNING. AUTHORITIES SAY THE ALLEGED VICTIM WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE WHEN HER EX-BOYFRIEND DROVE UP AND PERSUADED HER TO COME OUT AND TALK IN HIS TRUCK. THE VICTIM TOLD POLICE THAT HE ENDED UP HOLDING HER

Govenor Visit To Local Schools

GAMBLING MONEY MEANT TO PAY FOR SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS TO THE CAPITOL WAS STOLEN. NOW - THE CAPITOL IS COMING TO THEM. GOVERNOR MARK DAYTON'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED MONDAY AFTERNOON THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL BE VISITING SIXTH GRADE CLASSES AT GARFIELD AND FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TUESDAY AFTERNOON. WE TOLD YOU THAT SOMEONE STOLE $2,300 FROM THE PULL TAB FUND

Nibbe Trial

EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER JENNIFER NIBBE ADMITTED TO INVESTIGATORS THAT SHE SHOT HER HUSBAND AS HE SLEPT IN THEIR BED, HER ATTORNEYS ARE PROVIDING GRAPHIC DETAILS ABOUT WHY THEY PLAN TO TELL A JURY SHE IS NOT GUILTY OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER. IF A JURY FINDS SHE ACTED IN THE HEAT OF PASSION, NIBBE COULD BE FOUND NOT GUILTY OR CONVICTED OF A LESSER CHARGE OF FIRST-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER.

Les Koppendrayer

FOR VARIOUS REASONS RECENTLY, LES KOPPENDRAYER DECIDED HIS TIME AS PRINCIPAL WOULD COME TO AN END AFTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR AT FRANKLEN ELEMENTARY. HE IS ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT DUE TO THE RULE OF 90, WHEN FULL RETIREMENT BENEFITS KICK IN WHEN A PERSON’S YEARS OF SERVICE PLUS THEIR AGE EQUALS 90. KOPPENDRAYER IS QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT HE AND THE STAFF ARE CLOSE, AND HE WILL MISS THEM GREATLY.

Tyler Heilman

AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE FATHER OF TYLER HEILMAN, WHO WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY A LE SUEUR COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY, IS FIGHTING REQUESTS BY THE COUNTY TO DISCLOSE MEDICAL RECORDS, CRIMINAL RECORDS, AND EMPLOYMENT RECORDS. TYLER HEILMAN WAS 24 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS SHOT BY DEPUTY TODD WALDRON OUTSIDE A KASOTA APARTMENT COMPLEX IN JULY 2009. AFTER A GRAND JURY DECIDED AGAINST INDICTING WALDRON

Climbing Wall

CONSTRUCTION OF THE $150,000 CLIMBING WALL AT MSU WILL BEGIN TOWARD THE END OF MAY, AFTER THE END OF SPRING SEMESTER, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY JULY 9. THE 2,000 SQUARE-FOOT WALL WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD 12 CLIMBERS AT ONCE AND WILL HAVE A FOAM LANDING SURFACE AT ITS BASE. TWELVE PEOPLE WILL BE HOLDING THE ROPES FOR USERS. THE STRUCTURE WILL BE BUILT IN THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF MYERS, ADJACENT

AUDIO -- Mankato Marathon Seeking Submissions For 2012 Race Print

(2/27/12) MANKATO (KMKO) -- The Mankato Marathon is offering a $500 commission to the artist who creates the winning designed for the 2012 commemorative print.

Upcoming Concerts For Mankato Area Pulbic Schools

(2/27/12) MANKATO (KMKO) -- Here are the upcoming concerts scheduled at Mankato Area Public Schools.

READ EMAIL -- Man Banned From Schools For Inappropriate Videotaping

(2/14/12) MANKATO (KMKO) -- A 58-year-old Waseca County man has been banned from attending any future Mankato Public School functions after he was caught inappropriately videotaping a player at a recent Mankato West girls basketball game.

AUDIO -- Shelby Tweten Talks About Her Idol Experience

(2/24/12) NORTH MANKATO (KMKO) -- Shelby Tweten's run on American Idol may be over but it appears her adventure is just beginning.

Mankato Mail Processing Center To Close

(2/23/12) MANKATO (KMKO) -- The U. S. Postal Service announced Thursday they are planning to close Mankato's Summit Avenue mail processing facility.

Semi Rolls Over In Nicollet

(2/15/12) NICOLLET (TEC News) -- Law enforcement and firemen are at the scene this morning of a semi rollover in Nicollet at the intersection of Highways 14 and 99.

Children Running Around Parking Lot Results In Charges For Mom

(2/13/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- A mom from Marshall is facing child neglect and endangerment charges after a human service worker saw children running around last month in the parking lot of TJ Maxx in Mankato.

Amboy Man Busted With Child Porn Now Facing Drug Charges

(2/13/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- An rural Amboy man charged last week for possession of child pornography and for being a felon in possession of a firearm is now facing a whole new set of charges.

Charges Filed For Sibley Park Drug Bust

(2/13/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- Mankato police say they found a "container" with marijuana inside a woman's underwear when she was arrested last Thursday morning for drug possession after hours at Sibley Park.

Plan Calls For Property Owners To Pay Cost Of Burying Power Line

(2/13/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- The Mankato City Council tonight will be asked to approve a plan requiring Xcel Energy to bury power lines from 7th Street to Highway 22 during this summer's reconstruction of Madison Avenue.

Mankato Police Beat

(2/10/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- Domestic assault arrest and drug arrest highlight Thursday's Mankato Police Briefing with the media.

STOCKAct Passes US House

(2/10/12) WASHINGTON (TEC News) -- The U.S. House on Thursday approved Congressman Tim Walz's STOCK Act on a 417-2 vote.

UPDATED -- Judge Rules Nibbe Murder Confession Will Stand

(2/8/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- A judge has ruled that a majority of statements made by a Lake Crystal woman to investigators looking into her husband's murder will be allowed in front of a jury.

Woman Arrested After Refusing To Pull Over For Police

(2/7/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- A civil disagreement at a rural Good Thunder residence last Friday ended with a woman being arrested for refusing to pull her van over for a Blue Earth County Sheriff squad car.

Bar Argument Prompts Man To Break Into Residence

(2/6/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- A Waseca man was arrested early Sunday morning after he allegedly broke into the apartment of his girlfriend's daughter.

Where Can I Caucus On Tuesday?

(2/6/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is anticipating a "very large turnout" for Tuesday's non-binding Minnesota precinct caucuses.

AUDIO -- Le Sueur County Sheriff Issued Ice Advisory For Lakes

(1/31/12) LE CENTER (TEC News) -- With temperatures again pushing into the 40's, Le Sueur County is "strongly recommending" that there be no further vehicle travel on any Le Sueur County lakes.

Accused Murderer Of MSU Co-ed Expected In Court Today

(1/31/12) MANKATO (TEC News) -- The 20-year-old man accused of murdering his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend will be in court today.

AUDIO -- Despite Scandal Sheriff Says Public Supportive

AUDIO (1/27/12) LUVERNE (TEC News) -- Rock County Sheriff Even Verbrugge says residents have been supportive of his department while one deputy is under investigation for allegedly receiving inappropriate photos on his cell phone from a 16-year-old girl he was having a sexual relationship with.