aaronz

CHANHASSEN (LEARFIELD) - Spring flooding is likely across Minnesota this year. The National Weather Service office in Chanhassen's hydrologist Craig Schmit says the amount of moisture in the soil means that there is a chance some areas of the state that haven't seen flooding in recent years, may deal with it. "Of course the main factors are going to be what kind of snow pack we end up with and then what our melt looks like," said Schmit. "What kind of temperature profile we end up with in March and whether we get more snow while the melt is going on, [...]

HANLEY FALLS (KMHL) – A rural Hanley Falls man was airlifted after a tractor accident that occurred west of Hanley Falls Friday evening. The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s office says Joshua Kruckman, 30, of Hanley Falls was struck by a tractor at his residence on 210th Avenue. Authorities say Kruckman was airlifted to have his injuries treated. Sheriff’s officials say the incident happened around 9:30 Friday night.

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD)  --  State health officials are reporting a second child death from flu-related illness in Minnesota. The latest update shows ten people died of influenza complications in the week ending February 15th, bringing the season total to 58. There were 307 hospitalizations last week and 60 flu outbreaks in Minnesota schools.  Influenza activity is still considered widespread in the state.

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - Senate Republicans are pushing to give one billion dollars of the state's expected budget surplus back to Minnesotans by reducing the lowest income tax rate, expanding the K-12 education tax credit and eliminating state income tax on Social Security benefits -- plus tax relief for farmers and other measures. "The only folks up here that are not truly represented by special interests are all those people who pay the bills," said Chamberlain. "We are going to fully and adequately represent the workers and the taxpayers and the people who pay the bills in the state of Minnesota." [...]

CURRIE (KMHL) – The Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership program is leaving for Cambodia today. Currie resident Krista Kopperud, is in the class and is heading on the trip. She says they’ve been preparing for the trip for months. "I have been looking forward to this trip since last June, even before," said Kopperud. "We found out last June when we were all in Duluth and ever since that we've been preparing individually and as a group to head over there." Kopperud says they’ll study each country’s domestic policies, cultures and customs. In all, around 28 people are going on the [...]

IVANHOE (KMHL) –  Authorities say there was a rash of vehicle break-ins in Lake Benton Sunday night. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says they have received several reports of vehicles that were broken into or rummaged through Sunday evening. Sheriff’s officials are asking residents that if they noticed their vehicles were tampered with or if they’re missing anything to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at (507) 694-1664.

WOOD LAKE (KMHL) – It’s the lowest of the low! Authorities in Yellow Medicine County are looking for information after two churches were broken into last week. Sheriff's officials say one of the break-ins occurred at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wood Lake. Investigators say a Farm-All model tractor in a wood and glass case was taken and two brass candle holders, a backpack and pieces of a silver tea set were taken as well. Authorities also say a men’s gray jacket, brass offering plates and a brass cross were stolen from Peace Lutheran Church in Echo. Anyone who has any information [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – Marshall will be getting a new outdoor ice rink. The Minnesota Wild and U.S. Bank announced that Marshall and Duluth are the winners of the outdoor rink contest. The Wild held an online contest seeking submissions for communities in need of a rink. The team then chose finalists and fans had the chance to vote. That fan voting contest took place between Jan. 30 and Feb. 15. Marshall finished first receiving 34,168 votes while Duluth was second with 32,323. "We are positively overwhelmed by the incredible response from every community that participated," said Carin Anderson, Minnesota Wild Senior [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - Minnesota House Democrats this week proposed using 500 million dollars of the state's expected budget surplus to beef-up early childhood education programs, including pre-K, scholarships and childcare assistance. Governor Tim Walz indicates he's not passing judgment yet on whether there's room in the surplus to do that, but isn't opposed to the idea either. "This is an area that Minnesotans agree upon, it's smart, it's near and dear to my heart, world-class quality education," said Gov. Walz. Walz says he's waiting to see what the next budget forecast says later this month. Republicans want to send a [...]

ST. PETER (LEARFIELD) - A longtime fixture of the St. Peter community appears to have been destroyed in a large Sunday morning fire. Photos shared online by witnesses along with political leaders show the KingPins bowling alley sustaining damage in a large fire. In a Facebook post, the City of St. Peter confirmed the blaze and added, "This doesn’t look good at all." According to the alley’s website, the 12-lane alley has been around since 1962, becoming known as KingPins in 2011.