Fairmont speech team competes

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Area School speech team recently competed in several tournaments.

The National Qualifying Tournament was held at Century High School in Rochester. Making it to the semi-final round were Ben Hernes and Emma Koehler in duo interpretation; and Emma Koehler in program oral interpretation.

The team also went to the Wildcat Invitational at Eagan High School. Lexi Fischer placed fourth in the final round of creative expression. Students placing in the final round were Eric Head, sixth place in creative expression; and Apoorva Komaragiri and Izzy Munsch, sixth place in duo interpretation.

The Big South Conference tournament was in New Ulm. The Cardinals took second place in the team sweepstakes with 126 points.

Results were: first place — Emily Kerekes in extemporaneous reading and Ben Hernes in prose reading; second place — Eric Head in creative expression and Izzy Munsch in humorous interpretation; third place — Grace Higgins in original oratory and Annika Wheeler in storytelling; fourth place — Isabell Geiger and Tabitha Thatcher in duo interpretation; and Maddy Pierce in great speeches; Ameya Komaragiri in original oratory, Emma Koehler in poetry reading and Apoorva Komaragiri in prose reading; fifth place — Bethany Linse in storytelling; sixth place — Evan Carlson in great speeches and Kaycie Brookens in prose reading.

Also, a contingent of students traveled to the JWP Bulldog Invitational.

Results were: varsity first place — Eric Head in creative expression and Ben Hernes in prose reading; second place — Emma Koehler in poetry reading; third place — Ameya Komaragiri in original oratory; fourth place — Maddy Pierce in great speeches; fifth place — Lily Steuber in extemporaneous speaking and Kaycie Brookens in prose reading; sixth place — Ben Hernes and Emma Koehler in duo interpretation; Emily Kerekes in extemporaneous reading and Grace Higgins in original oratory; finalist — Kara Fischer in dramatic interpretation and Ameya Komaragiri in great speeches; novice second place — Faith Heille in dramatic interpretation.

Library to host Belinda Jensen

FAIRMONT — The Martin County Library in Fairmont will host Belinda Jensen at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Jensen, a KARE 11 meteorologist and weekend anchor, has been with the network for 25 years. She is also the author of a series of children’s books about the weather, “Bel, the Weather Girl.”

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the library at (507) 238-4207.

Sherburn man facing felony charge

FAIRMONT — A Sherburn man is facing a felony charge in Martin County.

Matthew Paul Holtz Jr, 26, has been charged with violating a restraining order within 10 years of two or more previous domestic violence convictions. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On March 22, a Sherburn/Welcome police officer spoke to a woman who said Holtz was in her neighbor’s driveway earlier that day and calling her names. While the officer was speaking to the woman, Holtz called her on the phone and proceeded to call her names again.

There is a harassment restraining order in effect, restraining Holtz from having any contact with the woman other than phone or text messaging involving the parties’ minor child. A Martin County Sheriff’s deputy located Holtz and placed him under arrest.

A review of Holtz’s record shows he was convicted on June 13 for felony violation of a restraining order; convicted May 16 for assault in the fifth degree; convicted Jan. 8, 2014, for domestic abuse; and convicted July 12, 2013, for domestic assault.

Driver convicted of homicide

ELK RIVER (AP) — Jurors have convicted a man of driving while high on drugs and causing a fatal crash in Sherburne County.

Thirty-seven-year-old Juan Garcia-Morales was found guilty Wednesday of criminal vehicular homicide in the death of 33-year-old Matthew Barthel, of Big Lake, on Feb. 22.

Barthel, a husband and father of two young children, was on his way to work at the Monticello School District when he was killed. Toxicology tests found methamphetamine and amphetamine in Garcia-Morales’ blood at the time of the crash.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 18.