Sheriff: Some roads flooded

BLUE EARTH — With the warmer weather causing rapid snow melt, in addition to the rain, many Faribault County gravel roads are in poor condition, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mike Gormley asks county residents to exercise extreme caution when driving down these roads, and to never drive across roads that are flooded.

Faribault County Highway Engineer Mark Daly and township officials say some county and township grave roads are temporarily closed. Daly said crews will be out trying to repair the roads as conditions allow.

County road closures will be posted to: http://www.faribaultcountypublicworks.com

The Sheriff’s Office encourages citizens to call in and report roads that are flooded or washed out.

Surgeon joins Mayo-Fairmont

FAIRMONT — Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont recently welcomed Dr. Kendra Kamlitz to the Surgery Department. She also will provide outreach in St. James.

Originally from Jamestown, North Dakota, Kamlitz received her medical training from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks. She completed her residency in general surgery at the Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education in Wichita, Kansas.

Kamlitz is certified by the American Board of Surgery. Prior to transferring to the Surgery Department in Fairmont, she was a general surgeon at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown, South Dakota.

Senate backs disaster loans

ST. PAUL (AP) — The Minnesota Senate has approved expanding a zero-interest disaster loan program for farmers, just in time for producers whose buildings have been damaged by heavy snow this winter.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously Thursday. It broadens eligibility for the Disaster Loan Recovery Program run by the state’s Rural Finance Authority.

A similar farm aid bill awaits a vote on the House floor.

The bill adds uninsured losses from the weight of snow, sleet or ice to the list of damages covered by the disaster loan program. It would be retroactive to Jan. 1.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says around 75 barns statewide have collapsed this winter.