News

Police

Police July 14, 2026

FAIRMONT Friday, July 10 3:25 a.m. — A suspicious circumstance was reported in the 2200 block of North State Street. 8:03 a.m. — Police rendered assistance to the ambulance in the 200 block of Tilden Street. 10:04 a.m. — Criminal damage to property was reported at 3rd Street and North Main Street. 2:21 p.m. — Police investigated a trespassing complaint in the 1900 block of Memorial Park Drive. 3:47 p.m. — A suspicious circumstance was reported at Lair Road and Knollwood Drive. 10:07 p.m. — A noise complaint was reported in the 200 block of Fairview Avenue. ...

Objection over Lake Ave. assessment continues

Local News July 14, 2026

FAIRMONT— The Fairmont City Council on Monday once again considered an objection from a property at 1300 Lake Avenue regarding its assessment from the 2025 improvement program. The 1300 Lake Avenue property, known as the Senne Farm and owned by DFP Limited Partnership, spans more than 73 acres and had an original proposed special assessment with a 5 percent interest of $395,237.05 over 15 years, or just a special assessment of $274,705.38, which is based on the city’s assessment policy. The public hearing on the 2025 improvement program was originally held on March 23, 2026 at ...

Filing opens for next city and school board leaders

Local News July 14, 2026

MARTIN COUNTY — In the city elections across Martin County, mayoral, city council and school board seats are up for election and will be open for filing starting today. For Fairmont, Lee Baarts' four-year mayoral seat was last open in 2022, when he beat Charles Pearson 2,303-1,333. Wards one and three are also up for election. After losing to Deb Foster in 2022, Randy Lubenow won the Ward three seat in 2024 after filling in for Foster when she left. Ward one was last up for election in 2022, when Jay Maynard beat Jon Davis 615-533. The current Ceylon Mayor is Judith Perkins, who beat ...

Courts

Courts July 14, 2026

MARTIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Speeding — Matthew J. Berney, 36, of Rosemount; Monica R. Thang, 32, of Rochester; fined $145; Vicki A. Schulte, 41, of Fairmont; fined $225. Scott M. Tyner, 31, of Fairmont, was convicted of driving after revocation; fined $285. Also convicted of vehicle registration/permit/plates required; fined $30. Also convicted of unsafe tires-prohibitions; fined $50. Also convicted of driver must carry proof of insurance when operating vehicle; fined $200. Tomas G. Gomez, 26, of Fairmont, was convicted of no Minnesota driver’s license; fined $185. Also ...

Planning for downtown improvements begins

Local News July 11, 2026

FAIRMONT— This week a committee kicked off planning meetings for improvements to Downtown Plaza in Fairmont. “We’re going to be focusing on the downtown area, which is Main Street to Park Avenue and Blue Earth Avenue to 4th Street. That’s the area we’re looking at,” said Public ...

Courts

Courts July 11, 2026

MARTIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Victor A. Garcia, 49, of Willmar, was convicted of traffic-driving while impaired-operate motor vehicle under influence-cannabis/hemp product-artificial CB; fined $710, sentenced to jail 90 days, stay 90 days for one year, unsupervised probation one year, no same or similar, complete comprehensive assessment, complete and pay for comprehensive assessment within 60 days of sentencing and follow recommendations in a timely manner, defendant must sign all releases for assessor to obtain collateral information from assigned probation agent(s), assigned social ...