HBC TV25 News
Three men rescue from river after their boat capsized
Three men are safe after their fishing boat capsized this morning on the Mississippi River south of Dresbach. Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand said members of the Winona County Dive–Rescue Team and the sheriff's department were called to an area near the Dresbach boat landing at around 9:25. Brand said a boat holding an 82–year–old Iowa man, along with a 79–year–old man and a 48–year–old man from Wisconsin capsized after it was hit by a large wave. He said the men were clinging to the side of the boat when their cries for help were heard by two nearby boaters from La Crescent.
New grand jury to convene
A new grand jury will be convened for a third suspect in the murder of Ada Senenfelder of Winona. District Judge Jeffrey Thompson recently dismissed a murder indictment against James Bolstad saying the Winona County Attorney's Office introduced inadmissible evidence that prejudiced the grand jury. At a court hearing yesterday, Assistant County Attorney Tom Gort announced his offices plan to reconvene a grand jury. Bolstad was facing charges of first–degree aiding and abetting murder for the 1985 stabbing death of Ada Senenfelder. Bolstad remains in police custody.
HBC officials meet with White House staffers on broadband
Officials in Washington are working feverishly to develop a broadband plan to connect rural America to the rest of the country and the world. Hiawatha Broadband Communications President Gary Evans, Chief Financial Officer Bob Bartz and V-P for Technology Dan Pecarina returned last night from a two-day trip to Washington D.C. where they met with White House staff on how best to get service to rural America. Evans supports a fiber infrastructure, but that option has been viewed as too expensive, something Evans said is not true.
Decision on school closing at least two months off
The Winona Area Public Schools Board will be holding public hearings before deciding which, if any, schools will be closed in the district. At its meeting last night, the school board discussed several options to help the district operate more cost–effectively. While issues like attendance boundry lines remain options, officials wonder if the end result would bring any actual cost savings. For the past several years, the school board has toyed with the idea of closing Central Elementary, but has always found a reason to keep it open.
Arcadia boy faces fraud possible charges
A 17–year–old male from Arcadia is facing charges after police say he used a debit card to withdraw funds from a Winona woman's bank account. Winona Police said the boy made withdraws totaling $960 on the woman's account from the ATM at Kwik Trip located at Highway 43/61. Deputy Chief Tom Williams said the boy is being referred for charges of Financial Transaction Card Fraud and Theft.
Hunters could run across more that deer this opening weekend
This weekend's deer opener means lots of hunters in the woods and they could find something more than a thirty–point buck. Sheriff Dave Brand said hunters may come across active meth labs or remnants of a lab. Brand said things to look for include ordinary plastic coolers with hoses, L–P gas cylinders, stained coffee filters, lye, iodine, brake cleaner and stained cookware. He said hunters should avoid contact with the items and notify local law enforcement. The meth cooking process involves the use of toxic chemicals which are then discarded.
State confirms Winona County H1N1 death
Minnesota Department of Health officials report three more deaths from H1N1, including one in Winona County, and another death from a flu–like illness that wasn't confirmed as H1N1. Health Department officials say all three confirmed victims had underlying health conditions. The latest victims include a Winona County resident in their 70s, a Fillmore County resident in their 20s, and a Hennepin County resident in their 50s. The fourth death was an "older adult" who died of the flu, but there wasn't a sample available to test and confirm what type of flu.
Harriet the eagle headed east for "Today" appearance
One of the National Eagle Centers most celebrated residents will be in the national television spotlight tomorrow. Harriet the eagle and her handlers will be appearing on a NBC "Today" show segment about endangered species. Eagle center education director Scott Mehus and Bucky Flores will be making the trip east with Harriet. This is not Harriet's first trip to the Big Apple. She has been on the "Today" show once before and has made an appearance on "The Colbert Report." Harriet has also been to Washington D.C. and Texas.
Expect delays during I-90 projects
Drivers traveling westbound through Winona County on Interstate 90 will experience an extra day or two of delays. Recent rain has pushed back completion of a catch basin repair project until at least Monday. The lane closure is in effect between Highway 43 and Winona County Road 29. A second I–90 project will also be causing slight delays beginning Monday near the Lewiston exit. MN/DOT maintenance crews will be working on the bridge located about a mile east of Lewiston.
More than 10,000 ticketed in seat belt enforcement campaign
Over 10,000 seat belt violators were ticketed in a recent seat–belt enforcement effort. Department of Public Safety officials also said they believe the new law has helped reduce the number of traffic deaths in Minnesota. Last year at this time there were 370 deaths, compared to 340 this year. Officials said about half of all people who die in Minnesota traffic accidents aren't wearing seat belts.
Changes made to annex remodel project
On a split vote, the Winona County Board made three changes to the planned expansion and addition for the county annex. The changes include the addition of a fire suppression system for the server room, a fire sprinkler system for the records room and changes to the buildings heating and ventilation controls. The actual cost of the additional features is about $22,500. Commissioners Olson, Kaehler and Voegeli voted in favor of the motion with Commissioners Pomeroy and Ward voting against. The City of Winona is reviewing the site plan.
H1N1 vaccinations begin in Winona Co. on a limited basis
A limited amount of H1N1 vaccine has made its way to Winona County. However, heathcare officials say the supplies are already almost gone. It is not known when additional doses will arrive. Winona Health has started vaccinating pregnant women, one of the groups deemed to be most at–risk. After expectant mothers have been vaccinated, young children will begin receiving the vaccine. The vaccine has arrived in greater proportions for some neighboring counties. Mayo Clinic has been offering the vaccine for its at–risk patients for several weeks.
Program available to help first-time home buyers
Winona residents looking to buy their first home can get help from the city. City of Winona program development director, Lucy McMartin told council members Monday night the program, called the Community Activity Set Aside Program, is available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. It is designed to assist first-time home–buyers with their down payment. The program is available on a first come–first served basis for eligible home buyers. The loans will be financed through local participating lenders.
School closings discussed at school board retreat
School closings seem more likely following last night's Winona Area Public Schools board retreat. The school in the board's cross–hairs is Central Elementary. Board members cited the increase in student rental housing in the area and the fact that a portion of the building has been used to house the district's Community Education program. According to district numbers, only 43 of Central's 154 students actually live in the school's attendance boundry area. Overall when figuring in current class sizes, the district needs about 80 classrooms.
City staff to study annexation request
More research will need to be conducted before the Winona City Council addresses a local organizations annexation request. At last night's council meeting, Winona city planner Mark Moeller requested that council direct staff to look further into the request. Moeller said staff will have the study completed within six months. At that time, council will readdress the issue. The Winona Area Industrial Development Association has request the council consider annexing 210–acres located in Wilson Township, into the City of Winona.
Assault charges pending against Winona man
Charges are being referred for Winona man who police say ordered his dogs to attack another man. Winona Police Deputy Chief Tom Williams said Brenden Lee Thatcher is in custody in the Winona County Jail. He has been referred to the county attorney's office on charges of Second Degree Assault and Gross Misdemeanor Domestic Assault. According to Williams, police were called to Thatcher's home on North Baker Street Monday. An officer arrived as Thatcher was letting a dog out into the fenced backyard. After ordering Thatcher to come out, he went back in the home.
Nearly 300 tickets writing for parking violations
Winona residents received a treat from Winona Police Halloween night and they may not have even noticed. Alternate Side Parking was to begin at 2:00 a.m. Sunday November 1, but because of the extra activities on Halloween night, police did not begin enforcement of the parking ordinance until last night. So how many tickets were issued the first night of parking enforcement?
St. Charles man arrested after trying to evade deputies
A man wanted on a warrant by Winona County authorities for fleeing police, was arrested over the weekend in Elba. Scott Allen Ball of St. Charles was arrested after he was found sleeping in a van on Governor Road in Whitewater Township. On Friday night, sheriff's deputies from the Olmsted County Sheriff's department were pursuing Ball who was driving a Dodge Durango that was said to be stolen from Olmsted County. Reports say Ball was able to elude officers after leaving the vehicle.
