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Last Man Club

MANKATO — There’s some intensity in south-central Minnesota about the 2020 election, most of it focused on the race at the top of the ballot.

MANKATO — A plan to use a one-of-a-kind historic bridge as a pedestrian connection between Sibley Park and Land of Memories Park is one of three finalists selected by a panel of transportation and preservation experts for the next life of the 147-year-old Kern Bridge.

Enrollment has dipped for at least some area public school districts as families choose alternatives or defer kindergarten during the pandemic.

MANKATO — With just more than a week left until the Nov. 3 election, the race between Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn and Democratic candidate Dan Feehan has ended up right where it was this time two years ago: a toss-up.

Q: We have called the Mankato street department numerous times about the massive heavy equipment and trucks going down our little road, Owen Street, from the Pathstone development. We were told the trucks weren’t supposed to be traveling on our street, and they — the street department — would talk to the developers.

Campaign season brings the usual mind-numbing blast of political ads and this year a flood of money has made it even worse.

ST. PETER — Guns and drugs allegedly were found in a vehicle after its driver rear-ended someone, offered the other driver $10,000 and ran away.

A once-bustling village in Sibley County turned into a ghost town within 20 years from its founding in the early 1850s.

By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol

Halloween is almost here, as evidenced by the bags of candy clogging the aisles at the grocery stores and the fact the Hallmark Channel already has kicked off its Christmas movie marathon.

MANKATO — A Fargo development firm that is building a large indoor golf/entertainment complex in Fargo has plans to redevelop the site where the former Dutler’s Bowl as well as an adjacent car wash and shop building now sit.

WELLS — A rural Wells man has taken a hobby and made a home out of it.

MANKATO — Everybody who is going to be counted in the 2020 census has been counted.

MANKATO — Bambi Wuebker came to Mankato’s new COVID-19 saliva test site Friday because she hopes to reunite with her parents again soon.

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NORTH MANKATO — Emergency crews contained a gas leak Friday on Commerce Drive in North Mankato. 

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Over the years, after I first naively lit up a Camel Blue Crush cigarette that grew into an addiction, I’ve heard plenty of people say, “Smoking is bad for you,” or “Cigarettes are disgusting,” or “You know, those things are going to kill you.”

MANKATO — Discussing parenthood with Whoopie Goldberg on “The View,” writing essays for the Washington Post and the New York Times and appearing on national television shows such as “Good Morning America” and the “Today” show are just a few of writer Clint Edwards’ accomplishments since completing graduate school in Mankato in 2012.

MANKATO — After an encouraging end to September and first half of October, south-central Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rates jumped back up over the last week.

MANKATO — There were seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Mankato Area Public Schools students and staff between Oct. 14-21.

ST. PETER — Just two hours after Janell Larson informed her colleagues that her home was gutted by a fire, they showed up with duffel bags filled with necessities.

WELLS — A Wells man allegedly decapitated a kitten and repeatedly threatened a man because the man did not buy him a drink.

ST. PETER — Tom Freeman’s life experiences gave him familiarity with a wide range of topics. That’s why it was good to be on his trivia team.

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MANKATO — Area residents who were getting over the strange early snowfall Tuesday were met with new weirdness Thursday morning.

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MANKATO — Minnesota Medical Association’s incoming presidents often have a specific initiative in mind for their one-year terms.

Between a historian and internet sleuth, the truth behind some urban legends and stories from around Minnesota are being brought to light.

NORTH MANKATO — Arrest warrants have been issued for two men now charged in an armed robbery outside of a North Mankato apartment building last month.

MANKATO — The early, wet snow that blanketed most of Minnesota Tuesday sent power company repair crews scrambling.

MANKATO — The state is opening a COVID-19 saliva testing site Friday in Mankato. It is the fifth saliva testing site in the state and will offer free tests to anyone.

ST. PETER — A patient at the Minnesota Security Hospital allegedly cornered and threatened a nurse and later said he regretted not hurting the nurse.

Pioneer Press and wire reports

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Isn’t it rewarding when you finally get the garden/yard project done after several years of procrastinating, forgetting until it’s too late or just plain avoiding it? Even a small project like finally getting those red Asiatic lilies moved after several has been very satisfying!

MANKATO — After completing its major hospital expansion in St. Peter earlier this year, River’s Edge now has a new clinic in Mankato.

MANKATO — If a lack of complaints, criticisms or suggestions is a sign of support, Minnesota State University received a favorable reaction Tuesday to its efforts to reform criminal justice education on the campus following the death of George Floyd.

NORTH MANKATO — Tom Fallenstein is on a mission to “help save Halloween.”