Archive for Communities

County Attorney provides statement on Monday shooting in Howard Lake

Kevin Zelaya Asencio appeared in Wright County District Court, the Honorable Judge Elizabeth Strand presiding, this morning (March 22) on the charge of 2nd degree intentional murder in connection with the murder of Adrian Montano Medina in Howard Lake March 20.

At the request of Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes, Judge Strand set bail in the amount of $5,000,000 without conditions or $2,000,000 with conditions that include no contact with any family members of the deceased victim, no contact with the defendant’s wife, no use or possession of firearms, don’t leave the State without permission and surrender any paperwork that would allow travel out of the country.

The defendant’s next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023. County Attorney Lutes will evaluate the case for presentation to a grand jury seeking an indictment of 1st degree premeditated murder in the upcoming weeks.

Read the full complaint document here Zelaya Asencio Complaint.

Lester Prairie School Bulletin March 22, 2023 STRIVE FOR PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION!

Parent Daily Bulletin 03-22-23

Howard Lake drinking water protection

Public Hearing Notice
City of Howard Lake
The City of Howard Lake is in the process of developing a Wellhead Protection Plan for its drinking water supply wells. Consistent with the Minnesota Wellhead Protection Rule (park 4720.5350, sub part 4), a Public Hearing will be held on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 7:00 PM at Howard Lake City Hall located at 625 Eighth Avenue, Howard Lake, MN to discuss comments provided from local units of government and solicit comments from the public.
A copy of the Wellhead Protection Plan is available at the City of Howard Lake City Hall for review. Questions may be directed to Nick Haggenmiller at 320-543-3670.
Meagan Theisen,
Assistant City Administrator
Published in the Herald Journal, March 24, 2023. |

Winsted forfeited vehicle auction

Winsted Police Department
Notice of Forfeited Vehicle Auction
The Winsted Police Department is hereby giving notice that Jeff Martin Auctioneers, Inc. will be conducting a public auction for a forfeited vehicle. This vehicle will be sold by public auction on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The auction will be held in-person at 2910-9th Street East (Hwy 212 East), Glencoe, MN, 55336, and via the internet at: www.jeffmartinauctioneers.com.
Anyone wanting to inspect the vehicle being offered for auction can do so now through the auction day, at 2910-9th Street East, Glencoe, MN, 55336, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The vehicle being auctioned is a 2004 Audi All Road passenger vehicle. The vehicle will be sold as-is.
Published in the Herald Journal, March 24, 2023. |

Lester Prairie City Council minutes 3/14/23

Lester Prairie
City Council Minutes
March 14, 2023
The Lester Prairie City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Mayor Mike called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Mayor Mike opened a public hearing at 7:00 pm regarding a minor subdivision lot split. Clerk Lundin informed the City Council that no additional input was received, either in writing or verbally. There was no discussion.
Motion: Tritabaugh; Second: Krause; Carried-Unanimously; To adjourn the Public Hearing. Mayor Mike closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the February Minutes as submitted.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Dhoore; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the February Workshop Minutes as submitted.
Motion – Krause; Second – Tritabaugh; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the February Treasurer as submitted.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To accept the Parttime Wage Scale from David Drown & Associates per each position wage highlighted with the exception of the current Police Patrol; they will be on Step 6 for all three officers. All parttime employees will receive retro pay back to January 1, 2023.
Mayor Mike opened a public hearing at 7:13 pm regarding adding Body Worn Camera Policy to the LP Police Department Policy & Procedures Manual. Clerk Lundin informed the City Council that no additional input was received, either in writing or verbally. Discussion took place.
Motion: Thiry; Second: Krause; Carried-Unanimously; To adjourn the Public Hearing. Mayor Mike closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Motion – Tritabaugh; To enter into a five (5) year contract with PeopleServices. The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Krause; and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Krause, Mayor Mike, Tritabaugh. Voting against the motion: Dhoore, Thiry. Abstained from vote: None. Mayor Mike declared motion passed by majority vote this 14th day of March, 2023.
Kim Schult from Baker Tilly presented the 2022 Audit Report. Financial statements and a handout was provided. The financial metrics for the City are all strong. The general fund cash balance continues to increase as a % of disbursements and is strong compared to industry benchmarks. Cash fund balance for other governmental funds is up over 2021. The debt service to non-capital disbursements is under 20%, which is good (in line with recommendations). The water and sewer utilities are generating sufficient cash flow, above minimum recommendations.
She informed the Council there will be no adjusting entries and nothing was found that would indicate the City is out of legal compliance. She thanked the staff for a smooth audit and complimented them on the relationship with her team and responding in a timely manner.
Motion – Dhoore; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To accept and approve the 2022 Audit report as prepared and presented.
Councilman Tritabaugh introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION 10-23 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A MINOR SUBDIVISION LOT SPLIT REQUEST
The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Thiry and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Tritabaugh, Krause, Mayor Mike, Dhoore, Thiry . Voting against the motion: None. Abstained from vote: None. Mayor Mike declared Resolution 10-23 passed by unanimous vote this 14th day of March, 2023.
Councilman Dhoore introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 11-23 A RESOLUTION ADDING BODY WORN CAMERA POLICY, SPECIFICIALLY CHAPTER 6A, TO THE LESTER PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY & PROCEDURES MANUAL. The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Krause; and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Tritabaugh, Krause, Mayor Mike, Thiry, Dhoore. Voting against the motion: None. Abstained from vote: None.
Mayor Mike declared Resolution No. 11-23 adopted by unanimous vote this 14th day of March 2023.
Motion – Thiry; Second – Dhoore; Carried – Unanimously; To approve the purchase of a new squad camera for $3,995.00.
Motion – Thiry; Second – Tritabaugh; Carried – Unanimously. To issue a sanitation waiver for a resident on Third Avenue; as they will be gone on vacation for two months.
Motion – Dhoore; To leave the current snow removal windrow plan in place. The foregoing motion was duly seconded by Councilman Thiry; and following discussion thereon, a vote was taken. Voting for the motion: Krause, Dhoore, Thiry. Voting against the motion: Tritabaugh, Mayor Mike. Abstained from vote: None. Mayor Mike declared motion passed by majority vote this 14th day of March, 2023.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To advertise for additional Seasonal Lawnmowing/Maintenance and lifeguards.
Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Krause; Carried – Unanimously; To change the Personnel Handbook to state: if an employee is on FMLA the City would cover their percentage of health, dental, vision benefits and the employee would cover their percentage. Beyond the FMLA period; the employee would 100% responsible.
Motion – Dhoore; Second – Tritabaugh; To approve Freedom Fest 2023 to have their events in the Park; which would include Donkey Ball.
Following discussion thereon, a vote was taken.
Voting for the motion: Tritabaugh, Mayor Mike, Dhoore, Thiry. Voting against the motion: None. Abstained from vote: Krause. Motion – Tritabaugh; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To pay the 2023 claims.
Motion – Krause; Second – Thiry; Carried – Unanimously; To adjourn the meeting. Mayor Mike adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm.
Doris Lundin
City Clerk-Treasurer
The above is a summary version of the March 14, 2023, Lester Prairie City Council minutes. The Minutes may be viewed in their entirety at the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.
Published in the Herald Journal, March 24, 2023. |

Lester Prairie School Bulletin March 21, 2023 STRIVE FOR PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION!

Parent Daily Bulletin 03-21-23