COTTONWOOD COUNTY CITIZEN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 2 ■ DISTRICT COURT Hospital Incident Bring Felony Charge INSIDE EDGE Baker Murder Trial Speeding: Erin A
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Knowledge Bowl team wraps up year THATE’S TREE SERVICE Specializing in large Windom team competes and difficult tree projects! in virtual Region 8 tournament at home 800-225-8733 n Page 4 www.thatetree.com 138th year Cottonwood County 10th edition $1.25 VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.WINDOMNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 WHAT’S INSIDE Murder case sees New Vision another delay A year ago this month looks to sell dates were initially set for the Baker murder trial Plant A facility n Page 2 n The city council can refuse the sale. Windom fifth in Nothing is final, but it appears there is a fair chance one of Windom’s tallest and Monte speech meet most recognizable businesses may soon Team has pair of silver change hands. medalists; WWG/RRC There is an offer on the table for New has two champs Vision Co-op’s Plant A, also known as the former elevator, located along First n Page 5 Avenue and the railroad tracks. However, a tax abatement agreement, which works like Tax Increment Financing, between the city and New Vision requires the DAVE FJELD 3/10 Shrek rehearsal 8 ONLINE POLL city’s blessing before a sale can occur. THE BARC AUDITORIUM stage was a busy place Cast members appropriately spaced around the stage At Monday’s meeting, the EDA board Last Week’s Results Monday evening as Director Lori Grote worked with the and work masks while work on the set went on behind was asked to make a recommendation cast on the 2021 PAC production “Shrek The Musical.” the curtain. Should the Minnesota to the city council. The board tabled the State Legislature remove matter pending further review. The po- tential buyer has not been identified, but a governor’s executive Tickets for PAC’s ‘Shrek’ Windom Economic Development Director emergency powers regarding Drew Hage said it appears the new owner schools during a pandemic? has no plans to tear down Plant A. to go on sale March 18 Hage said when New Vision did a major 4 % project at its north Windom plant several o Yes ................. 56 n quently, seats for all perfor- The show is directed by years ago, there were concerns Plant A mances must be reserved % Lori Grote and has a cast of and its attached concrete grain silos could o to maintain proper social No .................. 44 38 actors and actresses. someday be a liability issue for the city. distancing. Every other row The TIF offered three things — funding A show that has been in of seating is blocked and help for a major economic development Next Week the works for more than a empty seats will be required project; incentive for tearing down grain Have you changed your year actually appears to be to separate families and silos that were structurally unsound and heading to the stage next individuals. Masks will be mind about getting a incentive for tearing down Plant A, which month. required. COVID vaccine? New Vision officials considered function- “Shrek The Musical” will If state restrictions are ally obsolete for grain storage. Vote at be presented in the BARC relaxed prior to the produc- The silos were eventually removed with www.windomnews.com Auditorium April 15-18, with tion, appropriate changes TIF help. However, despite the incentive, shows at 7 p.m., April 15-17, will be implemented. the elevator still stands, partly because and a 2 p.m., Sunday matinee PAC has stated that be- it remains structurally sound and partly on April 18. cause reserved seats need because Verizon pays significant rent to Tickets for the Prairie to be selected at the time of DID YOU KNOW? keep its towers atop the building. Arts Continuum produc- purchase, it is best for those A closer tion go on sale to the public buying tickets to purchase March 18 at $10 per seat. tickets in person. If tickets look at Tickets may be purchased are reserved by phone, call with cash or check at the PAC treasurer Cheryl Han- city levies BARC Office from 1 to 5 p.m., son at 507-822-3292. According to Windom’s Monday through Friday. PAC wants to accommo- School board Annual Report, the city Although the pandemic date everyone who would typically levies more appears to be turning a like to see the show. For corner with the arrival those physically able, PAC hears prom plans than $700,000 for four 3/10 Shrek rehearsal 30 of three vaccines, BARC DIRECTOR LORI GROTE and pianist Kristen n Prom will go on, but will look different operations. Here is a look remains in compliance with Kuipers, both of Jackson, work with the cast due to the COVID-19 pandemic. at those operations and COVID restrictions. Conse- SEE SHREK •PAGE 4 on a chorus part of the musical Monday night. their peak years: By JOEL ALVSTAD • Arena: $269,282 JEFF LANGE Students at Windom Area High School in 2020. Peak year: cuts planks missed out on many activities in the taken from $269,282. spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pan- an old barn demic, including prom. • Community Center: that will be So far, plans are to hold a prom in 2021, $313,781 in 2020. Peak attached to but things will look different than previ- the studded ous years. year: $313,781. walls in the background At Monday’s school board meeting, • Library: $191,707 Prom advisor Kelli Nibbe and High School in 2020. Peak year: to form a two- sided barn Principal Bryan Joyce updated the board $216,880. prop. The on plans for “Cloud 9,” which is scheduled • EDA: $90,454 in 2020. prop is the for April 10. For starters, some past prom traditions Peak year: $151,740. place Shrek and Donkey are taking a year off. There will be no stay during coketail party before Grand March and their journey students will not board buses for the din- in the second ner and dance. Everything will be held at act of “Shrek the WAHS campus. WEATHER The Musical.” “We’re planning to have students enter the building in the south doors and funnel A look back . down senior hall for Grand March as they H L P arrive,” Nibbe said. Tues. 55 28 — Joyce added that students will be in Wed. 54 30 — pod groups throughout the evening and 51 30 — Thurs. will be seated in those pods for the meal, Fri. 51 30 — Sat. 51 35 — which will not be served buffet-style. Sun. 64 32 — 60 37 — Mon. 3/10 Shrek construction 5 SEE SCHOOL •BACK PAGE Cold snap affects propane bills now, gas in September n Minnesota Energy turn, a spike in prices. month’s bill. Any increase companies throughout the tions,” Trouy said. “Some Resources’ planning and gas Will that affect Windom/ will not take effect until state, including CenterPoint customers may also qualify Join Hy-Vee’s NEW purchase will ease some bill Mt. Lake city residents, September at the earliest Energy and Xcel Energy, pro- for energy assistance.” premium membership today! impact. whose homes are heated by and will be spread over 12 jected impacts, on average, She also pointed out that For only $99 per year, get: Minnesota Energy Resourc- months.” of $300 to $400 per customer. the Minnesota Department When temperatures es? How about rural homes Trouy said that MER in- Trouy said MER’s impact is of Commerce recently an- + Fuel savings every time plunged below zero for days who use propane to heat formed the Minnesota Public smaller because it was able nounced it would double + Exclusive monthly deals on end in Minnesota last their homes? Utilities Commission that a to mitigate some of the bill the maximum annual crisis + Free 2-hour pickup month, most Minnesotans Plan on it; and it already typical MER customer will impacts with its natural benefit, which also could + Free grocery delivery didn’t think too much of it. has. likely see an increase of $200 gas purchase and planning help those households. + Get and give real-time That wasn’t the case in According to Alison Trouy, to $225, which, again, would strategy. Trouy reminded custom- feedback as your online southern Texas, where spokeswoman for Minnesota be spread over 12 months. For low-income house- ers that although impacts order is shopped snow and cold weather for Energy Resources, natural That would be an increase holds, that $15 to $20 a month from last month’s cold snap + Much, much more! consecutive days is almost gas customers won’t feel the of anywhere from $16.50 to bump could take a substan- won’t be felt until Septem- unheard of. impact until September. $18.75 per month. tial bite out of their monthly ber, they may still see slight- That wide cold snap “We expect many custom- However, Trouy also point- income. If that is the case, ly higher bills next month through the mid-section ers will see a bill impact,” ed out that each customer’s Trouy encourages customers of the U.S., from Canada to Trouy said. “However, these amount would be different, to call them. Mexico, led to significant charges for increased gas based on their usage. “We are happy to walk SEE PROPANE 7 28028 20721 7 natural gas usage and, in costs will not appear on next Customers of other gas them through available op- • BACK PAGE ■ COTTONWOOD COUNTY CITIZEN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 2 ■ DISTRICT COURT Hospital incident bring felony charge INSIDE EDGE Baker murder trial Speeding: Erin A.