Photo credit: Joel Pepper This massive cottonwood tree on Victory Dr was cut down Tuesday amid safety concerns A long-standing landmark tree on Victory Dr near Madison Ave has been cut down due to safety concerns. The monster cottonwood tree was well over 100 years old and had a five-and-a-half-foot diameter, according to Mankato Public Works Director Jeff Johnson. A massive limb broke off the tree on Friday.  Johnson directed staff to disconnect the limb from the trunk before the weekend and sent the city forester to the location to determine the health of the tree. Johnson said most of ..read more

Minnesota Department of Transportation Construction on the Highway 14 Minnesota River bridge in Mankato begins next month, weather permitting. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says motorists can expect traffic delays and congestion when the project gets underway on Monday, May 6, particularly during peak travel times. The bridge rehabilitation project includes concrete work on the bridge deck to extend the life of the bridge. Highway 14 will remain open to thru traffic in a head-to-head configuration.  There will be shoulder, lane, and ramp closures as the work is completed in s ..read more

Gavel A  man who sexually assaulted a teen girl has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Grant Moody, 39, of Mankato, was convicted in Waseca County Court on 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony. Moody will receive credit for 70 days already served in jail and could be released after serving two-thirds of his sentence, about eight years. Moody’s victim, who was 14 years old at the time, was reported missing last summer and later that same day turned up at a Waseca emergency room with Moody. He told investigators the girl had come to him for help because she was being sexually tra ..read more

Entrance sign to Waterville Fisheries Hatchery, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to tour the Waterville State Fish Hatchery. The open house will be Wednesday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the hatchery for the public to learn about the importance of the investment in constructing a new hatchery. Visitors will be able to tour the facility and see incubating fish eggs, young fish of various sizes, adult fish, and displays with fisheries sampling gear, nets, and work boats.  Guests will also be able to hear ab ..read more

Mankato Family YMCA, 2021 The Mankato Family YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day this weekend. The free event is on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Y.  The event features a variety of family-friendly activities and community resources to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. “It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Michelle Margo, Senior Program Director at the Mankato Family YMCA. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy h ..read more

Della Schmidt, Greater Mankato Growth Greater Mankato Growth has announced the appointment of Della Schmidt as the President and CEO of the organization. Schmidt has more than three decades of experience leading chamber, economic and workforce development, and regional partnership organizations and initiatives in southern Minnesota and southeastern Iowa. For the last five years, Schmidt has served as the President and CEO of the Greater Burlington Partnership.  Before that, she led the Winona Chamber of Commerce for 16 years and also served as president of the Carlton County Chamber and t ..read more

Mbox 30 Fentanyl pills Six people were arrested Saturday in connection with the seizure of thousands of counterfeit fentanyl pills. Mankato Public Safety and the River Valley Drug Task Force executed a search warrant in Mankato, which led to the discovery of nearly 6,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills. Police say that field tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the pills.  Arrested on charges of 1st-degree drug sales and possession were Howard Junior Beacham, 30, Kane Alan Vanraalte, 29, Daniel David Schultz, 29, Nyapuot Dech Kuek, 30, Wynter Harrison, 29, and 40-year-old Levone Adams ..read more

Scott Kaminski, Mankato Area Public Schools Mankato Area Public Schools has announced that Scott Kaminski has been selected as the new Director of Facilities and Safety.  Kaminski is currently the Facility Operations Manager for Mankato Area Public Schools.  He previously served as the Buildings and Grounds Director at Janesville Waldorf Schools.  Kaminski was chosen from a pool of candidates in a competitive process.  He’ll begin his new role on June 1 ..read more

@gettyimages Gun Police say a male victim was injured Monday night in a shooting near the Eastport Apartments. Mankato Public Safety responded to the 1400 block of Eastport Dr at 10:12 p.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots in the area. Officers arrived on the scene to find a male victim who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.  The victim was transported to Mayo Clinic Mankato with non-life threatening injuries. Police believe the incident was isolated and there is no threat to the public. The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information should contact th ..read more

Chick-Fil-A logo Chick-Fil-A is planning to open a full-sized location in Mankato soon.  The popular fast-chicken chain plans to build in the location of the former Party City building, which would be razed to make way for the restaurant. An application for a conditional use permit filed with the city indicates the business would operate from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There is currently a scaled-down version of the restaurant at Minnesota State University Mankato’s Centennial Student Union ..read more