This time of year, pilots in small blue and white airplanes are busy gathering information about how much snow is on the ground — and more importantly, how much water that snow contains.

A majority of area respondents believe the Minnesota Legislature should look into more farm safety regulations in light of a spate of grain bin and grain silo-related deaths, according to a Free Press online question.

MANKATO — On Wednesday, developers of a $14.2 million SpringHill Suites by Marriott will present their plan for constructing a five-story hotel in a tightly constricted downtown area starting later this spring.

For supporters of youth sports, building character in Mankato-area youth is a major justification for using millions of tax dollars to build new facilities ranging from ballfields to ice rinks.

Q: Dear Mr. Mankato Free Press Ask Us:

I doubt there was a dry eye in the Kato Ballroom after Michele Gran told a crowd of farmers and ag students about the death of her son Landon last summer.

Medi Opiew was charged with three felony drug crimes Thursday in Blue Earth County District Court.

NICOLLET — When Nicollet was a relatively young village, its location was integral to the prosperity of the community’s merchants and the farmers with land in the surrounding area.

Local colleges haven’t experienced widespread anxiety about the coronavirus outbreak in Asia, despite the frequent international travel by some students and staff.

NORTH MANKATO — A 25-year-old Mankato woman was hospitalized Saturday morning after rolling her vehicle on Highway 14 in North Mankato.

By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol

Saturday

MANKATO — When Jennifer Londgren, coordinator for Minnesota State University’s alcohol and drug studies program, attended a Twin Cities gala with her students last year as part of the fight against opiate addiction, she was intrigued by the party-like atmosphere — without drugs or alcohol.

MANKATO — A resident’s quick action to use a fire extinguisher on a dishwasher fire limited damage to $20,000 in a rental property near Minnesota State University Friday afternoon.

MANKATO — The National Weather Service is predicting an elevated threat for spring flooding in south-central Minnesota. With water-filled soil, a decent snowpack and already high rivers and lakes, the NWS is warning the flood risk will be high.

James Gacke, 72, was found dead after a small fire in his house at 1403 Carney Ave. on Feb. 5.

Iwo Jima

President of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank Neel Kashkari has plenty of opinions and insights into the economy, but his current passion revolves around Minnesota’s nearly worst in the nation achievement gap in education.

Seventh graders are creating art with positive messages in an unusual space.

WASECA — The Cash Wise grocery store in Waseca will close by the end of the month. The liquor store will remain open.

ST. JAMES — A 58-year-old Faribault man was injured in a pickup rollover a few miles west of St. James Friday morning.

Daniel David Schultz, 25, pleased guilty to robbing the Casey's gas station on North Riverfront Drive on Nov. 15.

In my mind’s eye, my Uncle Arnold lives on.

MANKATO — A Mankato woman allegedly cut a woman and a child with a knife during a fight at a Mankato hotel.

When the invitations are put in the mail less than a month from now, everyone will be cordially invited: Tell us your name, birthday, gender, race, whether you rent or own, and then do the same for all others who share your home.

When the time comes to stand up and be counted, Nicollet residents are the champions.

Chop Nguot Tang, 32, of Mankato,  was sentenced for fleeing police, property damage and DWI.

Most have heard of how the coronavirus outbreak centered in China has begun to take a financial toll on companies like Apple, which has its products made in China and sells many of them back to Chinese customers.

Franciso Farias-Maldonado, 22, allegedly admitted he was trafficking marijuana from Illinois. 

A former Waseca woman who was accused of setting her bar on fire after she stole money from a youth group was sentenced to restitution and probation.

MANKATO — Michele Gran sat in front of hundreds of farmers and ag students holding up a photo.

MANKATO — 1st District Congressman Jim Hagedorn announced Wednesday he has been battling stage four kidney cancer for a year and will continue in his congressional duties.

MANKATO — The American Legion’s national commander said his stop in Mankato was unusual compared to other visits he’d made this week throughout the southern half of the state.

MANKATO — Customers using Landline’s bus service to the Twin Cities airport can now be picked up and dropped off at their door.

Sierra Marie Greenfield, 23, lost control on the icy highway east of Blue Earth, according to the State Patrol. 

MANKATO — Longtime supporters of the Boy Scouts and a camp organized for kids with Type 1 diabetes have won the Service Above Self award from the Greater Mankato Rotary Club.

MANKATO — A downtown snow emergency begins at 10 p.m. today and expires at 8 a.m. Thursday. The downtown snow emergency corridor includes:

LE SUEUR — A 17-year-old male from Lonsdale died late Tuesday afternoon in a vehicle rollover on an ice-packed road between Le Sueur and Heidelberg, the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department said.

Details have yet to be decided, but the $100,000 gift from ISG executive and MoonDogs co-owner Chad Surprenant will be used for an alumni engagement initiative.

Travis Olson will be the next director of teaching and learning for Mankato Area Public Schools.

By Free Press Staff and

MANKATO — A toddler who was on life support after he allegedly was assaulted by his mother has died.

The Free Press