HBC TV 25 News

Two St. Charles men accused of drug possession appeared in Winona County District Court yesterday. Stephen Conlin and Ted Wilkemeyer, both 53, were each charged with one count of fifth degree controlled substance possession with intent to sell and obstructing the legal process with force. Members of the Winona County Sheriff's Department along with the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics and Gang Task Force executed a search warrant on Conlin's residence and barber shop Tuesday. According to the criminal complaints, both Conlin and Wilkenmeyer were present when officers burst through the door.

A 19-year-old Rushford man remains hospitalized in La Crosse after his pickup struck a semi Tuesday afternoon on Stockton Hill. Landon Feine was traveling westbound on Highway 14 when he struck the semi which was attempting a left turn onto eastbound 14 from Seminary Road. Feine's Ranger pickup came to rest under the trailer. Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand said he recently visited with Feine in his hospital room. According to Brand, Feine suffered a broken left shoulder and broke all the ribs on his left side.

This weekend's snow fort building contest has been postponed. The Winona State University Counselor Education Honors Society was to host the event this weekend, however the lack of snow has forced the contest to be moved back to Saturday, February 18, at East Lake Winona and Lake Park Lodge. Teams of at least four are recommended but not required. An adult must accompany anyone younger than 17 years of age. Shovels and buckets (one gallon or smaller) are permitted but will not be provided. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. with judging to follow at 2:30 p.m.

Two St. Charles men, one a former city council candidate, were arrested yesterday afternoon on drug charges. Members of the Southeast Minnesota Task Force arrested Stephen Conlin and Ted Wilkenmyer executed a search warrant at the sight of Conlin's new barbershop location in St. Charles where the two men were arrested. Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand said both Conlin and Wilkenmyer are being referred to the county attorney's office on charges of 5th degree substance crimes and obstructing with force.

In an effort to see how area counties could work together to provide services and save money, twelve county human services departments have spent the past two years exploring options. The 12 counties are located in southeast Minnesota are developing a plan on how they might jointly provide services are moving forward to develop an operating plan. A steering committee, composed of representatives from each county and from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, is leading the project.

Bi-partisian Legislation co-authored by Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz that would bar insider trading on Capitol Hill, was mention by President Obama in his recent State of The Union address. Walz calls the STOCK Act a "big step in the right direction to help restore the American people's faith in Congress and the work of democracy." The President called on Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Cantor to restore trust in Congress by prohibiting insider trading on Capitol Hill. President Obama said if the bill is sent to his desk, he will sign it.

The Winona Senior High School German 3/4 class is asking for your vote. This past fall, teacher Ruthanne Weispfenning, received a $500 grant to create a Grimm Brothers fairy tale video. The class chose "The Golden Goose" or "Schwan Kleb an!" The production was performed and recorded on the Masonic Temple theatre stage. The video, along with other student created videos from across the country are online on You Tube. The school with most watched video wins cash prizes. The online contest continues through Saturday, January 28.

A Rushford man was reported to be in critical condition after his Ranger pickup collided with a semi on Highway 14 west of Winona at around 2:00 Tuesday afternoon. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the semi, driven by Seth Hall of Kellogg, was turning off of Seminary Road to head east on Highway 14. The pickup, driven by 19-year-old Landon Fine was traveling westbound when he struck the truck's trailer, coming to rest underneath it. Rescue personnel worked about an hour to free Feine from the wreckage. He was airlifted to Gunderson Lutheran Hosptial in La Crosse.

The Winona County Board of Commissioners unanimously decided to table a tax abatement request during their meeting last night. The request from PlastiComp was tabled in order for board members to gather more information and to figure out how requests should be handled in the future. Commissioner Jim Pomeroy said it is his belief that tax abatements should only be used under rare circumstances. PlastiComp of Winona has asked the county for a $235,000 tax abatement to help finance expansion of their facility. The city of Winona rejected a similar request from Plasticomp last week.

A deer damage workshop, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, is planned to be held in Winona tomorrow evening. Both Senator Jeremy Miller of Winona and Representative Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa will be attending the workshop scheduled for Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Tandeski Center at Southeast Technical College. The workshop provide information about the Department of Natural Resource's Wildlife Damage Program which seeks to help lessen the harm caused by deer. Department of Natural Resources staff will be in attendance to explain the program and answer questions.