HBC TV 25 News

Several non–union school district employees have announced they will take voluntary unpaid leave as a way to help relieve some of the stress on the school district's budget. Last Thursday, 25 non–union administrative, supervisory and central office support staff sent a letter Winona Area Public Schools Superintendent, Paul D. Durand notifying him of their decision. In a prepared news release, Durand thanked them for their positive example and the personal sacrifices offered.

The 16th Annual Grumpy Old Men Festival begins tonight in Wabasha. The weekend event kicks off with a BBQ rib dinner this evening at the American Legion Club. Saturday's events feature the first Grumpy Plunge at Slippery's beginning at 3:00. Registration gets underway at 1:30. Mississippi Parkside Marinia will be the location for the annual Ice Fishing Contest beginning at 11:00. Other events include the Pet Costume Pageant, canine Frisbee contest, cribbage tournament, bingo and live music.

During Monday night's regular Winona City Council meeting, council members will discuss input received from the 30 percent Rule Task Force. Mayor Jerry Miller requested the task force reconviene to discuss alternatives following a recent public meeting on the rule. Council will also vote to award contracts for the painting of the Sugar Loaf Reservoir and for the Well #20 Pumphouse. The City Council regular meeting will be held in council chambers of City Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. A pair of informational meetings will preceed Monday's regular meeting of the council.

A Winona Jail inmate who was released on Huber privilieges Thursday to look for work and then failed to return was later apprehended near the technical college. Winona Police Deputy Chief Tom Williams said 31–year–old Draconis Vehtesse Fourtwenty failed to return to the Winona County Jail after being released to look for a job. Williams said that at around 3:00 p.m., a patrol officer saw Fourtwenty in the area near Minnesota State College–Southeast Technical.

Two people in a car suspected of being involved in a Fountain City drug deal were arrested after a traffic stop in Winona. Winona Police said Fountain City Police notified them that a car used in a suspected drug deal was headed towards Winona. Deputy Chief Tom Williams said officers located the car on West Fifth Street and pulled it over on a traffic violation. The car's driver, 31–year–old Diangelo Omarr Marshall of Winona was arrested for driving after suspension.

Ready Set School has announced it has been offered a $10,000 challenge grant by a Winona company. Ready Set School announced Thursday that Winona Radio has offered a $10,000 challenge grant to Ready Set School. In a released statement, Winona Radio owner Jerry Papenfuss said this year will be a challenging one for all community service groups and that Winona Radio was pleased to work with Ready Set School to help fund the needs of Winona County's school children. According to Ready Set School officials, Winona Radio will match all donations between March 1 and April 14, 2009 up to $10,000.

The Goodview City Council holds its regular meeting Monday evening. The council will hear a presentation from Yaggy Colby Engineers on preliminary plans and cost estimates for an outlet for Lake Goodview. Also, Julie Fassbender from the Winona Park Rec. Department will be addressing questions from council members on a proposal for 2009 summer programs with the Winona Park & Recreation Department. The Goodview City Council meeting begins at 5:00.

Winona Area Public Schools will be dismissing elementary students at 12:10 p.m. and secondary students at 1:30 p.m. Also, there will be no Key Kids care this afternoon. All After School Activities and Community Education classes for this evening are also cancelled due to the weather.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories for the central and southern parts of Minnesota today in advance of a severe winter storm headed our way. The forecast is for heavy snow at times in the south and central portions of Minnesota with the precipitation starting as sleet or freezing rain in the south. The weather service says increasing north winds will cause blowing and drifting snow in the west, central and south. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Total daytime snow accumulation of between 5 to 9 inches is possible.

An Altura woman reportedly sustained minor injuries after her SUV crashed Wednesday morning. According to Chief Deputy Ron Ganrude of the Winona County Sheriff's Department, April Joy Kriedemacher was traveling eastbound on Highway 248 near Straight Valley Road when slick roads caused her to lose control. Reports indicate Kriedemacher then struck a guard rail. She was taken by Altura Ambulance to Community Memorial Hospital for treatment. No citations were issued.