HBC TV 25 News

Officials in Washington are working feverishly to develop a broadband plan to connect rural America to the rest of the country and the world. Hiawatha Broadband Communications President Gary Evans, Chief Financial Officer Bob Bartz and V-P for Technology Dan Pecarina returned last night from a two-day trip to Washington D.C. where they met with White House staff on how best to get service to rural America. Evans supports a fiber infrastructure, but that option has been viewed as too expensive, something Evans said is not true.

The Winona Area Public Schools Board will be holding public hearings before deciding which, if any, schools will be closed in the district. At its meeting last night, the school board discussed several options to help the district operate more cost–effectively. While issues like attendance boundry lines remain options, officials wonder if the end result would bring any actual cost savings. For the past several years, the school board has toyed with the idea of closing Central Elementary, but has always found a reason to keep it open.

Police have arrested one man in connected to a brawl outside and east end tavern last week. Deputy Chief Tom Williams identified the man taken into custody as 24–year–old Casey Kanz of Winona. He is being referred to the county attorney's office for charges of Third Degree Assault and Aggrevated Robbery. Police have accused Kanz and two other suspects of beating and robbing two men who were leaving the Handi Corner Tavern in the early morning hours of October 27. Reports said their attackers made off with one of the victim's wallets containing about $300 cash and credit cards.

A 17–year–old male from Arcadia is facing charges after police say he used a debit card to withdraw funds from a Winona woman's bank account. Winona Police said the boy made withdraws totaling $960 on the woman's account from the ATM at Kwik Trip located at Highway 43/61. Deputy Chief Tom Williams said the boy is being referred for charges of Financial Transaction Card Fraud and Theft.

This weekend's deer opener means lots of hunters in the woods and they could find something more than a thirty–point buck. Sheriff Dave Brand said hunters may come across active meth labs or remnants of a lab. Brand said things to look for include ordinary plastic coolers with hoses, L–P gas cylinders, stained coffee filters, lye, iodine, brake cleaner and stained cookware. He said hunters should avoid contact with the items and notify local law enforcement. The meth cooking process involves the use of toxic chemicals which are then discarded.

Minnesota Department of Health officials report three more deaths from H1N1, including one in Winona County, and another death from a flu–like illness that wasn't confirmed as H1N1. Health Department officials say all three confirmed victims had underlying health conditions. The latest victims include a Winona County resident in their 70s, a Fillmore County resident in their 20s, and a Hennepin County resident in their 50s. The fourth death was an "older adult" who died of the flu, but there wasn't a sample available to test and confirm what type of flu.

One of the National Eagle Centers most celebrated residents will be in the national television spotlight tomorrow. Harriet the eagle and her handlers will be appearing on a NBC "Today" show segment about endangered species. Eagle center education director Scott Mehus and Bucky Flores will be making the trip east with Harriet. This is not Harriet's first trip to the Big Apple. She has been on the "Today" show once before and has made an appearance on "The Colbert Report." Harriet has also been to Washington D.C. and Texas.

Drivers traveling westbound through Winona County on Interstate 90 will experience an extra day or two of delays. Recent rain has pushed back completion of a catch basin repair project until at least Monday. The lane closure is in effect between Highway 43 and Winona County Road 29. A second I–90 project will also be causing slight delays beginning Monday near the Lewiston exit. MN/DOT maintenance crews will be working on the bridge located about a mile east of Lewiston.

Over 10,000 seat belt violators were ticketed in a recent seat–belt enforcement effort. Department of Public Safety officials also said they believe the new law has helped reduce the number of traffic deaths in Minnesota. Last year at this time there were 370 deaths, compared to 340 this year. Officials said about half of all people who die in Minnesota traffic accidents aren't wearing seat belts.

On a split vote, the Winona County Board made three changes to the planned expansion and addition for the county annex. The changes include the addition of a fire suppression system for the server room, a fire sprinkler system for the records room and changes to the buildings heating and ventilation controls. The actual cost of the additional features is about $22,500. Commissioners Olson, Kaehler and Voegeli voted in favor of the motion with Commissioners Pomeroy and Ward voting against. The City of Winona is reviewing the site plan.