HBC TV 25 News

Winona Police continue to conduct compliance checks at city bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Sergeant Rick Bittle said a server at Tres Compadres was cited for serving a bottle of beer to an underage male without asking for ID. Ticketed was Luz Maria Guerrero Chavolla of Onalaska. Last week, Police Chief Paul Bostrack said officers would be conducting routine checks with the goal of having 100 percent compliance.

The long awaited move into the new Wabasha County Justice Center is underway. County employees spent last week moving from the old county courthouse building and into the new $23 million facility. Court hearings were scheduled to be held in a second floor courtroom today. The 72–bed jail will not be open for at least a few more months as additional staff are still being hired. Jail staff must also complete 500 hours of specialized training. Officials hope to have the jail operating in February or March of 2010 after the training is completed.

It is the final week of October and time to start thinking about winter parking restrictions in the Cities of Winona and Goodview. Beginning at 1:00 a.m. November 1, vehicles parked on Winona city streets must abide by the Alternate Side Parking ordinance. Depending on the date, cars need to be parked on the odd or even side of the street. For example, at 1:00 a.m. Sunday, the date will be the first. All vehicles should be parked on the odd side of the street or face a $25.00 fine and possible towing charges. Tickets can be paid at the Winona Police Department.

A warrant has been issued by Winona County District Court for a St. Charles man accused of fleeing police and other charges. A criminal complaint filed in court charges 42–year–old Scott Allen Ball with fleeing police in a motor vehicle, driving after cancellation and an ineligible person in possession of a firearm. Authorities said Ball tried to out run a St. Charles Police officer in the early morning hours of September 6 after he was seen squealing his tires while leaving the St. Charles Kwik Trip. Ball ditched his car on a farm field access road and ran, eluding officers.

The state will pay farmers who are willing to leave standing rows of corn along state highways this winter. MN/DOT says farmers can receive up to $1.50 a bushel above the current corn price for leaving about 16 rows of corn stalks standing through the winter. Harry VanDeWiele who oversees the living snow fence project for the Department of Transportation said they are seeking farmers with fields to the north and west sides of state highways and interstates where there is a known drifting problem. He said the corn can be hand–picked if desired. The stalks must be left standing through March.

Winona residents will have the chance to air concerns or have questions answered about city projects Monday night. Mayor Jerry Miller will be hosting the town meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Misato Room of Winona City Hall. If you are not able to attend the meeting in person, you can email any questions to Mayor Miller at: jsmiller@hbci.com.

The deaths of a Winona man while walking across railroad tracks and another Minnesota man who was walking on tracks has prompted transportation officials to issue a safety alert. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports the two fatalities raise the number of 2009 railroad/pedestrian fatalities to 11. There were five rail/pedestrian fatalities in Minnesota in 2008. Minnesota Operation Lifesaver executive director Donna Naumann said that this is the highest number of pedestrian/rail fatalities in the past 10 years.

Ready Set School is moving its offices to a new location. Starting October 30, the new location will be Central School in Winona. The move will also mean a new phone number and email address. You can contact Ready Set School by calling 494–0906 or by e–mail at: readysetschool@gmail.com or visit their website: readysetschool.wetpaint.com. Anyone wishing to make donations can still do so by mail to Ready Set School, PO Box 499, Winona, 55987.

Donation barrels have been placed at area businesses for the annual "Toys For Tots" collection. The annual collection is organized each year by the Hiawatha Valley Marines. HVM Top Devil Dog Jim Eddy of the group said the drive assisted 370 families in providing toys to over 1000 kids last year. Between now and December 6 people are asked to purchase a new toy or toys suitable for children between the ages of newborn to 13 and place them a collection barrel.

State Department of Transportation officials unveiled several options for a new Minnesota/Wisconsin interstate bridge at Winona. Around 100 people attended the MN/DOT hosted event at the Winona Middle School. MN/DOT project manager Jai Kalsy said there was still a lot of work to do before a final option is selected, one of which is rehabilitating the current structure. MN/DOT has scheduled construction to begin in 2014. Around 100 people attended the MN/DOT hosted event at the Winona Middle School.