HBC TV 25 News

A 51–year–old Winona man was struck and killed by a train this morning as he crossed the tracks at Johnson Street. The man's name is expected to be released Tuesday morning. According to Winona Police, the accident happened at 6:45 this morning. Winona Police Deputy Chief Tom Williams said the train operator did see the man but could not stop in time. Williams said no foul play is expected. Investigation of the incident by police and Canadian Pacific Railway officials continues.

Winona County has received just over $395,000 to fight crime. The grant was awarded to the county by the United States Department of Justice and unanimously accepted by the Winona County Board Tuesday. Winona County Attorney Chuck MacLean told commissioners the funds will help pay for an additional prosecutor in the county attorney's office and create and maintain a new rural drug and crime strike force. MacLean said Winona's location along a river, two major national highway systems and a main passenger rail line provide several avenues for drugs to be brought into the area.

Winona has selected a new poet laureate. Ken McCullough was appointed by the Winona Fine Arts Commission to serve a two–year term as the city's poetic ambassador. McCullough said that as Poet Laureate he will work toward making poetry accessible and appealing to a larger audience. A reception will be held in his honor on Tuesday, October 27 at 6:30 pm at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. The public is invited to attend.

Fastenal reports sharp declines in earnings and revenue. But even with the recession, the company is planning for the recovery. CEO Will Oberton told analysts Monday that, based on "recent sales improvements and our confidence going forward," Fastenal expects to open 25 stores in the fourth quarter. It opened only a dozen new stores in the second and third quarters, including just three in the third quarter. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, Fastenal reported net income of $47.6 million, down 35 percent from a year ago.

An investigation into a brawl at Winona beer party last April has led to charge against 15 people. Winona Police Deputy Chief, Tom Williams, said officers responded on April 26 to a loud party complaint at 166 Olmsted Street at around 1:30 a.m. Williams said officers found several injured persons, broken beer bottles and pieces of broken furniture outside the residence when they arrived. The homes occupants would not allow officers into the house and began locking doors and covering windows.

Goodview Police say they assisted the Minnesota State Patrol with a pair of single vehicle rollovers this morning. Chief Kent Russell said both incidents happened on Highway 61 on the rail overpass near Winona County Road 23. Road conditions were said to have been icy. The state patrol has not released any other information on the incidents.

Members of the Aghaming Park Advisory Committee will be meeting Wednesday. The committee will be working to finalize an agreement for the management of the park with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under the proposed agreement, the wildlife service would install and maintain signage within the park as well as provide law enforcement. The committee will meet in the Wenonah Room in City Hall Wednesday evening at 6:00.

A pair of Winona teenagers who had been missing for a week were located by police in New Orleans. Tychelle Stoos and Johann Van Deinse, are both 16 years old had last been heard from on October 3. The pair was discovered while trying to check into a New Orleans hotel Sunday night at around 7:00. Police accounts say the desk clerk noticed the two seemed nervous and he contacted the authorities. A check by police revealed the two Winona Senior High juniors had been reported missing. Winona Police Deputy Chief Tom Williams said the two teens will likely be charged with runaway.

Move over Tony Manaro, there's a new "King of the Dance Floor" in town. Winona High School Band Director Tim Gleason was named the winner of the first 'Dancing with the Winona Stars'. Gleason was one of several Winona celebrities who were paired up with professionals for the charity event held at Jefferson's Riverside Center Sunday. The event was put on by Gotta Dance of Winona. Some of the proceeds raised help to support a charity selected by each competitor and to fund future Gotta Dance student competitions.

The Winona County Board of Commissioners will be meeting Tuesday morning. Agenda items include accepting a Federal Stimulus Grant that will be used to create and fund a Winona County Drug and Crime Strike Force. The board will also receive several staff reports on the current finance status of the county. The board will meet in the Winona County Government Center board room beginning at 9:00 am. The meeting can also be seen live on government access channel 19.