HBC TV 25 News

Deer within the city limits will remain safe from hunters. The Winona City Council voted 4–3 last night to pass a motion to prohibit hunting on city conservancy land. Mayor Jerry Miller along with Council persons George Borzyskowski, Tim Breza and Gerry Krage voted for the motion against expanding hunting areas. Council representatives Deb Salyards, Al Thurley and Debbie While voted against the motion. Mayor Miller said he is hopeful something can eventually be worked out.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded money to Winona County to help bolster emergency food and shelter programs. Winona County is scheduled to receive nearly $32,000 for its emergency programs. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. A local board will be charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high–need areas around the country.

This week's meeting of the Winona Area Public Schools Board holds major consequences for the district's future. The board is expected to vote on the fate of Central Elementary school. While two recent public input sessions brought out parents of Central students who lobbied for the building to remain open, very few comments were made regarding closing the school. According to district figures, closing the building and relocating students to other schools in the district would save around $300,000 per year.

Organizers of the Great River Shakespeare Festival will unveil their plans for the expanded 2010 season this weekend. On Sundayfrom 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Signatures Restaurant's Vision Events Center, festival officials will provide a sneak preview of design work and casting news for Othello, The Comedy of Errors, and The Daly News. The 2010 GRSF season opens the weekend of June 25–26 with Othello and The Comedy of Errors on the Winona State University Performing Arts Center main stage. 2010 marks the GRSF's 7th season in Winona.

We here at HBC–TV 25 lost a friend over the weekend. Long–time Winona broadcaster Chuck Williams died Saturday at his home in Winona at age 89. Many of you remember Chuck from his days at KWNO as an announcer and sportscaster. Chuck's play–by–play descriptions of Winona's sports teams vividly brought the games right through the radio.

The time to be counted is here. Residents of the City of Winona should have begun receiving 2010 Census forms in the mail today. The form has 10 questions including: the number of people living at the residence, the name, gender and date of birth or each resident, and their race. Winona County census officials have been expressing the importance of the once a decade count. Government money and a U.S. congressional seat are at stake for Minnesotans.

One man is in custody today after being arrested on drug possession charges. Winona Police Sergeant Chris Nelson said 26–year–old Nicholas Jacob Pederson of Rio Rancho, New Mexico was stopped by officers shortly before 5:00 a.m. Saturday. Reports say Pederson and a companion identified as 24–year–old Treyton Joseph Luby of Winona were stopped in the 100 block of East Broadway by an officer who had seen the men darting through yards. Pederson had in his possession 156.3 grams of a substance that tested positive for THC and a marijuana pipe.

The latest version of the state's construction, or bonding bill, is on its way to the governor's desk. The House and Senate passed the nearly $1 billion measure yesterday. State Representative Gene Pelowski of Winona said the revamped bill is still a good one and does include money for projects throughout the district. Some of the money will go towards a Winona Port project, roads and bridges in the district and to WSU and MnSCSET for heating and ventilation upgrades.

A Winona man, accused of choking a woman, has been summoned to appear in court. A criminal complaint filed in Winona District Court charges 47–year–old Ronald Wayne Langowski with false imprisonment–intentional restraint and domestic assault by strangulation. The alleged incident occurred in the late evening or early morning hours of February 14 and 15 after Langowski had been out with the 42–year–old female victim. According to the complaint, the victim referred to Langowski's mother in a derogatory manner.

Winona's Early Childhood Education program has announced registration dates and locations for Community KIDS Preschool and Rollingstone Community Preschool. Community KIDS Preschool is located at Goodview Elementary, 5100 W 9th Street in Goodview. Rollingstone Community Preschool is located at Rollingstone Community School, 61 Main Street in Rollingstone. Registrations for the 2010–2011 school year are being taken at the Early Childhood Education Programs office located at Goodview Elementary. A $25.00 non–refundable registration fee is payable at the time of registration.