COUNTDOWN: THE YEAR’S MAJOR WINONA NEWS

No. 9: New mayor

When likeable, unflappable antiquarian Mark Peterson decided against a third term as mayor, a spirited race ensued. Downtown art shop owner Jovy Rockey handily won the primary by a 4:3 margin. Then came a revelation that she had stolen more than $1,000 in returned milk bottle deposits from Bluff Country Co-op 10 years earlier. Her response: She was a single mom desperate for money and regretted doing it and would never do it again. The community was split between sympathizers and non-forgivers. Meanwhile, there was a recount for the second spot on the mayor ballot. Insurance man Scott Sherman defeated City Council member Michelle Alexander by a whisker. Sherman then defeated Rockey 5:4 in the general election. Wow, what a ride.

Sherman. 6,234 votes.

Rockey. 4,685 votes.
Scroll down to No. 10:  A new jail or else