R.I.P.: Bill Stiever
WINONA, Minn. — William A. “Bill” Stiever, 68, of Winona, who worked 48 years at Bloedow’s Bakery, died at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. He also drove school buses for First Student and was in environmental services at Winona Health. He was a graduate of Winona High School.
Detail: Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home
1955-2023
DWI charge: Bad time, bad place for driver
LEWISTON, Minn.– While officers were at a Lewiston apartment where someone had been knocking at a door late at night, a drunk drove up. Deputies said the man, Jaime Itehua Tecpile, 34, of Lewiston, tested at 0.20% for blood-alcohol content – 2-1/2 times the allowable max. He was arrested. This was about 11:30 p.m. Tecpile probably was not the mysterious knocker — just had bad timing, deputies said.
TECPILE. Arrest on First Street South.
Rezoning Garvin Heights farmland for housing
WINONA, Minn. – The Winona City Council unanimously approved a zoning change for a subdivision development on the far southern reaches of the bluffs out on Garvin Heights Road. The project would comprise 73 single-family houses and duplexes to be called Saint Croix Heights. The name harkens to the premium men’s sweater line St. Croix Knits created by Winona entrepreneur Bernhard Brenner, founder of Knitcraft. He’s the prime partner in the company ProGro Leasing, which sought the zoning change. The rezoning changes the parcel from a low density residential to a low-to-medium density residential. Can construction start soon? No, said Progro’s design engineer, Brian Wodele. Months may be needed to design engineering plans for further city review, he said. Issues include whether utilities, storm sewers and roads are financially feasible in the area’s bedrock. The area is now farmland. Earlier plans included less housing density on the site, but they were scrapped because infrastructure support costs would have made housing too expensive.
St. Croix Heights. Adjacent to existing Meadows and Crestview subdivisions. Among issues: More automobile commuter traffic on narrow, kink-curved and accident-plagued County Highway 44 up a coulee from Highway 61 and Huff Street.
Tuckered Minnesota senator votes online from bed
EAST BETHEL, Minn. — A Minnesota state senator couldn’t make a a routine legislative meeting — he was too tired — so he turned onto a Zoom session from bed and voted that way. Then he disconnected and went back to sleep. Somehow the editors at the British Broadcasting Corporation couldn’t resist ribbing their Yankee viewers with the the video of Republican Senator Calvin Bahr of East Bethel in bed, shirtless for the vote with his shoulders propped up by a pillow. Yes, it went viral. Later after Bahr began his second start on the day, he declined to respond to the obvious question: Why? A Republican Senate spokeswoman, however, said Bahr, a truck driver, had worked until 4:45 a.m. and went to bed before the meeting, which was 30 miles away at the Capitol. The video had a remanent insight into Bahr’s taste in decor: On his bedroom back wall was an oversize mural from the “School House Rock” animation classic and the tune “I’m Just a Bill,” which was the first lesson in civics for a generation of kids in the 1970s. The lyrics:
“I’m just a bill.
Yes, I’m only a bill.
And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it’s a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It’s a long, long wait
While I’m sitting in committee,
But I know I’ll be a law some day
At least I hope and pray that I will,
But today I am still just a bill.”
Bahr profile
Elected in 2022 to the state Senate 63% to 37% from District 31. Earlier three terms in House. Age 60. Salary as senator: $46,500 plus daily expenses while the Senate is in session for the 125 days a year in St. Paul. One of the Senate’s farthest-right members.
Pillow time. Voting from bed.
Formal. His Senate portrait.
Copper thieves rip off old air-conditioners
WINONA, Minn. – Some rusty old air-conditioning units awaiting recycling were raided for their copper coils at Schneider Heating & Air Conditooning on Harvester Street. The theft, apparently over the weekend, was discovered about 8:30 a.m. The copper was valued a $500.
Guilty plea in stabbing out back at cafe
PRESTON, Minn. – A Wykoff man has admitted to first-degree assault for a stabbing behind an Ostrander cafe in November. The plea was negotiated by an attorney for Noah Foster, 34, in exchange for a dropping a more serious charge. The deal would have Foster agreeing preferably to no more jail time – he’s been held since November — but accepting 39 months. Judge Jeremy Clinefelter kept Foster’s bail at $75,000 and delayed sentencing to July. Foster was accused of stabbing a co-worker a half dozen times during a cigarette break from their kitchen jobs at Susie’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill. Foster’s girlfriend told investigators that he suspected her of cheating. The victim got away, ran inside the cafe, locked the door and called 911.
Earlier: Attempted murder charged in Ostrander stabbing
Earlier: Stabbing: Over fears of woman sharing favors
Earlier: Stabbing attack in Fillmore County
Foster. Incident was during breakfast shift.
Driver facing alcohol, cocaine charges
WINONA, Minn. – After seeing a driver make unwieldly lane changes and almost striking several parked cars, a police officer decided to make a stop. Ernest Marques Cummings Jr., 35, of Winona, smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and stuttered, and couldn’t walk straight, the officer said. He was arrested. In the process, the officer found 3.85 grams of cocaine in his trousers. This was about 1:25 a.m. at Broadway and Gould Street.
Cummings.The arresting officers quoted him that he’d had a few beers.
New train soon to a depot near you
Refitted rolling stock. Single-level bulge-sided Amfleet day coaches. Now on Boston-Washington corridor. Possibly to Chicago-Milwaukee-Winona-St. Paul corridor.
Timetable listed for twice-daily Winona stops
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The long-discussed new day-train through Winona may be on the rails by the end of the year, according to a state Transportation Department update. A specific date was not reported, suggesting some fluidiity in planning, but a timetable was laid out:
> Eastbound: In Winona 1:39 p.m. for evening arrivals in Milwaukee and Chicago. This in addition to the existing Empire builder stop at 8:40 p.m.
> Westbound: In Winona at 4:19 p.m. for an evening arrival in St. Paul. This in addition to the existing Empire builder stop a 10:54 a.m.
The schedule would require two train sets – coaches and a lounge and snack car but no sleepers. The national passenger service Amtrak, which would operate the trains, is unlikely to use two-deck Superliner cars like those on the existing Empire Builder between Chicago and the West Coast. The Superliner fleet, with some cars 50 ears old, has been depleted by accidents. More likely are bulge-sided single -level Amfleet cars that are being replaced on the Northeast corridor between Boston and Washington. Amfleet consists usually are led by a single locomotive.
Earlier: Summer target for new Winona train
Rail upgrades
If plans pan out for a late 2023 start, the new passenger rail service would be operating before upgrades related to project are completed. These upgrades include motorized track switches from the Canadian Pacific mainline into the Union Pacific’s Winona yard and at CP’s junction of the mainline to its western Minnesota branch. These and other infrastructure upgrades are not scheduled to start until Spring 2024.
Family memories in Winona high drama
Not quite a cast of thousands. But more than we can list in this caption.
“Family Album” – A play with Minnesota roots
WINONA, Minn. — The drama crew at Winona High School opens a three-day run of the Rob Frankel play “Family Album” this weekend. Tickets at the door: $3 to $7. Times: 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. The five-act play follows the Levitt family reunion as they journey through photos and memories including fun times, sad times, hard times, and touching times.
Frankel. The “Family Album” by Minnesota playwright Rob Frankel was first produced in 1991 at the Rochester Civic Center. He was an artist-in-residence. He travels as much as his schedule permits to student productions of his work. Will he be in Winona?
Merchants parent firm’s earnings slip
WINONA, Minn. — Merchants Financial Group announced that net income for the first quarter of 2023 fell to $7.2 million — $166,000 behind a year earlier. An upbeat note: The income exceeded projections by $830,000. Chief executive Greg Evans blamed the earnings slippage on turbulence in the banking industry, which he said was caused by “misinformation and market disruption.”
College scores
Baseball: Winona State 8, Upper Iowa 7
Baseball: Saint Mary’s 19, Bethany 9
Softball: Winona State 6, Northern State of South Dakota 5
Softball: Winona State 7, Northern State of South Dakota 1, doubleheader
Softball: UW-LaCrosse and UW-Eau Claire, postponed
Softball: UW-LaCrosse and UW-Eau Claire, postponed, doubleheader
Sagging floor closes third-floor venue at Galesville
GALESVILLE, Wis. – An intimate 80-seat theater in the third floor of Old Main Historical Center has been closed because of a sagging floor in the 161-year-old structure. An architect will need to to cut a hole in the second floor ceiling to examine the support beams and joists, said Old Main performance manager Jim Riley. The architect should be able to estimate the feasibility and cost of repairs, Riley said. The problem was discovered at a rehearsal when the floor bounced “a little bit,” Riley said. The insurance carrier for building insisted that the third floor be sealed off.
Old Main. The city of Galesville has owned the building since 1995. Originally the building was the home of a college for training school teachers. Recently it’s been home to 25 or so music, arts and cultural events a year.
Van Orden to railroad: I told you so
FERRYVILLE, Wis. – Congress member Derrick Van Orden said he warned the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad about flood problem on the Mississippi River six days before a major derailment at Ferryville. Van Orden, from 25 Prairie du Chien, 25 miles downriver, said he was assured by the Texas-based railroad that it was experienced in handling flooding and that tracks were being frequently inspected. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Board and the Federal Railroad Administration launched investigations about what caused the derailment. A A flood-sodden roadbed was suspected. Van Orden called for a halt to all rail traffic on the Upper Mississippi until flooding recedes.
Verbatim
Van Orden: “Thursday these trains shot off the rails and wound up in the Mississippi River. So one week ago, I was assured by the BNSF railroad that they’re taken all the precautions they could to make sure this wouldn’t happen, and it did”
Van Orden. First-term member of Congress, A Republican elected from Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.
Verbatim
Railroad, responding to Van Orden: “We appreciate the Congressman’s interest in this issue and are staying in close contact with his office as we work to restore the area. We are also grateful to the first responders who assisted us yesterday. At BNSF, safety is a core value, and as we indicated to the Congressman, we have a proven track record and experience dealing with inclement weather across our network, ranging from winter storms to hurricanes to flooding, as is the case here. BNSF regularly inspects all the components of our network, including locomotives, track, rail, and bridges, and we also conduct inspections after weather events. Trained BNSF inspectors utilize advanced equipment such as instrument-equipped rail cars, bridge inspection vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles and deploy technology, unmanned track measurement systems, ultrasound, ground-penetrating radar and high-definition cameras and accelerometers. This incident is under investigation and when it is complete, we will utilize what is learned to continue working to improve safety for our communities and our employees. In fact, between 2017 and 2022, we invested nearly $20 billion to maintain and expand our network in order to enhance our safety and efficiency.”
Who left bag of bones at Farmers Park? Why?
LEWISTON, Minn. — A Hy-Vee grocery bag full of bone fragments was found at Farmers Park. It seemed unlikely the bones were human, deputies said. This was about 5:30 p.m. There was no theory on who left the bag at the park or why. Deputes passed the collection on to Winona police to decide whether it fit into any of their investigations.
Out-of-control car strikes curb, tree, house
WINONA, Minn. – A driver crashed her car into a West Side house after jumping the curb and knocking down a tree. Jitu Jinaph Jalal, 23, of Winona, was taken to the hospital, apparently for a cut on a hand to be stitched. No one on the house was hurt. This was about 1:15 a.m. in the 500 block of Sioux Street. Police said Jalan admitted to drinking and told them she was sorry: “I was being reckless.” Officers said she failed several field sobriety tests. Any charges will await further intoxicant tests from the state crime lab.
Gun real at Kwik Trip late at night? Or toy?
ST. CHARLES, Minn. – Police called sheriff’s deputies for backup after a man was reported waving a gun outside the Kwik Trip fueling stop on Highway 14 through town. By the time officers arrived, the guy was gone. This was about 12:25 a.m. Best guess, said deputies, was that it was a toy gun. Even so, that’s disquieting enough.
.
WSU takes extra time for classroom redesign
King Street canopy. Some sun-facing solar panels to be mounted on 40-foot high span over a new pedestrian concourse that will replace existing King Street parking.
To lead MinnState campuses in energy efficiency
WINONA, Minn. — Plans for a new classroom building at Winona State University have been overhauled significantly withnew leading-edge environmentally friendly attributes. Charla Miertschen, dean of science and engineering, who is heading the project, said the structure will be the first zero energy and carbon-neutral building in the MinnState colleges system. The updates, also, have delayed occupancy plans two years, to May 2028. The building is called Project CECIL, short for the awkward Center for Interdisciplinary, Collaboration, Engagement and Learning. The main visible departure from the original plan are massive infrastructure revisions atop the structure to make it water-balanced, low waste, and toxin-free, Miertschen said. The revision also includes additional campus green space consistent with the university’s the 2007 climate-conscious policy commitment. Miertschen said that CECIL will help reduce the university’s carbon imprint 25% a year.
Original sketch. With now-deleted steep gables that had complemented the Jacobethan revival architectural theme eof Krueger, Maxwell, Phelps and Stark halls.
Miertschen. Science and engineering dean: “A technology-rich redesign” with state-of-art materials.
Location
CECIL will be on the King Street stub into campus, replacing the Gildemeister and Watkins buildings, which will be razed. Price tag: $4.8 million. New home for these academic departments: Art and design, computer science, and math and statistics.
How they voted: Marijuana legalization / 2
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The state Senate voted 34-33 to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The bill next goes to a joint House-Senate committee to work through differences in the chambers’ different versions of the bill. How southeast Minnesota senators voted:
To legalize
Liz Boldon, D-25 (Rochester)
Against
Gene Dornick, R-23 (Hayfield)
Steve Drazkowski, R-20 (Mazeppa)
Rich Draheim, R-22 (Mankato)
Jeremy Miller, R-26 (Winona)
Carla Nelson, R-24 (Rochester
Sheriff relieved at Matter’s 25-year sentence
RED WING, Minn. – The sheriff of Goodhue County, Marty Kelly, who led the investigation into two infanticide cases, said the conviction of Jennifer Matter was justice served. Mater, 51, was sentenced last week to 25 years in prison. Kelly released this statement: “Two newborn-babies never had an opportunity to speak, to grow, to learn, to love and to make an impact in whatever they chose to do. As a parent, the Number One unwritten rule of parenthood is to protect your children at all costs. The defendant, the mother of these newborn-babies, betrayed their trust. This betrayal cost two souls from flourishing and a great deal of pain in our community.”
Kelly. The deaths, both on banks of the Mississippi River, were in 1999 and 2003.
Steamboat Days event: Sip, celebrate, bid
Harbormasters will host Sip and Celebrate event with a wine-tasting live and silent auction with proceeds being divided with the Winona Humane Society. Tickets: $25 at Hy-Vee and La Boutique. Time: 7 p.m., Saturday, at the Winona American Legion. Among auction items:
> A Spiderman Kid Ride-On GT coupe, from Dave Jensen Farmers Insurance.
> Painted Voyageur heritage canoe paddles, Sanborn Canoe
> A $2,500 Outdoor Mizz Table, Anova.
> A handmade oak side table, Al Mulyck.
> A Twins logo bat, Pill Box.
> 30 gift baskets valued at $50 or more.
Week’s summary: Ending April 29, 2023
FLOOD: Mississippi crests at Winona, now slowly receding
MADDI: Public invited to lakeside vigil for Maddi Kingsbury
GOVERNANCE: How they voted: Marijuana legalization / 2
GOVERNANCE: How they voted: Marijuana legalization / 1
COMMERCE: Train wrecks on Mississippi River at Ferryville
SCHOOLS: Winona High graduations outdo state rates
PETS: Vicious dog attack: Child in surgery at Mayo
COLLEGES: MinnState chancellor hunt narrows to two
COLLEGES: Listen for the gong: WSU graduation Friday
COLLEGES: SMU to graduate a smaller class
COLLEGES: Southeast College apparently a hoax target
CUISINE: Kitchen smoker goes awry at fancy Winona eatery
HISTORY: Almanac: Michele Bachmann and WSU
HISTORY: Almanac: Winona’s 1965 flood to remember
ARTS: Eyota again on Luke Bryan’s radar
CRIME: 25 years prison in Red Wing infanticide case
Derailment aftermath: What to do with debris
FERRYVILLE, Wis. – The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad contracted 12 trucking companies to haul debris from its massive train wreck Thursday. The debris, expected to total 1.5 million pounds, will be shipped 35 miles upriver on Highway 35 to LaCrosse, the nearest landfill with sufficient capacity. The La Crosse landfill brought in extra teams for waste processing. At the derailment, hazmat crews segregated paint, lithium batteries and other hazardous material. Cars carrying food products and other material was also being sorted and processed for disposal. The compromised cargo totaled 12,500 tons, the railroad said. Shippers have been advised not to expect their scheduled deliveries.
Overtime at landfill. Railroad to be billed for debris processing at the Berlin Drive landfill. Image: LaCrosse County Solid Waste Department
Yucatan still focus of latest Maddi searches
WINONA, Minn. – Almost shoulder to shoulder 100 volunteers combed a section of the Yucatan Wildlife Management Area in Houston County without success for clues to the disappearance of 26-year-old Maddi Kingsbury of Winona. She disappeared March 31 under suspicious circumstances. Winona police t organized initial massive searches, with 2,600 people one weekend, but have shifted the official investigation since to concentrate on tips and literally hundreds of clues that have accumulated. Petra Eastling of Minnesota United, a Minneapolis-based missing persons group, said that Winona police have suggested areas to go to, including the Yucatan wildlife area 30 miles south of Winona. The area is adjacent to the road-accessible but now abandoned Whispering Hills girls camp.
Earlier: Public invited to lakeside vigil for Maddi Kingsbury
Earlier: Maddi search turns to wells, windmills, sinkholes
College scores
Baseball: Upper Iowa 9, Winona State 4
Baseball: Upper Iowa 9, Winona State 8, doubleheader
Baseball: UW-Lacrosse 13, UW-Oshkosh 2, doubleheader
Softball: Winona State 5, MSU-Moorhead 4
Softball: Winona State 3, MSU-Moorhead 2, doubleheader
Softball: UW-LaCrosse 7, UW-Stevens Point 5
Softball: UW-LaCrosse 8, UW-Stevens Point 5, doubleheader
Tennis (women): UW-Whitewater 5, UW-LaCrosse 0
Tennis (women): UW-LaCrosse 5, UW-Whitewater 0
Vicious dog attack: Child in surgery at Mayo
WINONA, Minn. — A 5-year-old boy was mauled by a neighbor’s mastiff and seriously injured while playing hide-and-seek with friends. The boy suffered deep cuts on his head, neck and arms before the dog’s owner could call him off, police said. The boy was taken to the Winona hospital, then to Mayo Clinic for surgery. Meanwhile, the dog was quarantined. The incident was about 7 o’clock on the 900 block of Birch Boulevard at the mouth of East Burns Valley. Police said the dog’s owner had let the dog out to relieve itself when it charged the boy in the yard next door.
Cane Corso. A large muscular breed of mastiff bred originally in Italy. Weight: Typically 40 to 50 pounds. Considered gentle if socialized early.
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