City of Mankato News

Due to a water main break on Woodshire Drive, the street is closed from Belleview Avenue to the cul-de-sac on Woodshire. The street is expected to reopen later today.

Thompson Ravine Road, from Victory Drive to May Street, will temporarily close for utility work from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17 and Thursday, March 18.

Today, agents of the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force (MRVDTF), with assistance from the Mankato Department of Public Safety-police and the North Mankato Police Department, completed a narcotics investigation in the city of Mankato that led to the arrest of one person for controlled substance crimes.

Kreig Street is partially closed between Winkler and Swiss streets due to a water main break. The street is expected to reopen later tonight.

East Main Street, from Manitou Drive to Mayfair Drive, is temporarily closed for utility work. The road is expected to reopen later this afternoon.

Thinking about buying a home? Learn more about the purchase process and financing options through the Home Stretch homebuyer education workshop.

The Mankato Department of Public Safety has arrested three individuals related to robberies that occurred in Mankato on January 30 and February 8.

On Friday, February 12, police arrested a 19-year-old Mankato man for possession and dissemination of child pornography in Mankato.

The four individuals chosen as finalists for the director of Mankato's Department of Public Safety will be in Mankato February 18-19. During that time, they will tour the city, meet city personnel and make presentations before city personnel and representatives of community organizations, in addition to participating in interviews. Finalists James Coan, Shaun LaDue, Todd Miller and Anthony Paetznick were selected for their combined experience and educational background relative to the profile for the position.

At approximately 11:40 p.m. yesterday (Monday, February 8), the Mankato Department of Public Safety responded to an armed robbery that occurred in the 200 block of North Fifth Street.

View the latest Mankato Minute to learn why an accurate count is important.

Four individuals have been chosen as finalists for the director of Mankato's Department of Public Safety. The selection process was initiated with a nation-wide search, which resulted in submission of over 40 applications by qualified individuals. Selection of finalists was conducted by the Mankato Joint Civil Service Commission in conjunction with the city manager’s office. Utilization of the Civil Service Commission was incorporated into this process because, as a citizen commission, they infuse the community’s values into the operation of the Department of Public Safety.

At around 2:12 a.m. this morning (Saturday, January 30), Mankato Department of Public Safety police officers were called to First National Bank, 500 Long Street, for a report of an armed robbery.

Elk’s Nature Center in Rasmussen Woods (555 Stoltzman Road, Mankato) will be open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning February 5—made possible through a partnership between the city of Mankato and Minnesota State University, Mankato. City staff is working with MSU, Mankato’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services to develop programming and staff the facility with volunteers.

At approximately 4:36 a.m. today, Mankato Department of Public Safety police officers were called to 131 Bunting Lane for what was initially reported as a burglary. The caller said that a roommate was chasing the suspect through nearby apartment complexes. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate a suspect.

At 2:45 p.m. today, police from the department of public safety were dispatched to 1318 South Riverfront Drive for a weapons complaint. The caller indicated that a gunshot had been heard from inside Burger King restaurant. No apparent injuries resulted from the gun shot.

The Mankato Department of Public Safety's annual "Keep the Wreath Bright...Prevent a Red Light" program to promote holiday safety concluded with one red bulb on the wreath, which signified that one residential or commercial fire occurred in Mankato during the holiday season.

Adopt a fire hydrant to keep it clear of snow. Doing so helps give firefighters efficient access in the event of a fire.

The Mankato City Council evaluated the performance of City Manager Patrick Hentges on December 7 in closed session. Through the evaluation process, the City Council considered the City Manager’s overall performance, as well as performance in eight specific performance areas. The City Council concluded that Hentges consistently exceeded the performance requirements in all eight areas during 2009.

In Minnesota, alcohol-related crashes account for up to 200 traffic deaths and nearly 400 serious injuries each year. To combat the serious threat of impaired driving on area roads, the Minnesota River Valley Safe & Sober Coalition will conduct extra Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) patrols through December as part of a statewide effort.

City Manager Patrick Hentges said the city has started an independent nationwide search for a new Director of Public Safety, including the use of professional bulletins and Websites. “We’re hoping to hire a proven leader to provide dynamic and innovative leadership to police and fire staff to serve the needs of a growing, diverse regional center,” said Hentges. “This includes addressing the challenges and opportunities outlined in our recent public safety study.”

The City of Mankato has been awarded approximately $420,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Justice Assistance grant funding, on behalf of the South Central Minnesota Computer Consortium, for an e-citation project.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the City of Mankato and Blue Earth County Economic Development Authorities more than $10 million in American Recovery and Re-Investment Act (ARRA) stimulus grant funding for public housing rehabilitation and construction.

Mankato Department of Public Safety has learned that some Mankato bars/restaurants are permitting games or contests that involve drinking alcohol, such as “beer pong” tournaments.

During the month of July, over 250 motorists were cited by area law enforcement for speeding. "Every time you get behind the wheel put safety first — traveling at the posted speed limit reduces the risk for a crash,” said Police Officer Adam Gray of the Mankato Department of Public Safety.

Minnesota has an extensive statewide network of foreclosure prevention counseling agencies that provide services to all homeowners in danger of losing their homes due to foreclosure.

The Technology Plus building, 1961 Premier Drive, has been renamed the Greater Mankato Business Development Center and new signage has been placed on the building to reflect the change.

The City of Mankato's Heritage Preservation Commission was recently granted Certified Local Government status by the State Historic Preservation Office, which is a critical first step in undertaking a comprehensive historic preservation effort throughout the community.

As the days get nicer, more people are doing outdoor activities including recreational fires.

Public Safety Police Explorers recently competed in a state law enforcement competition and earned a record number of awards, which include: first place in traffic accident investigation, first place in gang investigation, first place in the 5k run, first place in fitness run, second place in interview and interrogation, fourth place in traffic accident investigation and fifth place in bomb scene search.

Thinking about hiring a contractor for home improvements? There have been recent reports of contractor scams in the area. The City of Mankato encourages citizens to keep in mind the following tips when hiring a contractor:

The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a massive field operation to kick off the 2010 Census.

The City of Mankato will receive $167,000 in federal stimulus funding for energy efficiency improvements. City staff will develop a final action plan once the fund distribution guidelines are available from the Department of Energy.

As per the December Minnesota Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax newsletter (page 8), Mankato's one-half percent food and beverage tax will begin on April 1, 2009. The Mankato City Council approved the ordinance on September 8, and the ordinance became effective January 1, 2009. Items subject to the half percent tax are served food and beverages and ticket sales for entertainment purposes. Establishments will remit sales tax payments directly to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the City of Mankato bond rating to Aa3 (from A1). City Manager Patrick Hentges said analysts were impressed with the City Council's strategic decision making in the areas of budget management, cash reserves and debt management as being some of the primary factors in receiving the upgrade. Reviewers were impressed with the city's ability to structure debt in a manner that has grown the community in an orderly fashion (i.e. investment in infrastructure that has grown the community with a diverse tax base). Finally, there was confidence that Mankato's infrastructure is positioned to have more capacity in the next few years; thus, tempering borrowing needs.

The Executive Office of the President of the United States, Office of Management and Budget, has notified the State of Minnesota that effective immediately, the Mankato-North Mankato area now officially qualifies as a new Metropolitan Statistical Area. Included are the cities of Mankato and North Mankato and the counties of Blue Earth and Nicollet.

Join the City of Mankato and take the Minnesota Energy Challenge.