Mark Fischenich

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — An independent auditor found that Mankato police are complying with state law and local policy in their use of bodycams. Minnesota law enforcement agencies are required to undergo a compliance audit every two years, and the Mankato Department of Public Safety just completed its first two years using bodycams last fall. Rampart Audit LLC issued its report on April 9 of how well the department and its staff followed the rules.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — As the renovation of All Seasons Arena enters its final months, nearly $100,000 in unforeseen expenses at the community ice rink are being reported this month to the three local governments that share ownership. The Mankato City Council, the North Mankato City Council and the Blue Earth County Board will be asked to approve $67,000 in change orders on the $14 million renovation on top of $31,374 in added payments to contractors authorized earlier in April.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — The Mankato Regional Airport is as busy as it’s ever been, driven by continued growth in Minnesota State University’s pilot-training program. And with several recent collisions and narrow misses at American airports, the safety benefits of adding an air traffic control tower may be clearer now even than when the city first agreed to seek one in 2020. But five years later, the cost has soared and a major chunk of the promised federal funding has failed to land.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — Additional plans for downtown Mankato redevelopment are likely to be unveiled later this spring by the investors behind a $93 million two-hotel complex, which has already broken ground, and a 2026 project to bring a fifth new hotel to the city center — this one adjacent to the historic post office building.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — There were no injuries, but a Mankato manufactured home was destroyed by a Saturday afternoon fire. Firefighters were called to 722 Southhaven Drive at 12:03 p.m. and found heavy fire coming from the rear of the structure. The person living in the home was not there at the time and no one was injured, according to city officials. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire.