Robb Murray

6 days ago | mankatofreepress.com | Robb Murray

MANKATO — A Mankato woman faces robbery charges for an alleged late-night holdup of a former employer — a crime it took just 90 minutes for police to solve. Latosha Marie James, 44, was charged Friday in Blue Earth County District Court with a felony count of first-degree aggravated robbery and gross misdemeanor counts of theft and carrying a handgun without a permit. Police responded to the KFC restaurant at about 11 p.m. Thursday to a report of a robbery.

1 week ago | mankatofreepress.com | Robb Murray

Shelley Pierce didn’t have to think twice when asked to moderate a Songwriters in the Round discussion at this year’s Minnesota Original Music Festival. “I'd been kicking around the idea of getting bass players together to do something like this, so it just kind of ended up being the perfect opportunity to do that,” said Pierce. “Mostly just because there's such amazing bass players around here.

1 week ago | mankatofreepress.com | Robb Murray

MANKATO — When asked why the YWCA of Mankato will soon vacate its current office space for new digs, Executive Director Ceceli Bidelman summed up the move in one word: pragmatism. “We’ve outgrown our space here at Shared Spaces, and one of the challenges that we’ve had historically — and I noticed it right away when I started — is that we’re not able to offer programming here that easily,” Bidelman said.

1 week ago | mankatofreepress.com | Robb Murray

MANKATO — Moments before the hearing — where the man authorities say was responsible for her daughter’s death was about to face sentencing — Karen Schultz was nervous. “I don’t know why,” she said. “I know what’s going to happen.”And she was right. Brent Tesch of St. Peter, who had been charged with third-degree murder in the June 2 death of 37-year-old Jennifer Lynn Baker, was expected to be sentenced to 57 months in prison.

1 week ago | mankatofreepress.com | Robb Murray

MANKATO — A 16-year-old male was arrested in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred Sunday evening in Mankato. Police responded to the area of Second and Adams streets shortly after 7:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of a stabbing. The 18-year-old victim, police say, went to the Mankato hospital on his own where he was treated for “serious injuries.” He reportedly remains in stable condition as of Monday morning. Police say they are not seeking additional suspects.