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Beauty Box Boutique brings Minnesota style with LA twist to Willmar

A person’s style can be an outward expression of their personality. So it makes sense that the Beauty Box Boutique in Willmar puts a spotlight on fashion that is a creative mix of Minnesota and Los Angeles. The owner of the boutique, Misty Watkins, is an LA transplant who now calls Minnesota home. She likes […]

Electric power co-op puts electric vehicle to use as a consumer teaching tool

SPICER—It may seem logical that a business that sells electricity should have a vehicle that runs on electricity. That’s one reason why the Kandiyohi Power Cooperative began leasing a 2019 Tesla Model 3 this fall. The co-op didn’t want to just “talk the talk but walk the walk,” said Dan Tepfer, energy management specialist with […]

Woodland Centers crisis and detox facilities receive long-awaited upgrade

WILLMAR—A long awaited renovation is nearing completion at the crisis center and detox facilities at Woodland Centers. The changes are bringing several improvements that will increase safety and accessibility for the clients who stay there. The entire facility also is getting a facelift to make it brighter and more welcoming. “I think it’s going to […]

Resignation of James Miller means leadership transition for United Way of West Central Minnesota

WILLMAR—There will be a change in leadership at the United Way of West Central Minnesota. It was announced Wednesday that James Miller, who has been executive director of the five-county United Way chapter for six years, has resigned. His last day at the agency is Dec. 31. In a news release, Brad Hanson, president of […]

Marcus Construction to manage three Willmar projects funded by new sales tax

WILLMAR—Three local option sales tax projects now have a leader. Marcus Construction was hired by the Willmar City Council to act as the construction manager at risk for the new recreation fields and event center near the Willmar Civic Center and for improvements at the Swansson Field Recreational Complex. “We are honored and really excited […]

Willmar takes another step toward Middle School addition

WILLMAR—The Willmar School Board has taken another step toward a potential addition at Willmar Middle School. School district officials have been meeting with Southwest West Central Service Cooperative since summer about working together to build an addition at the school. It would include an alternative learning center and a new gymnasium for the middle school […]

The search for a new Willmar city administrator continues

WILLMAR—Baker Tilly, the search firm hired by the Willmar City Council to head the national search for a new city administrator, is continuing the process with a hope to hire by early next year. “We are fast approaching the next phases in the search for our next city administrator,” said Councilor Shawn Mueske at the […]

Willmar golf club to purchase The Oaks from Dave Baker family

WILLMAR—After operating The Oaks at Eagle Creek for 11 years, Dave and Mary Baker are selling the bar, restaurant and event center to the organization that actually owns the building — the Willmar Community Golf Club. The deal had been “evolving” for a couple years, according to Bill Fenske, president of the club. In a […]

As thousands of trucker positions remain vacant, Ridgewater to offer more CDL training opportunities

Semitractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles keep the economy in west central Minnesota moving, transporting everything from building materials and groceries to corn and livestock. However, those trucks can’t drive themselves, leading to a huge need for drivers with Class A and B commercial driver’s licenses. “It is really the backbone of the economy out here,” […]

Wet weather slows weekly Willmar Wye progress

WILLMAR—For a few days last week a large crane towered over state Highway 40, near County State Aid Highway 55, as a new box culvert was installed at the Hawk Creek crossing. The installation is part of the Willmar Wye Rail Connector and Industrial Access project. Despite the rains, the Hoffman Team, the contractor for […]

Program builds connections between the very old and the very young

WILLMAR—Dorothy Benson wore a big smile as she rolled her wheelchair out of the community room at the Carris Health Rice Care Center. “That was a lot of fun,” she beamed. She and a handful of other elderly residents had just spent the morning with a roomful of preschoolers from Loving Arms Childcare, pretending they […]

Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar EDC seeks investors for redevelopment projects in Willmar Opportunity Zone

Kandiyohi County’s only Opportunity Zone, located around downtown Willmar, provides potential investors with tax breaks while funding development or redevelopment of the neighborhood.   The goal of the Opportunity Zone is development or redevelopment, and the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission has contracted with Golden Shovel Agency to attract investors. When […]

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