Open house at Mower County Humane Society
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. To see the animals at another time, call the Humane Society at 437-9262 and leave a message with time and day you are available. ()

Lights, whistles, action Troubleshooters bring locomotive back
Steve Vietor is a railroad buff, but he doesn't long for the sound of the lonesome call of a midnight whistle. Instead, he wants to know how the whistle worked. Just look at the craftsmanship that went into making massive locomotives more than a century ago, including the Baldwin 460 at the Mower... ()

Walz town hall set for Aug. 20
MANKATO -- Voters are invited to weigh in on health care reform next week at a town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat representing Minnesota's 1st District. The forum will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 in Mankato East High School's auditorium, 2600 Hoffman Road. Doors open at 5:30... (Thursday, August 13, 2009)

Austin calendar of events
TODAY Mower County Free Fair, Mower County Fairgrounds, 700 12th St. S.W., Austin. Complete info at www.mowercountyfair.com or 433-1868. Mower County Bloodmobile, Walmart, Austin. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. http://mowercounty.redcross.org. (Thursday, August 13, 2009)

Girl, 17, sentenced in prostitution case
A 17-year-old girl was sentenced last week for admitting she stole a man's shorts and valuables while at a motel last May in Austin in what authorities believe was a prostitution act. Mower District Judge Fred Wellmann sentenced the Austin girl in juvenile court to pay $798.40 in restitution and do... (Thursday, August 13, 2009)

Kiwanis have brushes, will paint
A group of volunteers from the Austin Early Risers Kiwanis painted a senior citizen's home Wednesday as part of an annual project. Every year, the Early Riser Kiwanis club paints a house for a local senior citizen, who is Alice Gallaher this year, according to a news release from the United Way of... (Thursday, August 13, 2009)

Mower County kicks off its 125th fair
Officials at the 125th Mower County Fair are hoping for a good crowd this year, especially with forecasts showing good weather for the week. Last year, the fair drew an estimated 77,000 people to the fairgrounds in southwest Austin, fair board president John Mueller said. Many people stayed close... (Thursday, August 13, 2009)

Austin man, 73, sets up camera and catches burglar
AUSTIN -- A 73-year-old Austin got tired of having his home burglarized, so he set up a motion-activated camera and caught a thief. On July 12, the camera photographed a woman carrying several items out of the man's house about noon. Then she returned and took more things about midnight. (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Humane Society -- Learn about pets before adopting them
A group of nice children gathered at the Austin Public Library to learn about pet care and responsibilities. My dog Gypsy connects well with children, but knows to leave alone those who are uncomfortable with dogs. The children responded willingly to questions about their own pets, and the ones of... (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Doggy pool time
During the dog days of summer, local dogs will get their day -- actually hour -- at Austin's outdoor pool. On Sunday, the city's Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department will open Austin Municipal Pool for its fourth annual Doggy Dip. (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Area man sentenced in golf cart incident
A rural Albert Lea man was sentenced last week to pay court fines and be on probation in a plea bargain related to a July 4 incident when he lost control of his golf cart July 4 while under the influence of alcohol and crashed into a woman at a Mower County campground. (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Adams family opens farm for Harvest Mass
ADAMS -- Dave and Jurine Smith have been busy this week cutting grass and making sure the yard is ready; after all, more than 600 people will see it this weekend. The Smiths will host the 20th Annual Harvest Mass on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m., at their farm in rural Adams. (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Historical Society unveils Civil War battle flag
It hasn't looked this good in years, and Thursday the Mower County Historical Society was showing it off. Thursday night, Mower County Historical Society members, members of the Adams Civil War reenactment, and lots of Mower County residents crowded into the historical society's building for the... (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Biobusiness ideas sought for Thursday meeting
Entrepreneurs and residents alike are encouraged to attend a town meeting on Thursday to discuss the future of biobusiness in the area. Those at the meeting will be divided into groups to share and develop ideas that soon could be implemented in Austin and Mower County, said Amy (Saturday, August 15, 2009)

District refuses to disclose details of settlement
Austin Public Schools earlier this year settled out of court a lawsuit lodged against it by a former student who was seriously assaulted by a peer in 2006 at the high school. Steve Rizzi, an Austin attorney who represents the school district, confirmed last month that the civil-court case had been... (Saturday, August 15, 2009)

Evie Mohrfeld -- Lots of travel fun coming up
Here are some reminders for upcoming travel. • On Monday, the group making the trip to Alaska Sept. 3-15 will meet for departure information at the senior travel center at 4 p.m. Following our Alaska meeting, a travel presentation on our planned April 2010 trip to Ireland with videos with our... (Saturday, August 15, 2009)

AUSTIN Walz invites Kline to meeting on health reform
In what he called an attempt to "restore civility to the great American tradition of Town Hall meetings" 1st District Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat, invited 2nd District Rep. John Kline, a Republican, to join him at a town hall meeting on health care reform Thursday in Mankato. (Saturday, August 15, 2009)

AUST Counties aim for better flood preparation
RUSHFORD -- As the second anniversary of the August 2007 floods approaches, emergency management officials in both Fillmore and Winona counties are trying to better prepare the public for future disasters. (Saturday, August 15, 2009)

Austin calendar
SATURDAY Mower County Free Fair, Mower County Fairgrounds, 700 12th St. S.W., Austin. Complete info at www.mowercountyfair.com or 433-1868. National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota workshop, Austin Public Library, Austin. 433-2391. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free one-day workshop provides families and... (Saturday, August 15, 2009)

Dan Conradt --Three little, waxy leaves can cause major problem
It's probably one of the first things they discuss in Cub Scouts 101, somewhere between "proper placement of the Bobcat pin" and "building your Pinewood Derby car:" "Leaves of three, let it be." (Monday, August 17, 2009)

AUST Calendar
TODAY Mower County Republican Party meeting, Oak Park Mall, Community Room, Austin. 7 p.m. Mower County Bloodmobile, Oak Park Mall, Austin. 1 p.m.-7 p.m. http://mowercounty.redcross.org. Austin Area Farmers Market, Oak Park Mall, Austin. (507) 889-3271. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. (Monday, August 17, 2009)

City flicks play at fair
By Jim Troyer news@postbulletin.com The Mower County Historical Society celebrated 125 years of the Mower County Fair with a triple feature Saturday afternoon. Besides a special exhibit in the Old Fair Building that marked the anniversary with memorabilia and photos, Austin historian Dick Kelly... (Monday, August 17, 2009)

Austin calendar
TUESDAY Mower County Bloodmobile, Oak Park Mall, Austin. Noon-6 p.m. http://mowercounty.redcross.org. WEDNESDAY Casserole dinner, Moose Lodge, Austin. 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Mower County Bloodmobile, Oak Park Mall, Austin. Noon-6 p.m. http://mowercounty.redcross.org. (Tuesday, August 18, 2009)

Teen caught burglarizing Austin home
Austin police arrested a 15-year-old boy who was in the process of burglarizing a southeast home Friday night. Authorities were told by witnesses that the teenager previously had burglarized the home and stolen numerous electronic items before returning to the residence, where a neighbor spotted... (Tuesday, August 18, 2009)

Council agrees to 4.59 percent levy bump
Austin City Council members are looking to cap the 2010 budget tax levy at 4.59 percent above last year's. About 2 to 3 percent of the proposed increase likely would come from growth in the city, such as new residential or commercial buildings, officials said Monday night. (Tuesday, August 18, 2009)

Mower County Fair draws in large crowd
Good weather, more midway attractions and a 125th anniversary all helped bring more people through the Mower County Fair's free gates this year, officials say. More than 80,000 people likely came to the six-day fair, said John Mueller, fair board president, on Monday. That's up from the usual... (Tuesday, August 18, 2009)

Austin calendar
WEDNESDAY Casserole dinner, Moose Lodge, Austin. 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Mower County Bloodmobile, Oak Park Mall, Austin. Noon-6 p.m. http://mowercounty.redcross.org. Mower County Bloodmobile, Community Center, LeRoy. 1 p.m.-7 p.m. http://mowercounty.redcross.org. (Wednesday, August 19, 2009)

Advocates for river route for high-speed rail meet with Franken
WINONA -- Advocates of a high-speed rail route along the Mississippi River gathered in Winona on Tuesday for the chance to make their case to U.S. Sen. Al Franken. But the roughly 40 people who gathered at Winona State University soon learned that they would not find out whether Minnesota's newest... (Wednesday, August 19, 2009)

Welcome Center offers 'Sweet Tastes'
The Welcome Center plans to offer its second annual "Sweet Tastes of Austin" event on Thursday. Featuring a variety of breads and sweets from different parts of the world, the event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Welcome Center, 308 Fourth Ave. N.W. (Wednesday, August 19, 2009)

Austin Utilities to buy 23-acre Cretex site
Austin Utilities this fall plans to buy the 23-acre site of a long-time concrete plant near Todd Park. If the $413,525 purchase is finalized, the deal would give Austin Utilities space for relocating several operations and other possibilities, including a central site for its departments. (Wednesday, August 19, 2009)

Austin public safety report
Tuesday, Aug. 18 • Someone reported a bicycle stolen in the 1800 block of 20th Street Southwest. • Property damage was reported in the 200 block of 22nd Street Southwest. • An Austin business reported receiving a bad check. (Thursday, August 20, 2009)

Austin social announcements
ENGAGEMENTS Hare-Drewes Couple: Tanya Hare and Chad Drewes. Parents: Sue Thompson of Racine, the late Eugene Hare, Paul and Connie Thompson of Racine, Betty Tesch of Rochester, Christine Drewes of Zumbro Falls, and the late David Drewes. (Thursday, August 20, 2009)

Austin calendar
THURSDAY Mower County Bloodmobile, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Brownsdale. 1 p.m.-7 p.m. http://mowercounty.redcross.org. "The Producers," Riverland Community College Frank Bridges Theatre, 1600 Eighth Ave. N.W., Austin. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults, $10 for students. Call the box office... (Thursday, August 20, 2009)

School district will ask voters for tax increase
Voters will decide in November whether to add or cut roughly $1 million from the Austin school district's budget. That's the gist of a ballot question approved Wednesday by the Austin School Board during a special meeting. Officials said it would boost property taxes on the average home -- $100,000... (Thursday, August 20, 2009)

Four killed in crash near Albert Lea
ALBERT LEA, Minn. -- Two children were among the four people who died in a crash along Interstate 90 near Albert Lea on Wednesday afternoon. The crash involved a semitrailer colliding with a car and a minivan. (Thursday, August 20, 2009)

Drivers hurt in three-vehicle crash near Racine
RACINE -- Three people were injured in a three-vehicle crash about 5:35 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. 63 at 320th Street, south of Racine. All three were taken to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester with minor injuries, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. (Thursday, August 20, 2009)

Rose Creek man injured in crash
BROWNSDALE -- A 24-year-old man was injured in a crash Wednesday afternoon on Minnesota Highway 56 near the fire hall in Brownsdale. Erik Akkerman, of Rose Creek, was unconscious and slumped over his steering wheel at the scene, said Sgt. Martha Hauschildt of the Mower County Sheriff's Office.... (Friday, August 21, 2009)

Austin public safety report
Wednesday, Aug. 19 • Police looked into suspicious activity reported in the 800 block of 17th Street Southwest. • Police arrested a person in the 1300 block of Seventh Street Northwest for tampering with a motor vehicle, theft from a vehicle and possession of stolen property. (Friday, August 21, 2009)

Firefighters raise money for MDA
Austin firefighters raised more than $14,000 earlier this month for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "Fill the Boot" campaign. Doing the fundraiser for the first time in 18 years, the city's part- and full-time firefighters surpassed their $5,000 goal during a three-day campaign by raising... (Friday, August 21, 2009)