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What are rules for ambulance companies to use tax-exempt license plates?

Question: What allows private for-profit ambulance companies to run tax-exempt license plates on their vehicles? Answer: Vehicles owned by ambulance services specifically intended for emergency response or providing ambulance services are exempt under the Minnesota State statutes. All services must...

Warrants in Dodge County. The Sheriff provides this information as a public service

1. Benjamin Joel Bumpers – probation violation – body only 2. Luis Alberto Cantu – criminal sexual conduct –body only 3. Liberato Castellanos Perez – FTA-arraignment – $500 bail 4. Leonel Cazares – violation of conditions of release – body only 5. Paul Joseph Clement – probation...

Note: The Police Blotter often contains sensitive information. With this in mind, block numbers deliberately do not indicate a specific address.

Court newsDodge County The following gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors were heard in Dodge County District Court the week of Jan. 19 — 26: Dodge CountySheriff’s Office Gregory J. Arthaud, 67, Blooming Prairie, DWI, $805, 2 days in county jail, chemical assessment, no alcohol...

I Was Thinking... The Junk Drawer

No matter what kind of home you live in, almost everyone has a junk drawer. It is a place to put something you don’t know quite what to do with but is too good to throw out. The rest of the house may be immaculate and well organized but there is that one drawer that is a conglomeration of different...

I Was Thinking... Average

One definition of average is — “the worst of the best and the best of the worst.” If an “A” is at the top and an “F” at the bottom, then a “C” should be average. Yet few parents hope their children will turn out to be average. Schools honor students on the “A” and “B” honor rolls but those that get...

What are the blue lights near traffic signals?

Question: I’m wondering about a light that seems to only be on at night on the traffic lights. It’s a small purple or blueish light that’s near the traffic lights. I’ve tried to figure out what its use is or if it’s a camera. I’ve asked other people what it means and I’ve never met anyone who knows...

1 injured in Dodge County crash

A Mankato man was injured in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 14 in Dodge County Sunday morning at 9 a.m. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 57-year-old Thomas Eustice of Mankato was traveling east on Highway 14 at mile marker 191 in Ashland Township when his 2023 Toyota Tacoma went off the...

I Was Thinking... Remembering Christmas

By now, all the presents have been unwrapped, undesired gifts returned, and lots of Christmas trees taken down. Another Christmas has come and gone. We spent weeks if not months preparing and it came and went before we knew it. Now all we have is memories. But memories may be the best part because...

Are highway message boards used for Amber Alerts?

Question: I see the sign boards along the highway with different messages posted. Do they use these for Amber Alerts? I know I get the alert on my phone and was just curious. Answer: Message and lane-use signs on some freeways warn drivers of traffic crashes, stalled vehicles, or other traffic...

WARRANTS: The following individuals have active warrants in Dodge County. The Sheriff provides this information as a public service

Benjamin Joel Bumpers — probation violation — body only Luis Alberto Cantu — criminal sexual conduct — body only Liberato Castellanos Perez — FTA-arraignment — $500 bail Leonel Cazares — violation of conditions of release — body only Paul Joseph Clement — probation violation — body only Ernest...