Radio Mankato News Updates February 2, 2024

Published On: February 2nd, 20243 min readCategories: Local News, News

Overpass Repairs Continue: MnDOT

Bridge repairs continue at the Hwy. 14 overpass in Mankato, near Hwy. 22. A box truck struck the bridge last week. MnDOT District 7 said the right eastbound lane will be shut down temporarily starting Thursday, February 1. Crews work to install a concrete barrier to control traffic away from the damaged portion of the bridge. The right shoulder of the lane will also be closed until a beam that was damaged can be repaired later this spring or early this summer.

Vehicle Hits City Center Hotel Building

On Thursday, February 1, 2024, at approximately 4:15pm officers were dispatched to a single vehicle crash at City Center Hotel at the intersection of Riverfront Drive and Main Street. The vehicle was traveling south on Riverfront Drive and had turned to go eastbound on Main Street when it struck the side of the building. Mankato Police, Fire, and Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service responded to the scene. When officers spoke with the 52 year old female driver she exhibited signs of impairment. She was placed under arrest and taken to the Blue Earth County Justice Center. No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash. Damage to the building is considered minor.

Annual Winter Activities at Eagle Lake Park Still On

The Eagle Lake Park Board is inviting community members to join them on Saturday, February 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. for the 5th Annual Winter Activities, even with no snow. Activities include a scavenger hunt, medallion hunt, inline skating (bring your own), street hockey, basketball, toilet paper toss, sidewalk chalk, bean bag toss, kickball and other activities. A drawing for prizes donated by local business will take place at the conclusion of the event, according to a press release from the City of Eagle Lake.

Temporary Closure of Civic Center Plaza

Starting Monday, February 5, a portion of Civic Center Plaza between South Riverfront Drive and Mankato Place Ramp Entrance will be temporarily closed and is expected to reopen Friday, February 9. The parking ramp entrance on Cherry Street will remain open.

New Area Code for Southern Minnesota Coming

A new area code is set to launch by this summer. The last available numbers in the 507 area code are expected to be assigned by the early part of next year. Southern Minnesota will then get a new area code – 924. That will start likely in August. 70 years ago, Minnesota only had two area codes – 612 and 218. Then a third, 507, was added for Southern Minnesota. The 320 code was added for St. Cloud area and west of the Twin Cities in 1996. In 1998, the St. Paul area got 651 and by 2000, 952 was added to the southwest metro and 763 to the northwest metro. By 2028, 218, in the Duluth and northern Minnesota areas, will likely be used up as well, prompting another area code addition to the state.

St. Peter Couple Dance Like Stars

A North Elementary School social worker and her husband will dance like stars this April. Mandy Kennedy and her husband Cullen Kennedy received an invitation to perform in a seven-county dance competition, which they will need to perform in front of about 600 people in Glencoe. The Kennedys practice with their coach, Lindsey Northenscold to prepare for the Dancing Like the Stars competition, which will benefit teen suicide prevention. The couple was selected as one of 12 couples from eight counties across Minnesota. They will take part in the Dancing Like the Stars competition at the Glencoe City Center April 13 at 5:30 p.m. The couple has raised $1,200 out of a $10,000 goal so far.

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