Alyssa Sobotka
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WORTHINGTON — Melinda Kassandra Lopez can’t remember a time when she hasn’t wanted to be a doctor. With a personality that drives her to constantly push herself, Lopez is on an accelerated track to achieving her dream of providing quality health care in rural southern Minnesota. In May, the 18-year-old from Truman will be the first high school student to graduate from Minnesota West Community and Technical College’s nursing program, earning her registered nurse status.
BLOOMINGTON — Seven silver and gold medals represent an accomplished group of Worthington High School students who competed at the March 28-30 state FCCLA Convention in Bloomington. In line with the three pillars of FCCLA — Family, Career and Community — students’ interests were reflected in their unique projects.
WORTHINGTON — The Worthington Police Department has added a new member to its roster. Madison Stearns began the department’s 12-week field training process on March 4. Once complete, she’ll be a patrol officer, primarily working afternoon shifts. “I like the department,” Stearns said of what she thinks after first five weeks on the job. “It’s a good group of people.”
LAKEFIELD — As a child, Lindsey Carlberg created one specific task for herself. Make certain Dad’s lunch box always had fresh cookies. Little did she know then that making batch after batch of cookies for her father’s lunch box was not only deliciously thoughtful, but would serve as a special ingredient in a recipe that shaped her life today.
WINDOM — When Kristen Porath’s emergency pager goes off, she begins what’s become an automated response. Report to the Emergency Services Facility — check. Gear up — check. Send trucks to the scene — in progress. One thing the Windom firefighter doesn’t waste time considering while she’s responding to a fire call? The fact she’s the only female on the team.
WORTHINGTON — Four out-of-state individuals were arrested and charged last week following the alleged discovery of marijuana products in their vehicle, including 11 pounds of packaged raw marijuana. According to the criminal complaint, a Nobles County deputy conducted a traffic stop March 26 on Interstate 90 near mile marker 38.
WORTHINGTON -- A Worthington man faces criminal charges related to allegedly making financial transactions with a stolen credit card. Julio Lopez-Lopez, 19, has been charged with felony financial transaction card fraud after more than $600 worth of fraudulent purchases were discovered following a credit card theft from a customer at a local bar.
A Worthington man will spend at least five years in prison for sexually assaulting a juvenile in May 2018. Lazaro T. Lopez Martin, 20, was sentenced to 90 months in prison after being convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct of a victim younger than 13. He’s required to serve a minimum of 60 months of that sentence in prison, while the remaining 30 months may be served on supervised release. He’ll then be required to serve 10 years on conditional release.
SIBLEY, Iowa — The Sibley-Ocheyedan Community School District is suing three other Iowa school districts for allegedly failing to properly report a former teacher’s inappropriate behavior with children during his tenure in those districts. The S-O school district, which is a defendant in an active lawsuit filed in April 2017 related to former teacher Kyle Ewinger’s sexual assault of a student, filed a cross-petition in March. The district requests a jury trial.
WORTHINGTON — A Prairie Elementary assistant principal was charged last week in Nobles County District Court, accusing him of two domestic assault incidents earlier this year. Cory Van Briesen, 45, faces two misdemeanor domestic assault charges related to an audio-recorded argument that allegedly resulted in him shoving an adult female family member into a door, causing bruises.