News From Around Nicollet County

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com 612-460-5851

A Saint Peter man was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor, the county sheriff and Nicollet Superintendent stress sportsmanship and another Saint Peter man was accused of setting a house on fire with occupants inside, all in Nicollet County the past week, according to local news sources.

In January, a girl accused a Saint Peter man of sexual misconduct, according to the Mankato Free Press. Gary Otero, 59, was charged in Nicollet County District Court with two felonies. Those include criminal sexual conduct with a minor and soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct. He faced the court this past Thursday over the allegations. An 11-year-old girl who knew the accused said she was in the lobby of a clinic when he inappropriately touched her, as police noted in the criminal complaint. She said he moved his hand up her thigh and made sexual sexually suggestive comments.

nized her work ethic, her ability to just like make social connections with her peers, her classmates and stuff and really connect.”

Alas said reading is a favorite topic of hers. She earned the top grades from second through fourth grade. She wants to work her way to become an actress. Alas said she hasn’t really thought about how the world might be different in the future, but she hopes more cures for sickness and disease are discovered

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Otero, when interviewed by police about the matter, said it was the girl who initiated the contact by rubbing her leg on top of his while in his seat. He said he kept moving her leg off him and he denied making any of the sexual comments and he said she told him she would make up a story that alleges he did what he is being accused of.

However, the girl showed police text messages that would suggest otherwise, including him calling her cute and sexy and referring to the incident at the clinic. Investigators also allegedly found text messages in Otero’s delted folder on his phone from the date of the alleged incident.

The Free Press noted that the conversation included Otero messaging “it feels good, huh” and “you say nothing to nobody, you understand?”

Otero was arrested on a warrant that was issued in Nicollet County.

According to story posted to Yahoo News on January 27 that was submitted by Brian Arola from the Mankato Free Press, the Nicollet County Sheriff Dave Lange and Nicollet Schools Superintendent

Stephen Malone chastised locals for an incident that took place at a girl’s basketball game a month ago. According to the story, spectators heckled referees and a fan was ejected from the game where Nicollet was hosting Lake CrystalWellcome Memorial, who beat Nicollet 60-33. Another spectator reportedly threw a water bottle at one of the referees.

Lange said it was an unfortunate situation and fans should let the referees do their jobs and count on the student athletes to “do their thing.”

No injuries were reported and the game resumed as usual. According to Arola’s reporting, the Sheriff’s Office and the school district are coordinating and some fans may face potential disorderly conduct charges stemming from the incident. In a statement, the Nicollet Superintendent said criticizing officials and opposing teams is not allowed at games and that fans should enjoy the competition and efforts of those involved in student athletics.

A Saint Peter man was accused of setting a house ablaze with occu-

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Warmer Weather in the Weeks Ahead

With one night of extremely cold weather after the recent snowstorm that impacted Nicollet County, warmer weather is on the horizon for the remainder of February and into March.

According to a 10-day forecast in the Wells, MN region on Weather. com, temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30s and in the mid to upper 20s in the coming week.

Here is the breakdown of weath- er in the area:

Today is partly cloudy at 36 degrees. Monday indicates some possible raindrops with the same temperature forecast. Tuesday, the final day of February will be cloudy and 34 degrees. The beginning of March will see the temperature drop a bit to 27 degrees on the 1st with possible snow showers.

Thursday will see another drop to 20 degrees and partly cloudy.

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Friday, still partly cloudy, will be 30 degrees. Saturday will be partly cloudy again with a 33 degree temperature. A week from today will see temperatures in the mid-30s again at 35 degrees with possible rain and snow showers. A wintry mix is reported for the following Monday with the temperature dropping to 31. Then, it’s 20s temps with clouds and snow until Saturday, the 11th.