🌱 Man Sentenced For Drug Ring Operation + Road Construction Plans

Hello, neighbors. It's Friday in Rochester-Mason City and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: A couple of afternoon showers. High: 43 Low: 30.
• Saturday: A little snow, mainly early. High: 38 Low: 28.

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Here are the top three stories in Rochester-Mason City today:

1. Jerry Lee Milliken, 40, of Rochester has been sentenced to over 19 years in prison for leading a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring. From September 2021 through February 2022, Milliken operated a drug ring based in Rochester that spread throughout southeastern Minnesota. Police found that he had received drug proceeds and was involved in communications in support of the conspiracy. During the operation of the ring, police confiscated 80 pounds of meth from various different operations. Milliken plead guilty to the charges on Nov. 18, 2022, and was sentenced yesterday, Apr. 20. (Department of Justice)
2. Lisa Ann Smith, 44 of Mason City has been arrested for meth, heroin, and illegal gun possession. She faces charges of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, intent to deliver heroin, and two counts of illegal weapons possession. Smith’s home on the 700 block of Eisenhower Avenue was searched by detectives around 6:00 a.m. on Thursday where they reportedly found multi-pound quantities of meth and multi-ounces of heroin, along with a pistol and AR15. Smith is being held in Cerro Gordo County Jail without bond. (KIMT 3)
3. Road construction plans for 2023 were released in a joint press conference by Rochester Public Works and Olmsted County. Each organization emphasized its goal of making roads safer for the community, and a large focus of the projects is to replace dangerous intersections with roundabouts. Olmsted County will be adding rumble strips to more of the county highways and strips down the center lines of the roads to help with head-on collisions. Officials also encouraged residents to be cautious in work zones, as there have been many cases across the country of construction workers being injured or killed while doing road construction projects. More details on their full list of projects can be found on their websites. (KIMT 3)

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Today and tomorrow in Rochester-Mason City:

Friday, April 21

• Open Studio — Rochester Art Center (11:00 AM)

Saturday, April 22

• Live Music: ND Jazzers Ft. Mariah — Kinney Creek Brewery (7:00 PM)
• Spring Awakening — Rochester Repertory Theatre Company (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Rochester is placing no parking signs up in advance of the annual Mill and Overlay project by street maintenance. Unless otherwise posted, these restrictions are for daytime maintenance activities and will not be enforced after the signed hours or on weekends. (City of Rochester, MN Government via Facebook)
• The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office is hiring! The office is looking for licensed peace officers. Applications are open through May 22, and you can apply and learn more here. (Olmsted County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Celebrate Arbor Day with Rochester Public Utilities on Friday, Apr. 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Silver Lake Park. Get your own free tree and enjoy live music and family-friendly activities. (Rochester Public Utilities via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.