Grain Silo Collapse Disrupts Traffic, Businesses in St. Charles

St. Charles, MN (KROC-AM News) - A major roadway in St. Charles was closed earlier today due to the partial collapse of a grain elevator.

The St. Charles Police Department reported that Whitewater Avenue, or Highway 74, was closed to traffic from Highway 14 south to 15th Street following the incident at the AG Specialists facility in the Winona County community. Reports indicate that one of the storage silos collapsed shortly before 2:30 p.m.

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Roadway and Stores Reopen After Structural Failure

The collapse, in addition to closing the roadway, prompted the temporary shutdown of several nearby businesses. St. Charles Police are now reporting that Dollar General, Ace Hardware, and Miller's Market have reopened and that Whitewater Avenue has been reopened to traffic.

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No injuries were reported, and the cause of the collapse remains under investigation.

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These Common Household Items Are Now Banned In Minnesota

A hot topic lately is PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time and can cause significant health issues even at low exposure levels

PFAS are commonly found in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of health concerns including increased cholesterol levels, potential disruption of hormone systems, reduced immune function, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental issues in children, and reproductive problems, particularly in pregnant women.

On January 1, 2024, Minnesota prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. The state is taking an even more aggressive stance against the chemicals in 2025.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the first prohibitions of products containing intentionally added PFAS under Amara's Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) are now in effect in Minnesota, meaning you can no longer legally purchase these items.

If you're wondering if you already have products with intentionally added PFAS, you can take the following steps to be sure:

Check the label - Look for products that are labeled as PFAS-free.
Check for keywords - Look for words like "waterproof," "stain-repellent," or "dirt-repellant" on the tag.
Check for ingredients - Avoid products that contain ingredients with "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their name.
Use a third-party verification service - Some organizations offer third-party verification of products that claim to be made without PFAS.

As of January 1, 2025, you can no longer purchase products with intentionally added PFAS in Minnesota. These products fall under the 11 categories below.

Gallery Credit: David Drew

Source: Grain Silo Collapse Disrupts Traffic, Businesses in St. Charles

Filed Under: Winona County, St. Charles

Categories: Local News