Disturbance in a tiny town

At one time, if I was asked if I heard what had happened in Kinsman, it only meant one thing — a bar fight had broken out.

What else ever happens in Kinsman? Verona is one of the smallest, sleepiest towns you’ll ever visit, and compared to Kinsman, it’s a sprawling metropolis. Other than its two taverns that were reduced to one several years back, its Catholic church, its meat locker and its railroad tracks, there is nothing in Kinsman other than a few houses.

Little did I know that it was the meat locker, which was the Rodosky Meat Packing Plant when I was growing up and visiting Kinsman regularly, that caused Kinsman to be the talk of everyone I know this Sunday.

If you missed it earlier this week, the FBI paid what is now known as the First World Management meat locker a visit ... and they’re not saying much as to why.

Let’s just say that FBI raids in Kinsman are uncommon. You’ll get regular patrols from Grundy County Sheriff deputies, but nothing much beyond that in law enforcement presence. All that separates the area from pure anarchy are the fences that keep the cows from running amuck.

Imagine my surprise when, about noon on Sunday, my fiancee got a call that there were dozens of FBI agents wielding automatic weapons on the outskirts of the town. We had no idea what that meant for us living a stone’s throw up the road in Seneca, for my parents living even closer to Kinsman or for Amber’s two cousins and their families that live right in Kinsman.

Luckily, the raid didn’t result in any fireworks, or even any arrests. County Sheriff Terry Marketti, whose personnel were present at the raid, assures the public that there is no imminent danger. An FBI spokesperson called the meat locker abandoned, according to MDH reporter Jo Ann Hustis.

All the FBI will really say about the incident is that it is in the midst of an ongoing investigation. I think we’re all aware that the FBI wouldn’t come to Kinsman just to take the tour. I don’t want to speculate on the reasons the bureau decided to visit — well, I do, but I can’t — but bringing “dozens of law enforcement vehicles, two helicopters and a small airplane,” as Hustis reported, makes it clear that they were serious and visited with a purpose.