Big Lake Teen Dies in Weekend Traffic Crash
A 16-year-old girl from Big Lake died, and 6 other persons were injured in a two-vehicle traffic crash in neighboring Sherburne County Friday night. Sheriff's officials say Carina Brown died at North Memorial Hospital in the twin cities after she was ejected from a small pickup truck that was struck broadside by a mini-van on county road 15 northeast of Big Lake. The truck the teen was a passenger in slid out of control and into the on-coming lane of the mini-van, apparently after the driver over-corrected when the truck dropped onto the shoulder of the road. The driver of the truck, and all 5 people in the mini-van were taken to the Monticello-Big Lake Hospital for treatment. The Sherburne County Sheriff's Department is continuing its investigation. |
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Bio-Tech Lab, Studies, Coming to Dassel-Cokato High School
Bio-tech education curriculum and technology is coming to a Wright County high school thanks to a collaborative grant. Dassel-Cokato High School has been selected as one of five Minnesota schools to receive grant funding for construction and implementation of a bio-tech lab and instructional curriculum. Bio-tech is a rapidly growing field of study which attempts to find ways to introduce or incorporate renewable resources such as plant bi-products into useable products. The most common bio-tech products developed recently include ethanol and bio-diesel. |
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Cafe 22 Closes, Future Uncertain
A youth coffeehouse in downtown Buffalo, Cafe 22 has closed its doors due to a shortfall in funding. United For Youth is the organization which oversees the program. Coordinator Suzanne O'Dell says the Cafe 22 building could still be utilized for youth programs of some type. A task force will meet in the near future to discuss possible activities and programs that could be hosted in the building. If you have ideas, or would like to give input, contact United For Youth at (763) 682-8407. |
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Coleman Says
U.S. Senator Norm Coleman says a lot of factors will weigh into any potential federal help for farmers who suffered crop loss due to drought this summer. Coleman says final numbers on actual losses, the percentage of coverage from federal crop insurance, and the extent of the drought losses throughout the midwest will be key factors in whether or not Congress will approve disaster help. Coleman says that he has been pitching a bi-partisan support should officials declare that Minnesota and other states suffered crop disaster due to the long dry summer. |
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Funeral Services Today for Buffalo Businessman
Funeral services are scheduled for today in Buffalo for a longtime area businessman. Harold Tenney died Tuesday at his home at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer. Tenney was a longtime accountant, business and tax planner in Buffalo. Funeral services for Harold Tenney are scheduled for 2 PM today at the Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo. |
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Kennedy Interactive Web Site
6th District Congressman Mark Kennedy has a new interactive web site section devoted to chronicling his recent trip to Iraq. A video, and snapshots of the trip are among the highlights of the web site section. Kennedy says he believes the information included should be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the U.S. mission in Iraq. Once on the site, simply click the "Report from Iraq" button for complete details. Click here for the site |
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Latest Safe & Sober Statistics
Statistics on the most recent wave of the "Safe & Sober" campaign here in Wright County have been released. Police officers along with Wright County Sheriff's deputies patrolled more than 120 additional hours over 9 days covering the Labor Day holiday period, issuing more than 300 tickets and warnings for speeding, and over 230 tickets and warnings for other miscellaneous traffic offenses. Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller says speeding was the main focus of the most recent "Safe & Sober" wave. Miller says excessive speed is the most common factor in single-vehicle crashes, and is the most common ticket written to young drivers. |
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New Cases of West Nile Virus Still Being Reported
An 80-year-old man from Wright County is one of 15 Minnesotans who have come down with the disease recently. Though the long dry spell meant fewer mosquitos for most of the summer, the recent rains have provided the needed ingredient for a new batch of the pests. Health officials say the mosquitos that survived the dry weather will be tougher and could carry higher amounts of the virus. Insect repellent, long clothing, and eliminating potential mosquito breeding grounds around the yard are still some of the best defenses against West Nile and other mosquito-borne illness. |
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State Workers Consider Contract Offer, Strike Not Ruled Out
Members of two major state worker's unions are considering the latest contract offer. Representatives of the AFSCME Council 6 voted over the weekend to recommend that its 19-thousand members reject the proposal. Meanwhile, the 10-thousand member MAPE union starts mailing ballots to its members today. Increases in employees' share of health care costs, along with a wage freeze are the main sticking points. Union officials say the state is trying to balance the budget on the backs of its workers, while state officials say that a strike by workers is not going to create more money to work with, and that they are restricted by the 4 billion dollar budget deficit. |
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U of M Extension Website Features Drought Information
The University of Minnesota Extension Service has a new page on its web site dedicated to monitoring drought conditions across the state. Weekly updates on the summer's drought, and its impact on crops, livestock, and horticulture are available, along with climatology, harvest estimates, information for buyers and sellers of hay, and even lawn care tips for homeowners. To view the site, log on to www.extension.umn.edu, then click "drought." |
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Winter Natural Gas Price Jump Lower Than Expected
Minnesota consumers will face higher natural gas prices this winter, but not as high as predicted earlier this year. Officials with CenterPoint Minnegasco and Xcel Energy both say that natural gas reserves are at a much higher level going into the winter months than was earlier expected, and that will mean prices should take a more modest upturn. Some officials have been quoted as saying they expect an average consumer will pay about $100 more over the heating season than last year, provided that average winter temperatures are seen. Warmer than normal temps will likely result in prices coming down earlier in the spring, but colder than average temps could eat into gas reserves, and higher prices could result. |
