Big Weekend for Fundraisers in Wright County
It's a big fundraising weekend in Wright County this weekend. Crossroads Animal Shelter of Buffalo holds its 4th annual "Penned for Pets" fundraiser beginning today outside Cub Foods in Buffalo. Volunteers will spend some time in a real-life dog kennel making calls for donations to the animal shelter. Food and refreshments and gifts will also be sold to raise funds for Crossroads. Saturday night, the 7th annual "Fall Ball" will be held at the Blackwoods restaurant in Otsego as a fundraiser for Rivers Of Hope, an advocacy organization which helps victims of domestic violence. Last minute donations and individual tickets may be arranged by calling Kim Peterson at (763) 360-7613. |
| |
Bush Re-Election Campaign to Target Wright County in 2004
The re-election team for President Bush says that Wright County is one of the 10 Minnesota counties that it hopes to lock-up next November to try to get their candidate to carry the traditionally democratic state. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune today says the Bush campaign hopes to get more than 60 percent of the 2004 presidential vote in Wright County, and high percentages in other highly populated counties. DFL officials say national issues will far outweigh any geographic strategies by the GOP. Minnesota has traditionally favored democrats for president for more than 3 decades. |
| |
Classes, Life Attempts to Resume in Stearns County Community
The central Minnesota community of Cold Spring is trying to return to normal activity today after the school shooting on Wednesday that left one student dead, and another critically injured. Parents and community members were at Rocori High School this morning to welcome students back to classes, and to try to re-assure those who were still fearful of returning. Meanwhile, funeral services have been scheduled for Sunday in Cold Spring for Aaron Rollins, the 17-year old high school senior who died as a result of the shootings. Charges are expected to be filed against the 15-year-old suspect in the case today. |
| |
Cold Case Re-Opened With New Reward Money Offered
Law enforcement officials with the Wright County Sheriff's office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension hope that some new reward money will lead to new leads in trying to bring closure to an unsolved death in Wright County from the late 70's. 21-year-old Jeffrey Hammill of Rockford died It is suspected that Hammill was beaten to death in early August of 1979 after leaving a gathering in Montrose, but there has never been enough evidence to make an arrest in the case. Authorities hope time, guilty consciences, and new reward money will be enough to bring people with information forward. Anyone with information should contact the Wright County Sheriff's Office, or the Minnesota B.C.A. |
| |
E-Parking at the Airport
There's yet another electronic transaction available at the Twin Cities airport. Beginning today, patrons may use the new "e-parking" option. A credit card swipe at an entrance machine, and another swipe at an exit automatically charges the card for parking fees, and the driver is on their way. Airport officials hope the new parking option will help to minimize long lines at the airport parking facility. About 17 e-park entrance machines, and close to 40 exit machines should be in operation by mid-November. |
| |
Government Center Repairs and Remodeling Continue
On-going repairs and remodeling at the Wright County Government Center in Buffalo will force the closing of a lobby entrance and the parking ramp beginning today. Concrete and walkway repairs are slated to begin today in the south lobby entrance area, and the parking ramp. Wright County officials say the parking ramp will be closed for about 1 week, while work on the south lobby entrance and stairs will keep that area closed through October 14th. |
| |
National Farm Safety Week
The fall harvest is here, and officials are taking time this week to remind farmers of the potential dangers at harvest time. National Farm Safety Week is being observed this week, as a time to review safety guidelines along with suggestions for the whole family at the exhausting and stressful harvest season. John Shutske, a farm safety and health specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service says families should pre-plan events and timetables before the harvest gets into full swing. According to Shutske, getting enough rest, eating properly, and making sure equipment is in good operating shape also help to make things go more smoothly during the harvest season. |
| |
Ourada on Long-Term Energy Task Force
A state lawmaker from Wright County is a member of a legislative task force studying the long-term energy needs of Minnesota. State Senator Mark Ourada of Buffalo is one of 20 members of the legislative electric energy task force, or LEETF. Ourada says the panel is studying the future electric demands, alternative energy sources, management costs, and infrastructure needs to assure Minnesota's electric demands are met. Senator Ourada says studies are also underway to evaluate needed upgrades in the power grid to try to prevent the type of power blackouts recently seen on the east coast. |
| |
Red Cross Disaster Fund Empty
The American Red Cross is reeling from services it has provided to tens of thousands of disaster victims across the country, and the organization's disaster relief fund is said to be completely depleted. Tornadoes, flooding, and now hurricane Isabel has taken the Red Cross disaster relief fund down to zero. Wright County Red Cross chapter spokesperson Tammy Luhman says donations may be made directly to the national Red Cross, or to the Wright County chapter. People making donations should include instructions on what fund the donations should go to if they have a preference. Blood donations are also critical right now. Several bloodmobile visits are coming up in Wright County. Check the complete schedule at www.yourbloodcenter.org , or call the Red Cross in Buffalo at (763) 684-0068. |
| |
State Workers Contract Vote
Members of Minnesota's largest public employees union begin voting today on the state's contract offer. A "no" vote could lead to a strike this fall. Union officials have recommended that the rank and file of AFSCME Council 6, and MAPE reject the state's offer, which calls for larger portions of health care insurance costs to fall on employees, along with a 2-year wage freeze. State negotiators say their hands are tied by the budget deficit, and stalling in contract ratification won't help. |
| |
Two Die in Seperate Weekend Crashes on I-94
Two traffic crashes on I-94 in Wright County this weekend claimed the lives of two drivers. The first accident happened around 4 o'clock Friday afternoon near the Highway 241 exit near St. Michael. 22-year-old Carla Berg of Plymouth died when her eastbound car went out of control, crossed the median, and crashed head-on with a westbound pickup truck. A 45-year-old man from Becker driving the pickup was not seriously injured. The second crash happened just after 5 o'clock on Saturday, just east of County Road 75 on I-94 in Monticello. Authorities say 27-year-old Ernesto Munoz of Monticello went out of control, and rolled over in the median. Munoz was ejected from the vehicle, and was struck by an on-coming eastbound car. A 24-year-old woman from St. Cloud who was driving that car was uninjured. |
| |
Urdahl Proposes Plan to Bolster Struggling Dairy Industry
A local lawmaker has proposals that he says will boost Minnesota's struggling dairy industry. State Representative Dean Urdahl of Grove City proposes incentives to modernize, development of grant programs and enhancement of dairy profitability programs to try to give a boost to the state's dairy farmers. Urdahl says the loss of 38 thousand dairy farms over 30 years is unacceptable, and that losing a major industry such as dairy farming affects thousands of other support industries and jobs. |
