 |
|
|
| Back to: Home > Local News & Info |
 |
|
 |
|
|
| KRWC News 12/15/03 - 12/21/03 |
Army Reservists Scheduled to Return Home Monday
Close to 100 U.S. Army Reservists from the 353rd Transportation Unit will return home to Buffalo on Monday. That official word was announced today to City of Buffalo officials. An informal parade has been scheduled for 10:30 Monday morning through the downtown Buffalo area. A map of the route can be found in this week's Journal-Press. The parade will end at the Buffalo High School around 10:45 where soldiers will be reunited with their families. At 12 noon, a welcome home ceremony is planned. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, expected to last around 90 minutes. Local officials as well as state lawmakers, and possibly Governor Pawlenty and congressional members could be on hand for the ceremony. Buffalo Mayor Fred Naaktgeboren has proclaimed this U.S. Army Reserve 353rd Transportation Unit Week in the city. |
| |
DNR Reports Record Deer Harvest
Minnesota deer hunters harvested a record number of white-tailed deer during this year's firearms deer season. The state DNR says more than 253 thousand deer were taken during the firearms seasons which concluded at the end of November. That number is up about 25 percent from last year, and is about 10 percent higher than the previous record harvest of around 229 thousand deer in 1992. Lou Cornicelli, the big game coordinator for the DNR says good weather, healthy deer populations, and a simplified system of distributing a record number of antlerless permits all contributed to the record deer harvest. So far, there have been no reports of any deer harvested showing signs of being infected with Chronic Wasting Disease. |
| |
District 18 A Special Election Set
The ballot is set for the special election to fill the vacant seat in Minnesota House District 18 A. Republican endorsed candidate Scott Newman of Hutchinson defeated challenger LaDon Rydberg of Dassel in a primary election Tuesday. Newman had 909 votes to Rydberg's 181. Newman will now face DFL endorsed candidate Lowell Ueland, who was unopposed in the primary. The unofficial results still need to be certified by the state Canvassing Board, but no significant changes in the outcome are expected. The 18 A seat represents much of Meeker and McLeod counties. The seat became open when longtime House member Tony Kielkucki of Lester Prairie stepped down to become a Deputy Secretary of State in Minnesota. The special election will be held Tuesday, December 30th. The Minnesota Legislature convenes for the 2004 session on February 2nd. |
| |
Flu Vaccine Supply in Wright County Depleted
The early on-set of the flu season across the country and here in Minnesota has added to the high demand for flu shots. Wright County Public Health officials announced on Thursday that all of the available flu vaccine in Wright County has been administered. Statewide, flu vaccine is in very short supply as well. Christine Austin-Roehler with the Wright County Public Health Department says assessments are being done to identify anyone in the highest risk groups in case additional flu vaccine is made available. So far, there have been only 4 verified cases of influenza in Minnesota, but 2 of the 4 identified cases have been in Wright County. Health officials stress hand-washing, avoiding touching your eyes and mouth without clean hands, and covering your cough as some of the easiest and most effective ways to avoid the spread of the flu and other flu-like viruses. |
| |
Head-On Snowmobile Crash Claims 1 Life
Carver County authorities are investigating a fatal snowmobile crash near Waconia last night. Two machines collided head-on around 9 o'clock near Highway 5 in Waconia. One of the drivers, a 19-year-old man, was killed. The other operator was unhurt. The identity of the man who died in the crash has not yet been released. The Carver County Sheriff's Office is investigating. |
| |
Hearing on Rocori Shooting Suspect Continues Today
A certification hearing continues today in Stearns County, where the status of the alleged shooter in the Rocori High School shootings earlier this year is being determined. The Minnesota attorney general's office is prosecuting the case, and wants the suspect, 15-year-old Jason McLaughlin to be tried as an adult in the killings of two schoolmates, 17-year-old Aaron Rollins, and 15-year-old Seth Bartell on September 14th. The hearing is expected to continue through at least Thursday. Results of the October grand jury hearing have been sealed because the case is still officially in Juvenile Court. |
| |
High-Risk Children Eligible For New Flu Shot
Wright County will be receiving a portion of the limited supply of additional flu vaccine announced by the Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday. The additional flu shots will only be available to high-risk children, including those 6 to 23 months old, and children ages 2 to 17 years old who have chronic health conditions. Contact the Public Health Department at Wright County Human Services as soon as possible to set an appointment for a child eligible to receive the vaccine, or for answers to eligibility questions. |
| |
Highway 25 Open House Today
The Minnesota D.O.T. hosts an informational open house today to present ideas on expansion of state highway 25 between Buffalo and Monticello. The open house will run from 4 to 7 PM at the County Board room at the Wright County Government Center in Buffalo. Proposals on 4-lane expansion of highway 25 will be shown, and MN DOT officials will answer questions and take comments from the public on the potential impact of the road expansion. Local business and civic leaders and any interested individuals are invited to attend the open house. |
| |
Holiday Depression Not Uncommon
While the holidays are a happy time for most people, it's also not uncommon for some people, especially the elderly, to feel depression during the holidays. Ann Benson, an RN with the Wright County Public Health Department says that the holidays often bring on feelings of sadness for people who have lost a loved one, or who are suffering from lesser effects of depression. She recommends that anyone who may be feeling depressed, or anyone who may notice changes in attitudes of loved ones to seek help from a professional as the majority of people who suffer from depression can be treated successfully. If you need help in seeking resources available, contact Wright County Public Health at (763) 682-7456. |
| |
Holiday Lighting Tips
Many people in the Wright County area find themselves finishing up their holiday lighting displays these days. Officials with Xcel Energy say keep safety in mind when you're setting up your holiday lighting. Whether the lights are inside or outside, examine the strings and look for frayed wires, or broken parts, and discard the strings if you find anything that could present problems. Keep lights away from combustible materials, and when setting up large lighting displays, make sure your circuits are up to the electric load. Xcel officials also recommend that you don't leave holiday lighting on overnight, or when you're away from home. |
| |
Pickup Snaps Power Pole Injuring Driver, Cutting Power
Sherburne County Sheriff's Department officials are investigating a Tuesday afternoon traffic accident that injured the driver and interrupted electric service in a wide area in Becker, Big Lake, and Monticello for a brief time. Authorities say around 2:40 PM Tuesday, a pickup driven by 28-year-old Troy Martindale of Becker went out of control on Sherburne County Road 11 near the Big Oaks Campground. The truck ran off the road and snapped off a power pole. Rescue efforts were complicated because power lines presumed to still be energized had dropped onto the vehicle. Excel Energy officials were called to the scene to secure the lines, and the driver was taken to the Monticello-Big Lake Hospital. No other vehicles were involved. The crash occurred on slippery roads after Monday's freezing rain and snow. |
| |
Thanksgiving Safe & Sober Wave Results
Results are in from the latest Safe & Sober campaign wave in our area. Law enforcement agencies in Wright County participated in more than 190 additional patrol hours through the Thanksgiving holiday period from November 18th through December 1st. Close to 500 traffic stops resulted in close to 700 citations or warnings for violations including speeding, driving without a license, and failure to wear seatbelts. Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller says that the Safe & Sober program has helped local law enforcement combat the tragedies that occur far too frequently on area roadways. Wright County is in its third year of the Safe & Sober program funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety. |
| |
Winter Storm Slows Drivers, Schools
Most of Wright County was barely grazed last week by a winter storm that dumped up to 10 inches of snow in parts of the Twin Cities. This time, Wright County was in the path of a winter weather system that started Monday evening with freezing drizzle, then turned to snow overnight, dropping around 5 inches of new snow across much of the area. All schools in Wright County delayed the start of classes by 2 hours this morning, and some businesses found they were a little short-staffed as employees tried to navigate the snowy roads to get to work. The good news was that snow ended in the overnight hours, allowing plowing crews to get out and get a start on clearing the roads. Other private crews were busy throughout the night clearing parking lots and sidewalks. Roads should slowly improve throughout the day. Drivers are advised to keep their windshield washer solvent tank filled up as the main roads will be very sloppy as road chemicals and sand melt the compacted snow and ice. |
| |
Wright County Red Cross Offers Practical Gift Ideas
If you're searching for sensible last-minute holiday gift ideas, the Wright County Red Cross chapter may have some help. Chapter Manager Jenny Vergin suggests gift certificates for safety training, or first aid kits from the Red Cross as practical gift giving items. If you're in the giving spirit, the Red Cross would also gladly welcome a financial gift this holiday season. If you would like your donation to stay in Wright County, you're reminded to indicate the Wright County chapter on your check. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
