Annandale Fire Department Receives Generous Grant
Congressman Mark Kennedy announced on Wednesday that a Wright County Fire Department would be on the receiving end of a generous grant. The Annandale Fire Department will receive a 40,500 dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Fire Operations and Fire Fighter Safety Program. The Congressman said he was very pleased with the Department's Decision, and that the money will help the Annandale Fire Department keep our people safe. |
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Big Lake Resident Facing Drive-By Shooting Charges
A Big Lake resident has been arrested Wednesday in connection to alleged drive-by shootings. Peter Ness, age 28 of Big Lake, was arrested and is now facing four felony counts of drive-by shooting and four felony counts of criminal damage to property after an investigation from the Sherburne County Sheriff's Department. Three vehicles in the Big Lake American Legion parking lot and a fourth parked in a driveway on the 200 block of 215th Avenue all had been allegedly shot with a .22 caliber rifle. If convicted Ness would face a mandatory sentence of 3 years in prison and or a 6,000 dollar fine for each count of drive-by shooting along with criminal damage to property penalties. |
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Buffalo High School Students Secure Nomination for Region 8AA Triple A Award
Both Buffalo High School seniors Nicole Gallagher and Chris Nelson have been selected to represent the high school in the Region 8AA's Academics, Arts and Athletics program. Both high school seniors are 4.0 students, active in sports, music, and have found time to participate in community service. The Triple "A" Award recipients are selected by a multi-level process involving the Minnesota State High School League's member schools and administrative regions. Both Gallagher and Nelson are invited to attend the Region 8AA banquet held in Brainerd in April. If they win one of the four awards they will receive four-year 1,000 dollar scholarship. |
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Congressman Kennedy Applauds Governor's Support for Revised Northstar Commuter Line
Congressman Mark Kennedy told reporters yesterday, that the Governor has taken an important first step by including the Northstar Commuter Rail Line in his Bonding Request. He added Given our many transportation needs, we must not leave critical federal dollars on the table, and he looks forward to working with the Governor, the legislature, and many local officials and citizens as they continue to set and fund Minnesota's transportation priorities. The shortened version of the Northstar Commuter Rail Governor Pawlenty is supporting would only go as far as Big Lake instead of reaching St. Cloud. |
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Howard Lake Vehicle Pedestrian Crash Still Under Investigation
An 18 year old man still hospitalized today after a vehicle pedestrian collision in Howard Lake, Friday night. According to witnesses the 18 year old had apparently jumped out of a moving Jeep Cherokee and in the process was hit by a Ford pickup traveling the opposite direction. When authorities arrived to the scene they found the young man unconscious in the middle of the road. The man was first brought by ambulance to Dura Supreme and then flown to North Memorial by helicopter. The driver of the pick up was taken to Buffalo Hospital for a blood test. The incident is still under investigation and no names or charges are being released at this time. |
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MN Dot to Expand Winter Load Increases Friday
MN Dot officials have announced that the winter load increases on state highways will take effect in the metro and southeastern frost zones as of midnight Friday. The expanded zones mean that the load increases will now be in effect statewide. The winter increases are allowed because of increased weight carrying strength with deep frost conditions. For complete details, contact MN Dot at 1-800-723-6543. |
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Michalicek Steps Down as Maple Lake School Board Chairman
At the January 12th Maple Lake School Board meeting, Arnie Michalicek stepped down from the chairman position after spending the last 14 years of his 17 year tenure on the board as it its chairman. Michalicek stated "it was time for a change, I made the decision to let somebody else do it." Michalicek began his last meeting as chairman by nominating school board member Greg Moony as chair. Since there were no other nominations, Moony went on to conduct the rest of the meeting. |
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Name Released in Howard Lake Crash
The name of the 18 year old man who was injured in last Friday's pedestrian vehicle crash in Howard Lake, has been released. Dustin Paul Shoutz of Winsted was the victim in the strange accident. According to witnesses Shoutz had apparently jumped out of a moving Jeep Cherokee and in the process was hit by a Ford pickup traveling the opposite direction. When authorities arrived to the scene they found the young man unconscious in the middle of the road. Shoutz was first brought by ambulance to Dura Supreme and then flown to North Memorial by helicopter. The driver of the pick up, Jeffery Buttenhof was taken to Buffalo Hospital for a blood test. The incident is still under investigation, and so far the only charges made were towards the juvenal driver of the Jeep Cherokee for underage consumption. |
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Serve it up Safely - Soon Serving Buffalo
A special class for local food service establishments is on its way to Buffalo. The University of Minnesota Extension Service is offering "Serve it up Safely" on January 21st at the Wright County Government center in Buffalo from 1 to 5 PM. "Serve it up Safely" is a 4 hour renewal course for certified managers to help them reach the 4 hour requirement for continuing education credits within 3 years of becoming certified. For more information or to register, call toll free at 1-888-241-3261. |
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Sherburne County Sheriff's Department Seeking Public's Help in Finding Forgery Suspect
The Sherburne County Sheriff's Department is seeking help from Wright County residents in finding a forgery suspect. Chief Deputy Scott Gudmundson reports the suspect is believed to be between 20 and 30 years old, has blond hair, and sometimes travels with a young child about four years old. The suspect allegedly stole checks from a vehicle in Baldwin Township, opened a credit card account in the victim's name and has made purchases in stores surrounding the metro area and Danbury Wisconsin. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sherburne County Sheriff's Department at 763-241-2500 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-255-1301. |
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Wright County Residents are Safe and Sober
Wright County safe and sober results for the holiday season are in, and the results are good. Wright County Sheriff's Department officials reported no fatalities or serious injury crashes involving alcohol were reported in Wright County during the December mobilization from December 19th through out January 5th. Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller Reports that 37 impaired drivers were taken off roadways in patrols throughout the region. |
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