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| Back to: Home > Local News & Info > KRWC News Archives 2004 |
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| KRWC News 2/9/04 - 2/15/04 |
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Funeral Set for Wright County Serviceman Killed in Iraq
Funeral services have been set for later this week for a Wright County serviceman who died in the line of duty in the war in Iraq. 32-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Patrick Dorff of Buffalo died late last month in a helicopter crash near Mosul. Dorff was piloting the helicopter on a search mission for a serviceman whose boat had capsized in the Tigris River. Funeral services for Pat Dorff will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Elk River, with burial Friday at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Dorff was a 1990 graduate of Buffalo High School. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter, who live in Buffalo. |
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Icy Roads Blamed in Crash That Kills Cokato Youngster
Wednesday's freezing rain and drizzle during the morning commute lead to several auto crashes in Wright County. A Cokato youngster died when the car she was a passenger in spun out on U.S. Highway 12 west of Howard Lake, and collided with another vehicle. 4-year-old Cynthia Perez died at the scene of the crash that happened just after 8 o'clock. The girl's mother, 22-year-old Crystal Perez was critically injured. The driver of the on-coming car, 54-year-old Richard Roy of Delano was not injured. Another crash Wednesday morning seriously injured a driver when his car spun out of control near Delano, and was "t-boned" by another vehicle. Further details on that crash are forthcoming from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department. Unexpectedly heavy snow Wednesday afternoon and early evening snarled evening traffic, and caused many Wednesday night activity cancellations. Forecasters say we're in for a brief warm-up for the early part of the coming weekend. |
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Kiffmeyer Recommends Online Business Registrations
Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer is encouraging businesses, nonprofits, and limited liability companies in the state to file their annual registrations online. By law, they are required to file annually with the Secretary of State's office, and many do so in the early part of the year during the tax season. Kiffmeyer says the new online filing is quicker, more accurate, and gives immediate confirmation that the filing deadline has been met, all at no cost. The annual registration online filing system can be accessed at www.online.state.mn.us. |
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Local Man Wins $5000 on Lottery Game
A Wright County resident has a little more pocket change after a big win on the lottery recently. Brian Dalbec of St. Michael won $5000 on the Minnesota State Lottery's “Gopher 5” game in late January. Lottery officials say that Dalbec bought the ticket at the Super America store in St. Michael. Congratulations! |
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Maple Lake Community Theater Original Production
This past weekend marked the premiere of an original musical theater production in Wright County. The Maple Lake Community Theater presented its production of "Wherever You Go" on Saturday and Sunday. The musical is based on the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi, but is set in the late 1800's. Pastor Steve King of Maple Lake wrote the play, and his wife, Becky, composed the original score and around twelve original songs for the production. Next weekend, February 13th, 14th, and 15th, four performances will be held. Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 2 and 7 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM. All performances are at the Maple Lake High School Auditorium. Tickets are available in advance at the Security State Bank of Maple Lake, or at the door. |
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Reaction to State Of The State
Governor Pawlenty said Minnesota is strong and pushed his proposals for education, health care, and funding for schools and transportation in his "State Of The State" address to a joint session of the legislature on Thursday. State Representative Dean Urdahl of Grove City, who represents portions of western Wright County gave the Governor high marks in several areas of his speech, including his call for tax incentives for farm upgrades in outstate Minnesota. Meanwhile, Brian Rusche, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Joint Religious-Legislative Coalition says the Governor failed to provide details on how the state can recover from the consequences of last year's billions of dollars in budget cuts. |
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Rep. Dick Borrell Fined, but no Jail Time for Airport Arrest
An area legislator appeared in Hennepin County District Court Thursday on charges stemming from his arrest in late December at the Twin Cities International Airport. State Representative Dick Borrell of Waverly was charged with a misdemeanor for not disclosing that he had a small, loaded pistol in his carry-on luggage when he was going through airport security December 20th. Borrell has a license to carry the weapon, but says he forgot that the small handgun was in the bag which he normally uses for car trips. The Hennepin County judge hearing the case Thursday fined Borrell $1000 to cover court expenses, and ordered the handgun to be forfeited. The judge also ruled that the charges against Borrell would be dropped if he had no same or similar charges in the coming year. |
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Senator Mark Ourada to join Representative Bruce Anderson at Town Meetings
District 19 State Senator Mark Ourada of Buffalo will join District 19A State Representative Bruce Anderson of Buffalo at several town meetings throughout the Wright County area over the next few weeks. The town meetings allow an opportunity to share background on several issues that will likely be a part of the lawmaking decisions at this year's legislative session, and also gives constituents a chance to voice their opinion. Saturday, February 14th, Anderson and Ourada will hold a meeting at Culver's in Buffalo from 7:30 to 9:30 AM, and at the Maple Lake Cafe from 10 to 11:30 AM. The second series of meetings has been changed to Saturday, February 28th at the Monticello American Legion from 7:30 to 9:30 AM, and from 10 to 11:30 AM at the Old Kettle Restaurant in Clearwater. |
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Senator Norm Coleman Co-Sponsors Bill for Dairy Support Extension
Republican Minnesota U.S. Senator Norm Coleman has joined forces with Democratic Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin to author a bill proposing an extension of the MILC, or Milk Income Loss Compensation program. The program was first authorized under the 2002 federal farm bill. Coleman says he and Senator Kohl see the measure as an important safety net to try to make it possible for struggling dairy farmers to push through times of low milk prices. Coleman says he hopes the bi-partisan proposal will be passed when it is proposed and considered in coming days. Minnesota Milk Producers Association President George Bakeberg of Howard Lake agrees that the legislation needs to be continued to help producers during periods of price collapse. |
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Serious Injuries in 2-Car Crash in Wright County
Two men from Buffalo were injured Thursday night when the cars they were driving collided on Minnesota Highway 55. The State Patrol says around 8:30 PM, an eastbound car driven by 42-year-old Gary Wilson of Buffalo crossed the center line and collided with a westbound car driven by 48-year-old John Huebner, also of Buffalo. The collision happened just west of Deadrick Avenue S.E., near Dickinson Spring. Authorities say Gary Wilson was taken to Buffalo Hospital, then was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale where he was reported to be in critical condition. John Huebner was also taken to Buffalo Hospital where officials say he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. Unlike recent days when driving conditions were hazardous due to wintery weather, road conditions in this crash do not appear to be a factor. The State Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. |
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Snowmobilers Reminded to Follow Regulations for Riding Along Highways
Snowmobile enthusiasts in the Wright County area finally have enough snow to do some serious riding, and often that includes riding adjacent to highways. Minnesota Department of Transportation officials remind riders to use the outside or back slope of the ditch, farthest from the roadway. Riders should also be watchful for drainage structures, signs, and other obstructions in the ditch areas that might be covered by snow. Snowmobiles may not be operated on the road itself, on the shoulder, or inside slope of the ditch. In addition, riders are advised to keep their speed to 50 miles per hour or the posted speed limit whichever is lower. |
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Teacher of the Year Nominations Announced
Several Wright County area teachers are among the 150 educators nominated for the 2004 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award. This year's program will name the 40th Teacher of the Year. Ginny Schuelke of Delano, Carole Boelter and Ryan Johnson of Elk River, Kay Wilson of Glencoe-Silver Lake, Pam Halverson of Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Tome Keating of Monticello, and Sue Ann Hartwig of Waconia are teachers from our region who are in the running for the honor. The 2004 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be named May 2nd at the Northland Inn and Conference Center in Brooklyn Park. |
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