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| Back to: Home > Local News & Info > KRWC News Archives 2004 |
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| KRWC News 2/16/04 - 2/22/04 |
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Big Meltdown, Big Weather Turnaround Expected
By far the warmest temperatures in months was seen across much of central Minnesota on Wednesday. Temperatures reached into the 40's, melting a lot of snow and ice and brightening the spirits of those who are ready for a change in the weather. Change might just be the operative word as forecasters have issued a winter storm watch for our area tonight and into the early morning hours. Precipitation in the form of rain, freezing rain, and later, wet snow is expected through the overnight hours. Forecasts indicate 2 or more inches of the sloppy winter precipitation is expected. Temperatures, however, are expected to remain above normal for the next several days. |
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Coleman / Dayton Pleased That Full Reimbursement is Passed for Troop R&R Travel
Minnesota's U.S. Senators Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman have announced that they have been successful in finding a new way for fund reimbursement for travel expenses home for America's servicepersons on leave from the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Originally, the Department of Defense had only been paying for travel expenses for servicemen and women to 4 regional hubs in the U.S. From there, soldiers were on their own to foot the bill to travel to any other regions of the country, often running into hundreds, or even thousands of dollars in cost. The Minnesota Senators co-authored a bill which required the Defense Department to pay for travel expenses for active duty troops in war theaters to the closest major air terminal to their home, but when the DOD enacted the new measure, they did not make it retroactive from December 19th. This infuriated the Minnesota lawmakers, and they tacked on a new provision requiring the Defense Department to reimburse all other soldiers who traveled prior to December 19th to the new highway re-authorization legislation. The Minnesota Senators call the bill's passage a major victory for service members defending freedom abroad. |
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Farm Service Agency Possible Financing Source for Start-up Farmers
Young farmers trying to buy out the family farm from the previous generation often face difficulty in securing financing. Wright County Farm Service Agency Director Kevin Bergquist says that the FSA has financing opportunities that could fill the bill for some young farmers. While the programs aren't for everyone, Bergquist says that in some cases, the funding options work very well. Contact the Wright County Farm Service Agency office in Buffalo for more information at (763) 682-1982. |
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Farmers Reminded of March 15th Crop Insurance Sign-Up
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers that those interested in purchasing crop insurance through the U.S.D.A.'s Risk Management Agency must do so by March 15th. Portions of the state, including Wright County have been hit hard by crop disasters in the last two growing seasons. In 2002, heavy rains caused flooding which wiped out many crops, while last year, a devastating drought hit much of the southern half of the state, causing crop losses or yield reductions for many growers. MDA Risk Management Specialist David Bullock says however, that many producers were protected for their losses through various crop insurance products. Area farmers with questions may contact the Wright County Farm Service Agency office at (763) 682-1982, or contact the MDA's David Bullock at (651) 284-3705. Farmers can also log onto the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/riskmgmt. |
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Fish House Removal Deadlines Nearing
Ice anglers throughout the state are keeping a close eye on the calendar, as the date for removing fish houses from area lakes nears. February 29th is the deadline to remove ice houses in the majority of the state, including here in Wright County. Minnesota DNR officials say warming weather spells trouble for ice integrity on area lakes. Die hard sportspersons are reminded however, that temporary shelters are allowed after February 29th, but must be removed from the lake each night. The DNR suggests that you refer to the current state fishing regulations booklet for complete details on ice house removal. |
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Gas Leak Blamed for Explosion and Fire at Buffalo Residence
A natural gas leak apparently led to an explosion, and fire that did major damage to a home in Buffalo late Thursday afternoon. Buffalo Fire Department officials say the blast occurred around 4:45 PM at the Gerald Wodtke home at 402 1st Avenue N.E., just north of the St. Francis Catholic church. Fire officials tell KRWC Radio that the explosion apparently happened in the basement, but the fire that followed the blast spread quickly, and gutted several rooms in the home. Authorities say that Mrs. Wodtke was at home when the explosion occurred, but fortunately, was not injured. No other injuries were reported, and no other homes in the area were affected. Firefighters remained on the scene until around 3 AM Friday to guard against additional damage. Fire crews and officials with CenterPoint Energy / Minnegasco were on the scene today to try to pinpoint and correct the gas leak. |
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LGA Funding Cuts Could be Among Minnesota Legislative Battles
The 2004 legislative session is only two weeks old, but lawmakers are already at odds on some major issues. Minnesota House minority leader Matt Entenza is calling for a review of the local governmental aid funding formula that was changed as a part of the budget balancing agreement. Wright County and many of its cities took a hit to their budgets because of the cuts in LGA funding, and Entenza believes that trend could continue if the formula is not re-examined. Though there has not been any indication yet that House or Senate leaders would be willing to consider adjustments to the LGA formula, it could come up later in the session if it were tied to other measures. |
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Legislature Considers Lower Blood Alcohol Limit
State lawmakers continue to wrestle with a bill that calls for lowering the legal limit of blood alcohol content for the state's drivers. The Minnesota Senate has already passed a bill that would lower the legal limit from .10 to .08, but the vote could be closer in the House. State Representative Bruce Anderson of Buffalo says that most law enforcement officials he has talked with believe that tougher enforcement of current laws might be a better approach, and more constituents have told him they are against the notion than those that have spoken up in favor of the change. Minnesota is one of only three states in the country that has not yet lowered the legal limit. Federal officials have threatened cutting transportation funding to the state if the measure is not passed before 2007. |
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President's Day Holiday Today
The country honors the birthdays of former U.S. Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln today with the "President's Day" holiday. Federal, State, County, and City offices are closed today. Post offices are closed, and there is no mail delivery. Some banks are closed today, while others remain open, check with your bank for their business hours, if any, today. Most schools are also closed for the day. Most other businesses and retailers are open normal hours today. |
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Weekend Residential Fire in Monticello Township Under Investigation
A fire that apparently started in the garage also did significant damage to a home in Monticello Township over the weekend. Officials with the Wright County Sheriff's Department say the fire was reported shortly after 11 o'clock Saturday night. Authorities say a fire broke out in the garage, doing major damage, then spread to the home itself. Persons in the home at the time the fire started were able to escape without injury. The Monticello Fire Department and several other area departments were called to battle the blaze. The cause and circumstances surrounding the fire are under investigation. |
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Wright-Hennepin to Offer Youth D.C. Trip
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association has announced that it will again be sponsoring a trip to Washington, D.C. for a high school junior from its service area as a part of the 40th annual National Rural Electric Youth Tour. About 1300 students from across the country participate yearly in the event. Krista Schneider of Maple Grove was last year's representative from the Wright-Hennepin service area. She says the trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and encourages teens from throughout the area to apply for consideration. Applications are available at the Wright-Hennepin offices in Rockford, or on line at www.whe.org. The deadline for applications is March 15th. |
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Wright-Hennepin to Offer Youth D.C. Trip
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association has announced that it will again be sponsoring a trip to Washington, D.C. for a high school junior from its service area as a part of the 40th annual National Rural Electric Youth Tour. About 1300 students from across the country participate yearly in the event. Krista Schneider of Maple Grove was last year's representative from the Wright-Hennepin service area. She says the trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and encourages teens from throughout the area to apply for consideration. Applications are available at the Wright-Hennepin offices in Rockford, or on line at www.whe.org. The deadline for applications is March 15th. |
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