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| Back to: Home > Local News & Info > KRWC News Archives 2004 |
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| KRWC News 3/1/04 - 3/7/04 |
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Buffalo Family Escapes Sunday House Fire
Fire officials say thanks to smoke detectors, a Buffalo family escaped an early morning fire on Sunday that did extensive fire and smoke damage. The Buffalo Fire Department was called to the Paul and Marnie Hettinger home on 21st Street South near the Buffalo airport around 5 o'clock Sunday morning. The four members of the family were at home, and asleep when the fire broke out, but were able to get out safely. Officials say they believe the fire began in a utility room, then spread to other areas of the house. Buffalo and Hanover fire crews were able to contain the fire, but not until significant damage had already been done. The cause of the fire is under investigation. |
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Century Farms to be Recognized at Wright County and Minnesota State Fairs
The Minnesota State Fair's Century Farm program will again honor Minnesota families who have owned their farms for at least 100 years. The Century Farm program recognizes family farms of at least 50 acres in size that are at least 100 years old according to authentic land records. Farms must also have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years (though continuous residence on the farm is not required). Qualifying farms will receive a certificate signed by the president of the State Fair, the president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, and Governor Tim Pawlenty, along with an outdoor sign signifying Century Farm recognition. For more information on the program or applications, contact statewide Extension Service offices, or the Century Farm program with the State Fair by calling (651) 288-4446. Previously recognized family farms need not re-apply. Application deadline is June 1st. |
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Coleman Co-Authors National Sex Offender Registry Bill
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman has co-authored a bi-partisan bill along with North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan that is aimed at keeping close tabs on repeat sex offenders. The bill would authorize the Department of Justice to create a National Sex Offender Registry that would be accessible to the public on the internet. The bill also would also require an automatic review by state attorneys upon notification that a high risk offender is scheduled to be released, and would require intense state supervision of all high-risk offenders for at least a year after they are released. The proposals would expand on the "Wetterling Act" passed by congress in 1994. |
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Delano Highway 12 Re-Alignment Proposal Open House
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will host an open house later this month to present the preferred alignment recommendations on a reconstruction project on U.S. Highway 12 through a portion of the city of Delano. The project involves rebuilding and improving about 1 1/2 miles of Highway 12, including two bridge replacements. The open house is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16th from 4:30 to 7 PM at the Delano City Hall. Interested residents, business owners, and the public may review environmental assessments on the proposed project, as well as give input on the project. The reconstruction is estimated to cost some 8 million dollars, and is currently slated to begin in 2006. |
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District 877 School Board Selects Elementary School Format
The Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School Board recently finalized its decision on a format for the new elementary school to be constructed in Buffalo as a result of the bond referendum of more than a year ago. On a 4-3 split decision, the board voted to have a dual format in the new school. A traditional Kindergarten through 5th Grade format, and a multi-age classroom setting will co-exist within the building. District 877 Superintendent Tom Nelson says that the fact that parents will have a choice of which of the two systems to consider for their children is an important factor for programs at the new school, which is to be constructed in Buffalo north of the neighborhood known as the Upper Davis addition. The new school is scheduled to open its doors in 2006. |
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Icy Roads Lead to Fatal Crash Near Hasty
The late winter storm that dumped several inches of wet snow throughout the day on Friday also contributed to a fatal traffic crash that happened on Interstate 94 near Hasty. The Minnesota State Patrol says an eastbound car spun out of control on the icy freeway, and was struck by a semi truck which was also eastbound. Dead at the scene of the accident was the front seat passenger in the car, 26-year-old Keith Ohlenderk of Eden Prairie. The driver, 27-year-old Benjamin Dickhut of Minnetonka was taken to North Memorial Hospital with internal injuries. Two other passengers in the back seat of the car, both adults from the Twin Cities area, were treated and released at an area hospital for minor injuries. The driver of the semi, a 48-year-old man from Fergus Falls, was not injured. The accident happened just before 2 AM Friday as freezing rain was falling in the area. |
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Investigation Continues Into Howard Lake Man's Death After Falling From Moving Vehicle
Sherburne County Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Wright County man from injuries he sustained from falling out of a moving vehicle in mid-February. 24-year-old Jamie Prestidge of Howard Lake died at St. Cloud Hospital after an incident near Clear Lake on February 18th. Eyewitnesses say they saw Prestidge fall from inside a moving vehicle on a Sherburne County road. Days later, the driver of the van, 30-year-old Joseph Loehrer of Battle Lake was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. Though authorities have not called the death "suspicious", they are still trying to determine how and why the young man exited the moving vehicle. Meanwhile, Loehrer remains in the Sherburne County Jail on $30,000 bail. |
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Maple Lake Fire Department Donates Truck to Fellow Firefighters
The Maple Lake Fire Department is being applauded for its generous donation of a fire truck to the Lake Wilson Fire Department, which lost its facility and equipment in a gas explosion last month. The Maple Lake Fire Department was trying to sell a truck from its fleet which had been replaced by a newer model. When the Lake Wilson explosion took out most of that community's equipment, the suggestion for the donation of the truck was made, and approved. The department has drawn praise for its "Good Samaritan" efforts. |
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Minnesota Unemployment Down in January From 2003 Rate
Statewide unemployment in January was down from the same period last year. That's the report from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the state's seasonally adjusted January jobless rate was 4.6 percent, down two tenths from a year ago at the same time. MDEED Commissioner Matt Kramer says the rate shows that the state is continuing to see slow, but steady economic recovery. The county by county comparisons will be out next week, and KRWC will have the Wright County numbers for January at that time. |
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Precinct Caucuses Tonight Across MN, Wright County
Minnesota finds itself in an unusual place today, on center stage in the national political arena. Minnesota is one of ten states holding "Super Tuesday" party votes today, and the state is a key battleground between the two major Democratic party contenders. Senators John Kerry and John Edwards have both campaigned in Minnesota recently, trying to gain the edge on the presidential straw poll to be conducted at DFL precinct caucuses tonight. Minnesota is also on the minds of Republicans across the country. Vice President Dick Cheney was in Minnesota last week for a fundraiser. Though traditionally a Democratic stronghold, GOP leaders feel Minnesota is up for grabs this fall in the presidential election. In addition to the national attention, the precinct caucuses are the grass roots level of politics, where issues are discussed, and platform issues will be developed. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer encourages anyone who will be 18 or older by the November election to take part in the caucuses, which begin at 7 PM across Wright County, and throughout the state. Check local papers for the location of the precinct caucus of your party of choice. |
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Survey Indicates NorthStar Commuter Rail Support
A new survey shows strong support for the NorthStar commuter rail system. A recent poll conducted by a private Minneapolis firm showed that 66% of those polled supported the Governor's proposal for 37.5 million dollars in state bonding for development of the commuter rail line which would run from Big Lake to the Twin Cities. 59% of those polled also felt that highway congestion is worsening in and around the metro area, while 82% believe that improvements must be made in transportation to spur economic development. |
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Women Cancer Survivors Encouraged to Connect
Women from throughout the region who are cancer survivors will gather together later this month for the 5th annual "Connect Retreat" at the Christ The King Retreat Center in Buffalo. The Community Health Foundation of Wright County sponsors and organizes the annual event which gives women who have survived a cancer experience a chance to connect with each other, as well as gather new information on support services, and to relax and renew their spirit. The event is scheduled for March 24th through the 26th. For more information, contact the Community Health Foundation at (763) 684-1477, or toll-free at 1-800-435-9786. The "Connect Retreat" is funded in part by donations from Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association. |
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