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| Back to: Home > Local News & Info > KRWC News Archives 2004 |
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| KRWC News 3/15/04 - 3/21/04 |
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Craig Halfmann Named to MN Farm Service Agency State Committee
U.S. Senator Norm Coleman has announced that Craig Halfmann has been appointed to the Minnesota Farm Service Agency State Committee. Coleman nominated Halfmann, who is a farmer from northwestern Minnesota. Coleman says Halfmann's many years of work in numerous farm organizations made him an obvious choice for the position. The Senator said Halfmann was instrumental in giving input into the writing of the 2002 Farm Bill, and has been very active on issues relating to agricultural trade. Halfmann and his wife, Marlys and three children live and farm in Stephan, Minnesota. |
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Highway 12 Meeting Today in Delano
MN DOT officials will be on hand at an open house this afternoon and evening to present the proposed re-alignment of U.S. Highway 12 through the community of Delano. Some of the features of the 1 1/2 mile project will include two bridge replacements, and a widening and re-routing of portions of Highway 12 through Delano. The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 to 7 PM today at the Delano City Hall. |
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L.A.R.A. Lakes & Rivers Day in Wright County Saturday
The Lakes and Rivers Alliance in Wright County will hold its first Wright County Lakes & Rivers day on Saturday. Various topics concerning keeping lakes cleaner, and keeping exotic weed species in check will be among the many topics discussed. The meeting is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Ney Nature Center at Robert Ney County Park near Maple Lake. Registration begins at 8:15 AM, with the sessions beginning at 8:45, and running until noon. Ney County Park is about 1 1/2 miles north of Maple Lake off County Road 8. |
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More Overnight Snow
Wright County residents have more snow to deal with today, as a quick system moved through overnight, leaving about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of wet, sloppy snow. Temperatures this morning are above freezing, so very little, if any, re-freeze is occurring on roadways, but another sloppy morning commute is expected. Temperatures are still expected to reach into the 40s early this weekend, but will cool down again by Sunday. |
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Murder Conviction in Local Case Overturned
The Minnesota Supreme Court has thrown out the conviction of a Becker man in the 1992 rape and murder of Linda Jensen in rural Big Lake. The ruling was handed down Thursday in a 44 page report that indicated that 40-year-old Kent Jones of Becker did not receive a fair trial because of a lower court's ruling that some DNA evidence and alleged incriminating statements made by two other suspects in the case were not admissible. Attorneys for Sherburne County now have 10 days to decide whether or not to ask the high court to reconsider its ruling. If they don't, Jones will return to the Sherburne County Jail to await a new trial. Jones lived about a half mile from the Jensens at the time of the crime, and was acquainted with the family through volunteer work. During his trial, Jones admitted to having a sexual encounter with Linda Jensen the day before her death, but denied rape and murder allegations. |
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National Red Cross Month Observed Locally
March is National Red Cross month, and Wright County's Red Cross chapter is hoping that people take time to salute Red Cross volunteers, and to help out with a monetary or service donation. The local Red Cross chapter has an office in Buffalo, and provides emergency services, communications help for military families, and of course, blood services. To contact the Wright County Red Cross, call (763) 684-0068. |
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New Activities Conference Being Developed for 2005-2006
The high school activities conference schedule for several area schools will look much different in two years. 8 school districts in our region plan to leave their current conference affiliation, and form a new conference. Buffalo, Monticello, Becker, Big Lake, Princeton, Rogers, Cambridge-Isanti, and St. Michael-Albertville have all signed letters of intent to leave their current high school conference agreements, and form a new conference. The districts have agreed that the action is a pro-active agreement because of the rapidly growing areas in Wright and Sherburne Counties. District officials say they believe that the new conference overall will be a big benefit to the participating schools on a number of levels. Less travel time between schools, lower transportation and fuel costs, possible better attendance at events because of closer proximity, and rejuvenated or new rivalries between neighboring towns are some of the benefits cited by school officials. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the new conference will host its first events in the fall of 2005. |
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NorthStar Commuter Rail Line Proposal Moving Forward
A funding proposal for the NorthStar Commuter Rail line is still alive and moving through the Minnesota legislature. The Minnesota House Transportation Finance Committee recently voted to recommend the NorthStar proposal. The house Capital Investment Committee is now reviewing the bill. Even if that committee fails to recommend funding for the project, the Ways & Means Committee could still recommend review by the full house. A similar bill is moving through the Minnesota Senate. The funding proposal supported by Governor Pawlenty would include 37.5 million dollars of state bonding to get the project underway. The current proposal would be construction of the rail system to run between Big Lake in neighboring Sherburne County, and Minneapolis. The line, if constructed, could eventually be lengthened to St. Cloud and beyond. |
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St. Patrick's Day House Fire Damages Rural Buffalo Residence
A late afternoon fire in rural Buffalo did significant damage to a family's home. Buffalo Fire Department officials say around 5:45 PM, they were called to the Wayne & Sharon Tokkesdal home at 1150 21st St. NW, north of Mill Creek. Officials say the fire apparently started in the garage of the home, then spread to a portion of the upper level of the home. At least one family member was home at the time the blaze started, and was able to escape safely, with all but one family pet. Despite heavy damage in the portions of the home involved in the fire, officials say much of the lower level of the home suffered only water damage, and the family was able to recover many personal items. Buffalo fire crews were assisted by the Maple Lake, Montrose, and Monticello departments. Fire crews say water tankers ran into a delay in response time when many onlookers flocked to the scene of the fire, and slowed the ability of trucks to get to the scene. The Wright County Sheriff's Department had to be called to the scene to keep traffic moving. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. |
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State Representative Anderson Announces Re-Election Bid
District 19 A State Representative Bruce Anderson of Buffalo has announced that he will run for a 6th term in the Minnesota House. Anderson originally represented District 19 B, but found himself in District 19 A after re-districting in 2002. Anderson held his first campaign event this past weekend with an appearance in the Maple Lake St. Patrick's Festival parade. Anderson currently chairs the Claims committee, and is a member of the Transportation, Finance, Policy, Capital Investment, and Rules committees, and the Aviation sub-committee. |
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Thousands Attend Maple Lake St. Pat's Festival
As always, Maple Lake was the place to be for the fun, food, and festivities of the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration. Thousands of revelers turned out for the many events including the Grande Day Parade. Float winners this year included the "Irish Washer Women" who took 1st place, the Security State Bank float won 2nd place honors, while the float from Maple Lake Lumber placed 3rd. The "Clan" float award went to the McBrady Clan. Later in the day, the new Maple Lake royalty was crowned. Katie Haegle is the new Miss Maple Lake. Princesses are Ashley Spolarich and Emily Norell, and Jamie Kramer is the new Miss Congeniality. The Maple Lake Chamber of Commerce sponsors the popular St. Patrick's Festival, which is among the largest in outstate Minnesota. |
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Wright County EDP Continues to Improve Local Business Climate
After more than a decade, the Wright County Economic Development Partnership continues to help to make Wright County a desirable place for business and industry to locate and expand. Director Noel Labine says that his work includes helping existing businesses to improve and draw quality employees, as well as marketing Wright County to metro area businesses and industries to make them more aware of Wright County as a prime area for development. The EDP is continuing an informational seminar series for local business persons, elected officials, and any other interested residents. The next seminar, "Bridging the Gap in Development Philosophies" will be held April 22nd from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Russell's Of Course in St. Michael. Contact the EDP for more information or reservations at (763) 477-3086, or register online at www.wrightpartnership.org. |
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Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association Annual Meeting Next Tuesday
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association will host its 67th annual meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd at the co-op's headquarters in Rockford. Registration begins at 4 pm, with the free pork chop dinner starting at 4:30. The theme of this year's meeting is "Anticipating Tomorrow's Needs Today." The meeting will feature a presentation on the cooperative's achievements in 2003, and a preview of what's ahead in 2004 and beyond. Board Chair Chris Lantto, and President and CEO Mark Vogt will inform members about the sound financial condition of the cooperative and what is being done to address future needs. Director seats will be decided by votes in districts 4,6,7, and 8. Bingo, a silent auction, several door prizes, children's activities, and a grand prize drawing for a retired 1998 Chevy pickup will be among the many events. All co-op members and their families are welcome to attend. |
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