Attorney Hopes for No Charges Against Audrey Seiler
It's still unclear whether or not 20-year-old Audrey Seiler from Rockford will face charges in connection with her apparent staging of her disappearance and alleged abduction in Madison, Wisconsin last week. The Seiler's attorney, Randy Hopper says he hopes that charges can be avoided. An assistant attorney for the city of Madison says he believes there is no way the city could sue Audrey Seiler for the estimated 100 thousand dollars in costs involved in the incident. Doctors have been talking with the former Rockford High School honor student and her family for several days to try to determine why she made up the abduction story. The results of a medical assessment is expected by the end of the week. |
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Audrey Seiler and Family Back Home in Wright County
The young woman from Wright County who gained national attention when she went missing from her off-campus apartment in Madison, Wisconsin is back home with her family in their hometown of Rockford. 20-year-old Audrey Seiler returned home with her parents late Wednesday. The family was greeted by friends and neighbors who continue to show their support. Authorities in Wisconsin believe that the young woman staged her disappearance and alleged abduction. There has been no word yet on whether or not officials in Madison or Dane County Wisconsin plan to press any charges in connection with the incident. |
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Construction Season Nearing in District 877 Schools
The spring and summer season will be a busy time for Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose schools in terms of construction projects. District Superintendent Tom Nelson says many bids will be let this spring for repair and restoration projects at various buildings, while more designing will continue for the new elementary school in Buffalo. The construction, improvement, and repair projects are a part of a major bond referendum passed by district residents last year. |
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Dayton: Timetable for Iraqi Control Shift Should Proceed Unchanged
Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton says despite the upheaval in parts of Iraq, he believes the relinquishing of governmental control back to the Iraqi people should continue on pace for a possible June power shift. Dayton says he thinks it is critical that the Iraqi people see that the U.S. does not have an interest in continuing to be an occupying force indefinitely. Dayton told KRWC News recently that despite the pockets of insurgents who are still loyal to Saddam Hussein, he thinks the majority of the Iraqi people can see the opportunity for positive change, and that change should come sooner rather than later. |
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Local Community Coming to Grips With Seiler Disappearance, Alleged Abduction Hoax
Residents of the Wright County community of Rockford are still feeling the effects of the ups and downs of emotions of last week regarding the case of Audrey Seiler, the 20-year-old UW Madison student who apparently staged her 4-day disappearance and alleged abduction from her off-campus apartment. Seiler is said to be undergoing psychological evaluations with several doctors in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, most Rockford residents who know Audrey and her family say while they don't condone her actions, they do support the former Rockford High School honor student and her family in getting the help that is needed. There is no word yet about whether or not Seiler will face charges in the connection with the incident. |
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MDA Urges Farmers to Exercise Caution When Buying Ag Chemicals
With the growing season approaching, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is urging farmers to be careful when buying ag chemicals, especially from vendors on the internet or from telemarketers. John Sierk with the MDA says that some neighboring states have been reporting complaints about telemarketers making questionable claims about products they're selling. Sierk says farmers should ask plenty of questions before agreeing to purchase any ag chemicals from an unknown party, and that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Questions may be directed to the MDA at (651) 296-6121. |
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MN House Passes .08 Legislation
The Minnesota House has passed a bill which calls for lowering Minnesota's legal limit for blood-alcohol concentration for motorists to .08. State Representative Bruce Anderson of Buffalo says the measure is being pushed mainly because of federal pressure, and the potential to lose federal road funding without implementing the new standard for legal limits blood alcohol levels. In its present form, the bill would not take effect until September of 2007. The bill would also need Senate passage, and the Governor's signature before coming law. |
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More Appeals in Annandale / Maple Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant Proposal
Supporters and opponents of a proposed joint wastewater treatment facility for the communities of Annandale and Maple Lake have filed appeals regarding the Wright County Planning Commission's ruling on the project. City officials are appealing the decision which stipulated that treated effluent be piped to the North Fork of the Crow River. Supporters say there is no evidence that the alternate discharge point is needed, while many residents of the Albion Township area who oppose the plant altogether say they don't believe the proposal should have been approved at all because of County requirements that they don't believe have been met, and that no revised Environmental Assessment Worksheet by the MPCA was prepared. |
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Rep. Urdahl Pleased With House Passage of Omnibus Ag Bill
The Minnesota House passed an omnibus agriculture finance bill this week containing provisions which should offer new help for Minnesota dairy farmers. State Representative Dean Urdahl of Grove City says that he authored or co-sponsored the measures to try to provide help and incentives to dairy farmers to help them modernize and make the dairy industry more profitable. Other provisions of the legislation prohibit additional regulations regarding pesticide and herbicide use. Urdahl represents a large portion of central and western Wright County cities and townships in District 18 B. |
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Too Much TV May Affect Kids' Attention Span
A new study finds early exposure to television by toddlers may lead to attention problems. The study is the latest research that points to behavior troubles in children that may be attributed, at least in part, to excessive TV and video time. Dr. Kathleen Sweetman with the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a pediatrician in Watertown, says young children, especially pre-schoolers often can't distinguish reality from fiction. Sweetman also says that some research points to a connection between too much TV and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or A-D-H-D. |
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Transportation Awareness Week
This is Transportation Awareness Week in Minnesota. The Minnesota D.O.T. this week announced a very aggressive construction season for the spring and summer, with some 190 projects scheduled to begin or continue. More than a billion dollars are being invested on road improvements, the largest transportation expenditure in state history. Drivers are reminded to be extra cautious in work zones, and stay alert for workers and equipment. |
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Wright County Teacher is a Finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year
One of 10 Minnesota educators still in the running for "Minnesota Teacher of the Year" is a teacher in Wright County. Tom Keating is a secondary alternative learning program teacher with the Turning Point School. Keating is among the 10 finalists from a field of around 150 nominees for the yearly honor. The new Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be named at a banquet at the Northland Inn and Conference Center in Brooklyn Park on May 2nd. |
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