Attorneys Say Plea Agreement Possible for Audrey Seiler
Lawyers are reportedly exploring the possibility of a plea agreement in the misdemeanor charges against a young woman from Wright County who staged her disappearance and abduction late last month in Madison, Wisconsin. 20-year-old Audrey Seiler of Rockford faces two counts of obstruction of justice. Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard says his office settles many cases out of court, and said on Thursday that he expects his office will consider a plea arrangement with attorneys Randy Hopper and Ron Meshbesher, who are representing Audrey Seiler. Restitution payment and / or community service have been mentioned as a part of a possible out of court plea bargain. A pre-trial conference is set for May 13th. |
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Buffalo Teen Dies in Weekend Auto Crash
Authorities have now released information regarding a weekend traffic crash in Wright County which claimed the life of a Buffalo teen. 17-year-old Christopher Thornton died after the car he was driving westbound on County Road 36 near Ogren Avenue N.E. in St. Michael went out of control on a curve, and skidded into the on-coming traffic lane. Thornton's car collided with a van which was eastbound. Thornton was dead at the scene of the crash, which happened around 3:30 PM on Saturday. The driver of the van, and a passenger, both from Buffalo, were treated and released at Buffalo Hospital. Christopher Thornton was a senior at Buffalo High School. A memorial fund in his name has been set up at the Oakley National Bank in Buffalo. |
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Census Figures Show Wright County Population Booming
No one who has lived in Wright County for any length of time would be surprised to hear that the county's population is booming. But many people are surprised to hear just how fast our area is growing. New figures released recently from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Wright County has grown by close to 12 thousand residents in the last 3 years, a growth rate of nearly 14 percent, making Wright County the 64th fastest growing county in the entire U.S. Six Minnesota counties are in the top 100 growth counties in the country according to the new census figures. |
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Easter Weekend Gas Prices 30 Cents Higher Than Last Year
If your wallet is feeling a little lighter today after a trip to the gas pump for the Easter holiday weekend, you're not alone. While not yet at record levels, gas prices throughout the state are continuing to edge upward. The average price of a gallon of self-service unleaded in the twin cities metro region over the holiday weekend was $1.69, up about 30 cents a gallon from this time last year. Similar prices are being seen throughout the rest of the state as well. The record average price for regular unleaded in our region was seen in August and September of 2001, when prices hit $1.87 per gallon. It's expected that prices will reach and will likely exceed those levels as the heavier summer travel period approaches. |
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Format for New Buffalo Elementary School Back in Question
It's back to the drawing board, or blackboard, for the District 877 School Board after a recent decision by Discovery School teachers to withdraw their proposal for incorporating some of the school's popular multi-grade classroom format to the new elementary school to be built in Buffalo. Superintendent Tom Nelson says the school board will continue to evaluate its options in deciding on an educational format for the school which is to be built on the west edge of Buffalo. The school is scheduled to open for classes in the fall of 2006. |
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Former Buffalo Teacher Dies Suddenly at Age 29
A former Wright County area teacher died suddenly earlier this week. 29-year-old Andrew "Andy" Kieley died early Monday morning at the Hennepin County Medical Center, reportedly from heart-related complications. Kieley was currently a music instructor in north east Minneapolis, and had previously been a music instructor at the Buffalo Community Middle School. Funeral services are to be held Thursday morning in Rogers. |
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Funeral Services for Buffalo Teen Killed in Weekend Auto Crash
Visitation and funeral services for a Buffalo teen who died last weekend in an auto crash will be held this evening in Buffalo. 17-year-old Christopher Thornton died after the car he was driving westbound on County Road 36 near Ogren Avenue N.E. in St. Michael went out of control on a curve, and skidded into the on-coming traffic lane. Thornton's car collided with a van which was eastbound. Thornton was dead at the scene of the crash, which happened around 3:30 PM on Saturday. The driver of the van, and a passenger, both from Buffalo, were treated and released at Buffalo Hospital. Christopher Thornton was a senior at Buffalo High School. Funeral services will be held this evening at 7 PM at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, with graveside services to be held in Decorah, Iowa. A memorial fund in his name has been set up at the Oakley National Bank in Buffalo. |
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Local Lawmakers Help Pass Two Omnibus Bills in MN House
State Representatives Bruce Anderson of Buffalo and Dean Urdahl of Grove City say they were generally pleased with provisions of two recently passed omnibus bills in the Minnesota House. District 19 A Representative Bruce Anderson says he feels some of the items in an omnibus transportation bill are pro-active and could help prepare for future transportation needs. State Representative Dean Urdahl says provisions of the jobs and economic development omnibus bill should help outstate Minnesota. |
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Public Hearing on Gravel Mining Proposal in Southside Township Continued to April 29
Wright County planners will re-open a public hearing on a gravel mining proposal in Southside Township at their next meeting. Last month, planners continued the public hearing on a request from Annandale Rock Products for gravel mining on some 38 acres southwest of Lake John. Citizens from the area however have voiced several concerns on the proposal, which has already been approved by the Southside Township Board. The next Wright County Planning & Zoning meeting is April 29th at 8 PM at the Wright County Government Center in Buffalo. |
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Senator Dayton Pushes for Federal Dollars to Fight Drugs
Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton has sent a letter to Senate Appropriators, urging continuation of the Byrne Law Enforcement Grant Program, which helps local law enforcement agencies with the war on drugs. Dayton and Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia have asked for an extension of the 659 million dollars in funding for fiscal year 2005. Dayton says 23 Drug Task Force agencies in Minnesota alone depend on the funding for on-going operations. Dayton says much of the federal funding in Minnesota goes toward battling the ever-growing methamphetamine operations in the state. |
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Silver Creek Township Man Shot, Killed Tuesday
A rural Wright County man is dead after a shooting incident Tuesday. Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller says his department received a report of a shooting just before 5 o'clock Tuesday at a Silver Creek Township residence. When deputies arrived, they found a man identified as 43-year-old Juan Esquivel of Mexico dead of a gunshot wound. A Monticello man identified as 20-year-old Sergio Garcia, was immediately taken into custody at the residence, and is being held at the Wright County Jail. Criminal charges against Garcia are expected to be filed soon. Authorities say that Esquivel had been residing at the home at 11344 Elliot Avenue Northwest in Silver Creek Township. There is no word yet regarding what might have prompted the shooting. The Wright County Sheriff's Department is continuing its investigation. |
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Watch for Loop / Ramp Closures in the Metro Area
Wright County motorists who commute to, or travel through Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove should note that a number of ramp and loop closures take effect today near the I-94 /694 interchanges in those communities. Concrete paving work begins today in several locations, and is expected to continue for at least a month, forcing the closure of the ramp from Hemlock Avenue to eastbound I-94 / 694, the ramp from Hennepin County Road 81 to east I-94 / 694, the ramp from east I-94 / 694 to south 169, and the loop from south 169 to east I-94 / 694. Detour routes have been set up, but MN Dot officials suggest that motorists find an alternate route to avoid congestion in the area. |
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Wisconsin Authorities Reportedly Investigating Possible Felony Charges Against Audrey Seiler
A Madison, Wisconsin newspaper reports that officials are investigating possible felony charges against 20-year-old Audrey Seiler of Rockford, who police officials say staged her disappearance and alleged abduction late last month. Police were given the authority by a District Court Judge to examine Seiler's cell phone and laptop computer for evidence. There's no word yet from the Dane County District Attorney on whether or not he may pursue charges against the former Rockford High School honor student. Audrey Seiler returned home with her family last week. |
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