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| Back to: Home > Local News & Info > KRWC News Archives 2004 |
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| KRWC News 8/2/04 - 8/8/04 |
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Funeral Services Today for Teen Drowning Victim
Funeral services are scheduled for this morning in Monticello for a Big Lake boy who drowned last Tuesday evening while he was fishing at an area lake. 13-year-old Chad Judge was fishing with friends along the shore of Lake Mitchell, just north of Big Lake when a lure got stuck in some weeds. Officials say they believe the boy became entangled while he was trying to free the fishing lure from the weedbed. The boy was reportedly trapped underwater for 5 to 7 minutes. Once freed, Judge was taken to the Monticello-Big Lake Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Funeral services for Chad Judge are scheduled for 11 o'clock this morning at the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel in Monticello. |
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Homegrown Goodness More Popular Than Ever at Farmers' Markets
Despite having huge, modern supermarkets within easy driving distance, local farmers' markets are more popular than ever. Governor Tim Pawlenty has officially proclaimed August 2nd through the 8th as Farmers' Market Week in Minnesota. The Governor's proclamation notes the many contributions that Minnesota farmers make to the state's quality of life. The Governor says that farmers' markets offer consumers affordable, farm-fresh and healthy products. Ron Branch, President of the Minnesota Farmers Market Association says in addition to selling fresh products, the markets also help consumers connect with the producers. In addition to local produce, farmers' markets now commonly include cheese, flowers, meats, baked goods, and crafts. Many farmers' markets operate weekly in Wright County during the summer season, including a new market on Saturday mornings in downtown Buffalo. |
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Local Drivers Still Not Getting the Message
Despite continual reminders from law enforcement, some drivers still don't seem to be getting the message to slow down, buckle up, and drive sober. Local law enforcement officers in Wright County spent close to 140 additional patrol hours on area roads during the most recent "Safe & Sober" campaign wave the first three weekends of July. Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller reports that 422 traffic stops resulted in more than 330 tickets or warnings to speeding motorists, with more than 200 more tickets or warnings issued for other driving violations ranging from non-compliance with seatbelt and child seat use to driving without a license. Sheriff Miller says in late July, a woman lost her life in a single vehicle crash on County Road 37 in Maple Lake Township. Miller says the driver's death can likely be attributed lack of using a seat belt. Officers with the Annandale, Buffalo, and Howard Lake Police Departments joined the Sheriff's Department and the State Patrol in the latest saturation wave. The "Safe & Sober" patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. |
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Monticello Community Band Performs in Buffalo Tonight
Monticello's Community Band visits the Sturges Park Bandshell in Buffalo tonight for a special concert. The Monticello Community Band is made up of musicians ranging in age from the early teens to retirement age from Monticello, Big Lake, Buffalo, St. Michael, and Albertville. The group plans on a concert of several styles of music from marches to movie themes and more. Shanne Minkler of Buffalo is the group's director. The concert is scheduled for 7 o'clock tonight at the Sturges Park Bandshell, and is free and open to the public. |
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New Bank Coming to Annandale
A second bank should be open by the end of the year in the community of Annandale. Ground is expected to be broken soon for the new facility near the Allina Clinic building off Highway 55. Midwest Bancorporation is filing the proper applications for opening a federal savings bank with the name Star Bank. Star Bank has six offices in central Minnesota and a loan production office in Hopkins. The company has a headquarters of Bertha, Minnesota in Todd County. Seasonal Annandale resident Harry Wahlquist is the owner of Star Bank. Plans are to have the facility open for business in late October or early November, with 5 to 6 employees. |
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Northstar Rail Funds Found by Governor
Northstar commuter rail is still on track after an announcement from Governor Tim Pawlenty that 23 million dollars from the Met Council, counties along the proposed route, and federal matching funds will be used for right-of-way acquisition, engineering, and further negotiations with Burlington Northern / Santa Fe Rail. Project Director Tim Yantos applauded the Governor's announcement, saying that waiting for complete Legislative approval would have been costly for Minnesota. Sooner or later, lawmakers will still have to ok the project before it can be completed and go into operation. The proposed Big Lake to Minneapolis commuter rail line carries a total price tag of some 265 million dollars. The Governor has targeted 2008 for they system to begin running. |
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Secretary of State Kiffmeyer Urges Early Voter Registration
Minnesota's Secretary of State is urging residents who are not yet registered to vote in this fall's elections to register early.
Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says there are many advantages to registering in advance of election day, including receiving a handy post card in the mail letting you know what district you live in, your polling place location, and the local office that oversees the election. Voter registration forms are available from the Secretary of State's office by calling 1-877-600-VOTE, or (651) 215-1440. Kiffmeyer emphasizes that while early registration is recommended, voters may still register at the polls on election day as well. Minnesota is ranked third in the nation in the percentage of eligible voters who are registered, at more than 79 percent. The state also had the highest voter turn-out in the U.S. in both the 2000 and 2002 elections. |
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Secretary of State's Voting Rule Revisions Adopted
A set of voting rules proposed by Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer were recently approved by a law judge. Kiffmeyer's rule changes deal mostly with voting registration, including a new computer system and a new red, white, and blue voter registration card that some say is confusing. Kiffmeyer says the changes help to keep Minnesota in compliance with new federal standards after Congress passed the "Help America Vote Act." The new rules were tested in a recent special election and will be implemented in the state in time for the November general elections. |
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State's First Human West Nile Case Reported
The Minnesota Department of Health has announced the first human case of West Nile virus in the state this year. Officials with the MDH say a 28-year-old man in neighboring McLeod County tested positive for the virus after becoming ill in mid-July. The man was not hospitalized, and has since recovered. This is peak time for West Nile in humans according to State Epidemiologist Dr. Harry Hull, and the western and central portions of Minnesota, including Wright County are among the high risk counties in the state. While the odds of a person developing the mosquito-borne virus is extremely low, health officials encourage everyone to use repellent, wear long clothing in areas where mosquitos are heaviest, try to avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active, and eliminate any areas where water can collect and stand for extended periods around your home. A horse in Wright County which had been inoculated against the virus recently became ill anyway, and had to be euthanized. To date, only two equine cases of West Nile have been reported this summer in Minnesota. |
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Still No Sign of 14-Year-Old Stabbing, Carjacking Suspect
A 14-year-old boy from Sauk Centre who is wanted in connection with a stabbing and car-jacking a week ago is still at large. 14-year-old Christopher Hinnenkamp is accused of attacking a woman July 26th while she was giving him a ride home. The boy allegedly stabbed 35-year-old Shannon Olson without provocation. Olson was reported to be in good condition this past weekend, and should return home soon. The woman took part in a press conference Friday at St. Cloud Hospital, urging the public to help find the boy and expressed concern for the teen despite the alleged attack. Olson and her husband, Clint, said they believe the boy has a good heart since he did not harm their 5-year-old son who was riding in the rear seat of the pickup. The youngster was dropped off unharmed near the Sauk Centre City Hall shortly after the incident. Christopher Hinnenkamp's parents say their son suffers from depression. He is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 170 pounds, with blue eyes and short, sandy colored hair. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, shorts, and sandals. Officials say when he was last seen, the boy was driving Olson's metallic-charcoal gray 1992 Chevrolet extended-cab pickup with Minnesota license EDE 218. Anyone with information on Hinnenkamp's whereabouts is asked to call authorities immediately. |
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Weekend Motorcycle / Car Collision Injurs Two
Two people from Wright County are hospitalized from injuries they sustained this weekend when the motorcycle they were riding collided head-on with a car. The Wright County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened just before 10 o'clock Saturday night on County Road 6 and 50th Street Southwest, about a mile north of the Wright County Fairgrounds. Authorities say a motorcycle driven by 43-year-old Lorin Miller of Howard Lake was northbound on County Road 6 when the bike apparently crossed over into the southbound traffic lane, colliding head-on with a car driven by 26-year-old Patrick Heber of Howard Lake.
A passenger on the motorcycle, 43-year-old Janet Edholm of Cokato sustained a head injury, and was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where she is listed in critical condition. Miller, the motorcycle driver was taken to Buffalo Hospital for a leg injury. The driver of the car was not injured. There is no official word yet whether or not alcohol was a factor in the crash pending test results, but officials say the case has been turned over to the Wright County Attorney's Office for possible criminal vehicular operation charges. |
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