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| Back to: Home > Local News & Info > KRWC News Archives 2004 |
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| KRWC News 8/30/04 - 9/5/04 |
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'Fall Ball' October 9th for Rivers of Hope
The 2004 “Fall Ball” fundraiser for Rivers of Hope, a local domestic abuse advocacy group, has been scheduled for early October. The 8th annual event will be held Saturday, October 9th at the Silver Springs Golf Club near Monticello. Comedy, music, dancing, fine dining, live and silent auctions, and a top hat raffle are all a part of the planned events for the evening. Tickets for the formal event are $75 and can be purchased through Rivers of Hope by calling (763) 360-7613. Anyone who would be interested in making a gift certificate or live or silent auction donation, or for information on corporate sponsorships should also contact Rivers of Hope. |
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Annandale Man Dies, Woman Injured After Motorcycle / Deer Crash
A Wright County man has died after the motorcycle he was driving struck a deer Wednesday night. Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller says the crash happened shortly after 8 o'clock Wednesday night in the 1500 block of County Road 8 Southwest in Marysville Township. Authorities say 48-year-old Anthony Ellestad and his wife, 47-year-old Rebecca Ellestad of Annandale were northbound on County Road 8 on a motorcycle when they hit the deer. Both riders were both thrown from the motorcycle. Tony Ellestad was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis where he died early Thursday morning. Rebecca Ellestad was treated for minor injuries and released from Buffalo Hospital. |
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Back To School Today!
It's back to the books today for Wright County students as schools across the area opened for the new school year. Because Labor Day falls later in the September calendar this year, the majority of schools across the state, and here in our area are opening the school year before Labor Day, though most students will get a long weekend as schools will be closed Monday for the holiday. Drivers in the area are reminded to be very watchful for students and busses, especially during the first few days of school as students get back into their routine. Morning fog, and widespread road work is adding to the need for drivers to be very careful on area roads, and especially in school zones. |
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CSAH 14 Ribbon Cutting Today
County officials will be on hand today for a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of the majority of the reconstruction project on County State Aid Highway 14 through Rockford and Franklin Townships. County Highway Engineer Wayne Fingalson says the 5.4 million dollar project completely re-built the heavily traveled road, and replaced two timber bridges that were over 50 years old. A re-alignment of the roadway should dramatically improve what had been a very difficult and dangerous intersection at CSAH 14 and State Highway 55 just southeast of Buffalo. The completion of a railroad crossing near Highway 55 sometime next week should mark the total opening of the roadway. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 o'clock this morning at CSAH 14 and Highway 55, followed by a light lunch and a program at the Rockford Township Hall. |
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Dille Appointed to Livestock Group
State Senator Steve Dille of Dassel has been appointed by Governor Pawlenty to serve on the Local Siting Committee of the Minnesota Livestock Advisory Task Force. The committee was formed on the recommendation of the task force, and will be made up of industry leaders, local governmental officials, and a republican and democratic representative of both the Minnesota House and Senate. The committee will work to develop a set of recommendations for consideration during the 2005 legislative session. Some of the topics the committee plans to discuss include local planning and land-use regulation, and environmental safeguards related to livestock production.
Dille says he is pleased to have been appointed to the committee, and says he is convinced that properly sited and managed livestock facilities are not detrimental to the environment, and the livestock industry is a key component to the overall economy of the state. |
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Funeral Services Today for Noted Annandale Woman
Funeral services are scheduled for today for a former business-person and well-known senior in the Annandale area. Ethel Digatono-Baker died on Saturday at the age of 87. Ethel was formerly the head cook at private residences in the Twin Cities, as well as at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis, and at Beecher's Resort in Annandale. She also ran a successful catering business from the late 60's through the 1970's. Digatono-Baker served two terms as President of the VFW Post #494 Auxiliary, and was active in the Annandale Senior Meals program, and the Annandale History Club. Funeral services for Ethel Digatono-Baker are scheduled for 10:30 this morning at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Annandale. |
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Good Neighbor Day is “Rosy” in Buffalo
Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce members will help to spread some smiles and good will today during the annual “Good Neighbor Day” celebration. Participating Chamber members have helped to purchase thousands of roses that will be given away a half dozen at a time this morning at Buffalo Floral. The idea is for the person who gets the half dozen roses to keep one for themselves, and to pass along the other 5 roses as a day brightener for loved ones, business associates, someone new to the area, or anyone who needs a little “pick me up.” The rose giveaway begins at 9 AM, and the flowers will be available while supplies last. |
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Head-on Crash Injurs Two Area Teens
Two teenage boys from Delano remain hospitalized after a head-on traffic crash Wednesday night in Franklin Township. The Wright County Sheriff's office reports that the crash happened shortly after 9 o'clock in southeastern Franklin Township on County Road 17 and 105th Street Southeast.
Witnesses said they saw two cars were southbound on County Road 17 and were driving side by side. As the vehicles crested a hill, one of the vehicles collided head-on into a northbound car. The drivers of both cars were ejected from their vehicles. The driver of the southbound car was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center where he was reported in serious condition, while the northbound driver was taken to Waconia Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. The names of the drivers have not yet been released pending a further investigation into the crash. Anyone with more information on the accident is asked to contact the Wright County Sheriff's Department. |
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Highway 55 Milling, Overlay Project Begins Next Week
Another section of Minnesota Highway 55 in our region is slated for a facelift beginning next week. The St. Cloud office of the Minnesota D.O.T. says a $1.4 million dollar project will begin Tuesday on a segment of Highway 55 between the junction of Highway 15 in Kimball and Wright County Highway 5 in Annandale. New turn lanes will be constructed on the west end of the project. Crews will also be cleaning, extending, and replacing aprons on several existing culverts under the highway. The major part of the project will be surface milling and re-paving of the highway and shoulders. MnDot says traffic will be down to one lane during the re-paving portions of the project, and drivers should be watchful for flaggers and pilot cars. Depending on the weather, the project is expected to be completed in November. |
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More Schools Opening Today in Wright County
More Wright County students resume classes today as the 2004-2005 school year begins. Because Labor Day falls on the 6th of September this year, the majority of school districts in our region opted to begin classes before the holiday. Motorists are reminded to be very watchful for youngsters at school bus stops and in school zones, and to be aware of the many busses that will now be on area roadways in the mornings and late afternoons. |
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Noted Cook, Active Senior Ethel Digatono-Baker Dies
A former business-person and well-known senior in the Annandale area, Ethel Digatono-Baker died on Saturday at the age of 87. Ethel was formerly the head cook at private residences in the Twin Cities, as well as at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis, and at Beecher's Resort in Annandale. She also ran a successful catering business from the late 60's through the 1970's. Digatono-Baker served two terms as President of the VFW Post #494 Auxiliary, and was active in the Annandale Senior Meal program, and the Annandale History Club. Funeral services for Ethel Digatono-Baker will be held Thursday morning in Annandale. |
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Odd August Weather
The changing of the calendar today marks the end to a rather unusual month of August weather. The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities says August 2004 was the 7th coolest on record, and was also among the drier months of August on record. Precipitation was at least 2 inches below normal in August. The first few days of September look to be much more like typical August days, with temps in the mid-80's. |
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Red Rooster Day Weekend Opens in Dassel
The final summertime celebration for communities in our region opens today as Dassel welcomes residents and visitors alike to Red Rooster Days. The weekend opens with a square dance tonight at 6:30, with other activities continuing Saturday, Sunday, and Labor Day Monday. KRWC will keep you up to date on all the events through the weekend. |
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Rep. Olson to Visit State Fair
Many local legislators will be visiting the Minnesota State Fair this week. Lawmakers make a point of trying to attend the State Fair as a way to meet casually with constituents, as well as citizens from throughout the state to discuss topics of concern. State Representative Mark Olson of Big Lake has announced his State Fair visit times. Olson will be at the fair on Thursday from 2 to 4 PM at the House of Representatives exhibit in the Education Building. A public survey will be available for citizen input from all who attend. |
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Road Repair Rolls On
Road work in Wright County continues this week in several locations. Some of the main hot spots will be Minnesota Highway 25 south of Montrose, where aggregate shoulder repair work will be done on a 13 mile segment. Single lane traffic will continue during the construction period. MnDOT says flaggers will direct drivers to take turns using the open lane in alternating directions. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible, or plan on delays and reduced speeds through the work zone. Work on the project could continue through mid-September. Meanwhile, work on Highway 55 in Buffalo continues this week, as sand and gravel will be hauled to the east end of the project area where the road base for the new traffic lanes will be prepared. 3rd Street near SuperAmerica re-opened to traffic over the weekend for the first time in several weeks, but a new street closure is now planned for 1st Street near Ryan Motors as work in that area continues. With additional traffic expected as school busses and student drivers get back on the roads this week, motorists are reminded to drive very carefully, especially in work zones. |
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Road Repair Rolls On
Road work in Wright County continues this week in several locations. Some of the main hot spots will be Minnesota Highway 25 south of Montrose, where aggregate shoulder repair work will be done on a 13 mile segment. Single lane traffic will continue during the construction period. MnDOT says flaggers will direct drivers to take turns using the open lane in alternating directions. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible, or plan on delays and reduced speeds through the work zone. Work on the project could continue through mid-September. Meanwhile, work on Highway 55 in Buffalo continues this week, as sand and gravel will be hauled to the east end of the project area where the road base for the new traffic lanes will be prepared. 3rd Street near SuperAmerica re-opened to traffic over the weekend for the first time in several weeks, but a new street closure is now planned for 1st Street near Ryan Motors as work in that area continues. With additional traffic expected as school busses and student drivers get back on the roads this week, motorists are reminded to drive very carefully, especially in work zones. |
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Wal-Mart Super Center Opens in Buffalo
Wal-Mart's newly expanded Super Center in Buffalo is officially open for business. The expanded Wal-Mart is 207 thousand square feet in size, more than double the size of original store which opened in late 1990. The new Super Center includes a full line of groceries, a tire and oil change center, a hair salon, a nail salon, a portrait studio, and a McDonald's restaurant. Also on site is the new Murphy USA gas station. The Wal-Mart Super Center will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
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WrightSpot wishes everyone a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend!
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Xcel Energy to Seek Nuclear Plant License Renewals
Xcel Energy has announced that it plans to ask the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to renew the operating licenses of its nuclear power plants in Monticello and at Prairie Island in Red Wing. Xcel officials say the cost of producing electricity will be more economical for consumers if the plants are re-commissioned. Opponents say that there is still no permanent solution to storage of nuclear waste, and that keeping the plants operating without a permanent storage site would only add to the problem. The three plants went on line in the early 1970's, and all three licenses are due to expire in the next 10 years. Xcel has begun the re-licensing process because a decision can take up to 30 months. The nuclear plants provide about a fifth of the state's electricity. |
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