Absentee Ballots Now Available
Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer has announced the availability of absentee ballots for the November 2nd General Election. Kiffmeyer says it's important that everyone who wants to vote be able to do so. Kiffmeyer says there have been a lot of efforts in recent years to encourage people to vote by absentee ballot when they need to. In 2000, Minnesota hit a new record for absentee ballot usage, with more than 164 thousand absentee ballots cast. Voters may contact their county auditor's office to inquire about voting by absentee ballot either in-person or by mail. |
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Blaze Orange Required
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources would like to remind hunters that blaze orange must be worn when in the woods except when hunting wild turkey, migratory birds, raccoons, orpredators, or when hunting with nontoxic shot, trapping or by falconry. This reminder comes in wake of recent small game hunting accidents. Captain Mike Hammer stated that wearing blaze orange may have prevented those accidents. Minnesota had 31 reported accidents last year. The state is trying to raise hunting safety awareness as the Deer Opener approaches on November 6th. |
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Camp Courage Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The 50th Anniversary Celebration for Camp Courage begins on Saturday with their annual fund-raising event, ”A Toast to Courage” in Minneapolis. The funds from this event will be used to help pay for the daily expenses of Camp Courage. The average cost of per person per day is $173. Each person is asked to help with the cost of camp but most receive some sort of assistance as a result of such fundraisers. This year's ”A Toast to Courage” will have a cabret theme, complete with a gourmet meal, wine tasting and entertainment by a jazz ensemble. They will also have a raffle and silent auction with many exciting items including a trip for two to London. The 50th Anniversary Celebration run all year as a theme in each camp. Camp Courage is a non profit organization, located in Maple Lake, that offers comprehensive outdoor programming for people with disabilities of all ages. Saturday's event, ”A Toast of Courage”, take place at the Loring Pasta Bar at 6:30pm. For more information you can contact Jen Woodford at 763-520-0546 or at jenw@courage.org. |
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Cause of Monticello Teen's Death Still Unknown
There is still no word on the cause of the death of a Monticello High School student who collapsed in a gym class Monday and later died. 14-year-old freshman Brandon Nieman died at Monticello-Big Lake Hospital after he collapsed during a touch football game in a phy-ed class. Family members say Brandon had showed no signs of any health problems prior to his collapse on Monday. Authorities are still awaiting autopsy results regarding the cause of the teen's death. The boy's father, Tony Nieman says his son was a fun-loving youngster who dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. |
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Flu Shot Season is Here
With winter approaching, the influenza season is also upon us. Unlike the “stomach flu” which is an intestinal and digestive illness, influenza is an infection that generally hits the respiratory system, and can often result in pneumonia. This year's flu vaccines are being prepared and flu shot clinics will begin later this month continuing through the fall. Health officials say that there should be plenty of vaccine available this year, unlike last year when supplies ran short. While a flu shot is a good idea for nearly everyone, it's especially important for the elderly who are often hit the hardest by influenza. KRWC Radio will have more information on the upcoming flu season on our “Spotlite” program on Thursday morning at 10:05. Denice Tracy from the Wright County Public Health Department will have information on local flu shot clinics that are being planned. |
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Funeral Services Today for Char Iten, Noted Delano Community Member
Funeral services are scheduled for this morning in Delano for a well-known member of that community. Charlotte “Char” Iten of Delano died Thursday at the age of 66. Iten was very active in her community, and was known and loved by many. She was a past Chair of the local library board, was instrumental in the start of the Great River Regional Library in Delano, and was a member of the Friends of the Library. Iten also was a past Delano City Council member, a past President of the Minnesota and Delano General Federated Women's Club, and took part in the start-up of the Delano Recycling Program. She was also active in her church and helped in starting the Delano Helping Hands / Food Shelf, serving as the Executive Director of that organization for 18 years. Iten was also a Board Member of Wright County Community Action. Char received many civic and church awards through the years, including the Delano Citizen of the Year Award. Mass of Christian Burial for “Char” Iten is scheduled for 11 o'clock this morning at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Delano. |
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Funeral Services Today for Former Wright County Businesswoman
Funeral services are scheduled for this morning in Annandale for a longtime Wright County area businesswoman. Lillian Logeais of Annandale died Monday at the age of 93. Along with her late husband, Logeais was the co-owner and operator of Logeais Oil Comany in Annandale for more than 50 years. She was also very active at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of Annandale. |
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Health Care Costs Still Going Up
A new report finds Minnesotans are paying more for, and getting less from health care coverage. The study from Families USA, finds the average premium costs for workers are rising almost four times faster than their earnings. Elaine Cunningham with the Minnesota Children's Defense Fund says the average amount paid by employees for health coverage has risen 50 percent over the past four years. The new report also says 40 thousand families have lost health coverage over the same time period because of Minnesota companies downsizing, exporting jobs or closing. |
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Local Church Youth Group Challenge to Help Food Shelf
A local youth group from an area church is determined to help stock the local food shelf for the upcoming holiday season.
Members of the Pioneer Club at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Buffalo have issued a challenge to other church groups to help in the cause. The youth group plans to help stock the Buffalo Food Shelf's new location in the Centennial Industrial Park area in the building which formerly housed the “Absolutely Nuts” company. The Food Shelf hopes to open its new facility October 26th. |
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Monticello Resident Scratches $100,000 Lottery Ticket
A Wright County woman turned a 5 dollar bill into 100,000 thousand dollars last week. Kathleen "Kathi" Hanson of Monticello stopped last Thursday at the Holiday store in Plymouth on her way home from work to get a cup of ice. She stopped by the register on the way out the door to say hello to the sales associate. While they were talking, Kathi found a 5 dollar bill in her pocket that she was unaware that she had. She bought one of the Minnesota Lottery's new "Poker Night" scratch games and headed out the door. She scratched the ticket while waiting at a long stoplight and discovered that she had three 3's in the "3 of a Kind" game, making her a 100,000 dollar winner! Kathi and her husband claimed the prize at Lottery headquarters on Monday. |
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Monticello Teen Dies in Gym Class
Counselors have been called in to help grieving students at Monticello High School today after a 14-year-old boy collapsed in a gym class Monday and later died. Though authorities have not officially released the name of the victim, KARE-11 is reporting that he is 9th grader Brandon Niemann. The boy reportedly showed no signs of any health problems before collapsing during the class on Monday. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results regarding the cause of the teen's death. The teen is the second Minnesota student to die in a high school gym class recently. September 22nd, 16-year-old Nick Mueller died after a severe asthma attack after running the mile in a gym class at New Ulm High School. |
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Nieman Funeral
Funeral services were scheduled for this morning in Monticello for the Teen who died during gym class. Brandon Nieman of Monticello died on Monday at the age of 14. Family members say Brandon had showed no signs of any health problems prior to his collapse on Monday. The boy's father, Tony Nieman says his son was a fun-loving youngster who dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. Funeral services for Brandon Nieman are scheduled for 10:30 this morning at the St. Henry Catholic Church of Monticello, with burial following at the Riverside Cemetery of Monticello. |
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Private Well Owners Urged to have Water Tested Regularly
More than 400,000 house holds in Minnesota rely on private wells as their source of drinking water, but many are not tested regularly for bacterias, nitrate, arsenic or other contaminates that could make their owners sick. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) estimates that at any given time, as many as 25 percent of private wells in the state have detectable levels of coliform bacteria, an indication that surface contamination has gotten into the well. The MDH recommends that private wells be tested once a year for total coliform, once every two or three years for nitrate, even more often if nitrate has been a past factor or if an infant under six months will be drinking the well water, and already established wells that have never been tested and newly created wells should also be tested for arsenic at least once. Newer wells will typically provide safer drinking water than older wells, but appropriate maintenance procedures and regular testing are still important especially for shallow wells. For more on how to get your well tested or questions about well water contaminants you can contact well specialists with the MDH in the metro area at 612-215-0811 or in St. Cloud at 320-255-4216. |
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Substation Problem Leaves Many Annandale Area Residents in the Dark
More than 2600 electric customers in the Annandale area were without power this morning after a problem at an electric substation. Wright-Hennepin reports the problem was at the Goose Lake Substation. Technicians worked to repair the problem and most power was restored shortly after 8 AM. |
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Sudden Shortage in Flu Vaccine
Health officials did an about-face Tuesday on the availability of flu vaccine this fall and winter. A major shortage is now expected because one of the leading manufacturers of the vaccine was ordered to halt the sale of millions of doses. Here in Minnesota, the shortage will likely put a halt to hundreds of flu shot clinics that were slated to begin in the coming weeks. The California company which manufactures much of the vaccine at a plant in Liverpool, England was ordered to suspend production of the vaccine by British health officials because of safety problems. Here at home, federal and state officials are calling on health organizations to start limiting the vaccine to people who are most at risk of the complications from the flu, such as the elderly, the chronically ill and children ages 6 months to 23 months. |
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Teacher of the Year Nominations
Educators across the state once again have a chance to get the recognition they deserve, and you can make a difference. Nominations are currently being taken for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, the program that gets to highlight the best teachers throughout Minnesota. The winner of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year goes on to compete for National Teacher of the year. Minnesota teachers are known for strong showings at the national competition, winning four awards to become the second most successful state behind California. Eligible teachers must teach public or non-public school Pre-K through 12th grade, must hold a baccalaureate degree and a Minnesota Teaching License, and teachers must have completed three years of teaching by the nomination deadline and intend to teach during the 2005-2006 school year. Nominations will be accepted through November 15th and can be submitted online at www.educationminnesota.com or can be called in at 1-800-652-9073. The 2005 teacher of the Year will be named at the ceremony May 1st, 2005 at The Northland Inn and Conference Center in Brooklyn Park. |
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Wright County Residents Win Big in State Lottery
Two Wright county residents hit some big money recently on Minnesota State Lottery scratch games. Lottery officials say Joseph Cudo of Monticello won 20 thousand dollars on the Lottery's Bonus Crossword Scratch Game on a ticket he bought at the Petrol Pumper in Clearwater. On the same day, Deborah Gohmann of Buffalo scratched off a winning Gold Scratch ticket that she purchased at the Holiday store in Plymouth which made her 10 thousand dollars richer. Congratulations to these recent local winners. |
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