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| Back to: Home > Local News & Info > KRWC News Archives 2004 |
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| KRWC News 10/18/04 - 10/24/04 |
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15th Anniversary of Jacob Wetterling Abduction
Today marks the 15th anniversary of the abduction of Jacob Wetterling. The 11-year-old was abducted in St. Joseph as he and other boys were riding their bicycles on a rural road. Though there have been endless leads and exhaustive searches for Jacob in the 15 years since his disappearance, no concrete evidence of his whereabouts or his abductor have been found. A live test of the statewide Amber Alert Plan will take place at 1 PM today. The Amber Alert is the system which broadcasts information to the public as an alert to a child abduction situation as soon after the event as possible. The Jacob Wetterling Foundation, Minnesota Broadcasters Association, local law enforcement agencies and the Department of Public Safety implemented the state's Amber Plan in June of 2002. |
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BCT's “Moon Over Buffalo” Opens Tonight
A light hearted comedy comes to the stage tonight in Buffalo as the Buffalo Community Theater presents the first of 6 performances of “Moon Over Buffalo.” Director Ann Brummer says the cast of 8 local actors does a great job in bringing the "play within a play" comedy to life. Performances of “Moon Over Buffalo” will be tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30, and Sunday afternoon at 2 PM at the Discovery School Auditorium. Next week, 3 evening performances are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights October 28th, 29th and 30th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at Renaissance West in downtown Buffalo, from the BCT Hotline at (763) 682-9454, or at the box office a half hour prior to showtime. |
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Buffalo Planners Make Recommendations on Menard's Proposal
The Buffalo Planning Commission has recommended approval of a conditional use permit for the construction of a new Menard's store in Buffalo, providing that the company and the city can come to an agreement regarding signage, outdoor lighting and a few other conditions. Menard's proposes building the new retail outlet on the east end of the city, just north of the new Trueman-Welters Implement location at Highway 55 and County Road 134. The Planning Commission recently held a public hearing on the proposal at a regular meeting. City consultants told planners that they recommended special non-glare outdoor lighting specifications because of the proximity to the Buffalo Airport. Signage issues would also have to be worked out. Menard's requested a variance for larger signage than currently allowed by city ordinance. The Planning Commission recommended denial of the request. Other concerns that still need to be addressed include truck traffic, and water drainage. The proposal next goes on to the City Council. |
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Car - Semi Crash in Wright County Leaves Two Dead
Two Wright County area residents are dead after a late afternoon traffic crash yesterday in Montrose. The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened around 5:25 Monday afternoon at the junction of U.S. Highway 12 and Wright County Road 12.
Authorities say a westbound car driven by 42-year-old Jerome Etteldorf of Cokato collided head-on with an eastbound semi truck. Dead at the scene of the crash were the driver, Jerome Etteldorf, and a passenger, 44-year-old Barbara Etteldorf, also of Cokato. The driver of the semi truck, 70-year-old Robert King of Willmar was treated and released at Buffalo Hospital for minor injuries. The State Patrol says the westbound car apparently crossed over into the eastbound traffic lane, though the circumstances are unclear. The crash resulted in the closure of that section of Highway 12 for several hours on Monday. An investigation into the crash is continuing. |
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Fast Food Fire Incidents Reach Wright County
The investigation into an apparent arson fire at the Buffalo Arby's restaurant is continuing today. Buffalo and Plymouth police departments are looking into two similar fires that happened in the early morning hours on Tuesday in both communities. Broken windows and evidence of an incendiary device were found at the Wendy's along Highway 55 in Plymouth, as well as the Buffalo Arby's. Minor damage was reported in both incidents. The question now is whether or not the two incidents are related, and whether or not they are related to a string of arson fires at fast food restaurants in the Plymouth area over the past year. Authorities say so far all the fires have occurred at times when the businesses are closed and no one was present. Anyone with information on any of the fires is asked to contact local authorities, or call the arson hot line at 1-800-723-2020. A reward has been offered. |
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First MN Flu Case Confirmed
Minnesota has recorded its first laboratory-confirmed flu case of the 2004-2005 season. A 44-year-old woman from Minneapolis has been confirmed to have the "A Fujian" strain of the influenza virus, which is one of the three strains covered in this year's flu vaccine. Although the flu usually doesn't appear this early in Minnesota, officials with the Minnesota Department of Health say that the early appearance does not necessarily mean that this will be a bad year for the flu. State Epidemiologist, Dr. Harry Hull adds that the early case of the flu doesn't even necessarily mean that the season will peak early. Hull says widespread flu activity usually isn't seen until six to ten weeks after the first reported case. |
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Four Lanes for 241 in St. Michael
A major improvement for Highway 241 in St. Michael has been announced. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has decided to go along with the City of St. Michael in planning to make a part of that highway four lanes. Past plans to improve the highway started out with just resurfacing, but due to St. Michael's growing population, and increased traffic, the upgrade to four lanes on the highway seemed necessary. The stretch of Highway 241 that would be made four lanes would reach from Interstate 94 to 4th Street, and is one of several changes that have been made in negotiations with MnDOT since proposed changes began being made in 1995. So far approximately 7 million dollars in local funding have been committed from the city, out of an estimated 20 million that are needed cover the total project cost. Relocation of utilities throughout the Highway 241 corridor will begin next summer, with construction slated to begin in 2006. |
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Funeral Services Today for Car - Semi Crash Victims
Funeral services are scheduled for this morning in Cokato for two Wright County area residents who died in a late afternoon traffic crash Monday in Montrose. A westbound car and an eastbound semi truck collided on U.S. Highway 12 near the intersection with County Road 12. Dead at the scene were the driver of the car, 42-year-old Jerome “Jerry” Etteldorf, and his wife, 44-year-old Barbara Etteldorf, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Officials say the circumstances of the crash are still unclear, though they do say the crash happened in the eastbound lane of traffic. Funeral services for Jerry and Barb Etteldorf are scheduled for 11 o'clock this morning at the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. |
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Holiday Train to Make 2 Wright County Stops in '04
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be visiting the Wright County area again this holiday season, this time with 2 local stops. The Holiday Train will be departing Minneapolis on the afternoon of Monday, December 13th, heading west with stops again in Loretto, Buffalo, and this year in Annandale before it continues west through to Glenwood where it will spend the night. The 850 foot Holiday Train features thousands of lights along with a stage where a musical show will be performed.
The Holiday Train is a good will gesture on the part of the rail company, which works in coordination with local food shelves to raise money and food donations during the holiday season. |
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Kiffmeyer Urges Experienced Voters to Mentor New Voters
Minnesota's Secretary of State says one of the keys to high voter turnout on election day is reaching young voters. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says her department has created informative brochures for young voters, along with public service announcements, educational videos and information on the department's web site. Kiffmeyer says however that experienced voters need to lead by example either by answering questions or taking a young voter to the polls. Minnesota had the highest voter turnout in the country in 2000 and 2002. |
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Monticello Community Theater Production Postponed
The Monticello Community Theater's fall production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” which was scheduled to open tonight has been postponed. Director Perry Sloneker says the untimely and unexpected departure of one of the main cast members has caused the delay in the production. Sloneker says the play is tentatively slated for a performance this winter. Sloneker says the cast will continue to rehearse weekly, and a new date and time for the production will be set as soon as possible. Ticketholders for Monticello Community Theater's production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” may either hold tickets for an exchange for the new performance dates once they are set, or may contact Sloneker at the Comfort Inn at (763) 271-8880 for a refund. |
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State Council Honors Local Furniture Dealer
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits recently honored a local retailer for the work it has done through a non-profit foundation that it has set up. Becker Furniture World in Becker was honored at the Council's annual meeting in the Twin Cities. The Becker Furniture World Foundation was honored for providing furniture to non-profit groups that help needy families throughout the area. Becker Furniture World was one of 5 groups honored at the Council of Nonprofit's annual meeting, and was the only out-state group recognized. |
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State Unemployment Down in September
Minnesota's unemployment rate was down in September.
New figures from the State Department of Employment and Economic Development show that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in September, down from 4.8 percent in August, and down from 5.1 percent a year ago.
Although the overall number of jobs were down by some 22 hundred, MDEED Commissioner Matt Kramer says employment in several sectors including manufacturing and construction were up last month. New September county by county unemployment figures will be out next week. |
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Wright County Fair Looks Ahead to '05
More than 45 thousand people attended this year's Wright County Fair. The final attendance numbers were recently announced by the County Fair Board. Great entertainment, special events, and great weather helped to bring the crowds to the 2004 Wright County Fair. The Fair Board is already looking for new attractions and events for the 2005 Wright County Fair which will run Wednesday, July 27th through Sunday, July 31st. Fair Board members also remind area residents that the fairgrounds becomes winter storage during the off-season. For information, contact Jeff Wheeler at (763) 675-2880. |
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