September 7, 2010
A 15-year-old Shakopee boy is dead after a three-person ATV he was driving rolled over south of Underwood in western Minnesota. The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened about 6;20pm Friday when the 2009 Polaris Ranger hit the edge of the road. The teen driver was thrown from the vehicle then killed when it rolled over on him. Two other teens riding with him were not hurt. The name of the victim was not released.
September 7, 2010
Drivers throughout Minnesota need to be on the lookout for students and yellow buses today (Tuesday) as students in most districts go back to class. In many towns, police officers will be enforcing speed zones around schools and making sure drivers are following the instructions of crossing guards. In Moorhead, officers will also be ticketing distracted drivers, including those texting on their cell phones. Fines start at $125. Likewise, police are reminding drivers that it is illegal to pass a school bus with its stop arm out and flashing lights activated.
September 7, 2010
Funeral services are set for a Marine from Minnesota who was killed in Afghanistan. The funeral for Master Sgt. Daniel Fedder will be held today (Tuesday) at 10am at the Pine City National Guard Armory. It's open to the public, and Governor Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to attend. The 34-year-old Fedder was a highly decorated Marine Bomb Disposal Technician. He was killed by a roadside bomb August 27th.
September 7, 2010
The Hutchinson Economic Development Authority was to host a ribbon-cutting/open house this afternoon (Tuesday) to commemorate the completion of Hutchinson’s new industrial park, but that has been postponed due to less than favorable weather. The new park will be called “Energy Park” and EDA Director Miles Seppelt says it will kick off a new era of economic development in the community. The event was scheduled to be held at 4 this afternoon at the intersection of Industrial Blvd. and Hackbarth Street in the new park near Warrior Manufacturing and will be scheduled for a later date. Seppelt says 2 lots have already been sold and 7 lots are still available. Infrastructure for Energy Park cost just under $2.5-million, of which $1.2-million was covered by state and local grants.
September 6, 2010
Law enforcement in central Minnesota is looking for a man who tried to abduct an 11-year-old girl. According to the Benton County Sheriff's Department, the girl was walking in Rice Trailer Park, when a man in a van offered her a ride. She refused and the man threatened her, but she ran away. Officers are asking anyone with information to call the Benton County Sheriff's Office at 320-968-7201.
September 6, 2010
With most schools set to start the new school year tomorrow (Tuesday) law enforcement authorities are urging back-to-school “bus safety.” Authorities say every Minnesota resident is responsible for knowing school bus laws and common ways to prevent school bus accidents. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says that 72 percent of the nation’s school bus fatalities actually take place outside of the bus. Drivers can help promote the safety of school bus riders by knowing the laws of traffic flow around buses. Two common mistakes that drivers make now are misdemeanors in Minnesota, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. Shari Danzeisen with the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association says “The most common are: failing to stop when the bus stop arm is extended; and driving around the right side of bus when it’s stopping.” Hutchinson Police Services is urging families to have discussions with their children and for motorists to pay attention to current bus safety laws. Anyone who is uncertain about a law or regulation relating to bus traffic can contact Hutchinson Police Services at 10 Franklin Street, SW or by calling (320) 587-2242.
September 6, 2010
Community meetings, special mailings, website information and calendars clearly marking which days there will be school and which days there won’t have prepared the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District for its new four-day school week. Superintendent Sherri Broderius tells the West Central Tribune they’ve been very cognizant that everyone got the information at least twice. Broderius says they really feel ready to go, but nonetheless suspects there will be a few surprises to work out with the new schedule, but still feels it’s going to work. The schedule includes a Tuesday through Friday school week and classes that begin around 8 a.m. and end around 4 p.m.
September 6, 2010
Emergency Management officials in Minnesota want to use the month of September to remind residents that being prepared can make all the difference if a disaster strikes. September is National Preparedness Month. Officials say there are simple things individuals, families, and businesses can do to minimize risks. Kris Eide is Minnesota's Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Managment. She says the website www.ready.gov gives tips on makingemergency kits and coming up with emergency plans. The website also includes special tips for pet owners and people with special needs, and it has activities to get kids involved.
September 3, 2010
Rewards are being offered for information on a string of thefts that occurred in Watertown recently. During the two week period from August 5th through 20th, Watertown residents reported numerous thefts from vehicles. As many as 12 theft reports were taken from August 18th through the 19th. Most of the victims said thier vehicles were locked. Items stolen included GPS units, stereo equipment, lawn ornaments, mp3 players, laptops, and a purse. Crimestopper of Minnesota is offering a reward up to $1,000. In addition to that, the city of Watertown is offering $500 in reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. More information is available by calling 952-955-2681, or online at www.crimestoppersmn.org.
September 3, 2010
A 2-year lawsuit between the City of Green Isle and former Green Isle Clerk-Treasurer Paula Geisler has been settled in federal court. Geisler had claimed that the city owed her over $13,000 in overtime pay accrued between November 2005 and January 2007. She also said the Green Isle City Council violated fair labor and whistle-blower laws when it eliminated her position following her request for overtime pay, and councilors defamed her publicly by comparing the request to a Ponzi scheme. The settlement approved in federal court had Green Isle's insurance carrier agreeing to pay Geisler $210,000, which is more than 15-times the amount requested. She will be responsible for her own attorney fees.
September 3, 2010
The Sibley County Sheriff's Office began providing "on-call" law enforcement coverage to the City of Gaylord this week. The 4-month trial period involves 12 hours of emergency coverage per-day, with the patrol time for Gaylord police officers being cut back during that time as well. The city is expecting to save around $60,000 a year through the arrangement. A public hearing is being held on September 15th to discuss how the sheriff's department coverage is working, and if there is a need to continue a fully-staffed police department in Gaylord. A petition signed by 106 Gaylord residents, which is over 10% of the city's registered voters, was recently submitted to the city supporting the Gaylord Police Department.
September 3, 2010
Farmers who sold corn to bankrupt ethanol producer VeraSun Energy Corp. have been receiving letters asking for repayment of funds due to "bankruptcy preference." The Iowa State University's Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation says the letters are telling growers who sold corn to VeraSun in the 90 days before it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection that they have until September 30th to repay 80 percent of what VeraSun paid them for their corn. National and state corn growers associations are telling their members they might have defenses and they should consult with an attorney. Sioux Falls-based VeraSun filed for bankruptcy in October 2009 after tightening credit markets erased its lifeline to weather the swings in corn and fuel prices.
Cash (checks) can be sent to:
American Red Cross
Suite 43
902 Highway 15 South
Hutchinson, MN 55350
