September 9, 2010
On Tuesday afternoon, September 7th, the Sibley County Sheriff's Office received a report that a juvenile female had been abducted and assaulted on County Road 2 in Moltke Township, about 4 miles north of the City of Gibbon. An investigation into the allegation by the Sibley County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension determined that the abduction and assalut did not occur, with the juvenile female recanting the allegation. Authorities say fortunately this case ended without anybody being hurt.
September 9, 2010
A Mcleod County budget committee is recommending a 2.93 percent reduction in its 2011 levy as compared to 2010. The McLeod County Chronicle reports the county board heard at a recent workshop that the committee is recommending an $18.3-million levy, which is about $552,000 less than the 2010 levy. County Auditor-Treasurer Cindy Schultz said the goal was to keep property tax revenue the same or less than 2010.
September 9, 2010
Despite a 1.6 percent decrease in the proposed budget figure, the amount Meeker County will levy is expected to increase 2.3 percent next year. The West Central Tribune reports the preliminary $12.2-million levy was approved this week. County Administrator Paul Virnig says the commissioners cut the county’s $25 million budget by about $400,000. It’s the second year in a row such cuts were made. Given the workload, Virnig says there is not a lot of room to make additional cuts. A reduction in state program aid is partially blamed for the budget cuts and levy increases. The county was supposed to receive about $1 million in program aid this year but it instead received $778,000.
September 9, 2010
Work continues on the over 4-million-dollar Washington Avenue/Adams Street construction project in Hutchinson. Transportation Project Manager Chad Seaman says crews are still working on sewer and water lines on Adams Street, south of 5th Avenue and expect to finish by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. Crews are also working on sealing the concrete joints from Washington Avenue to 5th Avenue and are digging in tree soils behind the curb and gutters in that stretch as well. Seaman says crews should begin paving from the bridge on the south end of the project north to Oakland Avenue as early as Saturday, but more than likely Monday, depending on the weather.
September 8, 2010
Two adults and 10 children were taken to the hospital this morning (Wednesday) for observation after a house fire in Biscay caused extensive heat and smoke damage to the home and contents. Hutchinson Fire Chief Brad Emans says they were called to the fire at the Troy Jenneke residence at 430 Grant Street at about 3:15 this morning. Emans says the 10 children range in age from 2 to 16. There are actually 11 children, but one was in Apple Valley at the time. Emans says the fire detectors did not activate but the father woke up and upon discovering the smoke-filled living room, essentially began tossing children out the window. He tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, to no avail. The fire was confined to the living room of the double-wide manufactured home, but Emans says smoke and heat caused about $150,000 damage. The Red Cross and the insurance company were contacted to assist the family. The cause is under investigation.
September 8, 2010
The Associated Press has learned that the peanut industry executive whose filthy processing plants were blamed in a salmonella outbreak two years ago that killed nine people and sickened hundreds more is back in the business. The former president of the now-bankrupt Peanut Corporation of America is working as a consultant to peanut companies as a criminal investigation against Stewart Parnell languishes. Two Minnesotans died in the outbreak.
September 8, 2010
A fallen Minnesota auto mogul accused of defrauding lenders and others of millions of dollars has pleaded guilty to two federal charges. Denny Hecker faces up to 10 years in prison under his plea agreement entered Tuesday in Minneapolis, and prosecutors say they'll seek the maximum penalty.
September 8, 2010
Minnesota's corn crop continues to develop ahead of schedule, while soybean development is on pace with the five-year average. In its weekly crop weather report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says average temperatures dropped closer to normal levels last week, compared with August when average temperatures were 2 to 7 degrees warmer than normal. Corn was rated in 53 percent good and 38 percent excellent condition, equal to last week. Soybeans were rated in 57 percent good and 32 percent excellent conditon.
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.
Cash (checks) can be sent to:
American Red Cross
Suite 43
902 Highway 15 South
Hutchinson, MN 55350
