Your News

Lindgren gets 40 days in jail

2-22-12     A man who drove drunk and crashed his car in Willmar with his two children inside has been sentenced to 40 days in jail.   29-year-old Raymond Lindgren of Kerkhoven was sentenced in Kandiyohi County District Court in Willmar Tuesday.   Lindgren left a friend's apartment after a fight October 17th, grabbed his 2 and 5 year old sons, and MORE... 

Sixth death reported from Monday crashes

2-22-12     A six person is dead after slushy conditions hit the Alexandria area on Monday.   Four college students died on I-94 west of Alexandria and a Starbuck woman was killed near Glenwood.   Now the Douglas County Sheriff's Department reveals a 13-year-old girl died and two others were hurt after a crash at 6:15 p.m. Monday MORE... 
Renee Nolting

Dine out for the United Way goes till Sunday

2-22-12    There's still a few days left to eat out at area restaurants and help raise money for the United Way of West Central Minnesota.   Through Sunday, area businesses are donating a portion of the money they make on a particular day to the United Way.    United Way Director Renae Nolting says they got the idea from other United Way Chapters and is MORE... 

Meeker County pursuing drug drop off site
2-22-12   The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has given Public Health Educator Daren Scheppmann permission to work with the Sheriff’s Office to apply to be a site for a drug take-back program.  If it materializes, there would be a safe way for residents to dispose of unused medications.  Scheppmann says neighboring counties have take-back programs, enabling MORE... 

Redwood Falls native found dead at MIT

2-22-12     A Redwood Falls native was found dead in his dorm room at Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Monday.  Officials were contacted by concerned family members after they were unable to reach 21-year-old Brian Anderson.  Anderson was a management major at M-I-T and an active member of the school's wrestling team.  There have been two suicides MORE... 
Gimse

Gimse, Kubly in same district

2-22-12      A five judge panel released their map of Minnesota's new legislative districts Tuesday.   Senator Joe Gimse's District 13 now becomes District 17, and includes Kandiyohi, Renville and Chippewa Counties, and puts the Willmar Republican in the same district as Senator Gary Kubly of Granite Falls.   Kubly, suffering from ALS, has MORE... 
Okins

Willmar changing ward boundaries

2-22-12     The Willmar City Council last night gave the prelimnary o.k. to shift the boundaries of Wards 1 and 2 to account for changes in the population since the 2000 census.   Willmar Finance Director Steve Okins says people will be able to comment on the boundaries changes March 19th.  The greatest area if population growth in Willmar came in the 1st MORE... 
Cox

Cox leaves 6 million to Willmar Area Community Foundation
2-21-12     The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today that Alice Cox, who died on December 29, 2011, designated the Willmar Area Community Foundation as recipient of her entire estate, which is valued at over $6 million.  This gift will double the assets of WACF to over $12 MORE...

Counselors On Hand At N-D-S-U
2-21-12(Fargo, ND) --  Administrators and counseling staff at North Dakota State University are dealing with the deaths of four freshmen who died in a collision on a slick section of Interstate 94 near Alexandria Monday.  The four female students from the Twin Cities area died at the scene of the three-vehicle wreck.  Janna Stoskopf (STAAS'-COUGH), dean of student life at the More.... 

Willmar Woman Leaves Entire Estate To Local Foundation
2-21-12 (Willmar, MN) --  The Central Minnesota Community Foundation has received it’s largest donation ever.  Alice Erickson Cox died at the age of 97 in December and left her entire estate of over six million dollars to the Community Foundations' affiliate -- the Willmar Area Community foundation.  More...

Starbuck woman killed in Glenwood crash
2-21-12      A Starbuck woman is dead after car-truck crash in Pope County yesterday afternoon.   The state patrol says a car driven by 26-year-old Steffanie Dahlseng was westbound on Highway 28 near Glenwood when it spun out on ice and into the path of a truck.   They collided and both went into the north and south ditches.   The car then MORE... 

Delta stewardess fired, flight cancelled
2-21-12     A flight attendant for Pinnacle Airlines has been fired after being removed from a Delta flight out of Grand Forks on Sunday.  The jet was due to take off for Minneapolis-St. Paul International but the flight was canceled.  Pinnacle would not comment on the reason for the flight attendant's removal.  However on Monday, a spokesman did say the MORE... 
Reed and Savannah on-the-loose

Save Our Tails coming up Friday

2-21-12     The Humane Society of Kandiyohi and Meeker Counties has learned with a bigger facility comes more business, and more operating costs.   Humane Society Board Chair Steve Gardner says in 2010, the year they opened their new Hawk Creek Shelter in Willmar, they took in 1248 animals, mostly dogs and cats.   Gardner says last year, that number MORE... 

Man invades Blue Earth home, kills man
2-21-12     Charges could come as soon as today (TUES) against the suspect in a fatal home invasion in southern Minnesota.  Police arrested the suspect last night, just hours after the incident in the town of Blue Earth.  Investigators say the masked man entered a home just past midnight Monday and bludgeoned the victims with some type of blunt object.  A MORE... 

Anti-union due bill advancing in Senate
2-21-12    A bill is moving forward in the state Senate that would prohibit union dues from being taken out of payments that home child care providers receive from the state.  It's in response to Governor Dayton's executive order for a union election at licensed home child care providers -- which is being challenged in court and there's a hearing tomorrow MORE... 

Snow advisory continues up north
2-21-12      More snow is likely as a winter weather advisory continues across the Northland all day today.  To the south, drivers are also urged to be careful, especially on ramps and bridges where wet snow and ice are still on surfaces.  Not all snowfall totals are in but so far, the National Weather Service reports five-and-a-half-inches in Douglas County, MORE... 

Vikes bill deadline coming

2-21-12     Local lawmakers on both sides of the aisle don't think a proposal by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe to share the profits of a new Twin Cities casino with the State of Minnesota for a new Vikings stadium will fly.    Tribal Chair Erma Vizenor last week proposed owning and operating a casino in the Twin Cities area and spliting the profits with MORE... 

Sloppy roads lead to 5 deaths, injury

2-21-12     Four young women in a Chevy Malibu were killed in a crash west of Alexandria yesterday afternoon.   The state patrol says around 3 p.m. the car was westbound on I-94 when it crossed the median and was hit broadside by an eastbound SUV.   The SUV was then hit by another car.    Killed in the crash were the Malibu driver, MORE... 
Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya

306,000 meals packaged in Willmar Saturday

2-20-12     Thousands of people in a refugee camp in Kenya will be able to eat thanks to the efforts of an army of volunteers in Willmar Saturday.   Doug Reese of the group Faith At Work says 1200 volunteers from 29 area churches came to the Willmar Middle School and bagged more than 56,000 packets of food.  Reese says they also raised more than $43,000 MORE... 
Piepenburg

Piepenburg wins scholarship at state competition

2-20-12     Aria Stiles of Apple Valley is Minnesota's 2012 Distinguished Young Woman.   The state competition took place in Burnsville this past weekend with several high school seniors competing to advance to the national competition in Alabama this summer.   Willmar's Distinguished Young Woman, Brooke Piepenburg, had a good MORE... 

Youth dies after apparently hopping railcars
2-20-12     The death of a 15-year-old boy in northeast Minneapolis is prompting officials to warn about the perils of trespassing on rail yards. Christopher Hanson's mother told him not to hop the trains near their home the night before his death. But Thursday evening, a railroad employee discovered Hanson's body by the tracks. Hanson died of multiple blunt force head MORE... 

Cancer drugs in short supply, outrage at a surplus

2-20-12     The number of cancer drugs in short supply rose to 220 in 2011 from 56 in 2006, the year a clear trend started emerging. Matt Schafer is with the Minnesota chapter of the American Cancer Society and says this is unacceptable.   Doctors and patient advocates say shortages of certain drugs, such as some chemotherapy treatments and antibiotics, have  MORE... 

Snow on the way

2-20-12     That winter weather system we've been hearing about is about to move into Minnesota.  Up to half-a-foot of snow could fall in northwestern Minnesota, starting later today.  Three- to five-inches are possible to the east.  One- to two-inches could fall by tonight across central and southern portions of the state.  Warmer-than-normal MORE... 

Vikings stadium proposal could be coming this week
2-28-12      Backers of a Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis say
they're close to unveiling a proposal and it could happen this week. The
clock is ticking on the 2012 legislative session and Senate D-F-L Leader Tom
Bakk predicts, if there is a proposal, large numbers of people will want to
testify and there will be very long, multiple-day committee hearings.  MORE... 

Informational meeting for commercial truckers tomorrow
2-20-12     The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office will be hosting an informational meeting concerning truck weight enforcement, implement of husbandry, and other miscellaneous commercial vehicle laws on February 21 st, 2012, from 1:00 PM to·3:00 PM, in the multipurpose room, at the Health and Human Resource building.
Deputies from the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's MORE... 
Renquist

Anhydrous plant to be launched next month

2-20-12     We're one month away from the official launch of a project to build an anhydrous ammonia plant in Kandiyohi County.   Willmar and Kandiyohi County Economic Development Commission Director Steven Renquist says it will be unveiled at the Bio Business Forum in Willmar March 21st.  The plant would create anhydrous ammonia out of locally grown MORE... 

Event at capitol told the story of MnWest Tech Campus

2-20-12     About 200 people toured an exhibit at the State Capitol Building last week showing off bio-energy projects from around our region.   Willmar and Kandiyohi County Economic Development Commission Director Steve Renquist says they had information on local ethanol plants, wind farms, energy accounting and engineering firms, the West Central MORE... 

Five hurt in Wood Lake rollover

2-20-12     Five people were injured in a one vehicle rollover in Wood Lake Saturday nights.   The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Department says at 11:08 p.m. Saturday they recieved a call that a vehicle had left 150th Avenue in Wood Lake and rolled into a resident's yard.  There were 6 people in the vehicle and when rescuers arrived one was still MORE... 

Crash kills Lamberton man

2-20-12     A Lamberton man is dead after a one vehicle rollover Friday morning.   The Redwood County Sheriff's Department says 42-year-old Brett Vanmeveren was driving his SUV on 110th Street when he lost control a little over a mile east of County Road 6.   The crash happened around 8 a.m. Friday.  (KWLM)

House destroyed by fire near Darwin

2-20-12     Fire destroyed a house near Darwin yesterday morning.   The Meeker County Sheriff's Department says a passer-by on Highway 12 reported the fire on County Road 24 at 4:25 a.m.   When fire crews arrived they determined the renter, 61-year-old Luverne Kramer, was not inside.   The house, valued at $76,000, was destroyed and the MORE... 

Drug Arrests Made in Grove City
2-19-12  (Grove City, MN)  On February 16, the Meeker County Sheriff's Office and agents of the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force, executed a narcotics search warrant at the address of 600 Maple Lane in Grove City.  Two persons were arrested at the scene.   (MORE...)

Home Foreclosure on the Rise in MN
2-19-12 (Undated) -- Home foreclosures are on the way back up in Minnesota. They jumped 15 percent from December to January - and the experts say it's a painful but necessary step in clearing the big backlog of troubled homes.   (MORE...)

Sen. Klobuchar Leads Drug Abuse Panel Discussion in Moorhead
2-19-12 (Moorhead, MN) -- Senator Amy Klobuchar is in Moorhead today to host a panel discussion on the danger of synthetic drug abuse. Klobuchar is leading a bipartisan effort in Congress to ban harmful chemicals used in synthetic drugs.  (MORE...)

Century Farm Applicants Sought
2-19-12 (St. Paul, MN) -- Family farms have been a hallmark of Minnesota agriculture since the state was founded back in 1858. Every spring, the state adds more family farms to the special list known as "Century Farms".   (MORE...)

Willmar Police Use Facebook to Identify Criminals
2-18-12 (Willmar, MN)  The Willmar Police Department is reporting that Facebook has helped them identify and arrest two suspects in a pair of recent thefts.  According to the West Central Tribune, the police were so pleased with the way things worked out, they're considering using Facebook more often to help solve crimes.   (MORE...)

Minneapolis Stadium Deal Close
2-18-12 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  Negotiators for the state and the Minnesota Vikings have a tentative agreement on division of costs for a 975-million-dollar stadium at or near the Metrodome site, reports the Star Tribune.  (MORE...)

Minneapolis Lutheran Synod Opposes Marriage Amendment
2-18-12 (Prior Lake, MN)  --  The Minneapolis area synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has gone on record as against a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages in Minnesota.   (MORE...)

Take-A-Kid-Fishing Weekend in Minnesota
2-18-12 (Undated)  --  It's Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing weekend in Minnesota through Monday.  The DNR's Roland Sigurdson cautions that ice conditions around the state vary widely.   (MORE...) 

Norovirus Blamed For Student Illness At Gaylord
2-17-12 (Gaylord, MN)  -- Things are beginning to settle down at a Gaylord school hit by a wave of illness earlier this week.  On Wednesday, more than 200 students either called in sick or went home ill complaining of stomach pains and diarrhea.  Today, about 130 students were absent but recovering.  School principal Mari Lou Martens says state health investigators believe the More... 

Lawmkers Vow To Plug Loophole In Sex Offender Release Policy
2-17-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  House Republicans say they'll move on Monday to plug what they call a "dangerous loophole" in the state's community notification law. This comes just prior to the expected release of high-profile sex offender Clarence Opheim.  Current Minnesota law requires that the community where a high-level sex offender intends to live be notified when More..... 

Senjem Speculates About Special Stadium Session
2-17-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  There's a fair amount of talk around the State Capitol about ending the legislative session by Easter -- more than a month ahead of the deadline -- and today (Fri) Senate Republican Majority Leader Dave Senjem threw out the idea of a later special session to deal with a Vikings stadium, Said Senjum, "If the bonding bill's done, if all we're More... 

Senate Democrats Demand Public Hearing On GOP Literature
2-17-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Senate Democrats are demanding a public hearing on what they say was campaign literature that Republicans printed at taxpayer expense and distributed at the February 7th precinct caucuses.  A top Senate G-O-P staffer, former House Speaker Steve Sviggum admitted it was his fault that a link to a Republican fundraising website was on the brochures and said More... 

Toddler Dies In Hot Tub Accident In Grand Rapids
2-17-12 (Grand Rapids, MN)  --  A two-year-old boy is dead after a hot tub accident in a Grand Rapids hotel.  Officers say the boy was at a birthday party when he wandered away from the others.  When police arrived, the boy had been pulled from the tub and C-P-R was being performed.  He died in the hospital.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

Man arrested after chase in stolen jeep into Dassel

2-17-12      A Lester Prairie man is under arrest after a police chase in a stolen vehicle, and then on foot.   The Meeker County Sheriff's Department says at 9:20 Friday morning a state trooper attempted to pull over a Jeep that had been stolen earlier in Hutchinson.   The driver refused to stop, and the trooper chased him into MORE... 
Hanley Falls Post Office

Post office changes needed
2-17-12      Slower delivery, one less day of service and higher
stamp prices are all needed to stem the massive flow of losses at the U-S
Postal Service. That's according to officials in Washington who are pushing
Congress to allow the changes to avoid an estimated 18-billion dollar loss
per year by 2015. A new plan would see stamps go up by as much as a MORE... 
Steven Anderson (morristribune.com)

Morris man killed in snowmobile accident
2-17-12     Still no word on how a Minnesota man was killed while
snowmobiling in a remote area of northwest Wyoming. The group that included
53-year-old Steven Anderson of Morris called authorities for help and when
rescuers arrived by helicopter, they decided to leave for more help and
resources. That's when the snowmobile party witnessed another tragedy as MORE... 
Kris Ehresmann (minnesotapublicradio.org)

Flu flaring up

2-17-12     Officials believe the peak of the flu season will hit in the next two-to-three weeks. So far, flu activity has been pretty mild across the state and some wonder if it's related to the mild winter. Kris Ehresmann with the Minnesota Department of Health says the weather really doesn't factor in...she says the flu hits Florida as well as Minnesota at this MORE...

Gun-in-the courthouse charges could be dismissed

2-17-12      A Swift County official who brought a gun to the courthouse could have the charges against him dismissed if he stays law-abiding for a year.   County Assessor Edward Pederson admits bringing the shotgun to his office on October 28th.   The weapon belongs to a relative, and it was damaged in a house fire and he brought the cased, MORE... 
Swift County-Benson Hospital

The babies are coming back to Benson

2-17-12     The hospital in Benson will soon be delivering babies again.   At a special meeting this month, the Swift County-Benson Hospital Governing Board unanimously approved a motion to resume obstetrician services and send Doctor Matt Dammeyer to training on performing cesarean section births.   The move was seen as a way to attract young doctors MORE... 

Mark Thompson to fill in for retiring Sam Modderman

2-17-12   Assistant Kandiyohi County Auditor Mark Thompson will temporarily fill-in for his boss, Auditor Sam Modderman, until a permanent replacement is found.   Modderman is retiring April 1st after leading the office for 26 years.   The county board this week elevated Thompson to interim auditor until they find someone to fill out the rest MORE... 
Brooke Piepenburg

Piepenburg getting ready for big competition
2-17-12     This has been an exciting week for Willmar High School Senior Brooke Piepenburg.    She's been in the Twin Cities getting ready for the state Distinguished Young Woman competition.   Piepenburg was selected Willmar's Distinguished Young Woman this past summer.  Last weekend Piepenburg headed to the Twin Cities where she's MORE... 

Rural Spicer house fire under investigation

2-17-12    A home between Willmar and Spicer was heavily damaged by fire Wednesday afternoon.   Spicer Fire Chief Mike Holme says the fire was discovered by a girl coming home from school at the Mike and Lynette Stueckrath home on 60th Avenue Northeast, next to Eagle Lake Lutheran Church, just west of Highway 23/71.  Holme says the home withstood heavy damage MORE... 

Convenience store robbed in Redwood Falls

2-17-12     The Redwood Falls Police Department is investigating a convenience store robbery.   At 9:46 p.m. last night a robbery was reported at the P and K Convenience Store at 416 East Bridge Street, which is at the intersection of Highway 19/71 and Halvorson Street.   Police say no weapon was used, no one was hurt and no arrests have been MORE... 

State Health Department Reports First Flu Death Of Year
2-16-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting the first flu-related death of 2012.  That makes four deaths since the flu season began in October.  Nine people were hospitalized with influenza during the last week while six schools and one nursing home reported flu outbreaks.   

Vikings Stadium Plan Expected Soon
2-16-12 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  Top officials say there could be an announcement over the next few days about an agreement for a new Vikings stadium next to the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. But some people are not so sure.  Vikings V-P Lester Bagley and Met Sports Facilities Commission Chair Ted Mondale are both sending signals that an announcement could be near. More...

Bald Eagle Nesting Season Begins
2-16-12  --  Minnesotans are seeing lots of bald eagles pairing up along rivers, lakes and open water this month.  The mild winter may have something to do with it - but this is also the start of nesting season.  The D-N-R's Lori Naumann says Minnesota has an estimated five-thousand nesting pairs of bald eagles which is the highest count in the lower 48 More... 

Snowmobiler From Minnesota Killed In Wyoming Mountains

2-16-12 (Jackson, WY)  --  Still no word on how a Minnesota man was killed while snowmobiling in a remote area of northwest Wyoming.  The group that included 53-year-old Steven Anderson of Morris called authorities for help and when rescuers arrived by helicopter, they decided to leave for more help and resources.  That's when the snowmobile party witnessed another More... 

Spring Flood Outlook Shows Small Chance Of Red River Flooding
2-16-12 (Moorhead, MN)  --  More good news from the National Weather Service about the potential for flooding in the Red River Valley.  The latest spring flood outlook shows just a six-percent chance of major flooding at Fargo-Moorhead.  The outlook also indicates a low chance of exceeding even minor flood stage over the entire Red River Basin of North Dakota and More... 

Brainerd Police Seek Public Assistance Locating Missing Man
(Brainerd, MN)  --  Police in Brainerd are asking the public's help in locating a missing man.  Seventy-nine-year-old Richard Paquin is white, five-feet-11, 210 pounds with short gray-silver hair.  Paquin was last seen Wednesday afternoon waiting for a ride home from St.Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. More...

Bachmann won't be "Dancing With the Stars"

2-16-12      You won't be seeing Congresswoman Michele Bachmann dancing the pasodoble  any time soon. Bachmann says there's there's no truth to the rumor that she's been invited to be on the ABC TV show "Dancing With The Stars:"   However, she confirms she won a polka dance contest in 10th grade.
Bachmann says her focus MORE... 
Vizenor

White Earth Tribe proposes casino to help pay for stadium
2-16-12      A new proposal for a Vikings stadium is unveiled this
morning before Minnesota lawmakers. White Earth tribal chief Erma Vizenor
says she's been working on the plan for some time, adding "there's a great
compelling interest to keep the Vikings in Minnesota." Backers say the
proposed casino would generate enough revenue to pay the MORE... 
Dayton

Dayton askes for Vikes stadium bill in speech last night
2-16-12     During his speech last night, Governor Dayton asked
lawmakers to "please" pass a Vikings stadium bill this session. He says some
reportedly want to avoid voting on it until after the fall elections, which
he says "would be terribly unfair to the several thousand unemployed
Minnesotans who could be working on that project this year, and to MORE... 
Gimse

Bill for voter i.d. amendment passes Senate committee

2-16-12    A bill for a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to present photo I-D at the polls passed a senate committee yesterday.  Republican Senator Joe Gimse of Willmar says he's pretty sure it will be a ballot issue this fall.   DFL Representative Andrew Falk of Murdock says unless the state pays for everyone to have a photo MORE... 
Falk

Lawmakers disagree on union dues withdrawal bill

2-16-12      Local lawmakers disagree over a bill that would prevent state-subsidized daycare providers from automatically supporing labor unions.   Repuboican Senator Joe Gimse and Representative Dean Urdahl says the bill would prevent unions from being able to automatically deduct union dues from daycare providers when they get their subsidy MORE... 

Litchfield picks Dan Frazier for Superintendant
2-16-12     The Litchfield School Board approved the hiring of a new superintendent last night.  The job is being offered to Dan Frazier who is currently serving as a superintendent in Sioux Rapids, Iowa.   Karla Rick says Frazier was her top choice in areas such as finances, academics and technology.  Stacey Helstrom agreed, and said that his expertise in MORE... 
Franken

Teachers vent at No Child Left Behind meeting

2-16-12     Teachers and school officials from around the area yesterday told representatives of Senator Al Franken the Bush-era No Child Left Behind program makes them feel disrespected, and like scapegoats for parents who don't bother getting their kids ready for school.   Franken aid Dan Solomon told the crowd of around 40 at Kennedy Elementary School in MORE... 

Vikings Optimistic About Stadium Deal This Legislative Session
2-15-12 (Eden Prairie, MN)  --  The Minnesota Vikings will not be moving to Southern California or anywhere else for at least another year.  The team's lease at the Metrodome expired but officials did not file a notice of relocation with the N-F-L today.  Vikings V-P Lester Bagley says a proposal for a new stadium and schedule of hearings will emerge shortly at the state More... 

Santorum Stumps In North Dakota/Fargo
2-15-12 (Fargo, ND)  --  The new leader in the race for the G-O-P presidential nomination says his party could do more for everyday working people.  Former U-S Senator Rick Santorum is making two campaign stops today in North Dakota.  He says Republicans have been a little tone deaf to those who've been out there paddling alone, who are not seeing the kind of quality jobs More... 

North Mankato Man Draws 15 Years For Death of Three-Month-Old Son
2-15-12 (St.Peter, MN)  --  A North Mankato man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of his three-month-old son.  Twenty-nine-year-old Christopher Farris pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the September 2010 killing of Dawson Farris.  He initially claimed the boy hit his head in a doorway but later admitted to violently shaking the child, More...

Man dies after crash in Willmar

2-15-12     A Brooten man is dead after a traffic crash in Willmar yesterday afternoon.   Willmar Police say at 3:11 p.m. a pickup driven by 72-year-old Wayne Chadwick was eastbound on 19th Avenue Southwest when he drove off the road and struck a tree near the Evangelical Free Church.   When rescue crews arrived Chadwick was in cardiac arrest, and CPR MORE... 

Legislature looks at employee pay, voter i.d. today
2-15-12     At the Minnesota Capitol today: There's a House hearing
this morning (8:15am) on a controversial bill that would link state employee
salaries to those for comparable positions in the private sector. Leaders of
the AFSCME (AFFS'-me) state employee union will testify against the
measure.Governor Dayton will greet ag producers (10am) for Minnesota MORE... 

Welfare reform bill draws protests
2-15-12     A bill that would increase Minnesota's waiting period for welfare benefits from 30 days to 60 is on hold after opponents and backers squared off in state Senate committee today (Tues).  Angel Buechner (BYOOK-ner) with the Welfare Rights committee says reports of people moving from Chicago to Minnesota for welfare benefits are just bumper sticker type of MORE... 
Gov. Dayton

Dayton gives State of State Speech tonight
2-15-12     Governor Dayton delivers his second State of the State address to a joint session of the Minnesota House and Senate tonight (7pm) at the State Capitol.  The governor has taken a number of opportunities to blast the Republican-controlled legislature so far this session -- most prominently his "not fit to govern" comment after the Senate ousted his MORE... 

School board okays iPad fund drive

2-15-12     The Willmar School Board this week gave the go ahead to begin a fund drive to put an iPad in the hands of every Willmar High Junior and Senior next school year.   Superintendent Dr. Jerry Kjergaard says the board voted to establish a fund within the Willmar Community Foundation where people can contribute to purchase 600 iPads for the coming MORE... 
Dave Baker

Utility hires firm to study organization

2-15-12     The Willlmar Municipal Utilities Commission has hired Springsteds and Associates to study how the utility is organized.   Commission President Dave Baker says Springsteds will make sure WMU has the right people concentrating on the right areas.  There were three bidders to perform the assessment, and Springsteds was the lowest at MORE... 
Rep. Urdahl

Urdahl re-states opposition to Legacy Funds for Vikes stadium

2-15-12    The chair of the House Legacy Fund Committee has re-iterated his opposition to using Legacy Funds to help pay for a Vikings stadium.  Representative Dean Urdahl of Grove City says he's heard the opposition to using the Legacy Funds for a stadium raised by outdoors and arts groups.    The money comes from a sales tax, approved by voters in 2008, MORE... 

Bus driver charged with criminal sexual conduct
2-15-12     Criminal Sexual Conduct charges have been filed against a school van driver with the Cedar Mountain Bus Company.
 Redwood County Attorney, Steven Collins confirmed that 63 year old Loren Eisenbarth of Morgan appeared in Redwood County Court on Monday afternoon.
Charges include-criminal sexual conduct in the 1st degree involving a minor under the age of MORE... 

Franken's staff in Willmar on No Child Left Behind changes

2-15-12     Members of Senator Al Franken's staff will be at the Kennedy Elementary School Little Theater in Willmar this afternoon to hear from local education officials and teachers about the current effort to reform the federal No Child Left Behind education law.   Franken is a member of the Senate Education Committee, and his staff will be at Kennedy, MORE... 

DFL Files Complaint Against Senate GOP Over Caucus Brochure
2-14-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  The Minnesota D-F-L has filed a formal complaint against the Republican Party of Minnesota, alleging that brochures produced with taxpayer dollars and handed out at last week's precinct caucuses were really Republican campaign literature.  The brochures were titled "Senate GOP Legislative Update," More...

Welfare Rules Bill Stalls in Minnesota House Committee
2-14-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  A bill that would increase Minnesota's waiting period for welfare benefits from 30 days to 60 is on hold after opponents and backers squared off in state Senate committee today .  Angel Buechner  with the Welfare Rights committee says reports of people moving from Chicago to Minnesota for welfare benefits are just bumper sticker type More... 

House Committee Debates Renters' Credit Reduction
2-14-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  Spirited debate but no vote in a Minnesota House committee today on a bill that reduces the property tax Renters' Credit and uses the money to help phase out business property tax.  Saint Paul Democrat Michael Paymar says when we take it from the poor, senior citizens and people who are disabled, there's just something about our priorities that - More... 

Fundraiser Planned For Anoka Couple Stuck in Costa Rica
2-14-12 (Blaine, MN)  --  There's a benefit Saturday in Blaine to raise money for a Minnesota couple stuck in Costa Rica after an A-T-V accident.  Ron and Elissa Merritt of Anoka will likely need up to 30-thousand dollars to pay for a medical flight home.  The couple were riding in the mountains when Elissa was cut off by a motorcycle, fell 75 feet down a cliff and More... 

Wells Man Claims $1 Million Gopher 5 Prize on Valentine's Day
2-14-12 (Roseville, MN)  --  This is likely a Valentine's Day a Wells man will never forget.  Benjamin Ramos Sr., a retired disabled veteran, claimed over one-million dollars today at the Minnesota State Lottery's headquarters in Roseville.  Ramos said he normally didn't play the Gopher 5 game but decided to after getting a call from his ex-wife More...

Litchfield residents want principal considered for top post
2-14-12     The Litchfield School Board approved all-day, everyday Kindergarten, beginning in 2012-2013.  There was also more discussion regarding the superintendent selection process.   About 100 people packed into Suite 200 at the Meeker County Family Services Center last evening.  Chairperson Stacey Helstrom began the meeting with a discussion about how MORE... 

Cigarette tax hike proposed

2-14-12    Two G-O-P lawmakers from Rochester want to increase the cigarette tax a dollar-29 per pack with the money going to help schools and businesses. Senator Carla Nelson says a bill that she and Representative Mike Benson are sponsoring would keep young people from taking up smoking. Nelson says the state would use tax revenue raised to pay back delayed aid payments to MORE... 

Gas prices at 4 month high
2-14-12     We haven't paid this much for gas since late October.  Minnesota-Gas-Prices-dot-Com reports regular unleaded now up to 3-45 a gallon on average across the state.  The most expensive gas is selling in northern Minnesota.  (MNN)

Local energy projects highlighted at capitol today

2-14-12     Kandiyohi County will be blowing it's own horn when it comes to renewable energy during a Renewable Energy Showcase at the State Capitol in St. Paul today.   From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Willmar and Kandiyohi County Economic Development Commission Director Steve Renquist and staff will be telling everyone about what's going on in Kandiyohi MORE... 
Bachmann

Bachmann invited to "Dancing With the Stars"
 2-14-12     Could there be something more for Michele Bachmann than just another run at Minnesota's 6th-District seat?  Producers of "Dancing with the Stars" say they've extended an invitation to Bachmann to join the celebrity cast of T-V's "Dancing With The Stars" next season.  They've also asked former candidate Herman Cain MORE... 

ACLU offers voter fraud reward
2-14-12    Opponents of a photo-ID constitutional amendment are offering a one-thousand-dollar bounty to anyone who can come up with a prosecuted case in the last ten years of someone using a false identity to vote in Minnesota. Dan McGrath with the group Minnesota Majority responds the A-C-L-U was "pretty careful" how they worded the bet because although voter MORE... 
Rep. Andrew Falk

Rep. Falk says Anderson rejection was GOP "payback"

2-14-12     On KWLM's Legislative Review this past weekend, area lawmakers sparred over the rejection of former Senator Ellen Anderson to chair the Public Utilities Commission.   Earlier, Republican Senator Joe Gimse of Willmar had said her rejection was because as a senator, Anderson was focused strictly on renewable energy sources and was against nuclear and MORE... 
Chocolate strawberries

Businesses love Valentine's Day

2-14-12     It's Valentine's Day, otherwise known as Black Tuesday for people who deal in chocolates and flowers.   Brom Sharstrom at Mr. B's Chocolatier on West Highway 12 in Willmar says they gear-up in anticipation of the rush.   Sharstrom says they have more than 60 varieties of chocolate, and he says the big thing this year is MORE... 
Blads should start turning again tomorrow

Wind turbine repair crew on way to Willmar

2-14-12      Willmar Municipal Utilities hopes to have one of their two wind turbines operating again by Wednesday.     WMU's Wes Hompe says a sensor that controls the positioning of the blades on T-3, which is the north-most of the two turbines went out last week and shut the turbine down.   Hompe says they ordered parts which arrived MORE... 

G-O-P Bill Aims To Cut Unnecessary Regulations and Licenses
2-13-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  Two Republican state lawmakers, Senator Chris Gerlach (GERR-lock) and Representative Keith Downey, have introduced a bill they say will cut down on unnecessary regulations and licenses in certain state-regulated occupations.  Lee McGrath, an attorney with the Minnesota Chapter of the Institute for Justice, says he successfully challenged a state More... 

Vehicle Falls Through Ice On Big Lake
2-13-12 (Big Lake, MN)  --  Efforts are under way to remove an S-U-V from the bottom of Big Lake in Sherburne County.  The sheriff says two adults and a 12-year-old boy were able to crawl through open windows before the vehicle fell through the ice Sunday evening.  They were about 100 yards from shore driving on seven inches of ice when the rear of the S-U-V broke through and More... 

S-U-V Driver Killed In Collision With House
(Elk River, MN)  --  Sherburne County authorities report the death of a motorist whose S-U-V crashed into the side of house in Orrock Township Saturday night.  Investigators say 40-year-old Ray Kopponen of Big Lake died at the scene.  Two residents were inside the house watching television at the time of the crash. They were not injured.  More...

Pizza truck rolls, blocks 212 in Bird Island

2-13-12     No one was hurt but Highway 212 in Bird Island was blocked for several hours this morning due to a semi rollover.   The state patrol says at 5 a.m., a semi, hauling pizza materials, was westbound on 212 when it drove over the curb on the right-hand side, hit two utility poles, and rolled onto it's side.   The driver, 60-year old MORE... 

Gimse, Fischbach send letter to president

2-13-12      Two state senators from this area have sent President Obama a letter protesting a federal bill forcing people to pay for contraceptives even if it violates their religious beliefs.   Republican Senators Joe Gimse of Willmar and Michelle Fischbach of Paynesville are asking the president to re-evaluate enforcing a portion of the Patient Protection MORE... 

Young man killed in Stearns County fam accident
2-13-12   The Stearns County Sheriff's Department says 18-year-old Craig Weichmann of rural Freeport was killed in a farm accident Saturday.   Weichmann went into a silo to work on some equiptments, and was later found inside the silo by family members.   He was dead when rescuers arrived at the farm in Millwood Township..
(MNN)

Memorial set-up for child killed at bus stop
2-13-12     A memorial fund has been set up for the family of a boy
killed last Friday while waiting for his school bus west of the Twin
Cities.Seven-year old Hayden Solien of Montrose died when a car ran a red
light and veered off the highway, striking him on the sidewalk. The driver,
47-year-old Robert Mercier of Arlington, was also killed in the crash.
Donations for MORE... 
Will Dayton's guns be blazing?

State of the State speech is Wednesday
2-13-12     Governor Dayton's State of the State address Wednesday
night could signal if the rest of the 2012 legislative session will be as
rocky as its first three weeks. Dayton and Republicans have already crossed
swords in a number of areas and Carleton College political science Professor
Steven Schier (SHEER) says the governor's rhetoric is aimed at trying to MORE... 
Sheila Smith (mngrc.com)

Arts, outdoor groups want no legacy funds to go to stadium

2-13-12     A group of arts and outdoor officials have been touring the state, protesting any talk of using State Legacy Funds to help pay for the new Vikings' stadium.  In Willmar Friday, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts Executive Director Sheila Smith said a recent poll by the Minneapolis Star Tribune showed 77 percent opposed using Legacy Funds for a Vikings MORE... 
Lyle Hovland

Willmar School Board to consider iPad fund

2-13-12     Willmar School Board tonight will consider creating a fund within the Willmar Area Community Foundation to raise money in the community to lease hundreds of iPads.   High School Teacher Lyle Hovland says they hope to raise enough to have enough iPads for every Junior and Senior next school year.  After that, iPads for every sophmore and many MORE... 
Rep. Bruce Vogel

Vogel's "Jacob's Law" progressing in St. Paul

2-13-12     A bill designed to help children of divorced parents who are abused outside the home is moving through the legislature.   The bill is called "Jacob's Law" and is authored by Representative Bruce Vogel of Willmar.   Vogel says the law would compel law enforcement to notify Child Protective Services when they investigate reports
Senator Joe Gimse

Gimse says some parts of DFL jobs plan "worth looking at"

2-13-12    Republican Senator Joe Gimse of Willmar had some good words to say about the recently-unveiled DFL jobs plan.   The plan revolves around tax incentives to businesses that hire veterans, the unemployed and recent high school graduates.   It also gives grants for people to train for jobs that are in-demand that aren't being filled, and allows MORE... 

Two hurt in rollover near Watkins
2-13-12      Two Cold Spring men were hurt in a rollover crash in Meeker County Saturday night.   The state patrol says at 7:35 p.m., an SUV driven by 30-year-old Oracio Guzman left Highway 55, 2 miles west of Watkins, and rolled several times.   Guzman and passenger 47-year-old Dean Weitgenant were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with minor MORE... 

Camp Ripley On National Geographic Tonight
2-12-12    Camp Ripley near Little Falls will be featured tonight on the National Geographic channel (Sun 7p.m.).  Major John Donovan says the mini series "Wild Mississippi" is the result of a year-long study of the river that started at the headwaters on Lake Itasca.  Donovan says the Camp Ripley footage will be shown in the first hour of the three-part (more...) 

Spring Planting Outlook
2-12-12      Will farmers get the moisture they so desperately need before spring planting?  That's the big question as much of Minnesota's best crop land struggles with continuing drought.  U of M climatologist Mark Seeley says the "bulls-eye areas" right now for the greatest precipitation deficiency seem to be in some of the state's prime (MORE...) 

Analyst: Romney Defeat in MN Bad For Pawlenty
Mitt Romney's poor showing in last week's Minnesota precinct caucuses is bad news for Tim Pawlenty  That's the view of Steven Schier (sheer), a close observer of Minnesota politics.  Schier says if Pawlenty could have delivered Minnesota to Romney, Pawlenty could have been a vice presidential possibility. But with Romney only getting 17 percent it's a real statement to (more...) 

Officials ID Minneapolis Shooting Victim
2-12-12    Officials have identified the man who was fatally shot at a downtown Minneapolis hotel over the weekend.  The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has determined 33-year-old Jeremy Shannon died of multiple gunshot wounds. Police responded to a call at the Millennium Hotel around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.  Officers found Shannon, apparently shot.  He died at the (more...) 
Rep. Greg Davids

Coming soon to a computer near you...internet sales tax
2-11-12      Minnesota could collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet
purchases under a bill in the House Tax Committee. The E-Fairness bill
requires companies that do not have a physical presence here to collect
sales tax and send it to the state. Representative Greg Davids of Preston
says it will help "brick and mortar" Minnesota businesses. Davids MORE... 
Tagalong

Girl Scouts begin cookie campaign today
2-11-12    The Girl Scouts kick off their annual cookie sales campaign
today. Spokeswoman Sara Danzinger says the girls will start going
door-to-door with their inventory on hand. New this year: "Savannah Smiles"
- a bite-size lemon wedge cookie, dusted in powdered sugar. The top-selling
cookies include Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. The Mall of America MORE... 

Child, motorist killed in crash in Montrose
2-11-12     Authorities continue to investigate a fatal crash in
Montrose yesterday. Officials say a car driven by 47-year-old Robert Mercier
of Arlington ran a red light at the intersection of Highways 12 and 25 and veered off the highway up onto a sidewalk,
striking and killing seven-year-old Hayden Solien. Mercier also died in the
crash. Police say it appears MORE... 

Powerball jackpot up to $325 million
2-11-12     Convenience store clerks are busy punching out Powerball tickets today.
Tonight's(sat) jackpot has grown to 325-million dollars. This is the third
largest powerball jackpot in history. Acting Lottery Director Jenny Canfield
says big jackpots like this generate a lot of excitement and bring new and
infrequent players to the game. She says while they want MORE... 

Three hurt in Steans County crash
2-11-12      Three people were hurt in a two vehicle crash near St. Joseph.    At 1:20 yesterday afternoon the Stearns County Sheriff's Department says a vehicle driven by 50-year-old Ken Hiemenz of St. Joseph was stopped at County Road 2, waiting to turn onto I-94, when he was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by 74-year-old Gerald Schwegel of St. Joseph.  Both drivers and a passenger in Hiemenz vehicle, 50-year-old Thomas Hiemenz of Shoreview, were all taken to St. Cloud Hospital and their current conditions are unknown. (KWLM)

Bird Island family loses home in fire

2-10-12      A family of five is homeless after a house fire in Bird Island Friday.   The fire at the Jason and Sandy Zuhlsdorf home, near the Renville County Fairgrounds in the south part of Bird Island, broke out around 9:30 a.m.   Sandy was working and the couple's 6 month-old twins and 4-year-old son were in daycare and preschool at the MORE... 
Gomm

Gomm leave of absence extended

2-10-12     Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission held a brief special meeting today and voted to extend the paid administrative leave of Utilities General Manager Bruce Gomm.   The commission had hoped to recieve the report of the investigation of allegations against Gomm being done by a St. Cloud law firm, but the report wasn't ready and may not be until MORE... 

Honda, bus collide in Willmar
2-10-12     At 240 p.m. Friday afternoon a school bus loaded with students collided with a Honda Odyssey at a Willmar intersection.   Police Captain Jim Felt says the Honda , driven by 33-year-old Shana Hofland, was stopped at the northbound turning lane on Olena Avenue at 1st Street when she was rear-ended by a school bus driven by 79-year-old Thomas Lehman of MORE... 

Mortgage settlement to help "underwater" homeowners
2-10-12      A settlement with five of the nation's largest mortgage lenders means borrowers in Minnesota could get up to 280-million dollars.  It allows homeowners with mortgages under water to refinance at lower interest rates and monetary claims by borrowers harmed by bank abuses and practices.  Attorney General Lori Swanson says for foreclosed MORE... 
Denny Hecker

Hecker moved to more-secure prison
2-10-12      Ex-auto mogul Denny Hecker has been moved to a higher-security
prison in Wisconsin. According to reports, Hecker's attorney says his client
may not have been obeying phone rules or was perceived as a flight risk.
Hecker was moved from a federal minimum security prison in Duluth to a
medium-security facility in Oxford, near Madison. Hecker is serving MORE... 

Neighbors catch kids dropped from burning building
2-10-12     Two young children are safe this morning after jumping
into the arms of neighbors from a burning duplex in St. Paul. Fire officials
say a four-year-old boy and seven-year-old girl were saved by neighbors who
put a mattress on the ground and caught them. The children's mother and her
fiance made their way to safety down a ladder. Fire officials say the MORE... 

Bitter cold windchills descend on state
2-10-12      So this is what real winter feels like. An extreme
cold warning remains over northwestern Minnesota this morning with negative
temperatures and extreme wind chills. The National Weather Service says it
will continue to feel like 30- to 40-below-zero until afternoon across much
of the upper third of the state. Two examples this morning: Fosston and
Flag MORE... 

Former school office sentenced to stealing
2-10-12     A former business manager for Chokio-Alberta Public
Schools has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for stealing
300-thousand dollars from the district. Forty-four-year-old Liane Claasen
was also ordered to pay more than 263-thousand dollars in restitution after
pleading guilty to wire fraud. She admitted to using the school district's
computer MORE... 
Tossimo coffeemaker (cbslocal.com)

Minnesota girl burned by coffeemaker
2-10-12      A Minnesota girl is among nearly 40 people who have been injured when hot liquid sprayed from a now-recalled coffee brewer.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the girl, who has not been identified, was hospitalized with second-degree burns to her face and neck.  The coffee maker recall includes Tassimo and Bosch single-cup brewers.  MORE... 

Girl burned by coffeemaker
2-10-12      A Minnesota girl is among nearly 40 people who have been injured when hot liquid sprayed from a now-recalled coffee brewer.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the girl, who has not been identified, was hospitalized with second-degree burns to her face and neck.  The coffee maker recall includes Tassimo and Bosch single-cup brewers.  MORE... 
Bruce Gomm

Gomm investigation on MUC agenda

2-10-12     Willmar Municipal Utilities General Manager Bruce Gomm could learn his fate at a meeting of the Municipal Utilities Commission this morning.   The commission will meet at Utilities Headquarters to "Review and act on the recommendations by the law firm currently conducting an investigation on behalf of the Municipal Utilities MORE... 

Area businesses fined by MPCA
2-10-12     The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 27 enforcement cases addressing air, water, hazardous waste, and solid waste pollution during the fourth quarter of 2011. The cases occurred at facilities in 27 counties throughout Minnesota. For all of 2011, the MPCA completed 159 enforcement cases.   Three of the 27 in the fourth quarter were in our local MORE... 

Jay Kieft resigning to go to Wright County

2-10-12    Kandiyohi County Family Services Director Jay Kieft has submitted his resignation, effective March 1st.  Kieft came to Kandiyohi County after serving as director of Heartland Community Action Agency.   Kieft is leaving to become Director of Human Services in Wright County.   He says Wright County is bigger than Kandiyohi County with a MORE... 
Gehrking

Willmar School Board to consider iPad fund drive

2-10-12      Willmar School District staff are excited about the prospect of having iPads for nearly every student at the senior high.   Teachers Lyle Hovland and Tyler Gehrking put on a demonstration for the media about how they use iPad technology in the schools, and two students were there to talk about how easy they are to use.  On Monday night the MORE... 

Foreclosure Settlement
2-9-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  A settlement with five of the nation's largest mortgage lenders means borrowers in Minnesota could get up to 280-million dollars.  It allows homeowners with mortgages under water to refinance at lower interest rates and monetary claims by borrowers harmed by bank abuses and practices.  Attorney General Lori Swanson says for foreclosed Minnesotans who More... 

Minnesotan Among Those Injured By Bad Brewers
2-9-12 (Washington, D-C)  --  A Minnesota girl is among nearly 40 people who have been injured when hot liquid sprayed from a now-recalled coffee brewer.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the girl, who has not been identified, was hospitalized with second-degree burns to her face and neck.  More...

Tax Help For Seniors
2-9-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Folks who don't have the cash to pay a tax preparer to handle their forms can get volunteer help through A-A-R-P Minnesota.  Seth Boffeli (Boh-FELL'-ee) says the organization helped more than 100-thousand tax filers last year.  He says it's a great service for people who don't have the skills or can't afford to pay a special service to More... 

Magazine Scam
2-9-12 (Long Prairie, MN)  --  Add another financial scam to the list -- this one circulating around central Minnesota.  Todd County officials say a company called United Benefit Advantage is calling residents selling magazine subscriptions for 50-dollars.  The person is told they'll get a gift valued at 250-dollars in return for the purchase.  More...
Robbery suspect (facebook.com)

Willmar Poice release picture of robbery suspect
2-9-12     The picture is suspect #2 in the robbery at Trav's Dino-Mart on 1/25/12. Please contact Willmar PD if you have any information on this person also. Their 24 hour dispatch number is (320)235-2244.  (KWLM)

Guns, daycare unions in the legislature today
2-9-12     There's a state Senate hearing this morning (8:30am) on a bill that would relax state laws about when someone can shoot another person in self-defense.  What's called "castle doctrine" legislation stalled last year in the Senate.  Among the other items before lawmakers today at the Capitol: a Senate hearing (1pm) on a bill that would MORE... 

GOP caucus attendence low
2-9-12     Minnesota Republicans turned out in low numbers for this week's precinct caucuses -- about 13-thousand fewer than in 2008 which, itself, was considered low.  Analyst Steven Schier (sheer) says that means the Republican party does not have much enthusiasm in its own ranks.  Schier thinks Mitt Romney has a good chance of rebounding from his Tuesday MORE... 

Big grass fire chars northwest Kandiyohi County

2-9-12     It's been awhile since local fire departments had to battle a grass fire in February, but that was the case yesterday afternoon.   Fire units from Sunburg, Pennock, New London, Brooten and Willmar battled a big grass fire northeast of Sunburg along 285th Avenue Northwest.   The fire, in a hilly area, was reported around 1:30 MORE... 

Skills Fest today at Ridgewater
2-9-12     Ridgewater College is hosting the 28th Annual Skills Fest Competition today on the Willmar Campus.   More than 400 students from 22 different high schools will be putting their skills to the test in the following program areas...agriculture, automotive, business, carpentry, computer systems, cosmetoloty, electrician, photography, vet tech and MORE... 

Hecker sent to "the cooler."
2-9-12      Ex auto-mogul Denny Hecker is in solitary confinement at a federal prison in Duluth.  Officials aren't saying why the 59-year-old has been moved but did say it can occur for a variety of reasons.  Hecker is facing a ten-year sentence after admitting he orchestrated a scheme to defraud Chrysler Financial Services and others out of millions of MORE... 
Ron Paul (wikipedia.com)

Apostle of Paul doesn't think he'll become an independent
2-9-12     A local follower of Texas Congressman Ron Paul does not think Paul will go independent if he does not get the Republican Party presidential nomination.   Paul came in second in the state and second in Kandiyohi County during Tuesday's caucuses and said he was happy with the results.   20-year-old Tim Chermak of Willmar is a Ron Paul fan and MORE... 

Habitat helping recycle electronics
2-9-12     Habitat for Humanity of West Central Minnesota is partnering with Vintage Tech Recyclers to collect and recycle electronics in this area.  Vintage Tech Recyclers is R2 certified in responsible recycling by the EPA, is ISO 14001 certified in environmental compliance, and is committed to keeping electronics out of landfills.  Vintage Tech Recyclers dispose MORE... 

Truck, van crash in Buffalo Lake

2-9-12    A Hector man was hurt in a van-semi crash in Buffalo Lake yesterday morning.   The state patrol says at 8:30 a.m. a van driven by 81-year-old Edwin Mamer was southbound on Main Street in Buffalo Lake and turned left in front of the semi, which was westbound on Highway 212.   Mamer was treated for minor injuries at RC Hospital in Olivia.  MORE...
Commander Fang wong

Head of American Legion visits Litchfield

2-9-12     National American Legion Commander Fang Wong was at the legion post in Litchfield yesterday.   Wong, of East Brunswick New Jersey, said everyone is waiting to see what will happen because of President Obama's cuts to the U.S. defense budget.   He said the big issue right now is unemployment for veterans coming back from service in the mid MORE... 
Turrubiates and Moore

Judge finds aggravating factors in child's death

2-9-12    Renville County Judge Dwayne Knutsen says there were aggravating factors present when 21-year-old Sergio Turrubiates knocked a t.v. onto his girlfriend's daughter, then did nothing to treat her injuries which later killed her.   Turrubiates of Olivia will be sentenced March 30th, and because of the aggravating factors, he could face a sentence of up to MORE... 

Charges filed in Morton stabbing
2-9-12     KLGR Radio says 4 people allegedly involved in a stabbing incident on the Lower Sioux Indian Reservation Tuesday have been charged.   Redwood County Attorney Steven Collins says James Earl Toth of Cottonwood and Jennifer Kaye Blue of Granite Falls were charged with two counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree.  Sheena Agnes Renee Crow of Morton was charged with Simple Robbery and 5th Degree Assault and Samantha Rae Hein of Morton was charged with Aid and Abet of Simple Robbery, Assault in the 5th Degree and Criminal Damage to Property.  They appeared in Redwood County District Court yesterday afternoon and bail was set. The next hearing is Monday at 9 a.m.   MORE...

Drought fears mounting
2-8-12     Farmers have reason to worry as their soil goes without significant moisture this winter.  The relative lack of snow is worsening the ongoing drought - especially across the state's western and southern counties.  U of M climatologist Mark Seeley says we haven't seen it this dry from August through January for more than 20 years.  He says MORE... 

5 stabbed, 4 arrested near Morton
 2-8-12     At 1:30 Yesterday morning law enforcement responded to a stabbing at 33009 Jackpot Avenue. Few details are being released at this time by the Lower Sioux Police Department as they continue to investigate. 5 individuals recieved injuries, one was taken by air ambulance for treatment. 4 individuals are in the custody at the Redwood County Jail. No  MORE... 

Santorum wins Minnesota Causes
2-8-12      Rick Santorum is the winner of last night's straw poll at Republican precinct caucuses in Minnesota with 45 percent of the vote, Ron Paul came in second with 27 percent, Mitt Romney got 17 percent and Newt Gingrich received 11 percent.  Romney was the only top G-O-P hopeful who did not make an appearance in Minnesota on the eve of the caucuses. MORE...

Santorum wins Minnesota Causes
2-8-12      Rick Santorum is the winner of last night's straw poll at Republican precinct caucuses in Minnesota with 45 percent of the vote, Ron Paul came in second with 27 percent, Mitt Romney got 17 percent and Newt Gingrich received 11 percent.  Romney was the only top G-O-P hopeful who did not make an appearance in Minnesota on the eve of the caucuses. MORE...

Legacy funds may be available for fighting zebra mussels

2-8-12     The Minnesota Legislature might be finding money in the Legacy Fund to help fight aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels.   House Legacy Fund Chair Dean Urdahl of Grove City says they have about 5 million dollars in a supplemental outdoor heritage budget, although about half of that will go for a barrier at the Anoka Dam to try and stop the spread MORE... 

Willmar officials in St. Paul for Legislative Day

2-8-12     Officials from the City of Willmar will be in St. Paul today, meeting with lawmakers about issues important to city residents this session.  City Administrator Charlene Stevens says tops on their list is assurance that the state won't be cutting more Local Government Aid.   Stevens says the city's general fund budget recieves about 4 MORE... 

Accused rustler arrested
2-8-12     KARE11.com says a rural Montevideo man has been charged with rustling a herd of Holstein steers from a western Minnesota feedlot and selling them as his own cattle.  40-year-old Richard Nelson was arrested Tuesday and made his first court appearance Thursday and was later freed on $20,000 bond.   The complaint says a Madison feedlot reported MORE... 

Accused rustler arrested near Montevideo


2-8-12     KARE11.com says a rural Montevideo man has been charged with rustling a herd of Holstein steers from a western Minnesota feedlot and selling them as his own cattle.  40-year-old Richard Nelson was arrested Tuesday and made his first court appearance Thursday and was later freed on $20,000 bond.   The complaint says a Madison feedlot reported 26 missing head with a market value of over $40,000. The owner did not have insurance on them.  Authorities say Nelson admitted to selling the steers at livestock markets in Benson and Pipestone.   KARE11 says after he was arrested, he produced check stubs and receipts from both sales. He also allegedly admitted possessing a John Deere Gator utility vehicle and a trailer that were stolen last October. (KARE)

Man stabbed, another arrested in Spicer
2-8-12     A 28-year-old Willmar man faces charges after a weekend stabbing in Spicer.   Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog says around 7:30 a.m. Sunday two men got into an altercation outside a Spicer home, and one of the men stabbed the other, then fled.   The victim was taken to Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar for surgery.   Hartog says they MORE... 
GOP Caucus at Willmar Middle School

Santorum wins Kandiyohi County
2-8-12    Around 300 people attended the Republican Caucuses in Willmar yesterday where 22 precincts held their meetings and presidential straw poll.     Rick Santorum took Kandiyohi County with 241, followed by Ron Paul with 93, then Mitt Romney with 47 and Newt Gingrich last with 42.  
Rollie Nissen

Santorum wins Kandiyohi County
2-8-12    Around 300 people attended the Republican Caucuses in Willmar yesterday where 22 precincts held their meetings and presidential straw poll.     Rick Santorum took Kandiyohi County with 241, followed by Ron Paul with 93, then Mitt Romney with 47 and Newt Gingrich last with 42.  MORE...

Minnesota Precinct Caucuses Tonight
2-7-12  --  Precinct caucuses will be held across Minnesota tonight and a lot of attention will be focused on the Republican presidential contenders.  Minnesota has not held a presidential primary since the 1950s.  And there's a continuing debate whether the state should dump the caucus system and return to a primary. More...

Some Religious Groups Oppose Photo I-D Amendment
2-7-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Religious leaders are speaking out against a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to show photo I-D at the polls.  They delivered a letter today (Tues) at the state Capitol urging lawmakers to keep the measure off the November ballot. More...

Minnesotans Not Buckling Up
2-7-12 (St. Paul, MN)--  For the second straight month, lack of seat belt use factored in a majority of Minnesota traffic deaths.  In January, 13 of 18 motorists killed were not buckled up.  In December, only five of 23 were buckled up.  Donna Burger is state director of traffic safety and says most of the January unbelted deaths occurred in Greater Minnesota.  More...

Supervalu Cutting Jobs
2-7-12 (Minneapolis, MN) --  Minneapolis-based Supervalu is cutting 800 jobs nationwide by the end of the month.  The cuts affect all company offices and most departments.  In Minnesota, 200 positions will be eliminated.  Officials say the cuts will not impact store-level workers. More...
Santorum

Santorum visits Minnesota today
2-7-12     Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum is making one more stop in Minnesota before tonight's precinct caucuses.  The former U-S senator from Pennsylvania is holding a campaign rally this afternoon at the National Sports Center in Blaine (3pm).  Santorum visited Rochester yesterday and Bemidji and the Twin Cities on Sunday.  The latest MORE... 

February cooling off
2-7-12    After a warm start to February, some spots over the northern third of the state are back to negative territory this morning.  The coldest location is Crane Lake at 13-below zero.  The National Weather Service predicts more normal mid-winter temperatures today across the state, ranging from 10-above to the north to 30-degrees in southern Minnesota. (MNN)
Representative Dean Urdahl

Lawmakers consider restoring Homestead Tax Credit

2-7-12     Counties across Minnesota have blamed property tax increases on last year's revocation of the Homestead Market Value Tax Credit by the legislature.   Now it looks like state lawmakers are considering partially restoring the credit.   Representative Dean Urdahl of Grove City says House Tax Committee Chair Greg Davids is looking at restoring
Rollie Nissen

Party time! Minnesota Caucuses tonight

2-7-12     People wondering where their precinct caucuses are Tuesday night can contact their county auditor's office or go the the Minnesota Secretary of State's Website at www.sos.state.mn.us.    While 6 different parties will be having their meetings Tuesday, the focus is on the Republican Party because they will be taking a straw poll on their MORE... 
Fire Chief Marv Calvin

Fire damages house west of Willmar

2-7-12    Fire damaged the outside of a house west of Willmar early this morning.   Willmar Fire Chief Marv Calvin says around 1 a.m. they were called to the Paul Kidrowski home on west Highway 40.   A fire had started in the area of the wood pile near a wood boiler outside the home and started the side of the house on fire.   Kidrowski was able to MORE... 

Yanish gives State of the City, redistricting examined

2-7-12     Willmar Mayor Frank Yanish gave his second State of the City Address at last night's Willmar City Council meeting.   City Administrator Charlene Stevens says Yanish mentioned some of the changes at city hall recently.  Stevens says the council also looked at changing the boundaries of some of the city's 4 Wards.   The MORE... 

Litch council looks at electrical issues
2-7-12    The Litchfield City Council heard several presentations last night related to the electric system.  The Council gave approval to a future project that will increase the city’s electric generating capacity.  Sheldon Sorensen presented a report from Bolton & Menk on the Phase-2 Generation Concept in which two new generating units would replace two old units MORE... 

Wheaton Man Dies In Ice Fishing Accident
2-6-12 (Wheaton, MN)  --  A man from Wheaton in western Minnesota is the latest victim of a fatal ice fishing accident.  The body of 50-year-old Charles Krauth was found early this morning (Mon) in about seven feet of water on Mud Lake.  The Traverse County Sheriff's Office received a call late Sunday night after Krauth did not return home from ice fishing. More... 

Luverne Storm Chaser Dies In Oklahoma
2-6-12 (Luverne, MN) --  Funeral services are pending for a Minnesota storm chaser who was often featured on the Weather Channel.  Twenty-four-year-old Andy Gabrielson of Luverne was killed in a wrong-way crash near Tulsa, Oklahoma Saturday afternoon.  More...

Love Suspension
2-6-12 (New York, NY)  --  The N-B-A is suspending Timberwolves forward Kevin Love two games for an incident involving Houston's Luis Scola.  Love stepped on Scola's chest and face in the third quarter of Saturday's victory over the Rockets at Target Center.  Minnesota's leading scorer and rebounder will miss tomorrow's home game against Sacramento and More... 

Paul, Santorum and Gingrich hit state before caucuses
2-6-12      Three of the Republican presidential candidates will be campaigning in the state today (Mon) on the eve of Minnesota's precinct caucuses.   Ex-Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is visiting Soldiers' Field Memorial in Rochester (9am) and giving a health care speech at a Rochester hotel (10am).  Texas Congressman Ron Paul is holding a MORE... 

Constitutional Amendments piling up for November ballot
2-6-12     Analysts say the Republican-controlled legislature could put a good number of proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot this fall -- at least partly motivated by strained relations with Democratic Governor Mark Dayton.  A gay marriage constitutional amendment will be on the ballot and an amendment requiring voters to show photo I-D at the polls could be MORE... 

Litchfield School Superintendent field narrowed to 3
2-6-12     The Litchfield School Board held its final round of semi-finalist interviews last week for the Superintendent position.  The list of 7 semi-finalists was narrowed down to 3 finalists – Susan Burris, Daniel Frazier, and Tom Farrell. 
Susan Burris lives in Paynesville and is the Director of Teaching and Learning in the Cambridge School District. MORE...
Ken Ferrie

Farm expert talks about possible dry spring

2-6-12     After a dry summer, fall and now winter, farmers are going have to make the most of whatever soil moisture they'll have next spring.   Agronomist Ken Ferrie with Farm Journal Magazine was in Willmar Friday, talking to farmers about water management issues at Minnwest Technology Campus.   Ferrie says fall tillage left Minnesota fields with MORE... 

Atwater getting a hardware store back

2-6-12     It's been nearly a year but Atwater is finally getting a hardware store back.   Elsie Kashmark of Peaceful Thymes Gifts, Garden Center and Espresso Bar says they are relocating their store, and adding a hardware store.  Kashmark says they are moving their store from west Highway 12 to the former Tom Thumb Store and Library on Highway MORE... 
Bruce Gomm

Willmar Utilities Commission to discuss Gomm investigation

2-6-12     Willmar Municipal Utilities General Manager Bruce Gomm could learn his fate at a meeting of the Municipal Utilities Commission Friday morning.   At 11:45 the commission will meet at Utilities Headquarters to "Review and act on the recommendations by the law firm currently conducting an investigation on behalf of the Municipal Utilities MORE... 

Vikings Doleman Elected To Hall of Fame
(Eden Prairie, MN)  --  Former Vikings defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Doleman was drafted by the Vikings in 1985 and went on to lead the team in sacks six times.  He was named a Pro Bowler eight times in his career, six times with the Vikings, and one time each as a member of the Falcons and 49ers.   (MORE...) 

Getting Ready For Tax Time
(Undated)  --  Some Minnesotans' weekends are being used to get tax return materials in order for filing this year.  Carrie Resch from the I-R-S says always keep a proper paper trail, whether you're itemizing or taking a standard deduction, it's important to have the records substantiating anything you're claiming on your return.   (MORE...)

Analyst: Consumer Confidence Could Rise
(St. Paul, MN)  --  Last week's jolt of good economic news may have a positive effect on consumer confidence, leading to more spending this year.  Dave Brennan at the University of St. Thomas business school says we are already seeing signs that Minnesotans - and Americans at large - are feeling better about their circumstances.   (MORE...)

Motorcycle Show Roars Into Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Minnesota has a record-high number of  motorcycle registrations, nearly 230-thousand at last count.  And many of those bikers are in Minneapolis this weekend looking over "what's new" in cycling, a kind of biker trade show at the Minneapolis Convention Center.   (MORE...) 

Gov. Dayton and Sen. Kubly Visit Bird Island School
(Bird Island, MN)  Gov. Mark Dayton and State Senator Gary Kubly visited St. Mary's Catholic School in Bird Island yesterday (Friday) making good on a promise.  According to the West Central Tribune, a student from that school, McKaia Ryberg sang the national anthem at Gov. Dayton's inauguration, and Dayton said that he would come visit her school.   (MORE...)

Winterfest Activities in Spicer
(Spicer, MN)  It's another weekend of Winterfest activities in Spicer.  Today's event's include the Frozen 5K Run/Walk beginning at 9 a.m. and the Snowmobile Speed and Radar Runs on Green Lake beginning at 9 as well.   (MORE...) 

Pre-Caucus Sweeps
(Undated)  --  Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul is making a campaign sweep through Minnesota today and Monday before Tuesday's precinct caucuses.  Contrary to popular opinion, Carleton College political science Professor Steven Schier (SHEER) says Mitt Romney is not a shoo-in.   (MORE...) 

State Park Candlelight Events
(St. Paul, MN)  --  Twelve state parks around Minnesota are holding candlelight ski snowshoe or hiking events tonight.  The DNR's Pat Arndt says the activities are very family-friendly and open to all ages.   (MORE...) 
Warner (facebook.com)

Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce tops in state
2-3-12     The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives (MCCE) has named the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce its Outstanding Chamber of the Year.    MCCE is the professional association for local chambers of commerce in Minnesota, representing more than 125 local chambers of commerce statewide. 
Only two local chambers received the MORE... 

High Levels Of Mercury In North Shore Babies

2-2-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  A new study shows one in ten babies along Minnesota's North Shore is born with unhealthy levels of mercury in their bodies.  Patt McCann is a research scientist at the Minnesota Department of Health and says this could be because these women ate more fish during their pregnancy.  More...

At The Capitol
2-3-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Republican state Senator David Hann (HAN) says Governor Dayton is spending nearly 800- thousand dollars of federal money to hire staff for a Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange which does not exist.  The planned exchange is part of federal reforms that Republicans term Obamacare.  More...

Home Sales Up Across The State In Dec
2-3-12 (Edina, MN) --  Existing home sales in the state ended the year on a positive note.  December closed sales increased more than five percent and pending sales rose nearly 14 percent.  Minnesota Association of Realtors C-E-O Chris Galler expects the recovery to continue this year as long as interest rates stay where there are.  More...

Deputy hurt in I-94 crash

2-3-12     A Stearns County Deputy was hurt this morning when a semi went out of control and struck the deputy's car on the side of I-94 near Albany.    At 4:30 a.m. Deputy Steve Matthews of St. Cloud responded to a report of a vehicle leaving the Freeway, and was in his vehicle on the side of the road with his emergency lights on when he was struck MORE... 
Smiglewski (TCdailyplanet.com)

Dayton askes Smiglewski, mayors, for tax advice
2-3-12     Governor Dayton is asking mayors from fifteen Minnesota
cities for input on tax reform. The hand-picked panel will review and
discuss policy issues related to local government aid. The amount of aid
given to cities is about half what it was a decade ago. Northfield Mayor
Mary Rossing says her city has cut more than one and a half million dollars
in staff and MORE... 
Eliot Seide

Unions oppose "open shop" amendment
2-3-12     Labor organizations are mounting a lobbying effort at the
Minnesota Capitol against a proposed constitutional amendment that would give
workers in unionized industries the option not to join a union. AFSCME
(AFFS'-me) state employees union head Eliot Seide (SIDE) says they need five
Republicans in the House and four in the Senate to keep what he calls MORE... 

Another foggy morning
2-3-12     Another gloomy day lies ahead across Minnesota and it
starts off again with pea soup. The National Weather Service has a dense fog
advisory posted until 10 this morning over all areas of the state except the
Arrowhead. Some slick spots on the road and on sidewalks can also be
expected. (MNN)

Shaker's Vodka parent company files for bankrupcy
2-3-12      A Minnesota vodka maker is reportedly planning to liquidate
its assets. Blaine-based Infinite Spirits, which distributes Shakers Vodka,
says its liabilities far outweight its assets and so the company is entering
bankruptcy. Shakers Vodka is distilled from Minnesota-grown wheat by a plant
in Benson.  (MNN)
Gov. Dayton

Dayton to visit St. Mary's in Bird Island today
2-3-12   Students at St. Mary’s School in Bird Island are preparing to host Governor Mark Dayton this morning.  Dayton’s visit is scheduled for 10 a.m, and he will be accompanied by Senator Gary Kubly of Granite Falls. The visit honors a promise Dayton made to St. Mary’s student McKaia Ryberg. The governor had discovered Ryberg’s talents when she sang MORE... 
Reps. Andrew Falk, Larry Hosch and Tim Mahoney

DFLers present jobs plan at Ridgewater

2-2-12     Three democrat House members were in Willmar today to talk about the DFL and Governor's jobs plan.   Representative Tim Mahoney of St. Paul said they have a package of initiatives aimed at creating 20,000 jobs.   He said this session has to be about jobs.  The package includes providing $3000 tax credits to businesses that MORE... 

Ron Paul Coming To Minnesota
2-2-12  --  Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul will be on the stump in Minnesota before next Tuesday's precinct caucuses.  Paul has town hall meetings scheduled for Saturday in Rochester and Chanhassen, plus an evening rally at Bethel University in Arden Hills.  Monday afternoon, he has a town hall meeting and rally planned in Saint Cloud, More...

Tougher Penalties For Caregivers
2-2-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Tougher penalties for caregivers who intentionally neglect vulnerable adults is the topic in Minnesota Senate committee this afternoon.  Hennepin County prosecutor Amy Sweasy (SWEE-zee) told of an Olmsted County case in 2001 where the sister-in-law of an elderly woman with dementia brought her to the emergency room one year after she broke her hip  More...

Right To Work Measure
2-2-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Republicans in the Minnesota House and Senate are pushing to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that, if passed, would give workers in unionized industries the option *not* to join a union.  Lakeville Senator Dave Thompson is sponsoring what's dubbed the "Right to Work" measure.  More...

Long-Term Care Insurance
2-2-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Only 39 percent of Minnesotans have a plan in place when it comes to funding their long-term health care needs.  Four out of five people, age 65 and older, will need long-term-care in their future.  Patti Cullen is with Care Providers of Minnesota and says people in their 30's should already be thinking about long-term care insurance. More...

Mild Flu Season So Far
2-2-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Flu activity remains low around the state.  During the latest reporting week, only six people were hospitilized with the flu and no deaths were reported.  The state Health Department says only two schools reported flu-like outbreaks and there were none reported in the state's nursing homes.  More...
Hodapp

Hodapp pleads guilty to charges from crime spree

2-2-12     A Willmar man accused of starting a house on fire with a family of 7 inside entered into a plea agreement today in Kandiyohi County District Court.   20-year-old Chase Hodapp pleaded guilty to a total of eight counts in connection with a crime spree in Willmar this past spring which included break ins of homes and vehicles, the theft and MORE... 

Man arrested for driving Zamboni while drunk

2-2-12    Spectators, hockey players and parents pressed against the ice arena's glass Monday night, watching as a Zamboni driver at the Hayes Arena in Apple Valley weaved across the ice erratically and smacked the machine hard against the boards.  About 25 minutes into what should have been a 10-minute job resurfacing the ice, the driver -- a part-time employee of the MORE... 
Phil and friend (bigfatcake.com)

Groundhog sees his shadow
2-2-12     We're all waiting to see how various critters handle
the arrival of February 2nd, best known for being Groundhog Day.  Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning which means 6 more weeks of winter.. Temperatures around
Minnesota will likely be over 15-degrees above normal, meaning porcupines,
prairie dogs and other furry animals won't mind their MORE... 

Coldest day ever his Minnesota on this date in 1996
2-2-12     It was a very cold day 16 years ago in northern Minnesota --
in fact, the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state. Folks around
Tower, on the south end of Lake Vermillion, felt the mercury drop to
60-degrees below zero. It beat the old mark set in 1899 by just one
degree.Only five states have recorded lower temperatures in their history:
Colorado, Utah, MORE... 

Testimony for, against voter I.D. heard in St. Paul


2-2-12     The League of Women Voters, church groups, Somali community leaders and advocates for the homeless were among those urging lawmakers Wednesday to reject a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to show photo I-D at the polls. Kenza Hadj-Moussa (HODGE MOO'-suh) with the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless MORE...
Rybak

Rybak rips Romney, defends Obama
2-2-12     Minneapolis Mayor R-T Rybak defended the president's record at
a Minnesota campaign appearance yesterday by G-O-P presidential candidate Mitt
Romney. Rybak said it's "really a clear choice" in the upcoming election. In
Rybak's words, "It's between a president who fights for the middle class and
Mitt Romney who has always stood up
Romney \"glittered\" (ww2.cox.com)

Romney "glitter bombed" in Eagan

2-2-12     Romney told a crowd in Eagan yesterday President Obama looks longingly toward Europe, making America like Europe. But Romney says Europe doesn't work in Europe and it's not going to work here.   Romney's campaign co-chair, former Governor Tim Pawlenty, warmed up the crowd by asking if they have had enough of what he called "the MORE... 

Democrats in Willmar today to talk about jobs plan

2-1-12     House D-F-L lawmakers are in Rochester, Saint Cloud, Willmar and Mankato today (Thurs) and they'll be in Brainerd, Grand Rapids and Bemidji tomorrow to promote their jobs plan. It includes a wage supplement pilot program to help jobless Minnesotans re-enter the workforce, plus more money for small business loans.  
Republicans are pushing business MORE... 

Turrubiates could get 20 years in prison

2-2-12    21-year-old Sergio Turrubiates of Olivia could be facing up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced at the end of March.   Renville County Attorney David Torgelson says in a plea agreement, two counts of 2nd Degree Murder against Turrbubiates were reduced to one count of Unintentional Second Degree Murder, Child Endangerment for the December 2010 killing MORE... 

Truck spins out, hit near Glenwood. Two hurt

2-2-12    Two men were hurt in a two vehicle crash near Glenwood yesterday morning.   The state patrol says shortly before 8 a.m. 26-year-old Ron Hayek of Glenwood was traveling on Highway 29 when he slid on ice near 120th Street and was hit by a car driven by 30-year-old Tim Martin of Glenwood.   Both were taken to the Glenwood Hospital, and their current MORE... 

Sawatzky to run in 13B
2-1-12      Willmar Middle School Teacher Mary Sawatzky of Willmar has announced her candidacy to run against Representative Bruce Vogel in Minnesota House District 13B this fall.   Sawatzky, 50, is president of the local Education Minnesota chapter, and says she plans to emphasize making sure the says repays delayed payments to schools, which now total more than $2 MORE... 
Mary Sawatzky

Mary Sawatzky to run in District 13B.

2-1-12     Willmar Middle School Teacher Mary Sawatzky of Willmar has announced her candidacy to run against Representative Bruce Vogel in Minnesota House District 13B this fall.   Sawatzky, 50, is president of the local Education Minnesota chapter, and says she plans to emphasize making sure the says repays delayed payments to schools, which MORE...

Florida favorite Romney in Eagan this afternoon
2-1-12     Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney makes his first
campaign stop in Minnesota this afternoon (1pm), fresh off a win in the
Florida primary and six days before Minnesota holds its precinct caucuses.
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will join Romney at Freightmasters, a
trucking company in the Twin Cities suburb of Eagan. Pawlenty has been
blasting MORE... 

Lawmakers leaning toward electronic pull tabs for stadium
2-1-12    There are a couple of developments on the Minnesota
sports stadium front. State lawmakers are tentatively endorsing using
electronic pull tabs in bars and restaurants to generate revenue for a new
Vikings stadium. Supporters say it could generate 72-million a year.
Meanwhile, the Twin Cities mayors disagree on funding upgrades at Target
Center. St. Paul's Chris MORE... 
Delbert Huber

Delbert Huber trial set for June 18th

2-1-12    He doesn't have an attorney yet, but 81-year-old Delbert Huber of rural Paynesville will stand trial on 1st Degree Murder charges June 18th through the 29th.   Judge Michael Thompson set Huber's trial calendar in Kandiyohi County District Court in Willmar this week.   Huber is accused of shooting and killing Tim Larson of Albertville on MORE... 

2-1-12    He doesn't have an attorney yet, but 81-year-old Delbert Huber of rural Paynesville will stand trial on 1st Degree Murder charges June 18th through the 29th.   Judge Michael Thompson set Huber's trial calendar in Kandiyohi County District Court in Willmar this week.   Huber is accused of shooting and killing Tim Larson of Albertville on Larson's father's farm near Belgrade October 8th.  MORE...

Stearns County to build new trail
2-1-12      The Stearns County Parks Department will proceed with plans for construction of the Dairyland Trail. Today the Board of Commissioners approved getting bids for construction of the first phase of the trail.
The 26-mile Dairyland Trail would run through western Stearns County, from Albany to Brooten, connecting with the Lake Wobegon Trail in Albany, on a former MORE... 
Have you seen this castle?

Fancy fish house stolen from the factory

2-1-12    Montevideo Police are looking for whoever stole "The Cadillac of Fish Houses."   Police Chief Adam Christopher says sometime Friday night or Saturday morning, someone made off with an Ice Castle Fish House.   Christopher says the brand new, unused 14-to-15-thousand dollar fish house was taken from outside the facility where they are MORE... 
Enemy Number One: Zebra Mussels

DNR hires Aquatic Invasive Species specialist for this area
2-1-12     Nicholas Brown has been hired as the primary contact for aquatic invasive species (AIS) in a 13-county area of south-central Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).   As one of eight AIS specialists working for the DNR across the state, Brown will be available for questions on invasive species identification, management MORE... 
Bruce Vogel

Local lawmakers prefer Arden Hills stadium site

2-1-12     Local lawmakers have different ideas on where a new Vikings stadium should be located, and how to pay for it.   Republican Representative Bruce Vogel of Willmar says the Vikings are important to the state.   Vogel would prefer a site in Arden Hills or Shakopee.    Republican Senator Joe Gimse of Willmar also prefers Arden Hills,  MORE... 
Turrubiates and Tiane Moore

Turrubiates pleads guilty to killing child

2-1-12    21-year-old Sergio Turrubiates of Olivia will be sentenced March 30th after pleading guilty to an amended charge of 2nd Degree Murder Without Intent/Child Endangerment for killing his girlfriend's daughter.   Turrbubiates had been scheduled to stand trial in Renville County District Court March 12 on two counts of Second Degree Murder for the death of MORE... 

Domestic Violence-Related Deaths
1-31-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  The 22nd annual Femicide Report shows 34 people killed in domestic violence incidents in Minnesota last year.  23 women, one man, four children, and six others -- either family members, friends or intervenors -- including Lake City Police Officer Shawn Schneider.  More...

At The Capitol Business Property Tax Under Discussion
1-31-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Minnesota Senate Republicans want to phase out the statewide business property tax over 12 years or sooner, saying it's a way to immediately stimulate job creation.  Saint Cloud Senator John Pederson (PEE-der-son) argues it's a better approach than Governor Dayton's plan -- which would give a one-time three-thousand-dollar tax credit to any More... 

Debate At Capitol Over Speed Limit Violations
1-31-12 (St. Paul, MN)  -- Extended debate in Senate committee today on a bill that would ease state regulations on speed limit violations.  Someone going up to ten miles an hour over a 60-mile speed limit would not have the violation go on his or her driving record.  Major Ken Urquhart  with the Minnesota State Patrol opposes the move. More...
Vinessa Lozano

Attorney askes for competency exam for Nelson

1-31-12     The attorney for murder suspect Darek Nelson of Montevideo has asked that Nelson be examined to see if he is competent to stand trial.   Greg Holmstrom asked Judge Dwayne Knutsen for the Rule 20 Examination in Chippewa County District Court Monday.   Chippewa County Attorney David Gilbertson expects the exam to be ordered, and all further MORE... 

Search For Missing Cruise Ship Victims Called Off
1-31-12 (Giglio, IT)  --  Emergency officials have called off the search for 16 people missing at the site of a capsized cruise ship off the coast of Italy.  Gerald and Barbara Heil from White Bear Lake are among those still unaccounted for.  Officials say technical studies show the damaged hull of the ship is creating too many safety concerns More... 

Three Native Mob Members Being Sought
1-31-12 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  The U-S Marshals Service in Minnesota is asking for help locating three alleged members of the Native Mob gang.  Thirty-three-year-old Wakinyan McArthur of Bemidji, 24-year-old Christopher Wouri from Cass Lake and 23-year-old Eric Bower of White Earth are wanted on federal arrest warrants for rackeetering, weapons violations and drug More... 

Another Vikings stadium site surfacing?
1-31-12     There's speculation about another potential site for a
new Minnesota Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The proposed location
just east of the Metrodome would allow the team to keep playing in the Dome
while the new stadium is under construction. But the family that owns the
land says it is not for sale. Construction of a stadium on the MORE... 
Republican presidential candidate Former Massachusetts Governor Romney delivers
Mitt Romney (wikipedia.org)

Romney visits Minnesota tomorrow
1-31-12     G-O-P presidential candidate Mitt Romney is scheduled to
make a campaign stop tomorrow (Wed) in Minnesota. Romney and ex-Governor Tim
Pawlenty will visit a shipping and trucking company in Eagan Wednesday
afternoon. The former Massachusetts governor is the frontrunner for the 2012
Republican nomination and is expected to win tonight's primary in MORE... 

Dayton tears into Senate GOP after Commissioner rejection
1-31-12     Governor Dayton says Senate Republicans "showed once
again that they are unfit to govern," when Monday afternoon they ousted Ellen
Anderson as chair of the state Public Utilities Commission. Fairmont
Republican Senator Julie Rosen warns Anderson as P-U-C chair would have tried
to put up roadblocks to new nuclear power plants in Minnesota. Rosen MORE... 
Santorum

Santorum speaks in Luverne

1-31-12      Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum made a campaign appearance Monday night in southwestern Minnesota. The former U-S senator says he chose to hold a town hall meeting in Luverne because he did well with voters in neighboring Lyon County, Iowa.   Santorum was declared the winner of the Iowa caucuses after all the votes were certified.
Legislative Review crew

Kubly, Gimse spar on Legislative Review over senate cuts

1-31-12    Unable to speak above a whisper due to the advanced stages of ALS, Senator Gary Kubly now uses an iPad with a type-and-speak program to communicate.   The Granite Falls DFLer was one of the guests on KWLM's Legislative Reveiw Show this past weekend.  Kubly and Republican Senator Joe Gimse of Willmar sparred on cuts to the Senate operation MORE... 

Urdahl says State Capitol Building needs repairs

1-31-12     Republican Representative Dean Urdahl of Grove City says his "crusade" this session is to get funding to restore the State Capitol Building in St. Paul.   Urdahl says a recent report shows a structure in dire need of help.  Urdahl says the report listed various repair options ranging from 40 million to 241 million dollars.   He MORE... 

Republicans Oust Anderson As P.U.C. Chief
1-30-12 (St. Paul, MN) -- Democrats are fuming after the Republican-controlled Senate this afternoon ousted their former colleague, Ellen Anderson, as chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.  Fairmont Republican Julie Rosen asked that Anderson, Governor Dayton's appointee, be removed as P-U-C chai.  More...

House Committee Guts Insurance Bill

1-30-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  A bill that would have increased fines and other penalties for people who drive without insurance was gutted and then killed in Minnesota House committee today (Mon).  Sponsor, Bloomington Republican Pat Mazorol  argued "drivers on the road who are availing themself of the privilege of moving a huge piece of metal down the road where it can hurt More... 

Felons And Voting
1-30-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  A special Minnesota task force looking at ways to prevent convicted felons from voting likes North Dakota's system.  When a felon is released from prison, they regain their right to vote.  Task force Chairman Joe Nunez (NOON-yez) says it's an intriguing idea and worth exploring.  More....
Bachmann

Bachmann won't endorse anyone yet

1-30-12     Representative Michele Bachmannn is not ready to endorse one of the remaining Republican presidential candidates.  She dropped out of the race after a disappointing finish in the Iowa caucuses.  Bachmann tells C-B-S' "Face the Nation" the party will unify behind the eventual G-O-P nominee.  She says she's on the team no matter MORE... 
Santorum

Santorum visits Luverne
1-30-12      Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum is holding a
town hall meeting tonight in Luverne, Minnesota (7:30pm). The former U-S
senator from Pennsylvania is the first G-O-P candidate to visit the state in
2012. Santorum took a break from the campaign trail over the weekend to be
with his ill daughter. It appears Santorum has conceded Florida and MORE... 
Wyffels

Police looking for two new Willmar officers

1-30-12     Willmar Police Chief Dave Wyffels is in the process of collecting job applications from candidates interested in becoming Willmar Police officers.   The Willmar City Council earlier this month very narrowly approved hiring two more officers, with half the council leaning toward only hiring one or none, but Mayor Frank Yanish broke the tie in favor of

St. Michael company recalling beef
1-30-12     J&B Group, Inc., a St. Michael, Minn., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,645 pounds of beef sirloin products because the products are misbranded and contain an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.  The products contain milk, a known allergen, which is not noted on MORE... 

East side access on Diamond Lake reopens to cars, trucks
1-30-12     The Kandiyohi County Sheriffs Office has re-opened the public access on the east-side of Diamond Lake off of Co Rd 137 to motor vehicle traffic. The west access off of Co Rd 4 remains closed. The ice heave north and west ofthe Co Rd 137 access has been marked with thin ice signs.   Three vehicles went through the ice on Diamond last week.  (KWLM)
Harlan Madsen

Kandiyohi County Public Health looking to link with Renville Co.

1-30-12     Kandiyohi and Renville Counties are studying whether to combine their two public health departments.   Kandiyohi County Commissioner Harlan Madsen of rural Lake Lillian says the county board this month ordered a study of combining the boards that govern each of the counties public health services.  Renville had been combined with Redwood County, MORE...
More than 440 people took the Plunge into Green Lake on Jan. 29, 2011 as part of law enforcement's Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Minnesota. Photo by Damon Jongbloed.

Polar Plunge attracts 445 jumpers

1-30-12     Organizers of this past weekend's Polar Plunge on Green Lake are pleased with the results.   Jim Felt of the Willmar Police Department says 445 people took the leap through a hole in the ice into Green Lake, compared to 353 people last year.   And, more importantly, approximately $75,000 was raised for Special Olympics, with more MORE... 
Darek Nelson

Lozano murder suspect in court today
 1-30-12     The suspect in the murder of a Montevideo teen has a court appearance in Chippewa County District Court today.   24-year-old Darek Nelson is charged with 2nd Degree Murder, Manslaughter and 2nd Degree Assault are for the January 13th attack on 18-year-old Vinessa Lozano outside the Pizza Ranch restaurant in Montevideo where they both MORE... 

Rice Lake ATV victim identified
1-30-12     The Stearns County Sheriff's Department identifies the man who died after driving his ATV into open water on Rice Lake as 65-year-old Michael Hickman of rural Paynesville.   At 4 p.m. Friday officers recieved a report Hickman, who lives near Rice Lake was missing, and was last seen riding an ATV on Thursday night.   The area was searched, and the ATV and Hickman were found in an area of open water on the west side of Rice Lake.  The DNR assisted the sheriff's office at the scene.   (KWLM)
 

DNR In Need Of Wildlife Checkoff Fund Donations
1-29-12   The state Department of Natural Resources is asking Minnesotans to donate to the Wildlife Checkoff Fund on their tax forms.  The money goes to programs for about 800 animal species that are not hunted, fished or trapped.  The DNR's Lori Nauman [[ NOW-men ]] says the tough economy has reduced donations, down about two-percent from last year.  Nauman says  MORE... 

Travel With Caution At Railroad Crossings
1-29-12   A recent crash in southern Minnesota is another reminder of the dangers at railroad crossings.  A snowplow driver was seriously injured when his truck collided with a Union Pacific freight train at a crossing in Kiester [[ keester ]].  UP spokesman Mark Davis wants to remind everyone to slow down to ensure you have enough time to stop when a train is at the  MORE...

DWI Enforcement Increases In 13 Counties
1-29-12   Thirteen Minnesota counties will be getting extra attention from police this year.  The counties have the highest rate of alcohol-related highway deaths.  The State Patrol's Eric Roeske [[ ROSS-kee ]] notes that most of the targeted counties are in the Twin Cites metro, but the impaired driving problem is very serious in Greater Minnesota.  Roeske says the  MORE... 

Fatal Cabin Fire Near Hibbing
1-29-12  A man is dead following a cabin fire in Lavell Township.  The St. Louis County sheriff's department responded to a cabin fire yesterday afternoon.  MORE...
Vogel, Urdahl, Gimse, Kubly and Anderson

Legislative Review makes 2012 debut
1-28-12    Legislative Review made it's 2012 debut on KWLM Saturday morning.   Topcis included Vikings stadium funding, the bonding bill and a voter ID constitutional amendment.   Guests on Saturday included Representatives Bruce Vogel, Paul Anderson and Dean Urdahl and Senators Gary Kubly and Joe Gimse.   Later this week we will have the show on MORE... 
Kaler

Kaler talks about U hosting the Vikings
1-28-12     University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler (KAY-ler)
says they're having ongoing and productive conversations with the Vikings
about playing at T-C-F Bank Stadium if a new N-F-L stadium is built on the
Metrodome site. Kaler told state lawmakers today that he's hopeful the U can
be helpful to the state of Minnesota in retaining the Vikings. Kaler
1-28-12    University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler (KAY-ler)
says they're having ongoing and productive conversations with the Vikings
about playing at T-C-F Bank Stadium if a new N-F-L stadium is built on the
Metrodome site.  MORE...
Cougars...leave them alone!

Jackson County man charged with shooting cougar
1-28-12     Charges have been filed today by the Jackson County attorney’s office against a Jackson County man in southwestern Minnesota for allegedly shooting a cougar on Nov. 27, 2011, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
26-year-old Daniel Hamman was charged by citation with shooting a protected animal.
Hamman allegedly shot the cougar MORE... 

Crash seriously injured Rockville teen
1-28-12     The Stearns County Sheriff's Department says at 4:44 p.m. yesterday they were called to a one car crash south of County Road 138 near Rockville.   19-year-old Jaime Ubaldo of Rockville was traveling northbound when he lost control, entered the ditch and hit a tree.   Speed and icy roads were factors in the crash.  Ubaldo was taken to MORE... 
Sheriff Hartog

Hartog says thin ice at end of January unhead of
1-28-12    Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog says he can't remember a winter where they were dealing with thin ice so late into the season.  This past week vehicles broke through the ice on Big Kandiyohi Lake and Diamond Lake.   Hartog says he's put up barricades on Diamond Lake at the public accesses at County Park 3 and on the Northeast side.  Hartog MORE... 

Trav's Dino Mart robbed

1-28-12    Willmar Police Chief Dave Wyffels says a female clerk at Trav's Dino Mart on South First Street during a robbery attempt Wednesday evening.  Three men attacked the clerk and took her cell phone.   The cash register crashed to the floor in the scuffle, and the suspects took some pop and fled the scene.   Wyffels says police are examining MORE... 
Chief Wyffels

COPPS meetings discontinued

1-28-12     Due to lack of interest, the Willmar Police Department has cancelled the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving, or COPPS, meetings.   Willmar Police Chief Dave Wyffels says they've been holding the COPPS meetings since 2001 as a way for the public to speak directly to a police officer and talk about problems in their

This year's Polar Plunge could attract 400

1-28-12    Annual Polar Plunge takes place on Green Lake in Spicer starting at 1 p.m.    People can pre-register this morning at the Spicer American Legion from 8:30 to 12:30 a.m., and they'll start jumping into the lake through a hole cut in the ice at 1 near Zorbaz.   Organizer, Willmar Police Sergeant Jim Felt says last year a total of 353 took MORE...

Not enough snow to Snowmobile For Life

1-28-12     For the 4th time in it's 12 year history, there's not enough snow to snowmobile on for the Snowmobile For Life event in Atwater.   The Kandiyohi Men's Club and Women's Civic Club put on the event to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and Steve Lueders of the Men's Club says next year they'll have an ATV event planned,  MORE... 

ATV, rider's body found in Rice Lake near Paynesville

1-28-12    The Stearns County Sheriff's Department says the body of a missing ATV rider was found in Rice Lake , east of Paynesville, Friday afternoon.   The victim's name has not been released.    At 4 p.m. Friday officers recieved a report that a person who lives near Rice Lake was missing, and was last seen riding an ATV on Thursday MORE... 

Animal Humane Society Seizes 109 Dogs From Bemidji Area
(Golden Valley, MN)  --  A team from the Animal Humane Society has removed more than 100 dogs from a property near Bemidji.  The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office contacted an agent after the animals were found during a welfare check of two women living in two mobile homes.  One of the women surrendered 48 dogs Wednesday and the remaining 61 were seized yesterday. More...

Brainerd Jaycees' Ice Fishing Extravaganza Set for February 11th
1-27-12 (Brainerd, MN) --  A popular ice fishing tournament is back on.  Authorities granted organizers of the Brainerd Jaycee's Ice Fishing Extravaganza a permit to hold the event on Saturday February 11th.  Originally the tournament was scheduled for January 21st but was canceled due to poor ice conditions.  More...
Winter Carnival

Winter Carnival affected by lack of snow
1-27-12    The 2012 St. Paul Winter Carnival is under way in spite
of unseasonably mild temperatures and a shortage of snow. Winter Carnival
President Beth Pinkney says only a few previously scheduled events have
fallen victim to the weather -- the snow sculpting event and sled dog
races.There is no Winter Carnival ice castle this year for the eighth
straight year. Pinkney MORE... 

Republicans look to put voter I.D. on Nov. ballot
1-27-12     A group of Republicans will try to bypass Governor Mark
Dayton and put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall
which would require that voters present photo I-Ds at election polls. The
measure was included in another bill last year and the governor vetoed it.
Hutchinson Republican Scott Newman says the measure boils down to voter
integrity MORE... 
Newt gingrich (facebook.com)

Gingrich leads in Minnesota polling
1-27-12     A new poll indicates G-O-P presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich
has a commanding lead among Republicans who say they are likely to take part
in Minnesota's February 7th political caucuses. The survey conducted by
Public Policy Polling sets Gingrich's populartiy at 36-percent, with Mitt
Romney in second-place at 18-percent, Rick Santorum with 17-percent MORE... 
Rybak (energycorridor.com)

Mpls.
1-27-12     Mayor R-T Rybak's plan for a Vikings stadium in
Minneapolis has run into political trouble, with now a majority of the city
council calling for a citywide vote. Rybak responded any referendum will be
in two years when he stands for re-election. Moorhead Representative Morrie
Lanning says lawmakers need a backup plan -- Arden Hills -- "if we run into MORE... 
Kjergaard

Kjergaard skeptical about schools getting repaid

1-27-12     Willmar Schools Superintendent Jerry Kjergaard is skeptical he'll ever see the state repay the money it "borrowed" from Minnesota Public School funding to balance the budget.  Senator Joe Gimse and others have said one of their top priorities this session is to find a way to repay the schools, and one suggested method has been through MORE... 
Last year's plunge (photo from Special Olympics)

Polar Plunge in Spicer tomorrow
1-27-12     The 8th annual Willmar/Spicer Polar Plunge is taking place on Saturday afternoon at Green Lake in Spicer.  The event will get started at 1 p.m. in front of Zorba’s.  Special Olympics of Minnesota Torch Run Manager Chad Trench says the event raised nearly $63,000 last year for Special Olympics.  People can register online at MORE... 

Sheriff closes Diamond Lake accesses due to thin ice
1-27-12     At 4:30 yesterday afternoon the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office received another report of a vehicle that went partially through the ice just out from the public access on the east side of Diamond Lake.  This follows Wednesday's incident where a man drove his truck through the ice about a quarter mile from the same access.  Sheriff MORE... 

Proposal Would Better Protect County Attorneys
1-26-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Penalties would increase for those who assault or kill county attorneys in Minnesota, under a bill that unanimously cleared a key House committee this morning  and awaits a vote on the House floor.  In December, a man just convicted of criminal sexual conduct shot Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell  and a witness at the courthouse More.... 

Supporters Revive Proposed Voter I-D Requirement
1-26-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  A group of Republicans will try to bypass Governor Mark Dayton and put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall which would require that voters present photo I-Ds at election polls.  The measure was included in another bill last year and the governor vetoed it.  More...

Workers Union Options Studied
1-26-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  A study by a conservative think tank, Center of the American Experiment, finds Minnesotans' personal income would be greater, on average, if workers had the option to *not* join a union in unionized industries.  Doctor Richard Vedder authored the study and says in "Right to Work" More...
Garfield

Islamic Society passes on Garfield

1-26-12     The Islamic Society of Willmar is no longer interested in purchasing the Garfield Elementary School Building for a mosque or community center.   Willmar Schools Superintendent Dr. Jerry Kjergaard says the group notified him this week that they were passing on Garfield.   Kjergaard says he was told by the Islamic Society that they were not MORE... 

DNR reveals proposed Wolf Season
1-26-12     The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing
to let hunters and trappers take 400 gray wolves this fall. DNR officials
will outline their proposals to lawmakers in St. Paul today. It's estimated
Minnesota has around three-thousand gray wolves. The DNR is proposing to cap
the number of licenses at six-thousand. They would be awarded through MORE... 
Bachmann

Bachmann to run again in 6th District
1-26-12     Representative Michele Bachmann says she will seek a fourth
term in Minnesota's 6th-District. Bachmann, who dropped out of the race for
president earlier this month, says she's looking forward to "coming back and
bringing a strong, powerful voice to Washington." Meanwhile, Minnesota's
D-F-L Party has released a statement noting her absence MORE... 
Franken

Franken plan saves energy, creates jobs
1-26-12    In an effort to improve Minnesota's employment picture,
U-S Senator Al Franken has introduced his "Back to Work Minnesota" plan. He
says a big part of that plan is meeting with leaders around the state about
retrofitting buildings to boost energy savings. Franken says it will put
people back on the job in the building trades and manufacturing. He MORE... 
Zygi Wilf

Metrodome site emerging as favorite for stadium

1-26-12     Backers of a new Vikings stadium continue trying to nail down a site and a funding source that will pass muster at the legislature as lawmakers wrap up their first week of the 2012 session. Senator Julie Rosen says gambling has to be part of a stadium package, and the Fairmont Republican says the leading contenders are racino or electronic pull tabs.  Rosen MORE... 
Cross

Cross convicted of abandoning child in the night

1-26-12     A Dakota County jury has returned a guilty verdict against a former Lakeville man accused of abandoning his 11-year-old son last July. Prosecutors say 60-year-old Steven Cross left in the night after his son went to bed. Cross left behind a letter saying he was going away, apparently forever, and telling his son to go to a neighbor's home. Cross was found 43 MORE... 
\"Surprise at Wood Lake\" (woodlakebattlefield.com)

Wood Lake Battlefield Site gets preservation easement

1-26-12     Another step in preserving and restoring one of the two designated Civil War battlefields in Minnesota was taken last month when a conservation easement was signed with the property's owners.   Tom Hosier (WHO-zheer), President of the Wood Lake Battlefield Preservation Association, says the easement means the owners of the 240 acre site, John and MORE... 
Spicer grain bins, pre-demo (landandfarm.com)

Grain bins, elevator being removed in Spicer

1-26-12     The huge grain storage bins on the west side of Highway 23 in Spicer are being demolished, and the elevator and drier will soon follow.   Spicer City Administrator Leslie Valiant says the owner of the 2-acre site, Steve Olson, died two years ago, and his son is now clearing the site.  Valiant says once the city issues the demolition permit for the MORE... 

Man Shot By Police After Stabbing Toddler

1-25-12 (St. Paul, MN) -- State investigators have identified the man shot by police in the northern Minnesota town of Babbitt after the man allegedly stabbed a toddler.  Officials say Derek Klingfus emerged from a house carrying a small girl and pointing a knife at her.  The girl already had multiple stab wounds.  More...

Father Found Guilty Of Abandoning Son
1-25-12 (Hastings, MN) -- The jury has returned a guilty verdict against a former Lakeville man accused of abandoning his 11-year-old son last July. Prosecutors say 60-year-old Steven Cross left in the night after his son went to bed.  Cross left behind a letter saying he was going away, apparently forever, and telling his son to go to a neighbor's home.  More...

Gang Members Indicted
1-25-12 (St. Paul, MN) -- Twenty-four alleged members of the Native Mob gang have been indicted on dozens of charges including racketeering, assault, robbery, murder and drug and gun trafficking.  The federal indictment was unsealed in Minneapolis.  Six alleged members were arrested this morning Wednesday), 12 others were already in custody on other charges. More...

Man jumps from truck after going through ice

1-25-12     A man escaped unharmed after his pickup went through the ice on Diamond Lake near Atwater this afternoon.   At 3 p.m. the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department recieved a report that a pickup was partially submerged on the east side of the lake, about a quarter mile from the east side public access.   The rear of the truck was under MORE... 

Stadium Talks Continue
1-25-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  The key players appear to be moving further toward the current Metrodome site as the location for a new Vikings stadium, after a morning meeting (Wednesday) with Governor Dayton. Key lawmakers say they're not committing to a site yet, but have some questions they want Minneapolis officials to answer about the Metrodome location.  More...

Bachmann Will Run Again
1-25-12  --  Representative Michele Bachmann says she will seek a fourth term in Minnesota's 6th-District.  Bachmann, who dropped out of the race for president earlier this month, says she's looking forward to "coming back and bringing a strong, powerful voice to Washington."  More...

Love To Remain With The Wolves
1-25-12 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  All-Star forward Kevin Love has officially agreed to a contract extension with the Timberwolves.  Love posted a message on Twitter saying "to T'Wolves fans: I'll be in Minnesota for 4 more years! Excited to see you when I get back to Minneapolis."  More...

Four arrested on variety of charges at Lake Stella home

1-25-12     A visit to a home on Lake Stella near Darwin yesterday afternoon led to the arrests of 4 people on a variety of charges and outstanding warrants.    At 4 p.m. yesterday Meeker County Deputies responded to a report that three people with outstanding felony warrants were at a home on County Road 33 on the south side of Lake Stella.   In MORE...
Pawlenty

Poll shows Pawlenty, Bachmann losing to Franken, Klobuchar

1-25-12    It's hard to go back home again.  That's what a new poll says about two Minnesotans after their failed attempts at running for president.  The Public Policy Poll shows Minnesota's two U-S senators in good standing among prospective voters.  The latest numbers give Amy Klobuchar a 61-percent approval rating while Al Franken has MORE... 

Pickup breaks through ice on Rice Lake

1-25-12     No one was hurt when a car went through the ice on Rice Lake in Stearns County yesterday.   The sheriff's office says at 10:52 a.m. yesterday a car driven by 84-year-old Richard Antony of St. Cloud was traveling southbound on Rice Lake in Eden Lake Township,  near the 180th Street public water access when his pickup broke through the ice and MORE... 

Cravaak, Walz respond to State of the Union
1-25-12     In his State of the Union address Tuesday night,
President Obama talked about keeping the basic American promise. That
promise being, if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a
family, own a home, send your children to college and have a little left over
for retirement. Obama stated, "No challenge is more urgent." In response to
the MORE... 

New Ulm, Sleepy Eye looking at 4-day school weeks
1-25-12     In a move designed to save thousands of tax dollars, two
southern Minnesota school districts are looking at four-day school weeks.
The districts in New Ulm and Sleepy Eye hold public hearings tonight to
discuss Tuesday through Friday school weeks which officials say could save
between 80-thousand and 100-thousand dollars a year on utilities, bus
service, MORE... 

Sartell-St. Stephen doing away with spring break
1-25-12     The opportunity to escape Minnesota's winter for a
sun-drenched vacation at the beach, like a sunset, will soon fade for
students in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District. The school board has
voted to cancel spring break beginning in 2013 and approved a plan to grant
three long weekends off during the spring semester. School officials say it
will help MORE... 

Dayton meets with Wilfs on stadium site
1-25-12     Governor Dayton meets with Vikings owners Zygi and Mark
Wilf plus other key players at the Capitol today (WED) to try to move forward
on a new stadium at the Metrodome site in downtown Minneapolis. The governor
took Linden Avenue off the table over concerns voiced by the Basilica of St.
Mary and says "this session the only viable option is the Metrodome MORE... 

Hubers being sued by murder victim's family

1-25-12     Delbert Huber and his son Tim, both of rural Paynesville, are being sued by the family of the man allegedly shot by Delbert.    Attorney Ryan Vettelson represents the family of Tim Larson of Albertville, shot to death on his father's farm near Belgrade October 8th.   They have filed a wrongful death suit against the Hubers, and MORE... 

Willmar schools getting help for music, iPads

1-25-12     The Willmar School District is getting financial help from two different community groups to boost technology and music programs.    Superintendent Jerry Kjergaard says a group of Willmar business leaders, led by Tyler Gehrking and Lyle Hovland, have approached the district asking if they can raise money to buy more iPads for students to MORE... 
Vogel

Vogel foresees smaller bonding bill, zebra mussel crackdown

1-25-12     Representative Bruce Vogel was looking forward to his second session in the legislature which started yesterday.   The Willmar Republican says things should go better than last session, and while the Viking's stadium bill will certainly be the big issue with the media, he's more concerned with reforming government, making it MORE... 

Benson, BOLD superintendants interested in Litch job
1-25-12    The Litchfield School Board has narrowed down a list of superintendent candidates to 7 semi-finalists.  30 people had applied for the position being vacated in June by the retiring Dr. William Wold.   Jerry Robicheau (ROB’-ah-show) from BKB School Executive Search Consultants presented the information about the candidates Monday night. The 7 MORE... 

2012 Minnesota Legislature Is Underway
1-24-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  The 2012 Minnesota Legislature is in session at the State Capitol in Saint Paul.  Speaker Kurt Zellers gaveled the House to order at noon and about a minute later Majority Leader Dave Senjem called the Senate into session. The main assigned task in this even-numbered year is to pass a bonding bill for state public works projects.  

Dayton To Meet With Vikings Owners

1-24-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  Governor Dayton says he'll meet tomorrow (Wed) with the Vikings owners and other key players to try to work out a deal for a new stadium on the Metrodome site.  The governor says what changed his mind on the Linden Avenue site was the opposition of Father John Bauer and others at the Basilica of Saint Mary.  More....

Klobuchar Gets High Marks
1-24-12 (Raleigh, NC)  --  A new poll suggests U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar is "close to unbeatable" in 2012.  The Minnesota Democrat has a 61-percent approval rating in the latest Public Policy Polling survey.  More than 80 percent of those polled have no opinion of Klobuchar's three potential Republican challengers this fall.  More...

Jury Selection Begins In Cross Trial

(Hastings, MN)  --  Jury selection is under way (Tues) in the Dakota County child neglect trial of Steven Cross.  He's the Lakeville father accused of abandoning his 11-year-old son last summer and moving to California. More...

Solar Storm Could Bring Northern Lights
1-24-12 (Chanhassen, MN)  --  The strongest solar flare in nearly seven years is having its effect on Minnesota.  Warning coordination meteorologist Carol Christenson says, if the skies turn fair tonight, we could get a nice aurora show.  The National Weather Service says the geomagnetic storms can cause trouble for power grids and some airline flights may be affected More...
Curly (kfgo.com)

Reward for "Curly" will buy goats for the poor
1-24-12    A Fergus Falls family has received a 300-dollar reward for finding "Curly" the missing goat. Tony Loomer discovered an extra goat on his farm last Wednesday while feeding his own horses and goats. His daugther, Kyra, says they have special plans for the reward money...donate to a church that has a program that buys goats for the poor.   The MORE... 
Senator Julie Rosen

2012 session begins today
1-24-12     The 2012 legislative session begins today (Tues) at noon, and one of the major issues on state lawmakers' plate will be the Vikings' push for a new stadium. Lead Senate sponsor, Fairmont Republican Julie Rosen, says the team's lease at the Metrodome is up, they're free agents and "we can't keep putting it off"
Rosen says it will be a MORE... 

3 to 6 inches of snow fell over the weekend
1-24-12     There's a fresh white blanket over most of the state
today, following Sunday and Monday's snowfall. Various amounts fell across
the upper half of the state, ranging from half-a-foot in the Arrowhead to
three-inches in northwestern Minnesota. Over the lower half of the state,
portions of Ramsey, Steele and Stearns counties received a little more MORE... 
Basilica of St. Mary

Vikings not happy with Dayton stadium ultimatum
1-24-12     Just hours before the start of the 2012 legislative
session, Governor Dayton told Vikings ownership that if a new stadium bill
is to be passed this year, the facility will have to be at the Metrodome
site. Vikings Vice-President Lester Bagley says the team is "extremely
frustrated" by this latest turn of events. The Vikings have pushed for a
stadium MORE... 
Richard Larson

Larson, Peterson won't run for reelection

1-24-12     Two Kandiyohi County Commissioners have announced they won't be running for reelection.   District 2 Commissioner Richard Larson of Willmar and District 4 Commissioner Dennis Peterson of rural Spicer will be stepping down at the end of this year.   Peterson says he's announcing his intention now to give people in his area of MORE... 

Learn about COG, enjoy a dessert

1-24-12    The Willmar Community-Owned Grocery Store wants to sweeten up the public and talk about their proposal to open a grocery store in Downtown Willmar.   COG Board Member Linda Mathiesen says from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar they are putting on an event called Delectable Desserts.  Mathiesen says people can also learn about MORE... 

No Ethics Complaint Against Koch
1-23-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  Minnesota Senate Republicans reportedly will *not* file an ethics complaint against former Majority Leader Amy Koch  for inappropriate conduct with a staffer -- and state Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin agrees with that decision.  More...

Dems File Complaint Against Senator Thompson
1-23-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  The state Democratic Party has filed a complaint with the Campaign Finance Board against Senator Dave Thompson, alleging the Lakeville Republican did not report income he received from the state G-O-P for communications work.  More....

Injured Hockey Player Moved To Abbott
1-23-12(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Injured Benilde-St.Margaret's hockey player Jack Jablonski is beginning his next phase of recovery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Jablonski was moved today (Mon) from Hennepin County Medical Center to the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute.  More...
Shooting victim Tim Larson

Another delay in Delbert Huber hearing

1-23-12     Another delay in the Delbert Huber murder case.   Huber, 81 of rural Paynesville, told Kandiyohi County Judge Michael Thompson Monday he still hadn't hired an attorney to defend him, but felt he might by April 1st.   Despite the objections by the Kandiyohi County Attorney's Office, Thompson continued Huber's court appearance MORE... 

Dayton Administration Ready For 2012 Session

1-23-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  The 2012 legislative session kicks off tomorrow (Tues) in St. Paul.  It will mark the second session for Governor Mark Dayton.  The governor says last session got off to a slow start for his team because of the recount.  But he says they're in a much better position this year.  More....

Still No Sign Of White Bear Lake Couple
1-23-12 (Giglio, Italy) --  Relatives of Jerry and Barbara Heil of White Bear Lake were in Italy over the weekend meeting with rescue workers.  The Heils were on the Costa Concordia when it wrecked off the Tuscan coast over a week ago.  Family members of those still missing were taken out near the ship Saturday and allowed to place flowers in the water. More....

Snowplow Driver In Fair Condition
1-23-12 (Rochester, MN)  --  A MnDOT snowplow operator remains hospitalized in fair condition after a collision with a Union Pacific train Friday in southern Minnesota.  The State Patrol says 55-year-old Bradley Bruegger of Wells was on Highway 22 in the town of Kiester  when the train struck the passenger side of his cab. More.... 

Dryer fire damages home near Cold Spring

1-23-12     A rural Cold Spring home was damaged in a fire yesterday afternoon.    The Stearns County Sheriff's Department says at 1:30 p.m. yesterday a fire started in the clothes dryer at the Christine Weineke farm on 195th Street, southwest of Cold Spring.    Weineke tried to put it out herself with a fire extinguisher but was MORE... 

Man critically injured in crash west of Prinsburg

1-23-12     A Madison man was critcally injured in a two vehicle crash west of Prinsburg Saturday morning.   The state patrol says at 3 a.m. Saturday a pickup driven by 20-year-old Ryan Hillenbrand was northbound on a gravel road at the Chippewa-Kandiyohi County Line and struck a car that was eastbound on Highway 7.   Hillenbrand was taken to Rice MORE... 

Crash hurts two, garage hit near Melrose
1-23-12     The Stearns County Sheriff's Department says two cars collided, then hit a garage near Melrose yesterday.   Just before 12 noon, a car driven by 45-year-old Lenae Glasner of Melrose was traveling on icy County Road 17 near Birch Lake Road when she lost control and hit a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Jane Austing of Freeport.   Austing's MORE... 

Bakk wants Easter adjournment
1-23-12    Some state lawmakers are calling for an April adjournment to the 2012 legislative session. The legislature does not need to create a new state budget in even-numbered years. Senate D-F-L Leader Tom Bakk (bock) says there isn't any reason they should be at the Capitol past Easter. 
Bakk says it's very important that a bonding bill is passed as early as MORE... 
Delbert Huber

Delbert Huber in court today
1-23-12     81-year-old Delbert Huber of rural Paynesville has an omnibus hearing scheduled in Kandiyohi County District Court late this morning.   Huber is accused of shooting Timothy Larson of Albertville to death on Larson's father's farm near Belgrade October 8th.   Huber's court appearances have repeatedly been delayed because he is having MORE... 
Gimse

Gimse wants voter i.d. bill passed this year
1-23-12     The 2012 Minnesota Legislative Session begins tomorrow.   Their prime goal is to pass a bonding bill, but Senator Joe Gimse says there will also be a Vikings Stadium Bill, and lawmaker will also work hard to find a way to pay back money they had to borrow from school districts to balance the budget last year.   And Gimse hopes they pass a Voter MORE... 

Fewer Willmar street projects this year
1-23-12     There will be a smaller slate of street projects in Willmar this summer.   Willmar Public Works Director Holly Wilson says some of this year's projects were moved up last year because of the frost boils in the spring.   There will be .91 miles of new construction and .81 miles of overlay in all parts of town, including 5th Street from MORE... 
Renquist

State grant will help ammonia plant
1-23-12    Local ag officials are optimistic they'll be getting a half-million dollar grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture soon.   Willmar and Kandiyohi County Economic Development Commission Director Steve Renquist says the grant will be the next step in building an anhydrous ammonia plant, making the fertilizer from locally grown ag MORE... 

Winter weather advisory in effect
1-23-12    A winter weather advisory is in effect until noon today.   Less than an inch of snow is likely to fall, but but strong winds will cause some blowing and drifting.   Also, freezing drizzle yesterday turned roads into ice rinks.   Many vehicles hit the ditches and each other.   At 420 yesterday afternoon a state trooper was parked on MORE... 

Multi-Car Crash in Metro Yesterday
(Brooklyn Center, MN)  --  A multi-car crash slowed things down on the 694 bridge over the Mississippi River in the metro area yesterday morning.  The freeway was closed for a time after the incident.   (MORE...)

Governor Dayton's Plans to Close Tax Loopholes
(St. Paul, MN)  --  Governor Dayton's legislative "wish list" includes a plan to close tax loopholes and make up the revenue through a tax on certain Internet sales.  St. John's economics professor Louis Johnston predicts the idea won't get very far.   (MORE...)

Economists: Economic Outlook for Minnesota 2012 Mixed Bag
(Omaha, Nebraska)  --  It's an uncertain picture for Minnesota this year as the state faces good and bad economic developments.  On the plus side, farm prices and exports are looking strong.  But the housing market is still holding things back.   (MORE...)

Fewer Ice Houses May Not Mean Fewer Anglers
(St. Paul, MN)  --  Fewer ice houses on south-central Minnesota lakes does not mean there are fewer ice anglers out there.  A D-N-R survey shows a drop in the fish house count - but many ice anglers have switched to portable shelters they can move quickly from place to place.   (MORE...)

Hockey Day Minnesota 2012
Undated)  --  This is Hockey Day Minnesota.  The annual one-day homage to ice hockey is dedicated to Jack Jablonski this year.  Jablonski is the Benilde-St. Margaret's player who suffered a hockey injury that left him paralyzed.  The day includes 16 hours of televised hockey on FSN North, as well as a fundraising telethon for the Jablonski family.   (MORE...)

Auto Dealers Seeing Late-Model Used Cars
(Undated)  --  Demand is extremely high right now for late-model used cars.  Scott Lambert of the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association says the industry crash in 2008 and 2009 resulted in a shortage of used vehicles.   (MORE...)

Low-Income Minnesotans Encouraged To Apply for Heating Aid
(St.Paul, MN) --  The state Department of Commerce is encouraging eligible households to continue applying for the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program.  The state received an additional 29-million dollars from the federal government this week.   (MORE...)

Klobuchar Invites Pres Of Alex Tech To State Of The Union
1-20-12  --  U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar is inviting the president of Alexandria Technical and Community College to Tuesday's State of the Union Address. President Kevin Kopischke (kuh-PISH'-kee) oversees an innovative program that trains students for technologically-advanced fields of manufacturing automation and motion control.  More...

Snow Brings Crumpled Metal
1-20-12  --  Lots of crumpled metal and delayed arrivals as light snow tangled traffic around Minnesota this morning.  More than 300 road accidents were reported by 10 a-m.  State Patrol Lieutenant Eric Roeske advises motorists to slow down for the afternoon commute even though the snowfall has tapered off.  more....
Lord

Lord, the Schnauzer, has been found
1-20-12      A Redwood Falls family that suffered a tragic loss in a car crash on Christmas Eve got some good news today when their dog that's been missing since the crash was found.   John and Patricia Gustafson were waiting at a red light at the intersection of Highways 7 and 71, near Blomkest, when a vehicle ran a red light and hit another vehicle, which MORE...

Dayton Meeting With Lector Of Basilica
1-20-12 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  Governor Dayton's private meeting today with the leader of the Basilica of St. Mary could have a huge effect on whether a new Vikings stadium is built at Linden Avenue in Minneapolis.  Earlier this week, supporters of that stadium location said concerns about local traffic and noise were "manageable," but leaders at the church reemphasized More...

Snowfall Adds Moisture To Fields
1-20-12 (Worthington, MN)  --  The first significant snow of the season is falling across southern Minnesota today.  U-of-M Extension Educator Liz Stahl of Worthington says it doesn't add a tremendous amount of moisture, but every bit helps.  Typically about ten to 12 inches of snow equals about an inch of rain. More...

Minnesota's jobless rate drops again...thank you, ag
 1-20-12     Minnesota's unemployment rate took a favorable turn in December with the addition of nearly eight-thousand jobs. Regional economists say Minnesota's strong farm sector is a big plus as the state recovers from the recession.
Creigton (CRAY'-ton) University's Ernie Goss says Minnesota will see faster economic growth once the housing market gets healthy. He MORE...

Fewer deer killed by hunters in 2011
1-20-12     Hunters in Minnesota harvested about 15-thousand fewer animals in 2011 than in the year before. The D-N-R's Lou Cornicelli says the decline is partly the result of efforts to lower densities across the state.   Cornicelli says 40-mile-per-hour winds on opening weekend of the firearms season hindered deer activity when 50 percent of the annual harvest MORE...

More heat help money coming to Minnesota
1-20-12     The state is getting another 29-million dollars from the
federal government to help low-income families heat their homes. A total of
116-point-eight-million dollars has been allocated to Minnesota so far this
season. The Department of Commerce has helped more than 116-thousand
households with energy assistance this winter and the extra dollars will MORE...

Ship shifts again, rescuers pulled from water
1-20-12     The prayers continue for a White Bear Lake couple still
missing nearly a week after the wreck of the cruise ship Costa Concordia off
the coast of Italy. Hopes of finding Barbara and Jerry Heil (HYLE) are
dimming as searchers have again been pulled out of the water because the
giant ship moved. Officials say the rescue effort could soon become a
recovery MORE...
Vinessa Lozano

Candle light vigil tonight for Vinessa Lozano
1-20-12     One week ago tonight a Montevideo woman was brutally murdered outside her place of work. A co-worker stabbed 18-year-old Vinessa Lozano about 30 times with a hunting knife. Tonight at 8:45, there will be a candlelight vigil outside the Pizza Ranch in Montevideo. Amber Stevens is organizing tonight's event. She first met Lozano when she moved in next MORE...
Senator Gimse

Gimse sees smaller bonding bill in 2012
1-20-12     Senator Joe Gimse of Willmar envisions a smaller 2012 bonding bill than the one proposed this week by Governor Mark Dayton.   Dayton this week reveiled a $775 million dollar borrowing package which he says will create more than 21,000 jobs in the state.   Gimse says he expects to see a $500 million dollar bonding bill.   MORE...

Winterfest begins with wine tasting, art exhibit tonight
1-20-12    There may be no ice castle or snow slide but Winterfest is about to begin in Spicer.   Dave Henle is chairing his 9th Winterfest and says all the other activities are still a go, including a wine-tasting and art exhibit at Glacial Ridge Winery.  The wine tasting and art exhibit will also take place Saturday from 11 to 5.    Henle says MORE...

Curly the Goat found hungry but safe
1-19-12     The search for Curly the goat is over.  According to owner Jim Aakre (AWK'-ree), Curly was found Wednesday afternoon at a farm southwest of Fergus Falls.  Tony Loomer came to feed the horses and goats -- and noticed a visitor.  Curly appeared to very hungry, wet, cold and had lost weight.  He says he's not sure the goat would have made it much MORE...
The Heils

Heil's church holds vigil
1-19-12     The vigil continues at a church in the Twin Cities
suburb of White Bear Lake for Jerry and Barbara Heil (HYLE) -- still missing
after last Friday's cruise ship disaster off the coast of Italy. While the
searching continues, chances of the couple still being found alive are
slim.Officials confirm eleven deaths since the Costa Concordia ran aground
and capsized. MORE...

Bitter cold biting Minnesota
1-19-12      Minnesotans are waking up to the coldest day of the season so
far. An extreme cold warning remains over most of the state -- with portions
of southeastern Minnesota the exception. All of Minnesota is in negative
territory this morning, led by the town of Flag Island, near the very top of
the state, with an early morning reading of 24-below. Forecasters MORE...
Wilf's Arden Hills vision

Dayton likes Linden Avenue stadium site
1-19-12     Governor Dayton has not picked a location for a new
Vikings stadium but it sounds like the Linden Avenue site in Minneapolis is
his favorite. The governor says if the concerns of the rector of the
Basilica of St. Mary and some other issues are resolved, it would be. Dayton
says another advantage is that the Vikings could play at the Metrodome while
the stadium MORE...

Gas price teeter totter down again
1-19-12     Predictions come and go about how expensive gas will be but
for now, prices at the pump continue to drop. Minnesota-Gas-Prices-dot-Com
says the statewide average for regular unleaded is now under 3-22 a gallon,
within a few pennies of its cost one year ago. Numerous gas stations are
selling low octane near the three-dollar mark right now. (MNN)

December unemployment figures for MN released today
1-19-12     State officials will release the December employment
figures later this (THUR) morning. Minnesota's unemployment rate in November
fell half a percent to five-point-nine -- the lowest since October 2008. But
Minnesota employers eliminated nearly 14-thousand jobs during November. The
December numbers should also indicate how holiday hiring played into the MORE...

No seat belts = traffic fatalities
1-19-12     Another reminder from the state Department of Public
Safety about the importance of wearing your seat belt. Officials say eight
of Minnesota's first ten traffic deaths of the year were not buckled up.
The unbelted fatalities happened in Crow Wing, Faribault, Goodhue, Kandiyohi,
Wadena and Winona Counties. Preliminary reports from December indicate 23
people MORE...
Mayor Yanish

Yanish vote breaks tie, two new officers to be hired
1-19-12     On a split vote, the Willmar City Council this week voted to go ahead and hire two more police officers.   City Administrator Charlene Stevens says they would replace one officer that resigned this past July and officer Brigit Coit, who is leaving at the end of January to take a job in Wisconsin.  Stevens says there will be no impact on the 2012 MORE...

Willmar Charter Commission takes changes to the people
1-18-12     The Willmar Charter Commission is taking their proposed changes to the city's ruling document to the people.   Earlier this month the city council rejected the commission's slate of changes, so the commission had the option of changing their recommendations and coming back to the council, or taking the entire package, as-is, to the people for a public MORE...

Dayton Analyzes Stadium Proposals
1-18-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  With just days before the next legislative session, Governor Dayton is prodding all interested parties to reach agreement on a site for a proposed Vikings stadium.  Dayton says the team's preferred site in Ramsey County still has major question marks. More...

Grand Rapids Couple Wins Lotto Jackpot
1-18-12 (Roseville, MN)  --  A Grand Rapids couple are the winners of last Saturday's two-point-six-one-million-dollar Hot Lotto jackpot.  Sandy Conrad and her husband, Don, claimed the prize today (Wed) at Minnesota State Lottery headquarters.  More...

Buckle Up
1-18-12 (St.Paul, MN)  --  Another reminder from the state Department of Public Safety about the importance of wearing your seat belt.  Officials say eight of Minnesota's first ten traffic deaths of the year were *not* buckled up.  The unbelted fatalities happened in Crow Wing, Faribault, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Wadena and Winona Counties.  More...

Wrap Up Those Outdoor Palnts
1-18-12 --  The next 24 hours of bone-chilling cold could be ugly for those plants wintering in your yard.  Master gardener Teri Knight offers one last-ditch thing you can do to protect your perennials.  She suggest putting bags of leaves, straw or hay bales over the plants.  

White Bear Lake couple still missing after ship wreck
1-18-12     Hopes of finding survivors has dimmed as searching has been halted again in the wreckage of cruise ship.  Authorities say the ship moved, prompting crews to pull out of the frigid water along the Italian coast.  Among those still not accounted for: Jerry and Barbara Heil (HYLE) of White Bear Lake, who were on a 16-day vacation to Italy.  An evening MORE...

Litchfield council beefs up permit for house mover
1-18-12     The Litchfield City Council's battle with a house mover continues.   Last night they had another discussion related to Rick Rossow, and the proposed moving of a house to 333 East 3rd Street. A conditional use request from the Planning Commission was beef-up a bit.  The Planning Commission recommended that Mr. Rossow present the MORE...
Darek Nelson

Nelson appears in court...said he felt shunned
1-18-12     Bail for 24-year-old Darek Nelson of Montevideo was set yesterday morning at $750,000.   Nelson is charged with 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Manslaughter, and two counts of 2nd Degree Assault for the January 13th stabbing death of 18-year-old Vinessa Lozano of Montevideo.   Nelson is accused of repeatedly stabbing Lozano in the parking lot of MORE...

Cold today, colder tonight...REALLY cold tomorrow
1-18-12    Folks in central and northern Minnesota are waking up
to temperature readings of 15-below in places like Longville, Flag Island and
Pine River. But the coldest air of the season is still to come -- even for the lower half of the state. The National Weather Service predicts the
teeth-clenching fun to start tonight over most of the state with overnight
lows from MORE...

Lawmakers to talk about stadium bill today
1-18-12     We're another day closer to the start of Minnesota's
legislative session following Tuesday's announcement of a nearly 800-million
dollar bonding bill by the governor. The plan includes borrowing money to
fund roads and bridges, civic center expansions, state prison renovations and
more. Meanwhile, lawmakers are scheduled to meet this afternoon about where
to MORE...
Vinessa Lozano

Community asked to remember Vinessa Friday
1-18-12    Community members around the state are being asked to keep a porch light on this Friday night in remembrance of a Montevideo woman brutally stabbed outside her place of work. 18-year-old Vinessa Lozano was stabbed 30 times by a co-worker last Friday night and later died at a local hospital. Lozano's friend, Katie Evenson, has organized an event on Facebook called MORE...
Sam Bowen (linkedin.com)

Dayton bonding bill includes money for Ridgewater
1-18-12     Governor Mark Dayton's bonding proposal for the upcoming legislative session includes funding for the Ridgewater College Renovation project in Willmar.   Dayton says his bonding bill is focused on jobs, and would get 21,700 Minnesotans back to work by investing in improvements to infrastructure, colleges and universities and other regional economic  MORE...
Sheriff Hartog

Sheriff recognizes lifesavers
1-18-12     At the Kandiyohi County Board meeting yesterday, two New London men were recognized for saving the life of a man who had fallen through the ice on Lake Wakanda.   Sheriff Dan Hartog says Al Sheldon and Seth Holmstrom were ice fishing December 29th when a 3-wheeler driven by 66-year-old Wayne Klima broke through the ice and plunged into the MORE...

New Program Targets Minnesota Farmers
1-17-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Minnesota farmers are getting a program that's "first" in the nation.   U.S Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Governor Mark Dayton signed an agreement that launches a new pilot program in Minnesota aimed at improving conservation efforts by farmers. More....

GOP Reacts To Daytons Bonding Proposals
1-17-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Parts of the governor's bonding plan are certain to run into Republican opposition during the legislative session which starts next week.  Newly-appointed Senate G-O-P spokesman Steve Sviggum (SWIG'-um) says Dayton's building proposals will have to pass important tests before they win approval.  More...

Gov Dayton Proposes Millions In Bonding Bill
1-17-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  Governor Dayton wants to borrow nearly 800-million dollars for public works projects around the state.  The governor says his bonding proposal is about putting the unemployed back to work and investing in the future.  Dayton cited a national study that shows a one-billion-dollar bonding bill will create 28-thousand jobs.  More...
Nelson

Nelson makes first court appearance
1-17-12     Bail for 24-year-old Darek Nelson of Montevideo was set this morning at $750,000.   Nelson is charged with 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Manslaughter, and two counts of 2nd Degree Assault for the January 13th stabbing death of 18-year-old Vinessa Lozano of Montevideo.   Nelson is accused of repeatedly stabbing Lozano in the parking lot of MORE...
Governor Dayton

Dayton bonding bill includes money for Ridgewater project
1-17-12     Governor Dayton has released his bonding proposal for the 2012 legislative session, and includes funding for the Ridgewater College renovation project.   Dayton says it is focused on making the kind of long term investments proven to create jobs, and says the bill would put up to 21,700 Minnesotans back to work by investing in improvements MORE...

Photo of Lord released
1-17-12      The Kandiyohi County Humane Society says the dog who has been missing since the Christmas Eve car accident at the corners of Hwy 7 and 71 has been spotted twice within the past few days.  "Lord" , the Schnauzer, was spotted late Sunday afternoon 3 miles north of Roseland on County Rd 5 and yesterday he was spotted on County MORE...

Lock out continues at American Crystal Sugar
1-17-12     American Crystal Sugar has rejected a proposal to end the
lockout of its union employees. The company posted a statement Monday
calling the union's proposal a "publicity stunt" that ignored the company's
suggestions for ending the lockout. About 13-hundred union employees have
been out since August as part of a contract dispute. American Crystal is MORE...
The Heils

Minnesota couple still missing after ship disaster
1-17-12     The search continues today for a White Bear Lake couple
and others still missing after the cruise ship disaster off the coast of
Italy. Friends and family say Jerry and Barbara Heil (HYLE) are devout
Catholics known for being active in their church. Jerry taught religious
education classes. Barbara often accompanied her husband, bringing baked
goods for class MORE...

Cold weather settling in over Minnesota
1-17-12      Real January cold is settling in over the state this
week. Already, there are readings under 10-below across northern Minnesota
this morning and forecasters say highs today will top out in the low teens
across the entire state. Even colder weather is predicted on Wednesday.
Around the Twin Cities this morning, commuters should expect a slower drive
into MORE...
Vinessa Lozano

Fund started for Lozano...accused killer in court today
1-17-12     The man accused of stabbing a co-worker 30 times outside
a Pizza Ranch in Montevideo Friday night makes his first court appearance at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Montevideo this morning.. The 24-year-old suspect is accused of stabbing 18-year-old
Vinessa Lozano of Montevideo in the parking lot. Police Chief Adam
Christopher says another worker called for MORE...

New race series launched in Minnesota
1-17-12     Anderson Race Management and Explore Minnesota Tourism, the travel promotion office of the State of Minnesota, have launched a new statewide running series "Explore Minnesota Challenge.” This series of more than 25 races in locations around the state of Minnesota encourages runners and walkers to participate in eight of the events, including at least one MORE...
John McCarthy

Head of Indian Gaming Association against racinos
1-17-12     Some are predicting this is the year the Minnesota Legislature will pass so-called "racino" legislation, allowing slot machines at Canterbury Downs and Running Aces race tracks.   Racino is being hailed as a way to help pay for a Vikings' stadium and pay back school districts for money borrowed last year to help balance the MORE...

"Lord" spotted again near Roseland
1-17-12     The Kandiyohi County Humane Society says the dog who has been missing since the Christmas Eve car accident at the corners of Hwy 7 and 71 has been spotted twice within the past few days.  "Lord" , the Schnauzer, was spotted late Sunday afternoon 3 miles north of Roseland on County Rd 5 and yesterday he was spotted on County Rd 80 MORE...

City council to hear request for more police officers
1-17-12     Due to the Martin Luther King Holiday, the Willmar City Council meets Tuesday night at 7.   On the agenda will be a request to hire two additional police offices to replace two officers who recently resigned to take jobs elsewhere.   City Administrator Charlene Stevens says they will also consider refinancing the Rice Memorial Hospital MORE...

Remember The Empire Builder?
1-16-12 --  Could a second round-tripper be on the way for Amtrak's Empire Builder between the Twin Cities and Chicago?  Wisconsin and Minnesota officials are looking into the possibility of expanding Amtrak passenger rail service from the current one trip per day.  Right now, unless you can board just before 8am at St. Paul's depot, you're out of luck. More...

Beargrease Marathon Called Off
1-16-12 (Duluth, MN)  --  Called off for lack of snow.  Organizers have cancelled the January 29th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon along Minnesota's North Shore. Race officials say there's simply not enough snow to ensure the safety of the mushers and their dogs.  This is only the second time the Beargrease marathon has been scrubbed. More... 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remembered today
1-16-12     As the nation and Minnesota mark the Martin Luther King Junior holiday today (Mon), lots of things are closed or not offering service.  Schools are out across the state, as well as all government offices, the post offices and public libraries.  Most banks are also closed today and meters are not being enforced in the Twin Cities.  The malls and most MORE...

Internet addiction similar to drug addiction
1-16-12     Minnesota children and adults take note. A new brain scan
study shows internet addiction can change a person's brain in the same way as
drugs and alcohol. Researchers studying men and women who were diagnosed with
Internet addiction disorder found that scans of their brains were similar to
scans of people addicted to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana MORE...

Fewer fish houses this winter
1-16-12      There's a big difference this winter when it comes to the
number of fish houses out on Minnesota lakes. The D-N-R says recent surveys
show an average of just under two per lake over the lower half of the
state.Usually, it's over 14 per lake. But besides unsafe conditions keeping
Minnesotans off the ice this winter, the D-N-R notes more anglers MORE...

Two dead after snowmobile breaks through ice
1-16-12     West of the Twin Cities, authorities have
identified the bodies of the two snowmobilers who died when their sleds sank
through the ice. Adam Patnode and Brad Skafte both recently graduated from
Rockford High School. Wright County Sheriff's deputies located the bodies
after following tracks leading to open water on Lake Charlotte. Crews also
rescued a 66-year (MNN)
Costa Concordia

White Bear Lake couple missing in cruise ship disaster
1-16-12      A couple from White Bear Lake is among those still missing in
the cruise disaster in Italy as of last night. Gerald and Barbara Heil
(HYLE) were the only American passengers among those still missing. The
cruise ship Costa Concordia capsized off the coast after hitting rocks in
shallow water on Friday. Half-a-dozen people have been confirmed dead MORE...

Zorbaz opens today in Spicer
1-16-12     When Zorbaz on the Lake in Spicer opens for business today they will be able to stay open until 2 a.m.   In November the Spicer City Council approved Zorbaz request for the 2 a.m. license, despite some concerns from Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog.   In 2006 Zorbaz' predecessor, Melvin's on the Lake, had a 2 a.m. closing time, and MORE...
Darek Nelson

Accused Montevideo killer in court tomorrow
1-16-12     Due to today's national Martin Luther King Day Holiday, a Montevideo man will wait an extra day before being arraigned on murder charges.   24-year-old Darek Nelson is accused of stabbing 18-year-old Vinessa Lozano of Montevideo in the parking lot of the Pizza Ranch where they both worked.    Montevideo Police Chief Adam MORE...

U.S. Pond Hockey Championships Still On
1-15-12  (Minneapolis, MN)  --  The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships are set for next weekend at Lake Nokomis in south Minneapolis.  Co-Commisioner Carson(more...)

Clay County Getting New High-Tech Radar
1-15-12  (Moorhead, MN) --  Speeders beware.  A new state-of-the-art radar is about to hit the streets in Clay County.  The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has awarded the county one of nine "Stalker" mobile radar units.  Sheriff Bill Bergquist says the radar is unique because it can "clock" (more...)

Still No Snow For John Beargrease Race
1-15-12   --  Lack of snow continues to threaten the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race along the North Shore of Lake Superior.  Race organizer Pat Olson says the board will meet on Monday to decide whether conditions are safe.  The Beargrease is scheduled to begin January 29th. (more...)

Group Wants All Eligible Minnesotans In Food-Support Program
1-15-12  (St. Paul, MN)  --  The Minnesota Nutritious Food Coalition is hoping to sign more people up for a food aid service.  The group met for the first time this week to develop a campaign to educate people about the federal Food Support program.  (more..)
Vinessa Lozano

Teen stabbed to death at Pizza Ranch in Monte
1-14-12     A Montevideo man is in jail, accused of killing a woman in the parking lot of the restaurant where they both worked.    Montevideo Police Chief Adam Christopher says at 8:45 Friday night they were called to the Pizza Ranch, on east Highway 7, for a report of a stabbing.   Christopher says when the officer arrived she saw a woman  MORE...

Minnesota exports break record in 3rd quarter
1-14-12     Minnesota exports grew four percent to
five-point-one-billion dollars in the third quarter of 2011 over the same
period last year. Katie Clark with the Department of Employment and Economic
Development says it's the highest third-quarter number Minnesota has posted,
and the first time exports have exceeded pre-recession numbers. Clark says
manufacturing MORE...

Music Matters puts on "Jazz in January" tonight
1-14-12     The Willmar group Music Matters would like to give you some Jazz in January.    The group's Darlene Schroeder says tonight they will be putting on a dinner and dance to raise money for Willmar School District music programs.  Willmar recently eliminated the marching band and 5th grade music programs.   Schroeder says Music Matters made MORE...
Vogel

Vogel in Detroit Lakes for Aquatic Invasive Species conference
1-14-12     Representative Bruce Vogel of Willmar will be in Detroit Lakes Saturday, attending a conference on aquatic invasive species in the state.   The 2012 Aquatic Invasive Species Legislative Summit will be held from 9:00 am to noon at the Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes.  It is open to the public and provides an MORE...
Harlan Madsen

County Road 9 project ready to begin in spring
Even though it's the dead of winter, Kandiyohi County Commissioner Harlan Madsen says the County Road 9 relocation project is very much alive.   Engineers and planners are checking with property owners, finalizing the route, driveway openings and rights of way, with construction beginning in the spring.  In October the county board, on a split vote, voted to move County MORE...

Man arrested after a high speed chase in Kandiyohi County
1-14-12     A 41-year-old Kandiyohi man is under arrest after a high speed chase early this morning.   The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department says a deputy saw a driver commit some traffic violations in Atwater around 1:40 this morning.   The deputy tried to stop the driver, but he fled westbound at speeds of over 100 miles an hour.   He MORE...

St. Cloud Seeking Carrier To Chicago
1-13-12 (St. Cloud, MN)  --  Saint Cloud officials hope to have an airline serving passengers with flights to and from Chicago within a year.  Airport officials and the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation are gathering data to present to air carriers in the coming months. More...

Reward Increased To Find Boys Killer
1-13-12 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  Police hope a bigger reward will get some people talking about a stray bullet that killed a little boy in Minneapolis.  Three-year-old Terrell Mayes died the day after Christmas when the bullet went into his house.  More...

Wisconsin Has Snow
1-13-12 (Gile, WI)  --  If you have a strong yearning for snow, you'll find more than enough in north-central Wisconsin.  National Weather Service forecaster Mike Stewart says the highest report so far has been at Gile -- east of the Apostle Islands -- with an estimated 34 inches since the snow started a couple days ago.   More...

Gas Prices Up In Minnesota
1-13-12(Unleaded)  --  The cost of gas is on the rise again and now at it highest point since mid-November.  Minnesota-Gas-Prices-dot-Com reports regular unleaded is back up over 3-30 a gallon on average statewide.  Premium prices are nearing four-dollars and the cost of diesel is averaging over that mark.
Janklow

Former SD Governo Bill Janklow dies
1-13-12    Former South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow died yesterday of brain cancer.   He was 72.  Janklow was just moved to hospice care for brain cancer days ago.  He had served four terms in the Governor's Office during two separate tenures in the 1980s and 90s.  A Republican, he also served as the U.S. Representative on Capitol Hill but resigned after a MORE...

Stadium proposals are in...tax questions persist
1-13-12     A tax on food service and on-sale liquor is a key feature
of a Vikings stadium proposal that Ramsey County backers sent to Governor
Dayton Thursday. A competing plan from Minneapolis proposes a new stadium on
the current Metrodome site. Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley says they
appreciate efforts by Ramsey County, Minneapolis and Shakopee, but MORE...

Delta has it's eyes on American Airlines
1-13-12     A report in the Wall Street Journal says Delta Air Lines
is looking at making a bid for bankrupt American Airlines. The Atlanta-based
carrier which bought Northwest Airlines less than four years ago, would have
competition from at least one private equity firm. The report says Delta has
hired a financial advisor to examine the prospects.  (MNN)
O'Mara

Rice woman indicted for murder of ex-husband
1-13-12     A Rice woman now faces first-degree murder charges in the death of her ex-husband.  A Benton County grand jury has indicted 38-year-old Angelina O'Mara for allegedly shooting James O'Mara in the head on November 1st at his Sauk Rapids apartment.  O'mara is also charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend, Michael Pies (peez), in the head a day later in MORE...

Minnesota export numbers up
1-13-12     Minnesota's export numbers are up.  The latest report from the Department of Employment and Economic Development shows agricultural, mining and manufacturing exports increased nearly four-percent in the third quarter of last year, totaling five-point-one-billion dollars.  Canada continues to be Minnesota's leading export destination.  (MNN)

Reward increased for Fergus Falls Nativity Goat
1-13-12    The reward is now up to 200 dollars for return of a goat named Curly that slipped away just before a Christmas Eve nativity service in Fergus Falls. Making the latest 75-dollar contribution - concerned citizen Jerry Mortenson is worried about the sub-zero temperatures.   The goat's owner Jim Aakre (AUCK'-ree) says the trick to catching the longhaired, black MORE...

Traffic fatals down again in Minnesota
1-13-12    Traffic fatalities were down across Minnesota last year and a further look at one area of the state, Rice County, illustrates some of the reasons why.  There were two traffic deaths in the county in 2011 making it the fourth consecutive year with fewer fatalities.  County attorney Paul Beaumaster (BOH'-master) says more people are buckling up and paying MORE...
Zack Mahboub

Local Somalis relieved money transfer services return
1-13-12     A local official who works with the Willmar Somali community says they are relieved they can once again transfer money earned in Minnesota back to family members in Somalia.   Zack Mahboub of the African Development Center in Willmar says there was a lot of concern last week when Sunrise Community Bank, which operates many transfer operations, called MORE...
Somalia meeting panelists

Good crowd attends evening Somali meeting in Willmar
1-13-12     An estimated crowd of about 420 came to the evening session of the "Understanding the Somali Culture" community meeting at the WEAC Auditiorium in Willmar last night.   They listened to different speakers talk about the history of the civil-war-torn country on the Horn of Africa, they got a thumbnail description of the Muslim faith, and got some MORE...

Minneapolis And Ramsey County Submit Proposals
1-12-12  --  Minneapolis and Ramsey County today sent Vikings stadium proposals to Governor Dayton before his 5 p-m deadline.  Not surprisingly, Minneapolis Mayor R-T Rybak is backing the Metrodome site with a financing plan similar to what was laid out earlier.  More...

New Report Says Property Taxes Will Go Up

1-12-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  A new non-partisan report says residential homestead property taxes will increase on average about five percent in Greater Minnesota.  Democrats say it's because Republicans eliminated the Market Value Homestead Credit in the budget deal that ended the state government shutdown.  More...

Man Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Infant
1-12-12(Stillwater, MN)  --  A South St. Paul man could get several years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting an infant last August.  The Washington County Attorney's Office says 32-year-old Mark Nelson admitted to physically abusing the six-month-old during an argument with the child's mother.  More...

Rice Woman Charged With Killing Ex-husband
1-12-12 (Sauk Rapids, MN) --  A Rice woman now faces first-degree murder charges in the death of her ex-husband.  A Benton County grand jury has indicted 38-year-old Angelina O'Mara for allegedly shooting James O'Mara in the head on November 1st at his Sauk Rapids apartment.  O'mara is also charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend, Michael Pies in the head a day later. More...

Woman charged with driving drunk, hitting school bus
1-12-12     A 19-year old woman faces several charges after an
accident involving a school bus in West St. Paul on Monday. Police say
Kaleisha Braddock had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit as
she hit speeds of almost 70 on a street marked 30-mile-an-hour. They say she
then hit a school bus with 32 grade schoolers onboard. One who shattered a
bus window MORE...

Gasoline, natural gas prices down
1-12-12      Prices at the pump are dropping again.
Minnesota-Gas-Prices-dot-Com reports regular unleaded averaging just over
3-23 a gallon this morning -- six-cents less than a week ago. It's still
about 15-cents-a-gallon more expensive to fill up than last year at this
time.
Many Minnesota households haven't seen heating bills this low
in years. Commerce MORE...

Dems, Republicans disagree on jobs tax credit
1-12-12    Top Republicans are cool to Governor Dayton and Democrats' proposal for a one-time tax credit to businesses that hire veterans, jobless workers or recent graduates. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Bakk argues a three-thousand-dollar-per-hire credit this year or 15-hundred next year might encourage companies to make that decision and make a hire.   But Senate MORE...
Coahran in action (northlandoutdoors.com)

Coahran takes over at Spicer fisheries office
1-12-12     Dave Coahran has been selected to manage the fisheries of 40 lakes and several rivers and creeks across seven counties as the new Spicer Area Fisheries supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
Although Coahran is new to this position, he is not new to Spicer Areas Fisheries. With the exception of a brief stint in International MORE...
Brad Tabke (shakopeenews.com)

Stadium deadline is 5 p.m....Shakopee adds proposal
1-12-12    Governor's Dayton deadline is 5pm this afternoon for
final proposals from communities competing for a new Vikings stadium. Three
groups are in the mix. It's expected Minneapolis officials will submit a
plan for a new stadium on the current Metrodome site -- although some
downtown interests favor another location near Target Center and Target
Field. Ramsey County MORE...
About 250 people at morning session (Steve Peterson)

Community meetings about Somalians in Willmar today
1-12-12    A community-wide informational meeting called “Understanding the Somali Culture” takes place today at the WEAC Auditorium in Willmar.   There will be two identical sessions, 7:30 to 9:00 A.M. and 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.    The event will be facilitated by Greg Hilding of Bremer Bank.   Hilding says the population of Somalians MORE...

man Charged With Assaulting Three-Month-Old Daughter
1-11-12 (Bemidji, MN)  --  A 28-year-old man from LaPorte in north-central Minnesota is charged with assaulting his three-month-old daughter.  At last report, Adissyn Smith was in critical condition at a Fargo hospital with a skull fracture, broken rib and other injuries.  More...

Dayton , Dems Propose Tax Hiring Credit
1-11-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Governor Dayton and D-F-L legislative leaders are proposing a one-time, three-thousand-dollar tax credit to any Minnesota business for each veteran, unemployed worker or recent graduate they hire during 2012. And they propose a 15-hundred-dollar credit for each new hire next year.  More...

High Number Of Binge Drinkers In Minnesota
1-11-12  --  Minnesota is in the top tier of binge drinking states according to a new Centers for Disease Control study.  The national study shows on average one in six people are drinking eight drinks at a time, four times a month.  Here in Minnesota just over 20 percent of adults are consuming seven drinks in one sitting. More...

Carjacker faces slew of charges
1-11-12     A Sisseton, South Dakota man faces multiple charges in a case involving home invasions, kidnapping and carjacking.  The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says 43-year-old William St. John stole a luxury car  in Bloomington and broke into three homes -- stealing money and car keys before residents in the third house captured and held him until police MORE...
Basilica of St. Mary

Shakopee offers stadium site
1-11-12     The ideas keep coming for a new Vikings stadium site.  This as the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis says a stadium next door would cause major traffic and parking headaches for its congregation.  The Linden Avenue location is one of three possible sites downtown.  Now, the city of Shakopee is planning to put forth a plan of its own, MORE...

Coach Haugen hoping for snow
1-11-12    One person who would really like to see it snow is Willmar High School Nordic Ski Team Coach Brad Haugen.   Haugen says their season began in mid-November, and they've had to go to meets at ski areas like Powder Ridge near Kimball and Ande's Tower Hills near Alexandria.   He says with no snow his team has had to improvise to find ways to keep in MORE...

Not much flu, but RSV and Noro virus abound
1-11-12     There hasn't been much influenza in the local area this winter, but plenty of RSV.   Joe Debruycker with the Health Learning Center at Affilliated Community Medical Center in Willmar says RSV affects the bronchial tubes of the young and old.  There's also been many cases of Noro virus, which causes vomitting, diarhea, aches, pains and slight MORE...

Gislasons donate plane to disaster relief organization
1-11-12     Minnesota pilots Walt and Raeanna Gislason donated a plane to Bahamas Habitat, a nonprofit organization. The Gislasons donated a Piper Aztec to help the nonprofit in its disaster relief work in the Bahamas and Caribbean. "Donating an aircraft is quick and easy and generates real money for the donor in the form of reduced taxes or refunds, so it can be a very MORE...

Man hurt in truck crash near Clarkfield
1-11-12     A Clarkfield man was hurt yesterday when his truck left Highway 67 and hit field approach.   The state patrol says it happened around 10:30 a.m. west of Clarkfield.   79-year-old Marvin Hildahl was taken to the Granite Falls Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  (KWLM)

Metro Area Among "Gayest Cities"
1-10-12 (Los Angeles, CA)  --  Minnesota's largest metropolitan area ranks in the top-ten on a new list of the "gayest cities" in the U-S.  According to Advocate magazine, Minneapolis-St. Paul comes in 7th while Salt Lake City ranks at the top followed by Orlando.  Among the criteria used in the survey: quantities of gay bookshops and entertainment events.

Utility gets more specific on org. chart re-do
1-10-12     The Willmar Utilities Commission met Monday and talked about making a more specific request for proposals for companies interesting in helping re-write an organizational chart for Willmar Municipal Utilities.   Last week the commission recieved 3 proposals but they varied from $7750 to $35,000.   Commission Member Jerry Gesch says MORE...
Ron Mackedanz

Vets concerned about Veterans Service Office talks
1-10-12     Veterans are concerned about discussion on moving the Kandiyohi County Veterans Services Office in with the Family Services office.   On KWLM's Open Mike Show Monday, veteran and Willmar City Council Member Jim Dokken said the Veterans' Services office makes up only a tiny part of the county's budget.  Kandiyohi County Administrator Larry Kleindl MORE...

Expert thinks Vikings stadium will end up in Minneapolis
1-10-12     A top analyst predicts Minneapolis will probably be the winner in the Vikings stadium competition because of its economic and political power. Doug Growe with MinnPost says there's no doubt that the Vikings prefer Arden Hills because it makes more economic sense for them, but the Vikings have said they won't kick in as much if the stadium is not in Arden Hills MORE...
Duluth Casino (twincities.com)

Duluth going to war on downtown casino profits
1-10-12     A federal appeals court is the next stop for Duluth in its legal battle over profit-sharing with a downtown casino. Mayor Don Ness says a federal court agrees that the casino owes the city millions in back payments under a 50-year contract with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.   But Ness says the court is wrong in relieving the casino of MORE...

17 apply for Litchfield School Superintendent
1-10-12     The Litchfield School Board heard a report last night from Angie Huhner at Lake Ripley Elementary School about the gifted and talented program. The board members went into Huhner’s room for a hands-on demonstration of the Litchfield Educational Opportunities program – or “LEO” for short.  
Huhner says the LEO program has been in MORE...

Some want Lake Street Kmart closed
1-10-12     Believe it or not in this fragile economy, some people
wish a fifth Minnesota K-Mart store would be added to the closure list by
parent company Sears Holdings. Many residents in south Minneapolis have been
lobbying to open Nicollet Avenue where its been blocked for 35-years by the
retail store and its massive parking lot. However, the K-Mart there MORE...

Record high temps in Twin Cities, St. Cloud
1-10-12     The mercury hit record-high territory on Monday in some
places and matched the record in others, like the Twin Cities -- which tied
its previous record of 49 degrees. St. Cloud broke a high-temperature record
Monday with 49 -- two degrees warmer than the old record set way back in
1902.   More records could fall today, but  National Weather MORE...

Injured Police Officer Gives Thumbs Up Sign

1-9-12 (Robbinsdale, MN)  --  It's still too soon to tell if Savage Police Officer Frank Mackall (MACK'-uhl) will recover from a car accident which happened while on duty one week ago.  Mackall remains in critical condition at a Twin Cities hospital.  According to his CaringBridge website, Mackall's wife says he opened his eyes several times on Sunday and gave her the More...

No Snow Maybe No Beargrease Race

1-9-12  --  Lack of snow is threatening the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon along Lake Superior's North Shore and organizers are hoping Mother Nature changes her tune before the race begins January 29th.  Coordinator Pat Olson says the board will meet January 15th to decide whether conditions are safe.  More...

Crash in Willmar hurts 3
1-9-12    Three people were hurt in a crash yesterday afternoon in Willmar.   Police Chief Dave Wyffels says just before 5 p.m. two vehicles collided at the intersection of 19th Avenue and 15th Street Southwest.    He says there's some dispute over who had the right-of-way at the intersection which is controlled by a traffic light.   After the MORE...

Will winter ever come?
1-9-12     There are those who now question whether the lower half
of Minnesota will experience any sub-zero weather the rest of this winter.
Another warm front moves in over the state today and forecasters predict
highs near 50 in southern Minnesota -- possibly even warmer on Tuesday. Even
northern Minnesota will likely stay 20-degrees above normal until mid-week.
After MORE...

Lawmakers say Arden Hills stadium site "not viable"
1-9-12     The Minnesota Vikings are now looking more seriously
at a news stadium site closer to the Metrodome. According to reports,
lawmakers have told the team the one-point-one-billion dollar plan for the
Arden Hills site in Ramsey County is "not viable," saying the money just
isn't available. Legislative leaders are pushing the Vikings to focus
instead on

Another check-from-behind hospitalized hockey player
1-9-12      The father of a Twin Cities hockey player who was
seriously hurt Friday says she still has no feeling in her lower body.
Eighteen-year-old Jenna Privette of Lakeville remains in satisfactory
condition at H-C-M-C. Her father says her mood is up-and-down and there
hasn't been much change since Saturday, when she started feeling pain in her
arms. Privette MORE...
Franken

Franken wants income surcharge on millionaires
1-9-12     Another extension of the payroll tax cut will be one of the
first things on lawmakers' agenda when Congress goes back into session later
this month. The battle lines could be drawn similar to where they were when
Congress passed a two-month extension just before Christmas, with Democrats
pushing for an income tax surcharge on those making over a million MORE...

Music Matters to hold jazz event Saturday
1-9-12     The Willmar group Music Matters would like to give you some Jazz in January.    The group's Darlene Schroeder says next Saturday they will be putting on a dinner and dance to raise money for Willmar School District music programs.  Willmar recently eliminated the marching band and 5th grade music programs.   Schroeder says Music Matters MORE...

Charter Commission to decide what to do after ord. defeat
1-9-12     The next move is up to the Willmar Charter Commission after the city council last week shot down their efforts to amend the city's charter.   They presented the council with a package of changes, many of them minor, to the council which needed to pass them unanimously, but council members Jim Dokken and Ron Christenson voted no and the entire package MORE...
Bruce Gomm

Utilities commission looks at reshuffling WMU leadership
1-9-12    The Willmar Utilities Commission meets today and will talk about hiring a company to reorganize the utilitiy's leadership.   Three companies have submitted proposals but the utility commission was not prepared to choose one at a meeting last week.   Their meeting today is at 11:45 a.m.   Last week they extended the paid MORE...

Meeker County stats released
1-9-12     The Meeker County Treasurer’s Office has released the vital statistics information for 2011. The number of marriage licenses increased from the previous year.  There were 122 applications for marriage licenses in 2011, compared to 118 in 2010. The number of divorces decreased last year. There were 65, compared to 85 in 2010.  The MORE...

Minnesota Gas Prices
1-8-12  --  A new report from Triple-A Minnesota illustrates the steady rise in gas prices over the last dozen years.  And it may not surprise you that last year saw the highest pump prices.  more...

Funeral Today for Slain Lake City Officer
(Lake City, MN) --  Minnesotans are paying their last respects today as Lake City Police Officer Shawn Schneider is laid to rest.  The 32-year-old Schneider was responding to a domestic disturbance last month involving a 17-year-old girl and her ex-boyfriend when he was shot in the head.   (MORE...)

Anti-Stadium Petition Launched in Ramsey County
(Shoreview, MN)  --  A new petition drive is under way to pass a charter amendment prohibiting Ramsey County from using public funds for a Vikings stadium without voter approval.  No Stadium Tax Coalition chair Ady (AY'-dee) Wickstrom says their previous attempt at a petition initiative was unsuccesful so they decided to move forward with plan B.   (MORE...)

Minnesota Traffic Deaths Lowest Since 1944
(Undated)  --  The number of traffic deaths in Minnesota for 2011 is the lowest since 1944, and an 11-percent decrease from the 411 who died in 2010.  The Department of Public Safety released preliminary reports this week.   (MORE...)

New Program Launched to Encourage Organ Donation
(Undated)  --  Organizers of a new Minnesota program hope that a couple of bucks will make a big difference in saving lives through organ donations.  Susan Gunderson, C-E-O of Lifesource, says the "You and 2-dollars" program is now available for folks getting a driver's license or I-D.   (MORE...)

Target Recalls Flashlights
1-6-12 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  Over 50-thousand flashlight sets sold by Target are being recalled after two consumers suffered minor burns to their hands when the flashlights overheated.  The flashlight sets sold for 10 dollars and are made of silver plastic with black rubber around the handle and light base. More...

DNR To Step Up invasive Species Enforcement
1-6-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  The D-N-R plans a stepped up enforcement and public education campaign to prevent the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels in Minnesota waters.  The agency announced today it will operate check stations authorized by a new state law. More...

DNR Plans Fall Wolf Hunting Season
1-6-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  D-N-R officials are releasing some specifics about a limited wolf hunting season - possibly next fall.  It comes after the federal government removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list in Minnesota and several other states.  The agency's Dan Stark says the D-N-R would manage wolves as a high-value fur species by setting the season when  More...

Will Minnesota Job Picture Follow National Trend
1-6-12 (Washington, DC)  --  Will Minnesota's employment picture follow another drop in the national jobless rate?  That's the question as the U-S Labor Department reports 200-thousand jobs created in December and a slightly lower jobless rate of eight-and-a-half percent.  More...

Injured Officer Showing Slight Improvemnt

1-6-12(Robbinsdale, MN)  --  "Anything can be done in small pieces."  Those are the words of Lisa Mackall  on the CaringBridge site of Frank Mackall, the Savage officer in critical condition after a car crash.  Lisa Mackall says her husband has shown doctors some small movement and opened his eyes a few times when prompted. More...

Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Redwood County
1-6-12 (Lamberton Township, MN)  --  Mechanical problems in mid-air led to an emergency landing in southwestern Minnesota on Thursday.  The Redwood County Sheriff's Office says 63-year-old Gary Debaun of Lakeville was slightly hurt after he touched down on Highway-14 in Lamberton Township.  More...

More than half of the state in a drought
1-6-12     More than half of Minnesota is now officially in a drought.  The latest U-S Drought Monitor shows most of the lower half of the state experiencing moderate to severe drought, along with a good deal of northern Minnesota.  A major portion of central Minnesota is being refered to as "abnormally dry."  (MNN)

Canby hits 63 degrees
1-6-12     Thursday afternoon saw 60-degree temperatures across southwestern Minnesota -- a new record.  That brought out the summer travel gear for at least one day in January.  The town of Canby got up to 63 and Marietta hit 62, while a few other spots reached 60-degrees.  Among the records set, Mankato warmed up to 52, St. Cloud got up to 53 and Alexandria MORE...
Zak Mahboub

Meetings on understanding the Somali culture next week
1-6-12     A community-wide informational meeting “Understanding the Somali Culture” has been organized and scheduled for Thursday, January 12, 2012 in Willmar. Attendees will have two times to choose from - 7:30 to 9:00 A.M. or 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Both meetings will be held at the Willmar Education and Arts Center (WEAC) located at 611 SW 5th Street in MORE...
Ellison

Ellison praises defense budget cuts by Obama
1-6-12     Representative Keith Ellison is cheering the Obama administration's proposal to cut nearly 500-billion dollars in defense spending over ten years. The Minneapolis Democrat says the U-S spends more on its military than the top ten other countries combined.   He suggests we refocus how we're going to secure America with an emphasis on diplomacy. Republican MORE...

Pederson explains why he brought gun to courthosue
1-6-12     A Swift County official who is facing criminal charges for bringing a shotgun into the courthouse has explained what happened in a letter to the editor of the Swift County Monitor News in Benson.   County Assessor Edward Pederson admits bringing the gun to his office on October 28th.   The weapon belongs to a relative, and it was damaged in MORE...

Light displays succesful raising money, toys
1-6-12     Two Christmas light displays north of Willmar and New London did a good job generating money and toys over the holidays.   Chad Koosman who runs the Celebrate the Light of the World Display at his home east of Eagle Lake, had a goal of raising $45,000 for the Salvation Army.   However this week Koosman said they raised $59,000, which MORE...
Pitts Special SP-1

Man shaken up after emergeny landing near Lamberton
1-6-12     A Lakeville man was slightly hurt after making an emergency landing of his plane on Highway 14 in Redwood County Thursday.   The Redwood County Sheriff's Department says at 11:30 a.m. 63-year-old Gary Debaun was flying his Pitts SPS1 plane in Lamberton Township when he experienced mechanical problems.   He was able to land the plane on Highway 14 MORE...
Mark Erickson

Renville County to apply for grants for OHV park
1-6-12     Renville County officials are looking into creating an off-highway-vehicle park south of Sacred Heart.  Renville  County Environmental and Community Development Director Mark Erickson says two parcels of land, totaling 272 acres, are available  in South Sacred Heart Township along the Minnesota River Valley.   Erickson says they MORE...

Crash victim dog spotted near Blomkest
1-6-12     There's been another sighting of "Lord", the Schnauzer.   Lord was in a car involved in a traffic crash at the intersection of Highways 7 and 71 near Blomkest Christmas Eve.   He and his friend Lady become frightened and ran off.   Lady has seen been found but Lord continues to roam the area.   On Wednesday he MORE...

Modderman retiring from auditor's office in April
1-6-12     Kandiyohi County will be losing a lot of experience this year with the retirement of long-time auditor Sam Modderman.   Modderman, 68, has been in the auditor's office for more than 40 years, first as assistant to Eldon Hoogeveen, then becoming auditor in 1986.   Modderman says the greatest changes he's seen in the office since 1971 is the MORE...

New Record Highs In Minnesota

1-5-12 (Various)  --  Minnesota set a new high temperature record for the first week of January when the mercury hit 61 degrees this afternoon (Thurs) in Marshall, Canby and Madison.  Some people in Marshall were talking about going out on their motorcycles after work -- in January!   The old state record for the first week of January was 59 degrees in Amboy More....

Governor Sets Deadline For Stadium Proposals
1-5-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Governor Dayton is again ratcheting up pressure for a new Vikings stadium.  He sent letters today to officials in Ramsey County and Minneapolis, setting a deadline one week from today (Jan 12) for their final proposals.  The Vikings said they welcomed the deadline.  More...

Two Teens Die In Southwestern Minnesota Crash
1-5-12 (Hay Creek, MN)  --  Authorities say two young people died in a crash on a highway in southeastern Minnesota.  The State Patrol says 19-year-old Thomas Starr of Goodhue was trying to pass two other cars when he lost control and slid into oncoming traffic, colliding with a pickup truck.  He died along with a passenger, 18-year-old Elizabeth Miller of Rochester.  More...

Alert issued in Red Wing due to leak at nuke plant
1-5-12    An alert has been declared near Red Wing at the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant.  MNN's Tasha Redel says the alert was issued early this morning.  Xcel Energy says it's due to a leak of sodium hypochloride, commonly known as chlorine bleach, which is used to help cool water.  The leak was found near a tank and has been contained by crews.  MORE...

Gas prices on the rise
1-5-12    Alaska oil production is down, the price of oil is up -- and
the result is higher gas prices this week. Minnesota-Gas-Prices-dot-Com
reports regular unleaded now averaging nearly 3-32 a gallon statewide -- a dime more than we were paying last Thursday. Some premium pumps are now over
four-dollars a gallon.  (MNN)
Bachmann

What's next for Bachmann?
1-5-12    Now that she's quit the presidential race, what's ahead
for Michele Bachmann? She has until June to decide whether to run again for
Congress. But some observers say that could be complicated by her close
identity with the state to the south. Minnesota political analyst David
Schultz says Bachmann has spent so much time in Iowa, and has so identified
herself with MORE...

Beware of norovirus and the stomach flu
1-5-12     Several cases of norovirus have been reported in Olmsted
County and health officials have issued an alert. Kari Etrheim (ETT'-rum)
with the county public health department says people often mistake norovirus
for the seasonal flu -- but norovirus symptoms include digestive and
intestinal distress, and some people have headaches, feverish chills and
muscle aches. MORE...

Crash kills driver near Red Wing
1-5-12     One person was killed and two others injured in a crash near Red Wing last evening.   The state patrol says at 550 p.m. a car was trying to pass two other cars on Highway 58 at Haycreek, 7 miles south of Red Wing, when the driver lost control and slid into oncoming traffic.   The driver was killed, but no name has been released.   A MORE...

T-shirt weather in January?
1-5-12     We could make weather history today. Forecasters at the
National Weather Service say the temperature could top out at over 60-degrees
in southwestern Minnesota this afternoon. Greg Spoden (SPOH'-den) says there
has never been been a 60-degree temperature recorded during the first week of
January in Minnesota's modern climate record. He says the MORE...

New Litchfield mayor looks back at first year
1-5-12     Litchfield Mayor Keith Johnson has completed his first year in office. It’s a dream, retirement position for Johnson who had served for several decades as Litchfield High School Band director.  Johnson says it was different to ride in the Watercade parade last summer, having people see him from the front as mayor, rather than from the back as a band MORE...

Belgrade family sues doctor over child's cancer
1-5-12     The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ressurected a Belgrade family's medical malpractice lawsuit against a Willmar Doctor and clinic.     Kayla and Joseph Dickhoff are suing Doctor Rachel Tollefsrud and Family Practice Medical Center, saying they misdiagnosed a rare form of cancer in their daughter Jocelyn.   Jocelyn Dickhoff was born in MORE...

Bachmann Ends Presidential Campaign
1-4-12 (West Des Moines, IA)  --  The Michele Bachmann presidential campaign ended today (Wed) in the state where it all began last summer.  The Minnesota Republican told supporters in West Des Moines that the people of Iowa spoke with a very clear voice and she's decided to stand aside.  Bachmann finished last in Tuesday nights's Iowa Caucuses.  More...

Traffic Deaths Drop In 2011
1-4-12 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Traffic fatalities in Minnesota declined for the fourth straight year in 2011.  Preliminary statistics from the state Department of Public Safety show traffic crashes claimed 349 lives last year.  That represents an 11-percent drop from the 411 deaths in 2010 and the lowest total since 1944.  More...

Bloomingdales To Close At MOA
1-4-12(New York, NY)  --  Bloomingdale's says it will close its store at the Mall of America. In a statement, it said it's part of "the company’s normal-course process to selectively prune underperforming locations while also opening new ones to... take advantage of new opportunities."  One-hundred-27 employees will be affected.  More...

Crash kills Paynesville woman near Sibley State Park
1-4-12     A traffic crash near New London yesterday afternoon killed a Paynesville woman.   The state patrol says it happened around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highways 71 and 9, west of New London, by Sibley State Park.    A Jeep driven by 64-year-old Betty Boehl of Paynesville was traveling eastbound on 9, went through a stop sign and was hit MORE...

North Mankato man killed in crash
1-4-12    A North Mankato man is dead after a one vehicle rollover in Mankato last night.   The state patrol says it happened at 10:30 p.m. on Lookout Drive at Marie Lane.   A driven by 47-year-old Peter Buryska of North Mankato left the road and struck a tree.   Peter Buryska and his 14-year-old Daughter Sarah were taken to Immanuel St. MORE...
Black curly haired angora goat

Owner wants runaway goat back
1-4-12     The owner is now offering a 100-dollar reward for the return of a goat that slipped away just before a Christmas Eve nativity service in Fergus Falls. Jim Aakre (AUCK-ree) says he really wants to get the goat back, and has advice for anyone who encounters the black, curly-haired angora...grab it's horns or it's halter and it will be meek as a lamb.   The MORE...

Toasty, crispy winter to continue
 1-4-12    If you like your winters on the mild side, you are in luck. Today, we escape the chill of the past couple days and rise into the mid to upper 30s across the southern half of the state. But the real warm-up comes tomorrow with temperatures near 60 in southwestern Minnesota. Forecaster Tony Zaleski has a word for it...amazing.   Zaleksi says tomorrow's MORE...
Nissen (facebook.com)

Iowa Caucuses done...Minnesota's will be Feb. 7th
1-4-12     Iowa Republicans held their party caucuses last night and very narrowly chose Mitt Romney to be their candidate to run against Democrat President Obama in November.   Some candidates will drop out of the race after assessing their results in Iowa, and Kandiyohi County Republican Party Co-Chair Rollie Nissen says he'll be glad to see the field get MORE...
Willmar Airport

Car found on Willmar Airport runway
1-4-12     Employees coming to the Willmar Airport yesterday morning found something odd...a car parked on the single runway with the engine running.    Eric Rudningen of Maximum Cruise Air says he saw the car around 5:45 a.m., and followed procedure by calling 911.   Willmar Police responded and found a 30-year-old man from Sauk Rapids and a MORE...

Vote to change Willmar Charter falls short
1-4-12    The Willmar City Council failed to approve a package of changes to the city charter.   We'll have more details later this morning on the Open Mike Show with City Administrator Charlene Stevens.   Stevens says the charter commission has a couple of options.   The vote to change the charter needed to be unanimous but only garnered a 6 to 2 MORE...

Tough Weekend On Minnesota Roads
1-3-12 (Various)  --  Talk about needing a breather after the holidays.  The Minnesota State Patrol says there were nearly 90 crashes statewide over the New Year's weekend, including 16 injury accidents.  No deaths were reported.  But a Savage police officer is in critical condition after he slid off a road into a tree. More...

More heating Assistance On The Way
1-3-12 (St. Paul, MN) --  An additional 14 million dollars in federal low-income home energy assistance (LIHEAP) money has been allocated to Minnesota.  Officials say it will help nearly 20-thousand more households with winter heating bills.  The grants, averaging around 400-dollars per household, are available first-come, first served.  More...

Budget Crunch Could Be The End For Some Small Towns
1-3-12 (Floodwood, MN)  --  Tough economic times could mean fewer small cities in Minnesota.  Jeff Kletscher, president of the State Association of Small Cities, predicts as state aid continues to get the axe, the number of actual cities in Minnesota will shrink.  He says small towns just can't make it anymore, with falling populations and dwindling tax bases.  More...

Huber court appearance cancelled
1-3-12     Today's Kandiyohi County Court appearance for murder suspect Delbert Huber of Paynesville has been cancelled.   Huber, 81 of rural Paynesville, was indicted on charges of 1st and 2nd degree murder in November and has yet to make his official initial appearance on the indictment because he has not yet hired an attorney.   Since Huber owns farmland MORE...

2012 session just 3 weeks away
 1-3-12     It's hard to believe, but three weeks from today (Tues
1/24) the two-thousand-twelve Minnesota Legislature convenes in Saint Paul.
Lawmakers will go into the 2012 session with a state budget in a much better
shape than one year earlier: a 900-million-dollar surplus rather than a
multi-billion-dollar deficit. But those predictions have a way of MORE...

Minneapolis one of the best places to date
1-3-12     Fresh into the new year, a new survey finds Minnesota's
largest city is a good place to date. U-S News World Report ranks
Minneapolis as the fifth-best city to find the "perfect partner," based on
mental and physical health, income and availability. The report finds
66-percent of Minneapolis women -- and 65-percent of men are single.  (MNN)

More warm weather on the way
1-3-12     The new year is barely underway and here comes the warm
air again. Temperatures over southern and central Minnesota are expected to
reach into the upper 30's to mid-40's today, with 50-degrees possible
tomorrow, after a much cooler holiday weekend. However, it's a cold wake-up
this morning in northern Minnesota, with the cities of Ely and Crane Lake
close to MORE...

Vikings hope for a new stadium in 2012
1-3-12    The Minnesota Vikings hope the new year of 2012 will bring them a new stadium, but it's far from a done deal and many obstacles remain. Vikings V-P Lester Bagley says at lawmakers' request they're working on a review of two proposed sites in downtown Minneapolis...the Metrodome and Linden Avenue.   The Linden Avenue site is just west of Target Center and Target MORE...
Bachmann

Bachmann says a loss in Iowa isn't the end
1-3-12     Minnesota Congresswoman and Republican presidential
hopeful Michele Bachmann is in the basement when it comes to poll numbers but
predicts people will be surprised by her performance in Iowa's
first-in-the-nation caucuses tonight (Tues 7pm). The latest Des Moines
Register poll of likely caucus participants gives former Massachusetts
governor Mitt Romney the MORE...
Renquist

Renquist says Kmart closing no indicative of local economy
1-3-12    A local economic expert does not see the pending closing of the Willmar Kmart as a harbinger of hard economic times.   Willmar and Kandiyohi County Economic Development Commission Director Steve Renquist says it's unfortunate, but his office will do what they can to work with Kandi Mall officials to try and find a new business to occupy Kmart's space.  Many MORE...
Stevens

City council to consider charter changes
1-3-12     The Willmar City Council Tuesday night will be again try to pass changes to the city charter.    A unanimous decision of the full council is required to make any changes to the city's ruling document, and one council member was missing at the December 19th meeting, so a presentation on proposed changes will be take place at tonight's MORE...

Crash hurts state trooper in Redwood Falls
1-3-12     A state trooper was hurt in crash Sunday afternoon in Redwood Falls.    The state patrol says at 4:05 p.m Sunday, trooper Matt Smith, age 39 of Redwood Falls was responding to an accident call and had his lights and sirens on, when a juvenile male from Seaforth driving a pickup failed to yield at the intersection of Highway 67 and County MORE...
Schneider

Funeral for Schneider comes up Saturday
1-2-12    Funeral for Lake City, Minnesota, police officer Shawn Schneider will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:00 at First Lutheran Church. Schneider died last Friday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, 11 days after he was shot in the head by a Wisconsin man. Schneider was responding to a domestic dispute call. Authorities say shooting suspect Alan Sylte (SIL tee) then

Romney leads in Iowa
1-2-12     A new poll shows Mitt Romney in the lead as Republican presidential candidates head into tomorrow's Iowa Caucus.  The "Des Moines Register" poll of likely Caucus participants gives the former Massachusetts governor 24-percent support.  Texas Congressman Ron Paul is second with 22-percent.  The survey ranks former Pennsylvania Senator Rick MORE...
Chad Adams

City's optimisitc about budgets
1-2-12    The arrival of 2012 brings guarded optimism that Minnesota cities might not have to make as many cuts as planned. The latest state budget projection shows a potential surplus of nearly 900 million dollars and city officials are hoping the good news continues when the next forecast comes out in late February. Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams says they *were* bracing for MORE...

Winning lottery tickets sold in Steele, Wadena Counties
 1-2-12    It appears Minnesota will soon have two new
millionaires. Winning numbers for the annual Minnesota Millionaire lottery
raffle were drawn yesterday and numbers to two one-million-dollar winning
tickets were chosen. The winning tickets were purchased in Steele and
Wadena counties. In addition, winning numbers on five tickets worth
100-thousand-dollars apiece, MORE...
Shortrdige (sctimes.com)

Shortridge chosen to lead state GOP
1-2-12    Minnesota Republicans have elected political consultant Pat Shortridge as their new state party chair. Shortridge defeated Todd McIntyre and Terry McCall at a meeting of the party's State Central Committee in St. Cloud on Saturday. He says digging the party out of it's nearly $1.3 million debt is his first priority.
Shortridge was the only one of the three MORE...

New Year's Eve party busted north of Willmar
1-2-12   More than 25 underage drinkers were ticketed by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department at a New Year's Eve party north of Willmar.   According to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department, they were called to investigate a party at a home in Dovre Township around 11 p.m. Saturday night.   Officers say they observed many people wtih alcoholic beverages, MORE...

Montevideo man hurt in rollover
1-2-12    A Montevideo man was hurt in a one-vehicle rollover in Chippewa County yesterday morning.   The state patrol says it happened at 2:31 a.m. yesterday on Highway 212 at the intersection with County Road 42, Southeast of Montevideo.   32-year-old Luis Rodriquez of Montevideo left the road and rolled his Chevy Impala.   Rodriquez was taken to the MORE...

Name of Friday crash victim released
1-2-12     Four people were hurt, one of them seriously, in a two vehicle crash near Lake Lillian Friday night.   The state patrol says at 6:15 p.m. a Chevy Blazer was westbound on Highway 7, then made a left turn onto Kandiyohi County Road 8 and was struck by an eastbound Dodge Durango.   The driver of the Blazer,  24-year-old Zachary Sulflow of Lake MORE...

MN GOP Picks Shortridge As Chair
1-1-2012  Minnesota Republicans have elected political consultant Pat Shortridge as their new state party chair.  MORE ....

Lottery Numbers
1-1-2012 --  Here are the winning numbers from the Minnesota state lottery for yesterday, December 31st, 2011.  MORE ...

Mild December Behind Us
1-1-2012 --  December is now behind us, and it's already in the record books as one of Minnesota's mildest and least snowy Decembers.  MORE ...

Minnesota Among Heaviest Drinking States
1-1-2012 --  Here's something to ponder during this weekend of partying and drinking.  Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin and Iowa are tops  MORE ...

New Year's Resolutions
1-1-2012 --'Tis the season for resolutions  --  our well-intentioned vows to set goals and achieve them in the new year.  MORE ...

Minneapolis Woman Hit, Killed By Car Identified
1-2-2012  The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has identified the woman who died after being hit by a car at Park Avenue South on Friday.  MORE ...

Officer Fires Weapon
1-1-2012  A St. Paul police officer fired his weapon yesterday after a suspect pulled a gun during a vehicle stop.  MORE .....

Minnesota is drought country
12-31-11    A lack of precipitation following 2011's wet spring
has made Minnesota the most drought-stricken state in the northern half of
the country. The latest U-S Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions
across the entire state, with the harshest conditions in southern Minnesota
and the Arrowhead. Only Texas and South Carolina have more extreme drought
from border MORE...

State GOP to chose new chair today
12-31-11     The Minnesota Republican Party's central committee is in
Saint Cloud today (9am start) to elect a new party chair to succeed Tony
Sutton, who abruptly resigned earlier this month. Deputy Chair Kelly Fenton,
political consultant Pat Shortridge, businessman Todd McIntyre and activist
Sue Jeffers are among the candidates. A review released yesterday (Fri)
shows MORE...

Lake City police officer dies of head wound
12-31-11     The Star Tribune reports the death of Lake City Police Officer Shawn Schneider, who was shot in the head early last week during a domestic call.  A spokeswoman from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester said Schneider died about 5:30 p.m. Friday at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.  Schneider, 32, a nine-year veteran of the Lake City Police Department and a father MORE...

Kandi Mall official comments on Kmart closing
12-31-11     A Kandi Mall official says she's sad to hear Kmart will be closing their store sometime in 2012.   Mall Marketting Director Desiree Weinandt says they've had a relationship with Kmart going back to 1979, and will "diligently try and lease the space to someone who is reliable and a good match for Willmar."   Weinandt says it's a tough MORE...

New Year's Eve fun tonight at the Willmar "Y"
12-31-11    The Kandiyohi County YMCA is putting on their New Year's Eve Family Celebration from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday.   The Y's Youth and Family Program Coordinator Troy Peterson says thanks to many sponsors they've managed to keep it affordable, just 2 dollars apiece or 6 dollars per family.   Or, instead of 2 dollars, people can bring a can of food for the MORE...

Four hurt in crash near Lake Lillian
12-31-11    Four people were hurt, one of them seriously, in a two vehicle crash near Lake Lillian Friday night.   The state patrol says at 6:15 p.m. a Chevy Blazer was westbound on Highway 7, then made a left turn onto Kandiyohi County Road 8 and was struck by an eastbound Dodge Durango.   The driver of the Blazer was seriously hurt but no name has been  MORE...

Appleton Man Killed In Crash Near Milan
(Milan, MN)  --  A highway crash last night in western Minnesota killed the driver of an S-U-V.  The State Patrol says 19-year-old Anthony Dittes (DEE'-tuss) of Appleton was on an icy highway near Milan (MY'-luhn) in Chippewa County when his vehicle slid and rolled into a ditch.

Relatives Killed In Crash In Northern Minnesota
12-30-11 (Red Lake Falls, MN)  --  Two relatives from Red Lake Falls are the victims of a one-vehicle crash last (Thurs) night on an icy road in northwestern Minnesota.  The State Patrol says a car driven by 30-year-old Terry Balderston slid off Highway 32 and struck a tree. 

State GOP 2 Million Dollars In Debt
12-30-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Leaders say the state Republican Party is almost one-point-three million dollars in debt -- and there's an additional 700-plus thousand dollars that's in dispute with law firms that handled the gubernatorial recount.  National Committeeman Jeff Johnson says the debt is "absolutely...surmountable," and very similar to where the Republican More...

World War II Veteran Dies In Duluth
12-30-11 (Duluth, MN)  --  The Duluth Honor Guard reports the death of World War Two Medal of Honor recipient Mike Colalillo. The Hibbing native had just turned 18 when he got into a firefight with German troops.  Colalillo's weapon was disabled but he climbed onto a tank, grabbed a machine gun and killed or wounded at least 13 enemy soldiers.  More...

Rollover in Meeker Co. hurts St. Cloud men
12-30-11    At 9 a.m. yesterday the Meeker County Sheriff's Office took a report of a one vehicle accident at HWY 24 and 660th Ave.  A 2002 Jeep Liberty driven by 26-year-old Mohamed Warsame Amin of St. Cloud was traveling south on MN Highway 24 when it appeared he lost control of his vehicle on a patch of ice when he lost control on the ice and rolled into the MORE...

Time running out for Bachmann in Iowa
12-30-11    This is the final weekend on the Iowa campaign trail for Republican presidential hopefuls.  Sixth-District Representative Michele Bachmann wrapped up her 99-county bus tour of the state Thursday afternoon, downplaying her single-digit poll numbers and 6th-place standing going into next Tuesday's caucuses.  Bachmann's state chairman left her campaign Wednesday MORE...

December was warm and dry
12-30-11     When it comes to weather, this December will be remembered for a long time - especially for its contrast with last December when there was already 2 feet of snow on the ground.   Climatologist Pete Boulay (boo-LAY) says it was also warmer this December - five to 10 degrees above normal. Some record highs were set on the day after Christmas. St. Cloud hit MORE...

Riot raises security concerns at Mega Mall
12-30-11    The holiday shopping frenzy is winding down but security remains on high alert at the Mall of America.  Bloomington Police Commander Mark Stehlik (STELLICK) says Monday's fights among teens and young adults which started in a food court caused the mall to beef up enforcement.  Stehlik says the mall increased its own private security staff and the police MORE...

Curtis cleans up pallets, avoids jail
12-30-11    A Clara City man has avoided going to jail and has cleaned up what would have been a pallet business at Clara City's old Allied Concrete plant.   Earlier this month Chippewa County Judge Dwane Knutsen ordered Lonnie Curtis to get rid of pallets and equiptment outside the plant or face jail time for non-compliance of a court order.   Curtis had MORE...
Senjem

Gimse gives thumbs-up to Senjem
12-30-11    In the end, Senator Joe Gimse of Willmar this week decided not to run for Senate Majority Leader at the GOP caucus in St. Paul, but he says he's glad Senator Dave Senjem of Rochester was chosen to lead the Republicans next session.   Gimse says Senjem will certainly not hamper passage of two big issues...a Vikings Stadium Bill and helping pay back money MORE...

Rollover claims life near Milan
12-30-11    One person is dead after a rollover in Chippewa County last night.   The state patrol says at approximately 9:48 p.m. an SUV left Highway 7/59, south of Milan, and rolled into the ditch, killing the driver.   No names have been released at this time.  (KWLM)

ATV plunges through ice on Wakanda...driver trapped
12-29-11     At  2:53 Thursday afternoon it was reported to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office that a three-wheeler had gone through the ice on Lake Wakanda, south of Willmar.  The responding Deputy determined the 66-year-old driver of the three-wheeler had been temporarily trapped under the ice by the three-wheeler and several bystanders helped free him and MORE...
Police tend to driver of car that hit house (Sharon Cola photo)

Car hit house in Willmar
12-29-11     A car went out of control, rolled and struck a house in Northwest Willmar Thursday afternoon.   At approximately 3:15 p.m. a car driven by an elderly woman left northwest 10th Street, rolled at least twice and landed on it's wheels after striking a house.   The driver was shaken up but not seriously injured.   And an 87-year-old woman who MORE...
Kmart in Willmar (loopnet)

Willmar Kmart to close
12-29-11     The Kmart store in Willmar is going to close.   Sears Holding Company is out with a partial list of the 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores it plans to close due to poor sales.  Kmart locations in Duluth, New Hope, White Bear Lake and the Kmart at the Kandi Mall in Willmar are among those scheduled for closing.  No Sears stores in Minnesota are MORE...

Green Lake site of ATV going though ice
12-29-11     An ATV and it's driver went through the ice on Green Lake Wednesday night.   Kandiyohi County Chief Deputy Randy Kveene says it happened around 7 p.m. about 200 yards from the public access near Saulsbery Beach.   A resident heard someone shouting for help and called 911.   The driver was able to get out of the water and went to a nearby MORE...

Dog lost in crash sought by family
12-29-11    A family is looking for their dog after last weekend's fatal crash at Mel's Corner, the intersection of Hwy 71 & 7. The dog was in one of the cars, got scared and ran off. The family is looking for "Lord" a medium sized black and gray male Schnauzer mix wearing a collar and tags. He has been spotted near the intersection. If anyone sees him, MORE...
Schnieder

Bingo players raise money for Schneider
12-29-11     Wednesday night bingo in the southeastern Minnesota town of Elgin usually attracts a couple dozen players but last night hundreds turned out.  Volunteer firefighters held a bingo benefit at the Huddle Bar and Grill to raise money for wounded Lake City Police Officer Shawn Schneider who grew up in nearby Plainview.  Schneider was shot in the head MORE...
Bachmann

Bachmann in lasst place in Iowa
12-29-11     In a state that might have offered her best chance of a
win, Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann has lost her local campaign
chairman. On wednesday, just days before the Iowa Caucus, Iowa State Senator
Kent Sorenson left Bachmann's presidential campaign, officially endorsing
rival Ron Paul. Sorenson, who was seen at Bachmann's side during a MORE...

Another record low road fatality year expected
12-29-11     As law enforcement officials gear up for the New Year
holiday weekend, State Patrol Lieutenant Eric Roeske (ROSS'-kee) says there
have been some encouraging signs on the roads in recent years. Roeske
attributes the dip in fatalities to more drivers wearing seat belts, driving
responsibly and not speeding. In spite of that, Roeske says there are still
around MORE...

Expert: MN economy will grow, jobs available
12-29-11   An economic specialist sees improvement in Minnesota's economy during 2012. Louis Johnston of St. John's University expects growth of two to two-and-a-half percent with the jobless rate holding steady. He says there are jobs available in health care and machinery and manufacturing, espeically in southwest and northwest Minnesota.  Johnston says he's concerned about the MORE...

Lack of snow could hurt septic systems
12-29-11     The lack of snow cover is good news for some - but trouble for others. Residents with septic systems - especially in outstate Minnesota - are vulnerable to freeze-ups once temperatures start to plummet and no significant snow is on the ground.   People are advised to cover the ground over their septic tanks to help insulate them from the MORE...
Don't let this happen to you (ecmpostreview.conm)

ATV breaks through ice in Shoreview
12-29-11    Seems like everywhere you turn, there's someone falling
through the ice in Minnesota. The latest report is from the Ramsey County
city of Shoreview, where a man felt his A-T-V starting to break through the
ice on Turtle Lake. He jumped away and his machine dropped to the bottom of
the lake.  On Tuesday a fish house broke through the ice on Foot Lake near MORE...

ATV crash hurts two in Renville County
12-29-11    Shortly before 2 p.m. Monday the Renville County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a crash involving two ATV’s. The accident occurred on 210th Street near Renville County Road 11, which is approximately four miles northwest of Renville in Ericson Township. 
Investigation at the scene revealed that one of the ATV’s was being MORE...

Salvation Army Accepts Donations Thru Dec 31st
12-28-11 (Minneapolis, MN) --  Even though the Salvation Army Red Kettles are back in storage until next Christmas, it's not to late to give toward this year's holiday campaign.  Salvation Army spokeswoman Annette Bauer says holiday donations are being accepted through December 31st. 

Historic Flour Mill Goes Up In Flames
12-28-11 (Freeport, MN)  --  An historic flour mill in central Minnesota was destroyed after a huge fire on Tuesday.  No injuries were reported as firefighters spent much of the day battling the flames that engulfed the Swany White Flour Mill in Freeport.  Reports say the building collapsed.  The mill which was built in 1903 was still in operation.

Mayo Remembers Those Killed In Crash
12-28-11 (Rochester, MN)  --  The Mayo Clinic has been shaken by the loss of a transplant doctor and an organ technician killed in a Florida helicopter crash.  Dr. Luis Bonilla (boh-NEE'-ah) and David Hines were flying to retrieve a heart for transplant Monday when their chopper went down.  The pilot also died.  More...

Senjum New Senate Majority Leader
12-28-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  The Minnesota state Senate has a new Majority Leader.  Following a daylong private meeting, Senate Republicans selected Dave Senjem of Rochester as their leader.  Senjem is a retired environmental affairs office for the Mayo Clinic who has made a name in state politics as the chair of the Capital Investment Committee and as a supporter of gambling. More... 

Willmar MUC Hires Investigator
12-28-11 Last night the Willmar Municipal utilites Commission approved a motion by Utilities Vice President Dave Baker to hire an independent ivestigator to examine the effectiveness of the utilities manager Bruce Gomm. The commision approved the recommendation by the League of Minnesota Cities to hire the St.Cloud lawfirm of Quinlivan and Hughes to investigate Gomm for possible misconduct.  More...

Ice House Sinks In Foot Lake
12-27-11 It has been an interesting late morning here at our studios. Right outside our windows that face Foot Lake and Robins Island we have witnessed our Willmar Fire and Rescue Department Making sure no one is in an ice house that sank into the lake where the water depth is about 25 feet. Only the top of the house can be seen.

Teen Was Driver In Fatal Crash

12 -27-11 (Willmar, MN) -- The State Patrol says it was a 15-year-old who was driving an S-U-V that caused a fatal four-vehicle crash at Hwys 7 and 71 south of Willmar on Saturday.  The teen's name and condition have not been released.  The accident killed 29-year-old Justin Gustafson and critically injured his father, both from Redwood Falls. More...

A Big Week For Minnesota Republicans
12-27-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  This is a big week for the Minnesota Republican Party, shaken by leadership and financial problems.  Today (TUES), state Senate Republicans try to pick a successor to Amy Koch (COKE) who abruptly resigned as majority leader.  She later admitted to an "inappropriate" relationship with a male Senate employee.  More...

Bachmann Continues Bus Tour

12-27-11 -- Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann is wrapping up her bus tour of all 99 counties in Iowa today and on Wednesday.  The 6th-District congresswoman has been visiting communities across the state trying to drum up support for the Iowa Caucuses.  More...

Toddler Struck By Bullet In Home
12-27-11 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  A three-year old boy from north Minneapolis is in critical condition after a stray bullet struck him in the head.  Minneapolis Police say the toddler was inside a home and the bullet came from outside.  No suspects are in custody and police are looking for the public's help.

December Warm And Windy
12-27-11 (Chanhassen, MN)  --  The day after Christmas was plenty warm and windy in Minnesota.  Montevideo and New Ulm hit 54-degrees while Clara City and Hutchinson got up to 53. A new record high in Willmar with 52 degrees recorded at the Airport. More...

Park Reservations End Temporarily Tonight
12-26-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  You have until eight o'clock tonight (MON) to make your 2012 campsite reservations at a Minnesota State Park before the system is temporarily shut down for an upgrade.   The D-N-R is encouraging campers to book their favorite sites now to avoid the rush on March first when the new reservation system is launched. More...

Republicans Meet Tomorrow

12-26-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Republicans in the Minnesota Senate elect a new majority leader tomorrow (TES) to succeed Amy Koch (COKE), who stepped down amid allegations of a sex scandal.  U-of-M political analyst Hy Berman -- a Democrat -- says it seems to him "there would be little incentive for anybody to want to be majority leader at this point." 

Ice Not Safe
12-26-11 (Aitkin, MN)  --   "No ice should be considered safe."  That from Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner, whose deputies have had their hands full in recent weeks with ice rescues.  The most notable was the ice shelf which broke off Lake Mille Lacs last Wednesday, taking around 30 fishermen with it.

Warm Air Rolls In
12-26-11 --  Unseasonably warm weather is in store today across most of Minnesota.  The National Weather Service has issued a high wind advisory for southern Minnesota with gusts as high as 45-miles-an-hour between 10 and 2 today. 

This Day In 1862
12-26-11  --  This day marks are infamous anniversary in Minnesota.  In 1862, 38 Dakota men who had been convicted of crimes during the U-S-Dakota War, were hanged by the federal government in Mankato.  It was the largest one-day mass execution in American history.  The next year, the rest of the Dakota were expelled from Minnesota.

Four-Vehicle Crash Leaves One Dead
(Willmar, MN)  --  A four-vehicle crash south of Willmar yesterday left one person dead and several injured.  The State Patrol says Justin Gustafson of Redwood Falls was killed when another car ran a stop light, broadsided another vehicle, then rolled onto two other cars.  (MORE...)

Lake City Officer Remains in Critical Condition
(Rochester, MN)  --  The Lake City police officer shot almost a week ago remains in critical condition according to a Mayo Hospital spokesperson.  Shawn Schneider was shot when he responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home in Lake City Monday.   (MORE...)

State GOP Concerns
(St. Paul, MN)  --  Minnesota Republicans have serious problems beyond the Senate leadership scandal and the party's debt-ridden finances.   (MORE...)

Mild Weather Continues
(Undated)  --  It looks like we'll be adding to our long run of unseasonably mild, dry weather.  According to the Climate Prediction Center,  (MORE...)

Holiday Stress
(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Holidays and stress.  Unfortunately, they seem to go together for many people, especially this holiday season.  The Minnesota Health Department's Pam York advises against trying to be too many places and pleasing everyone.   (MORE...)

Grove City Man Charged With Fraud Gets 2 Yeras
12-22-11 (Grove City, MN)  --  A Grove City man has drawn a two-year prison sentence for stealing more than 86-thousand dollars in Social Security benefits.  Federal prosecutors say 66-year-old Ralph Frisch received Social Security after claiming he was disabled by an ankle injury and had to use a cane and walker.  More...

Man Charged With Assault For Threatening Son's Hockey Coach
12-22-11 (Inver Grove Heights, MN)  --  Authorities have charged a Saint Paul man with threatening to kill his son's hockey coach after the coach gave the boy instructions during an on-ice practice. Prosecutors say 49-year-old Thomas Tonda screamed at the coach and then put him in a strangle hold and threatened to kill him. More...

make Your State Park Reservations Now
12-22-11  --  Time is running out to make campsite reservations at Minnesota state parks for 2012 - at least for the time being.  The D-N-R is encouraging campers to book their favorite sites now, and avoid the rush on March first when the agency launches its new state park reservation system.  More...

Officer Shot responding To Domestic Call
12-19-11 (Lake City, MN)  --  A police officer remains in critical condition after he was shot this (Mon) morning responding to a domestic call in Lake City.  Police Chief Gary Majchrzak  says they believe the suspected shooter went back inside the home More...

Charge Filed In Cook County Courthouse Shootings
12-19-11 (Grand Marais, MN)  --  Two charges of attempted murder are among six counts filed today (Mon) against the man accused of shooting four people at the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais last Thursday.  More...

Mental Health Services For Returning Vets Probed In St.Paul
12-19-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Testimony on the status of mental health services for returning veterans raised some lawmakers' eyebrows at the State Capitol today (Mon).  Greg Roberts, who returned from Iraq several years ago, says he was diagnosed with P-T-S-D and avoided contact with his Army buddies because it would bring up old memories.  More...

Record High Temps On Sunday

12-19-11 --  Record-high temperatures fell across southwestern Minnesota on Sunday.  Montevideo was the warmest spot in the state at 61-degrees.  There's still a bit of snow cover in parts of southeastern Minnesota, which kept that area of the state slightly cooler.  More...

Good Samaritan Killed In Tragic Accident
12-19-11 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  The State Patrol is urging future Good Samaritans to use extreme caution, after a tragic succession of crashes last night on I-94 between the Twin Cities.  Twenty-two-year-old Alicia Haufenberg of St. Paul is in critical condition after rolling her car into the left lane of the freeway.  More...

Holiday Heart Health
12-18-2011  People with heart problems are advised to watch what they eat and avoid stress during the holidays.  But another concern that's often overlooked is air quality. 

Brown Christmas likely this year
12-17-11     Minnesota weather is fickle - and anything can happen. But right now it looks like a brown Christmas for much of the state.
Climatologist Pete Boulay (boo-LAY) says the working definition of a white Christmas is at least one inch of snow on the ground by Christmas morning. By that measure, he thinks much of northeastern Minnesota will qualify - but most of the MORE...

Benefit Tomorrow For Iraqi Soldier Critically Injured In Hit and Run
12-16-11 (Madelia, MN) --  There is a benefit tomorrow (SAT) for an Iraqi war veteran from Madelia who was critically injured in a hit-and-run.  On October 27th, 29-year-old John Byro was riding his motorcycle when he collided with a vehicle.  John's father, Dave, says his emotions vary day-to-day and the accident is always on his mind.  More...

Suspect Named In Courthouse Shooting
12-16-11 (Grand Marais, MN) --  A 42-year old suspect is behind bars after a shooting in Grand Marais Thursday.  Authorities have identified Daniel Schlienz  as the man who shot Cook County prosecutor Timothy Scannell  outside the courthouse in Grand Marais.  Reports say Schlienz had been on trial earlier in the day on sexual misconduct charges.  More...

Last Day For St.Paul Ford Plant
12-16-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  It's a sad day for hundreds of employees at Ford Motor Company in St. Paul as the last Ranger pickup rolls off the assembly line and the plant closes.  United Auto Workers Local 879 President Paul Shropa (SHROW'-puh) says around 900 workers are losing their jobs.  MORE...

Koch Stepping Down As Senate Majority Leader
12-16-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Less than two weeks after Tony Sutton resigned as state G-O-P chair, Republican Senator Amy Koch (COKE) is stepping down as majority leader of the state Senate.  Koch was majority leader for only one legislative session, although it was a challenging one, with a six-billion-dollar deficit and a budget stalemate that resulted in government More...

Union Leaders Push For Extended Benefits
12-16-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  The Minnesota A-F-L-C-I-O says thousands of Minnesotans are in danger of losing unemployment benefits because the state's average jobless rate for the last three months has dipped to six-and-a-half percent.  That's the level where federal extended benefits stop.  More...

Latest Flu Stats
12-16-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  The state Health Department reports a slight boost in flu activity acrosss Minnesota in the most recent week.  There were two more hospitalizations, bringing the total number up to 15 since the flu season started. More...

Unemployment Rate Falls But State Loses Jobs Again
12-15-11 (St. Paul, MN) --  Minnesota's unemployment rate fell half a percent in November to five-point-nine percent -- the lowest in Minnesota since October 2008 and well behind the U-S jobless rate of eight-point-six percent.  But state officials say employers also eliminated nearly 14-thousand jobs in November, More...

Ice Angler Rescued From lake

12-15-11 (Pelican Rapids, MN)  --  By all counts, Al Dunbar is a lucky man.  The Rothsay man left his fish house on Crystal Lake near Pelican Rapids last night and got lost in dense fog.  Dunbar called his wife, saying he could drive into open water and not know it because he couldn't see.  More...

Large Number Of Holiday Travelers Expected
12-15-11 (Mineapolis, MN) --  You may find it crowded on the roads or in the skies if you're heading out of town this holiday season.  Triple-A Minnesota's Gail Weinholzer anticipates there will be more holiday travelers this year than in the past five.  She says part of the reason is the long holiday period, More...

Shoppers In The Mood

12-15-11 (St. Paul, MN) --  It looks like Minnesota shoppers are in a buying mood this holiday season.   Retailing experts think sales will exceed a predicted five percent increase.  More people are also doing their shopping online, especially for items like iPads. More...

Area Counties Eligable For Low-Interest Loans
12-15-11 (Washington, D-C)  --  Seven Minnesota counties are eligible for low-interest rate loans from the U-S-D-A -- due to adverse weather this past growing season.  They include Le Sueuer, Waseca, Norman, Pope, Grant, Clay and Meeker counties.  More...

Minnesota Lawmaker Wants Cell Phone Use Banned When Driving
12-15-11  --  At least one lawmaker wants the Minnesota Legislature to consider a ban on cell phone use while driving.  Representative Frank Hornstein (horn-steen) of Minneapolis authored the state law that prohibits texting behind the wheel.  More...

Minnesota Home Foreclosures Drop
12-15-11 --  Home foreclosures dropped 15 percent last month in Minnesota but there is trouble ahead.  The experts say new filings jumped in November, foreshadowing another wave of foreclosures coming into Minnesota.  RealtyTrac's Daren Blomquist (bloom-quist) says more foreclosed homes on the market will continue to depress home values.  More...

Minnesota Soldier Killed In Accident
12-15-11 (Tacoma, WA)  --  A Minnesota soldier was one of the men killed in the fatal crash of two Army helicopters near Tacoma, Washington on Monday.  Thirty-two-year old Chief Warrant Officer Lucas Sigfrid was among the four who died when the choppers went down.  More...

Icy Roads In Northwestern Minnesota
12-14-11 (Chanhassen, MN)  --  For southern Minnesotans, it's just rain -- but for many in west-central and northwestern portions of the state, freezing drizzle is making roadways slick.  The National Weather Service is warning of potentially dangerous conditions from the Canadian border to Fergus Falls until at least noon today. More...

Officials Not Worried About Swine Flu Case
12-14-11(St. Paul, MN)  --  State health officials say there's no reason to panic after a Minnesota child was infected with a rare swine flu strain.  Dr. Aaron DeVries (duh-VREEZ') with the state Health Department says the H-1 N-2 virus has only caused human disease one other time in the U-S.  More...

Postal Service Delays Closings
12-14-11 (Washington, DC)  --  Under pressure from Congress, the U-S Postal Service Tuesday agreed to delay until mid-May the planned closing of hundreds of mail processing centers and 37-hundred local post offices.  Four processing centers and 117 post offices in Minnesota are reportedly on the list of planned closures.  More...

Layoffs Begina At Sartell Paper manufacturer
12-14-11 (Sartell, MN)  --  Over the next two weeks, 175 employees at Verso Paper Corporation in Sartell will lose their jobs.  Company spokeswoman Nancy Koska says the first round of cuts starts today (WED).  While paper prices have only risen about seven-percent over the past couple of years, the cost to manufacture paper has gone up over 25-percent.  Koska says More...

Fargo Truck Driver Rear-ends School Bus
12-13-11 (Roseau, MN)  --  The State Patrol cited a truck driver from Fargo after his rig rear-ended a school bus this morning, causing it to roll on its side and sending eight students to the hospital.  None had life-threatening injuries and all were released.  It happened near Roseau and the bus was from the Badger School District. More...

Most Smoke Detectors Not Working In Mora Fire
12-13-11 (Mora, MN)  --  A preliminary investigation indicates last week's fatal fire at an apartment in Mora was accidental -- but authorities say only one battery-powered smoke detector in the four-unit building may have been operational.  Investigators believe the fire started in the living room of one of the apartments but are still looking for the cause.  More...

Low-Income Energy Program Out Of Money

12-12-11 (St. Paul, mN)  -- Minnesota's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - or LIHEAP (LYE'-heap) - is already out of money.  The federal government sent the state 73-million dollars this fall and Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman says they're asking Congress to fund it to the level it was last year - 152-million dollars.  More...

Financialy Troubled GOP Gets Help
12-12-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  A well-known turnaround expert has volunteered to help the state Republican Party get a handle on its financial problems.  Acting Minnesota G-O-P Chair Kelly Fenton says they're asking Michael Vekich (VECK-itch) to provide "immediate advice on the financial, organizational structure, political and public relations operations in light of the More...

Warm Temps
(Chanhassen, MN)  --  It's balmy across Minnesota, at least for December 11th.  The National Weather Service says some parts of the state may see highs around 40, but there is a downside.   (MORE...)

Dayton's Tax-The-Rich Tactic
(Minneapolis, MN)  --  It's almost certain Governor Dayton will not succeed with his idea to increase taxes on the rich, but it may not be a bad political stance.  That from U of M political science professor Kathryn Pearson.   (MORE...)

Cougars In Minnesota
(Undated)  --  Is Minnesota becoming cougar country?  Some people are wondering after the recent shooting of a cougar in southwestern Minnesota - and at least 14 cougar sightings since 2007.   (MORE...)

Timberwolves Season
(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Excitement is building for the start of the abbreviated N-B-A season.  The Minnesota Timberwolves open at home December 26th against the Thunder.    (MORE...)

Nearly One-Third of High-Schoolers Have Tried Flavored Cigars
(Undated)  --  A new report shows nearly 30 percent of all Minnesota high school students and close to seven percent of middle school students have tried flavored cigars.    (MORE...)

Four Killed in Small Plane Crash in Sioux Falls
(Sioux Falls, SD)  --  Federal authorities confirm the deaths of all four people on board a small plane that crashed shortly after takeoff Friday afternoon from the Sioux Falls, South Dakota airport.   (MORE...)

Five Die In Fires This Week
12-9-11 --  Five Minnesotans have died in two separate structure fires this week.  Authorities have identified the father and son who were killed in an apartment fire in Mora as Michael Caley and his 12-year-old son Coleman.  Sixty-eight-year old Shirley Norling also died in the blaze.  Another victim was airlifted in critical condition.  More...

Schwan's To Lay Off 60 Workers

12-9-11 (Marshall, MN)  --  The Schwan Food Company is reducing its workforce again.  Schwan's says they'll cut 60 employees at their Marshall and Bloomington facilities.  Both locations are expected to be affected equally as far as number of layoffs.  More...

Push-Back On Vikings Stadium In Mpls
12-9-11(Minneapolis, MN)  --  The push to keep Vikings football in downtown Minneapolis is finding new opposition.  Mayor R-T Rybak got a cold reception as he pitched his funding proposal to Minneapolis City Council on Thursday.  More...

Mpls. City Coucil opposes Vikings stadium funding


12-9-11      The push to keep Vikings football in downtown Minneapolis is finding new opposition.  Mayor R-T Rybak got a cold reception as he pitched his funding proposal to Minneapolis City Council on Thursday.  Most council members said they opposed the plan, which would redirect taxes from paying off the city's convention center in order to build a new stadium.  MORE...

More On St.Cloud Mall Camera Incident
12-7-11 (St. Cloud, MN) --   St. Cloud police have released more information about the incident involving a video camera found in a restroom at the Crossroads Shopping Center.  Police say there may have been as many as eight victims on various video clips but are not able to identify them.  One victim noticed the camera under a sink, removed it, and called police. More... 

No "Morning-After" Pills Over The Counter To Teens
(Undated)  --  The Minnesota Family Council supports today's federal decision *not* to allow young teenagers to buy the Plan B "morning-after" pill over the counter.  Currently, the emergency contraceptive can be sold without a prescription only to women 17 and over. More...

Legislator Wants Lawmakers Banned From Insider Trading
12-7-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  State Representative Joe Atkins says the governor, judges and private businesspeople can't do it -- but there's no state law prohibiting insider trading by legislators and he wants to change that.  The Inver Grove Heights Democrat says there are no allegations of misconduct - but points to a run-up in the price of Canterbury Park stock earlier this More...

Foul Play Not Suspected In UMD Student Death
12-6-11 (Duluth, MN)  --  Foul play is not suspected in the death of a University of Minnesota Duluth student from Coon Rapids.  A U-M-D vice chancellor says 19-year-old William "Billy" Harper died of natural causes Monday in his room at Heaney Hall. More...

Minneapolis puts $300M On Th Table For Stadium
12-6-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Mayor R-T Rybak told a Senate committee today that Minneapolis is "prepared with existing revenue streams to put 300-million dollars on the table" toward a new Vikings stadium.  Ramsey County officials told lawmakers they're still working on a financing plan after legislative leaders took a sales tax increase out of the mix.  More...

Thousands Of Tickets Remain For Vikings Games
12-6-11 (Eden Prairie, MN)  --  There are still thousands of tickets remaining for the Minnesota Vikings final two home games of the season.  The team hopes to sell out the Metrodome both Sundays and avoid its first T-V blackout since 1997.  More...

Auditions tonight for "Almost, Maine" at The Barn
12-6-11    Auditions continue tonight at the Barn Theatre in Willmar for the upcoming production of Almost, Maine, written by John Cariani and directed by Mike Buzzeo
Production Dates: Feb 2nd through the 12th.  Almost Maine is a romantic comedy with a series of vignettes which all take place on a Friday night in the ficticious town of Almost, Maine.  MORE...

Dayton Calls For Talks To Continue
12-5-11 (Moorhead, MN) -- Governor Dayton is reinforcing his call for resumedcontract negotiations between American Crystal Sugar and its locked-outworkers and proposes talks begin one week from tomorrow  In aletter to American Crystal's president and to union leader Mark Froemke, Dayton says he'd be willing to take part and suggests talks   More....

Judge Blocks Dayton,s Union Order
(St. Paul, MN) -- A Ramsey County judge today blocked Governor Dayton's
order for a union election at state-subsidized, home-based child care
providers, saying the process should go through the legislature. The
governor says he respects the court's decision More...

Vikings Seel Out McNabb Waived
12-1-11 (Eden Prairie, MN)  --  Good news for Minnesota Vikings fans.  The team announced that Sunday's home game against the Broncos is sold out and will be shown on local television (12pm).  The Vikings have sold out 142 consecutive games at the Metrodome.  Meanwhile, the Donovan McNabb era is over in Minnesota. More...

Cold Weather On The Way
12-1-11 (Duluth, MN)  --  It doesn't *look* much like December across Minnesota's northland with only light snow on the ground.  But it should *feel* like December overnight across the state's northern third.  Some serious cold weather is moving in.  More...

Ninth-graders Burned In Science Experiment
12-1-11 (Maple Grove, MN)  --  Four ninth-graders suffered what are called "mild to severe" burns after a science experiment went wrong this morning at a Maple Grove school.  According to the Star Tribune, three of the students were released after being checked at a Minneapolis hospital.  More...

GOP Says Budget Surplus Will Not Change 2012 Agenda
12-1-11 (St.Paul, MN)  --  Republican legislative leaders say the state's expected 880-million-dolllar budget surplus doesn't change their agenda for the 2012 session.  The G-O-P claims spending reductions and living within the state's means led to employment growth and the state now has a surplus.  Senate Republican Majority Leader Amy Koch (COKE) says she hopes this means MORE...

Payroll Tax Cut Extension Possible
11-30-11 (Washington, DC)  --  The U-S Senate is expected to vote later this week on extending a payroll tax cut for one more year.  It would be paid for with an income tax surcharge on Americans making more than a million dollars a year.  Minnesota Senator Al Franken says the tax cut goes to working families who are hurting and could use the extra money. More...

Two Suspects At Large
11-29-11 (Turtle River, MN)  --  Beltrami County authorities are asking for the public's help in locating two suspects who remain at-large following an early morning manhunt.  Deputies responded to a report of gunfire in the downtown area of Turtle River and witnessed a car speeding away.  More....

Hearings At State Capital On Vikes Stadium
11-29-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Potential sites for a new Vikings stadium are the focus of a state Senate hearing at the Capitol today (until 1pm).  As expected, the Vikings continue to push for an Arden Hills location, calling it the home of a "people's stadium."  More...

Gas Under $3 A Gallon
11-28-11 --  Say hello to 2-99 gas again in Minnesota.  At least one station in the Saint Cloud area is selling regular unleaded for under three bucks today as pump prices continue to slide.  The statewide average reported by Minnesota-Gas-Prices-dot-Com is now 3-16 a gallon -- down nearly 35-cents More...

Pawlenty #1 On G-Q's Least Influential List
11-28-11  --  Tim Pawlenty has apparently attained a dubious distinction.  Several media outlets are reporting that the former Minnesota governor and one-time Republican presidential hopeful is ranked first on G-Q's upcoming list of the Top 25 Least Influential People Alive.  More...

Childcare Association Sues Governor Dayton
11-28-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  A group of child care providers says Governor Dayton's order for a union election is unfair and unlawful, and they're suing to try to block it.  Hollee Saville (SAY'-vuhl), president of the Wright County Childcare Association, says even if the unions' efforts help families, it won't benefit child care workers. More...

Vikings Proposal Surprised Bill Sponsor
11-28-11 (Fairmont, MN)  --  Vikings stadium bill sponsor, state Senator Julie Rosen, says she's anxious to talk with the Vikings about a stadium funding plan they're touting in newspaper ads.  The Fairmont Republican says she's "a little surprised" and didn't know about the ad until she saw it last night. More...

Mbakwe Out For Season
11-28-11 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  It marks the premature end of Trevor Mbakwe's (em-BAHK'-wayz) basketball career at the University of Minnesota.  M-R-I testing shows Mbakwe, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, has a torn A-C-L and will miss the rest of the season.  The senior injured his knee during the Gophers' 86-70 loss to Dayton on Sunday.

South Dakota Jobs
(Miller, SD)  --  A South Dakota community is having a hard time filling a number of job openings so it has launched a campaign to attract workers from Minnesota and other Midwestern states.   (MORE...)

Guard's Ag Mission
(Afghanistan)  --  Some Minnesota National Guard personnel have settled into Afghanistan for a one-year deployment.  But it's all about farming, not fighting.   (MORE...)

Ortonville Homicide Case
(Ortonville, MN)  --  A missing persons case in Ortonville has become a homicide investigation.  The Big Stone County Sheriff's Office says a body found near a rented home is that of Renata Fernandez-Ramon.   (MORE...)

Family Fun Harvesting Your Own Christmas Tree
(Undated) -- Looking for a low cost way to enjoy the outdoors while celebrating the holidays with your family?  How about a visit to your local national forest to cut your own Christmas tree.   (MORE...)

Mankato Plane Involved in Fatal Wisconson Crash
(Mankato, MN)  --  A spokesman for North Star Aviation confirms a plane that crashed in north-central Wisconsin Thanksgiving Eve was owned by that company which provides flight training for aviation students at Minnesota State University-Mankato.   (MORE...)

"Small Business Saturday" Promotes Not-So-Big Companies
(Undated) -- First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday and now today is being called Small Business Saturday.  Nancy Libersky (luh-BUR'-skee) of the U-S Small Business Administration's Minnesota district office says the day is dedicated to making sure consumers are shopping at smaller businesses.  (MORE...)

"Trouble In Toyland" Report Provides Parents With Checklist
(Undated) --  A note for parents doing some Christmas shopping this weekend after Black Friday:  The U-S Public Interest Research Group's "Trouble in Toyland" report finds numerous choking hazards, noise hazards or toys that contain lead levels that far exceed current standards.   (MORE...)

"Trouble In Toyland" Report Provides Parents With Checklist
(Undated) --  A note for parents doing some Christmas shopping this weekend after Black Friday:  The U-S Public Interest Research Group's "Trouble in Toyland" report finds numerous choking hazards, noise hazards or toys that contain lead levels that far exceed current standards.   (MORE...)

Sheriff concerned about later Spicer bar closing


11-23-11     When Zorbaz on the Lake in Spicer opens for business January 16th they will be able to stay open until 2 a.m.   The Spicer City Council last week approved Zorbaz request for the 2 a.m. license, despite some concerns from Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog.   In 2006 Zorbaz' predecessor, Melvin's on the Lake, had a 2 a.m. closing time, and Hartog says it kept his officers busy.   MORE...

Groups seeks to unseat Wisconsin governor
11-21-11    The group United Wisconsin says it's collected one-seventh
of the needed signatures to force a recall vote on Governor Scott Walker. It
needs 540-thousand valid signatures for the vote to take place. The group
says it wants to get 700-thousand to ensure it has enough good ones.  (MNN)

Charges Filed In Mpls Hit And Run

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  A Minneapolis man is charged with criminal vehicular homicide following a fatal hit-and-run crash Saturday in Minneapolis.  The criminal complaint says 27-year-old Wesley Gubbin admitted that he was driving his pickup when he struck 61-year-old Thomas Malloy who was on a bicycle.  More...

Two Men Sentenced To Life
(St. Paul, MN)  --  The sentence is three life terms each for two men convicted of killing three people in a St. Paul residence nearly five years ago.  Tyvarus Lindsey and Rashad Raleigh were found guilty of killing the homeower, her daughter and the homeowers's fiance.  Investigators say it a happened during a drug-related home invasion.  more...

Willmar FFA kids on way to D.C. Nov. 21st
11-14-11     Four Willmar Senior High School students will be making a trip to Washington 
D.C. to be a part of the Rose Garden ceremony where President Obama will 
pardon a local turkey. Brenna Ahlquist, Brianna Hoover, Valor Brown and 
Preston Asche have spent the last seven weeks taking turns spending hours after 
school at a “secret MORE...

Graduates Face Difficult Transition
(St Paul, MN)  --  The transition from graduation to the work force is difficult for many young people.  In Minnesota, college grads carry an average student debt load of 30-thousand dollars, and jobs are scarce.   (MORE...)

Extreme Cold Alerts
(Chanhassen, MN)  --  Goodbye wind chill warning.  Hello extreme cold alert.  Forecasters in Minnesota and North Dakota are scrapping the traditional wind chill index because dangerous cold is not always dependent on wind velocity alone.   (MORE...)

Soldiers Deployment
(Roseville, MN)  --  Two days after Veterans Day, 55 Minnesota soldiers are getting ready to go to Kuwait and Afghanistan.   (MORE...)

Snowplows Ready For Winter, When It Comes
(Various) -- Officials say the state's 14-hundred snowplow operators and 300 back-up drivers are ready for the first winter storm of the season.   (MORE...)

Thanksgiving Dinner More Expensive This Year
(Undated) -- This seasons Thanksgiving dinner will cost nearly six dollars more this year than last. To feed 10 people with all the trimings, the American Farm Bureau estimates a cost of 49-dollars and 20-cents.  (MORE...)

Airline Ticket Prices Going Up
(Undated) -- If you're planning to fly over the holiday season, buy your airline ticket sooner rather than later. Prices overall are expected to be five- to ten-percent higher this year compared to last. A number of airlines have reduced flights and raised prices to offset higher fuel costs. Travel expert John DiScala says if you can, find an alternative airport to fly into.  He says driving

Senior High Students Head to Washington D.C.
(Willmar, MN)  Four Willmar Senior High School students will be making a trip to Washington D.C., to be a part of the Rose Garden ceremony where President Obama will pardon a local turkey.   (MORE...)

Group of Lawmakers Want Racino To Fund Vikings Stadium
(Willmar, MN) -- Senator Joe Gimse (GIM'-see)of Willmar is among 31 Minnesota House and Senate members who have signed a letter to Governor Dayton, encouraging him to sign a racino bill to fund a new Vikings stadium -- and help fund education.  (MORE...)

Dayton Proposes Expanded G-I Bill

11-10-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  The day before Veterans Day, Governor Dayton is proposing that Minnesota expand its G-I Bill -- currently limited to post 9-11 veterans -- to include veterans of all ages.  The goal is to reduce unemployment among veterans by helping them to get necessary training.  More...

DNR Deer Stand Safety Tips

11-10-11 --  The Minnesota firearms season is only a week old and already three hunters have died in deer stand-related falls.  The D-N-R's Mike Hammer says it's vital that hunters wear a safety harness when hunting from an elevated platform, including tree stands.  More...

Klobuchar St. Croix Bridge Bill Clears Key Committee
11-10-11 (Washington, DC)  --  St. Croix River bridge legislation sponsored by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is headed for a vote in the full U-S Senate.   The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed her bill today (Wed) that would allow construction of a replacement for the 80-year-old Stillwater Lift Bridge.  More...

Voters Reluctant On New School Operating Expenses
11-9-11 (St. Peter, MN)  --  A majority of school districts that asked voters to approve operating levy referendums Tuesday were in luck.  Voters in 80 percent of the districts approved at least one question on the ballot.  But Greg Abbott with the Minnesota School Boards Association says districts that were asking for new money, rather than renewing an existing levy, More...

State Results Mixed On School Referendums
11-9-11 --  Greater Minnesota school districts that asked voters to increase their property taxes for building construction are reporting mixed results after Tuesday's election.  Voters in the Thief River Falls school district narrowly approved 54-million dollars for energy conservation work, building maintenance and alternative facilities.  More...

Guilty Verdit In Double Murder Trial
11-9-11 (Moorhead, MN)  --  Tracy Zornes  faces a mandatory life prison sentence after a jury today (Wed) found him guilty of a double murder in Moorhead.  It took about 12 hours over two days for the jury to convict Zornes of first-degree murder in the deaths of Megan Longo and John Cadotte.  More...

Big Problems During National Emergency Alert Test
11-9-11 --  Minnesota apparently didn't have as many problems as other parts of the country during this afternoon's first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.  Jim Dubois (doo-BWAH) with the Minnesota Broadcasters Association says most stations here received tones which activated the test, but audio was highly-distorted or nonexistent.  More...

Public Survey on Nationwide EAS Test
 The Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is conducting a very short anonymous survey to determine how Minnesotans saw and/or heard the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.  

Willmar, BOLD and New London Spicer issues pass
11-8-11    The voters were in a good mood on Tuesday...School referendums in Willmar, New London-Spicer and the BOLD school districts all passed.   In Willmar there was a heavy voter turnout with 5020 votes cast, and the $498-per-pupil unit operating levy referendum passed 3988 to 1032.    Willmar School Board Chair Wayne Lenzmeier said he was please MORE...

Most Snow Will Now Miss Minnesota
11-8-11 (Chanhassen, MN)  --  It looks like Minnesota has dodged the bullet on the first significant snowfall of the season.  An expected winter storm is tracking farther southeast than originally forecast and the National Weather Service has canceled a winter storm watch for southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. More...

Governor And Republicans Argue Over Health Care Benefits
11-8-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Governor Dayton accuses a top state Senate Republican of trying to block federal health care grants for sick, disabled and elderly Minnesotans.  Health and Human Services Committee Chairman David Hann (HAN) asked for "further review" of the expenditure.  More...

Deer Harvest Down
11-8-11  --  Deer hunters in Minnesota are hoping for better weather on Saturday and Sunday - the second weekend of the firearms season.  The D-N-R estimates the harvest is down about 18 percent the first three days because of windy and rainy conditions. More....
Paul Carlson at NL-S (marconet.com)

Polls open till 8 tonight for referendums
11-8-11     Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today as local residents go to the polls to decide various school referendums.   Willmar, BOLD, New London-Spicer, Montevideo and Benson all are going to the taxpayers with property tax levy referendums, some which will raise taxes and others which will simply continue existing referendums and won't MORE...

Vikes stadium setback not the end
11-2-11    A sales tax increase in Ramsey County or Minneapolis for a new Vikings stadium appears to be off the table. But Senate Republican Majority Leader Amy Koch (COKE) says it's still possible that some solution can be found in time for Governor Dayton to call a special session before Thanksgiving. Koch says the governor mentioned electronic pull-tabs.   Saint Paul MORE...

What's Ahead For Vikings Stadium
(St. Paul, MN)  --  The push for a new stadium for the Vikings continues this week at the State Capitol.  With Governor Dayton hoping to call a special session before Thanksgiving, he'll host more talks with key lawmakers this week.  The Vikings want to build a new stadium in Arden Hills with 350-million from a Ramsey County sales tax increase.  More...

Governor Directs Task Force On Health Care
(St. Paul, MN)  -- Governor Dayton today (Mon) directed a special task force and members of his cabinet to develop a plan to reform how health care is delivered and paid for in Minnesota.  The governor says Minnesota has historically led the nation in health care quality and has been a leader in reform -- but Dayton says the state "must continue to innovate More...

A Banana For Trick-Or-Treaters
(St. Paul, MN) -- Trick or treaters ringing the bell at the Governor's Residence Monday night will get candy....and a card that entitles them to a free banana or apple every time they're at a Cub Foods.  (MORE...)

Fugitive Arrested In Pine County
(Pine City, MN)  --  A rural Pine City man who was the subject of an extensive manhunt Friday is in custody.  The U.S. Marshalls Service says 26-year old Shawn Olthoff was arrested Saturday at a mobile home in rural Pine County.   (MORE...)

Home Heating Assistance Money
(St. Paul, MN)  --  Minnesota will receive an initial 73-million-dollar grant to help low-income residents with their heating bills this winter.   (MORE...)

Mercury In Lakes, Rivers
(Undated)  --  Environment Minnesota is highlighting what it calls "frightening facts" about the state's lakes and rivers as we approach Halloween.   (MORE...)

Rybak Unveils 3 Stadium Sites
10-27-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Mayor R-T Rybak today (Thurs) rolled out plans for three possible downtown Minneapolis locations for a new Vikings stadium -- one on the Metrodome site, another at the Farmer's Market and a third near the Basilica of Saint Mary.  More...

Bipartisan Lwmakers Group Says No To Gambling Expansion
10-27-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  State lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle are saying "no" to any expansion of gambling in Minnesota -- whether it be for a Vikings stadium or to help balance the state budget.  Eden Prairie Republican Senator David Hann says he knows of no state that has solved its problems through gambling. More...

Protesters Meet Dayton At St.Cloud Grounbreaking
10-27-11 (St. Cloud, MN)  --  Governor Dayton at a groundbreaking at Saint Cloud State University was met by about 50 students protesting the firing of an associate vice president at the school.  They say Mahmoud Saffari was dismissed in an "inhumane, disrespectful way, out of the blue, with no reason."  More...

11 counties Declared Disaster Area
10-26-11 (Washington, DC)  --  The U-S-D-A has designated 11 Minnesota counties as disaster areas because of a growing season that included excessive rain, high heat, strong winds, tornadoes and an early frost.  Farmers in those counties are eligible for low-interest loans and other federal aid.  More...

Gov To Fly Over Stadium Sites
10-26-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Governor Dayton continues his push for a new Vikings stadium.  He says on the way to Saint Cloud tomorrow (Thurs), he'll fly over the proposed stadium sites in a State Patrol helicopter.  Dayton says he's already driven around the sites but wants to take advantage of the opportunity for an aerial view.  More...

Franken Introduces Healthcare Bill Of Rights
10-26-11 (Washington, DC)  --  Senator Al Franken has introduced a bill that would require each state have a "Bill of Rights" to protect seniors who receive care in their homes.  He says states would have flexibility but their laws would have to address consumer safety, access to information, consumer choice and dignity, plus a way to redress grievances.  More...

Viking Cook Charged With Domestic Assault
10-25-11 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  Minnesota Vikings defensive back Chris Cook is charged with felony domestic assault for allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend.  Twenty-four-year-old Cook is accused of grabbing his girlfriend's neck twice last Saturday because he was upset that she spoke to an ex-boyfriend.  More...
Roger Berres

Kidnapping Charges Filed Against Motel Owner
10-25-11 (Stillwater, MN)  --  A convicted sex offender is accused of kidnapping in the sexual assault of a girl who was staying with her mother at a motel he owns in Newport.  According to the criminal complaint, when the girl's mother tried to intervene MORE...

Burn Victims Relatives Steal His Benefit Money
10-25-11 (Hastings, MN)  --  A burn victim's mother and his uncle are charged with taking 25-hundred dollars donated to benefit him and instead using the money to gamble at a casino.  19-year-old Antoine (ann-TWAHN) Willis was set on fire during an altercation last summer in Saint Paul, More...

Minneapolis Back In The Running For Stadium
10-24-11 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  Minneapolis has jumped back into the competition for a new Vikings stadium, with Mayor R-T Rybak suggesting three possible downtown locations -- the Metrodome among them -- financed in part with a city sales tax. 

No Charges Against Vikings Cook
10-24-11 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  It appears the Hennepin County Attorney's Office will *not* be filing criminal charges today (Mon) against Vikings defensive back Chris Cook.  Twenty-four-year-old Cook was arrested Saturday on suspicion of domestic assault and scheduled to be in court this morning - but his initial appearance was cancelled.  More...

Senate Republicans Release Job Creation Plan
10-24-11 St. Paul, MN  --  Scale back regulations on business...reduce the statewide business property tax...and lower the corporate income tax rate --  those items top Senate Republicans' job creation agenda unveiled today. More....

It's A Football Weekend In Minneapolis
10-21-11 (Minneapolis, MN)  --  It's a big sports weekend in Minneapolis.  Tomorrow (Sat) the Gophers host Nebraska in their homecoming match-up at TCF Bank Stadium and Sunday the Vikings hope to win their border battle with the Packers at the Metrodome.  This popular fall football weekend also means big business for some.  More...

Two Lawmakers Propose Giving The Metrodome To The Vikings
10-21-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Two state lawmakers at opposite ends of the political spectrum -- Roseville DFL Senator John Marty and Circle Pines Republican Representative Linda Runbeck -- are proposing to give the Metrodome to the Vikings, in exchange for a 25-year contract to play in Minnesota.   More...

Some Lawmakers Want To Tap Legacy Fund For Stadium
10-21-11 (St. Paul, MN)  --  Some Republicans are thinking about tapping Legacy Amendment funds to help pay for a new Vikings stadium.  Representative Kurt Daudt (DOWDT) of Crown contends it would be difficult for opponents of the idea to argue that the Vikings are not part of Minnesota's heritage. More...

Bachmann's Entire New Hamshire Team Resigns
10-21-11 (Manchester, NH)  --  The entire paid staff of Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann's New Hampshire campaign team resigned today, reportedly expressing frustration with her lack of focus on that state.  More...

Drug drop-off boxes now in Paynesville, Melrose
10-20-11     Earlier this year the Stearns County Board of Commissioners approved the installation of drop boxes to collect unused and unwanted medications.  They wanted to reduce the amount of excess medications being disposed of in landfills and into the ground water.   It also helped prevent the medications from falling into the hands of those that may abuse MORE...
Harlan Madsen

Corn, bean yields very greatly north of Lake Lillian
10-20-11     Some local farmers are seeing big variations in their crop and soybean yields as they harvest this year's crop.     Harlan Madsen farms north of Lake Lillian and says the corn yields have varied wildly from 60 to 240 in the same field.   Madsen says the moisture levels are very low, around 13 to 14%.   Regarding, the MORE...

Body Found In Burned-out Vehicle In Northern Minnesota

10-19-11  --  The Saint Louis County Sheriff's Department is asking the public's help in identifying a body found in a burned-out vehicle in Kelsey Township between Cotton and Hibbing.  Law enforcement received a call of a vehicle on fire in the ditch.  More...

Court Reverses Gang Members Conviction
10-19-11 (St. Paul, MN)  -- The Minnesota Supreme Court has reversed a Minneapolis gang member's murder conviction, saying the trial judge should have allowed defense attorneys to present evidence that the killer could have been someone else.  More...
Dru Sjodin (missingexoploited.com)

Layers File Appeal For Rodriguez

10-18-11 (Fargo, ND)  --  Lawyers for convicted killer Alfonso Rodriguez Junior have filed a lengthy appeal in U-S District Court in Fargo.  The 298-page document claims Rodriguez was insane and mentally retarded when he was convicted and sentenced to death in connection with the murder of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin. More...

Dayton Meets With NFL Representatives
10-18-11 (St. Cloud, MN)  --  Governor Dayton met with representatives of the N-F-L this afternoon as he continues his push for a new Vikings stadium.  At his regional jobs summit in Saint Cloud earlier today, Dayton said he wants lawmakers to look at all the different options and "turn all the cards face-up on the table" -- including tradeoffs for the proposed site in More...

More Lung Cancer Found In Range Residents
10-18-11  --  Health officials have discovered additional cases of a rare form of lung cancer involving people who once lived on the Iron Range.  The number of cases of mesothelioma (MEZZ-oh-thee-lee-OH-muh) has risen to 82, up from the 63 cases reported by the state last year. More...