Fergus Falls Forum

A trusted source has given us word that Dunn Bros Coffee will open a location in Tamarack Square sometime in 2009. Dunn Bros Coffee has locations throughout the Midwest, however, the majority of the coffee houses are located in Minnesota. In 2008, Dunn Bros Coffee opened in both Alexandria and Fargo. Dunn Bros Coffee competes with Caribou Coffee and Starbucks, but what separates them from the pack is that they roast their coffee beans daily – on site. Dunn Bros Coffee will be the first coffee house chain to debut in Fergus Falls.

Our source has also given us word that a big-box store in Fergus Falls will be expanding sometime between 2010 and 2012. During that expansion, Starbucks would open under a license agreement in the store.

Update! – Danny Kvenvolden will have his first court hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, due to failing to comply with the City’s nuisances property ordinance. This is coming after the City attorney initiated a complaint. The City of Fergus Falls has the nuisances ordiance posted on their website if you’re interested in viewing it.

The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed that there have been three reported cases of West Nile in Minnesota this year. A man in his 60′s who lives in Clay County and two people from Becker and Carver counties who are both under the age of 20. All of the victims received the virus in mid July and were diagnosed with West Nile Fever – a milder form of the West Nile virus. All three individuals are now recovering.

In a recent report by CalorieLab, Minnesota is the 30th fattest state in the United States – up from last year’s place at 28. In 2007, 26% of Minnesota’s population was obese and 62% were either obese or overweight. Topping the list was Mississippi who has held the “fattest state” title for the last few years. Colorado, however, was ranked 51 with only 19.3% of their population being obese.

Tomorrow, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a possible animated LED message board that would be added to the future Fergus Falls Walgreens store. The sign, which would display specials and other promotions “would be a distraction” according to Gordon Hydukovich, the Community Development director. Other Fergus Falls businesses that have animated LED message boards include Cullen’s Home Center and Park Region.

Today, Fergus Forum is introducing a new, free, service called Fergus Forum to Go – or FFGO. This new service allows mobile users to see the latest news from Fergus Forum, the Daily Journal and the Fargo Forum, area weather and the cheapest gas prices in Fergus Falls! For more information about FFGO, click here.

In 2007, Fergus Falls gained 16 residents according to the United States Census Bureau – making the city’s population total up to 13,697. The growth has been slow, but steady, since the 2000 census. However, from the July estimate of 2002, the population did decrease. In 2004, Fergus Falls recovered from the loss. From 2005 to 2006, Fergus Falls grew by 94. In other nearby cities, there was also growth. Alexandria grew by 158 and Detroit Lakes grew by 69.

We know that all of our readers are law-abiding citizens and do not travel across state borders to purchase fireworks that are illegal in Minnesota. All explosive and aerial fireworks are illegal in Minnesota. If you’re interested in viewing the legal/illegal list, click here.