Pamida announced that it will be closing their stores in Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids and Wadena due to the poor economic conditions. According to Dean Williamson, vice president of Human Resources at Pamida’s corporate offices, it costs the company more money to keep the three stores open than closed. The Detroit Lakes and Park Rapids Pamida stores will close Saturday, January 31st, while the Wadena store will remain open until February 14th. The three stores that are closing will not have sales on the inventory, instead, it will be moved to other nearby stores. The store closings will affect around fifty employees in total.
Archive for January, 2009
Pamida to remain open in Fergus Falls, close in three other cities
On January - 31 - 2009
Minnesota may receive $477 million for highways, bridges
On January - 29 - 2009
If all goes as planned, Minnesota could receive $477 million dollars for highways and bridges from the economic stimulus plan moving through Congress. The money that Minnesota would receive is part of a $819 billion dollar economic recovery plan set aside by President Barack Obama’s economic team – $30 billion of which will be used for highway and bridge construction that would be divided up between the 50 states. The $477 million dollars given to Minnesota may help pay for the Tower Bridge Road project that could be constructed as soon as this summer in Fergus Falls.
Sunmart recalls cookies and bakery products that contain peanut butter
On January - 22 - 2009
Sunmart Foods is now recalling cookies and bakery products that were made with peanut butter. According to Sunmart, some products in their grocery stores contained peanut butter supplied by Peanut Corporation of America – which may contain salmonella. Customers who purchased peanut butter products from Sunmart can return them to the grocery store for a full refund. The Food and Drug Administration also suggests that consumers should stop eating products, such as cookies and crackers, containing peanut butter.
Fergus Forum has just been notified that the Fergus Falls Public Schools have removed some peanut butter products from the cafeteria due to the risk of salmonella.
Floor plan for new Perham hospital presented
On January - 17 - 2009
Floor plans for the new Perham Memorial Hospital on Highway 10 have been finalized. The new hospital will feature an illuminated, all-glass dome structure that will be able to be seen for miles. Construction could start as soon as July and hospital officials are confident confident for the proposed opening in 2011. The hospital is designed so everything is easy to find. Property owners in East Otter Tail county will not be taxed higher for this project. The new hospital will be funded through increases in patient and revenue volume. Shown below is an artists’ rendering of the proposed hospital.
Days Inn may become Holiday Inn Express
On January - 14 - 2009
Days Inn of Fergus Falls is no longer affiliated with Wyndham Worldwide – the parent company of the Days Inn hotel chain. As of now, the Fergus Falls Days Inn will be called Fergus Inn. The name, Fergus Inn, is a temporary name, however. Sources have notified us that the hotel may become a Holiday Inn Express in the future.
Oil prices fell 12% Wednesday, still at $1.84/gallon locally
On January - 8 - 2009
Crude oil prices may have risen 38% since Christmas, however, on Wednesday they fell sharply by 12%; which is one of the largest single-day declines in history. The price drop on Wednesday was the biggest drop since September 24th, 2001 – just after the September 11th terrorist attacks. On Wednesday night, gas prices in Fergus Falls were $1.84 a gallon. The highest price of gasoline in Minnesota is in International Falls where its currently selling for $2.02 a gallon, while in St. Cloud it will cost you $1.67 per gallon.
MSCTC-FF to give free tuition to jobless residents in Minnesota
On January - 5 - 2009
Minnesota State Community and Technical College announced today that Minnesota residents who currently receive unemployment benefits will be eligible for free tuition at the Fergus Falls campus – which is normally just over $140.00 per credit. Students who are enrolled through this program will still have to pay for text books and other materials needed for classes. There are openings in around 60 classes which include accounting, business, chemistry, math and others. To receive free tuition, prospective students will need to attend one of the two registration sessions. The first session is Friday, January 9th from 8AM to noon, or, the second session is Monday, January 12th, from 1 to 5PM.
Franken gains even more, Texas senator promises filibuster
On January - 4 - 2009
With the recount of rejected ballots from the Minnesota Senate race nearly done, candidate Al Franken is now ahead by 225 votes. However, Senator John Cornyn, a republican from Texas, threatened Friday to filibuster any attempt to seat Al Franken next week. Norm Coleman’s campaign is also in the talks about potential lawsuits about rejected ballots. In order for Franken to be seated in the Senate, he must receive a certificate of election – which will not be given as long as the election is still being challenged in courts.
Fargo-Moorhead FOX affiliate to broadcast Vikings game regardless of blackout
On January - 3 - 2009
KVVR-TV, which is the Fargo-Moorhead FOX TV affiliate, said today that they fully expect to broadcast the Vikings playoff game on Sunday regardless if the National Football League declares a blackout. If a blackout occurred, Sundays game wouldn’t be viewable on Twin Cities stations and some secondary markets in our region as well. The NFL did have some good news to deliver to fans today; they will give the Vikings a 24-hour extension to try and sell the 3,100 tickets that are remaining.
715 Hotheads grand opening next week helps area food shelf
On January - 2 - 2009
Fergus Falls’ newest salon, 715 Hot Heads located near Olson’s Funeral Home, will celebrate their Grand Opening week starting Monday, January 5th. Clients that have appointments next week will be able to pick a card off a giving tree that will have various discounts good off their next business. 715 Hot Heads will also be a food drop off next week for the food shelf in Fergus Falls. If you drop off a non-perishable food item, you’ll be entered into a drawing for prizes which include free services, hair products, tanning packages and more.
