The National Weather Service has increased their prediction of the Red River cresting at 41 feet up to 42 to 43 feet. Fargo and Moorhead are racing the clock to add a another foot to build their dikes up to 43 feet. According to the National Weather Service, the Red River’s crest in Fargo could last three to seven days. On Friday, two buses were suppose leave at 9:30AM and return at around 4PM from the Fergus Falls High School to carry volunteers the Fargo/Moorhead area to assist in sandbagging efforts. However, on Friday morning that trip was canceled due to the massive flooding in the area.
Archive for March, 2009
Red River may crest at 43 feet in Fargo; volunteer trip canceled
On March - 27 - 2009
Gov. Tim Pawlenty declares state of emergency for Clay, Wilkin counties
On March - 20 - 2009
Governor Tim Pawlenty has declared a state of emergency for Clay and Wilkin counties in addition to five other counties in Minnesota. Governor Pawlenty has called for 25 National Guard members to assist in flood preparations. The state of emergency declaration will also help local governments. Other counties in Minnesota which are now under a state of emergency include Marshall, Polk, Norman, Kittson and Traverse counties. According to the National Weather Service, the Red River is expected to crest at around 40 feet, and there’s a chance it will crest higher than it did in the spring 1997 flood which caused millions of dollars in damages.
Union Cafe to remain open, will still offer homemade soups and sandwiches
On March - 15 - 2009
Union Cafe, near the Regional Treatment Center, will remain open despite recently announcing that they were going to close at the end of February. Union Cafe will continue to offer homemade soups and made-to-order sandwiches made with fresh ingredients and served on Falls Baking Company bread as they always have. Their business hours will also remain the same – open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 3pm. According to the owner of Union Cafe, Jennifer Davis, they will be reintroducing salads and adding new menu items as the weather gets warmer. In addition, they will likely be moving to a new, larger location closer to downtown within the next couple of months.
Home Depot giving away free CFL light bulbs on April 19th
On March - 15 - 2009
Home Depot stores across the nation will be giving away EcoSmart 14w light bulbs on April 19th. Area residents can take advantage of this offer by visiting the Home Depot store on West Lincoln Avenue in Fergus Falls. No purchase is necessary to claim your free CFL light bulb. According to Home Depot, they’re giving away one million CFL light bulbs nationwide in support of Earth Day 2009.
Fergus Falls High School students raise $1,700 for 2 year old cancer patient
On March - 13 - 2009
Students at the Fergus Falls High School raised $1,700 to help Chevelle Korby, a 2 year old cancer patient that is currently being treated for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a rare form of cancer. For the past week, students have been raising money by purchasing raffle tickets. Tickets are being sold for $1.00 a piece or 10 for $5.00. The winners of the raffle shaved a teacher’s head on Friday at a 3:00PM assembly in the school gym. In addition, the high school students are planning a dance party on March 20th from 8PM to 11PM. Admission is set at $5.00 and all money raised, including admission, will be donated to the Korby family.
A fund as been set up at Midwest Bank in Detroit Lakes. Donations may be sent to the Chevelle Korby Fund at Midwest Bank 613 Highway 10 East, P.O. Box 703 Detroit Lakes, MN 56502, 218-847-4771. The family is in need for a car as well as insurance for a year to travel to the Roger Maris Cancer in Fargo.
Quote from Chevelle’s Caring Bridge website:
Recently we noticed Chevelle is not feeling well and that her right eye was droopy. After taking her into the doctor a few times, they finally decided to take a head scan. The Fergus Falls doctor felt we needed to take her to the emergency room in Minneapolis at the children’s hospital. After several days of testing we find out she has Rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer. It is in stage 4, group 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma which is the highest risk. She has a tumor greater than 5 cm behind her right eye which is growing up and down. Our little Chevelle will lose her site in that eye for sure but the left eye should be ok. This cancer has metastases or spread to the bone morrow and on a few bones; backbone, right & left hip. Her treatment for the cancer is going to consist of chemotherapy and radiation for about 54 weeks. With the possibility of surgery of the tumor after it shrinks. The doctor is very optimistic that Chevelle will pull through but it will be a long journey.
New York Mills dog breeder faces charges for animal abuse
On March - 9 - 2009
On Wednesday, the trial for Kathy Bauck, who runs Pick of the Litter in New York Mills, started. According to prosecutors, the dog breeder tortured the pets that she raised and sold. At 9AM on Wednesday, when the trial started, jurors first saw the undercover video that a Minneapolis television station discovered last fall. In the video, it shows Kathy Bauck dipping a puppy in insecticide. Various people sat in the courtroom in Fergus Falls watching the video – including animal rights advocates and even some of Bauck’s neighbors. The video in question was taken by an employee at Pick of the Litter with a camera hidden in a shirt button. The employee said an animal rights group paid him to work at Pick of the Litter and take the video which led to a police investigation as well as six criminal charges against Bauck.
In addition, the Otter Tail County prosecutor said that the animals at Pick of the Littler were tortured and neglected.
During the trial, Bauck’s lawyer said she was a kind and loving person. Her lawyer also said that Bauck has been in the breeding business for over 20 years and Bauck’s facility is federally licensed. Kathy Bauck has publically said that she feels set up by the animal rights group who hired the man that recorded the video of the abuse. Bauck also says that the group is trying to put her out of business.
Blizzard causes businesses, schools and roads to close
On March - 9 - 2009
Blizzard conditions brought area schools, businesses and travel plans to a halt on Tuesday and delayed many on Wednesday as well. At around 11:00AM on Tuesday, Minnesota officials closed Interstate 94 from Fergus Falls all the way to Jamestown, ND citing zero visibility and bad road conditions. Businesses like Umotors and Harmony Studios were closed the entire day on Wednesday while others, such as Burger King, closed in the afternoon. The bad weather didn’t stop some city officials from starting to clear snow from major roadways. According to some sources, the Fergus Falls area received six to eight inches of snow.
Alexandria-based All State Wireless to open Sprint Store in Fergus Falls
On March - 3 - 2009
Sprint customers will no longer have to travel to Detroit Lakes or Fargo for questions regarding their cell phone service. That is because All State Wireless, based out of Alexandria, will soon be opening a Sprint Store in Fergus Falls in the former AT&T location next to Papa Murphy’s. All State Wireless is owned by Jim Boisclair, and, according to him, they will provide the best customer service at the best possible price. The new Sprint Store in Fergus Falls will employ five to ten people.
