The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has officially designated several lakes in the Alexandria, Minn. area as infested waters due to zebra mussels. Zebra mussels were found in Lake Le Homme Dieu in late June, which caused it to be designated infested. Lake Alvin, Carlos, Darling, Geneva, Jessie and Victoria are all also designated as infested since they are directly connected to Lake Le Homme Dieu. While zebra mussels have not bee found in these lakes, the Minnesota DNR suspects that they will become infested with zebra mussels at some point. If you are boating in areas that are have zebra mussels, you are required to drain water and remove drain plugs before traveling on public roads. Bait harvest from infested waters is also prohibited.
Archive for the ‘Surrounding Areas’ Category
Highway 108 project east of Pelican Rapids begins July 6th
Resurfacing and replacement of culverts of Highway 108 will begin July 6th according to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Detroit Lakes. The project, costing $3 million, will last until mid-September. Traffic will be detoured on Otter Tail County Roads 41 and 24 and Highway 59. The main entrance to Maplewood State Park will remain open during construction and will be accessible from either the east or west depending on the progression of the project.
A second resurfacing project is scheduled for later this summer between Otter Tail County Road 41 south and Highway 78. That project will be completed under traffic and will not require a detour.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.
The Pines Gift Shop in downtown Perham to close
A prominent downtown business in Perham will be closing its doors after serving the area for 40 years. The Pines, which opened in the mid-1960′s, carries everything from furniture to jewelry. The liquidation sale begins today, however, a public announcement wont be made for another 7 days. During The Pine’s liquidation sale, the gift shop will have special hours. They will be open 9:00AM to 6:00PM on weekdays, 9:00AM to 6:00PM on Saturday, and 12:00PM to 4:00PM on Sunday. The Pines Gift Shop is located at 101 West Main in downtown Perham.
Small cities receive $16 million for projects
Roughly $16 million has been awarded in grants by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). 39 grants, in total, were awarded and will help fund housing, commercial, and infrastructure improvements in Greater Minnesota. Ashby has been awarded $351,600 to rehabilitate 15 owner-occupied houses. Glenwood will also receive funds, totaling $505,570, which will also help rehabilitate 15 owner-occupied houses. In addition to rehabilitation of owner-occupied houses, the funds Glenwood receives will also rehabilitate 10 rental units as well as 8 commercial buildings. Communities in West Central Minnesota were not the only ones that received funding. Cities such as Crookston, Brainerd, Willmar, Mankato, as well as dozens of others, also received funding. Unfortunately, Fergus Falls wasn’t one of the communities to receive DEED funding.
Speedway closes; Mexican restaurant to occupy former space
A Fergus Falls restaurant that opened in 2002, closed, then reopened last year has closed again. Speedway, which served ribs, steak, pasta, and seafood, closed after being bought out by another restaurant – El Tequila, a Mexican-themed restaurant. El Tequila has several locations throughout Minnesota, including cities such as Brained, Faribault, and Owatonna. El Tequila will open in Fergus Falls after remodeling and other renovations, however an opening date has not been set.
New York Mills airport no longer; city cites economy
The New York Mills city council passed a resolution to shutdown the municipal airport for two years to cut-back spending of city funds. According to the City of New York Mills, it costs the city nearly $9,000 annually. In 1962, the City of New York Mills purchased the property for $5,760 and has operated it since then. Darrell Jansen said, “Once the airport is closed, it’s gone forever. You’ll never have an airport again.”. If, for some reason, the city decides not to reopen the airport, it would bre requried to repay the Minnesota Department of Transportation $4,753 that was used for the installation of a beacon which pilots use for night-time flying.
Nelson to remain open as Chrysler cuts 19 dealerships in Minnesota
Nelson Automotive Center, in Fergus Falls, is not one of the 19 dealerships in Minnesota that Chrysler LLC has decided to cut. Chrysler wants to cut 789 of its 3,200 automotive dealerships across the county, the dealership said in a bankruptcy court filing on Friday. According to Chrysler, around 50% of its 3,200 U.S. dealerships account for roughly 90% of the company’s sales.
While Nelson Automotive Center isn’t one of the dealerships to be cut, Nereson Automotive, located in Detroit Lakes, Minn., less than fifty miles from Fergus Falls, is.
Chrysler dealers who are on the closure list can appeal the decision in a bankruptcy filing on Monday in New York. According to Chrysler, says sales are too slow to justify keeping all the dealers open.
Red River may crest at 43 feet in Fargo; volunteer trip canceled
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.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty declares state of emergency for Clay, Wilkin counties
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.
New York Mills dog breeder faces charges for animal abuse
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.
