News - March 9

According to Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen a bill has been proposed that would include sales tax on clothing. Minnesota is one of the few states that do not have sales tax on clothing or groceries since they are essential services. The burden of the tax would fall disproportionately on low income earners. He says this is not the answer to solve our budget deficit and will only prolong any recovery.

Senator Joe Gimse says the legislative session continues to be interesting and challenging. He says talks are continuing on the vetoed DFL General Assistance Medical Care partial restoration bill. Another working group is meeting at the Capitol to rework the one billion dollar bonding bill that was passed by both houses and pulled back from a certain veto. Gimse says the governor has demanded certain priorities, including funding for a sex offender treatment center expansion and security improvements at the state’s level 5 prison take precedence over lesser projects, and that the bill be reduced in size before it returns to him.

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority for the city of Willmar will meet this morning (Tuesday) at eight at the Lakeview Apartments High Rise. They’ll discuss goals and priorities, housing strategies, the Westwinds Supportive Housing; and other programs and reports.

A three vehicle collision on Saturday morning forced the closure of East Highway 28 in Morris. 31-year-old Jeremy Kolden, 66-year-old Carol Kummrow, and 33-year-old Ryan Sleiter, all of Morris, were not injured in the pile up. An early report from the Minnesota State Patrol says one of the three vehicles was making a left turn onto Columbia Ave. from Highway 28. The second vehicle was following and crashed into the first and then ran into oncoming traffic where the third vehicle was struck. The report didn't specify how each vehicle was involved. The Minnesota State patrol, Morris Police Department and Stevens County Sheriff's office responded to the incident.

Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen of district 11 has helped author a bill that would allow bronze star recipients to have a specialized state license plate that displays their medal. The senator says that he had help with the idea from 2 constituents, one from Morris and one from Litchfield. The bill was unanimously approved in the Agriculture and Veterans Budget and Policy Committee and has been referred to the Transportation Committee. Ingebrigtsen says the bill is supported by the American Legion and will cost nothing for taxpayers.

The Stevens County D-F-L has chosen its delegation for the State and Congressional District Conventions. During the county convention on Saturday, Jenna Sandoe, Bennet Smith, Collin Sandoe, Alice Kopel, Leann Dean, and Andrew Showalter were selected as delegates, while Jeff Lamberty, Jane Blodgett, Nick Johnson, Tammy Roth, Mike McBride, and Susan Brooks were picked as alternates. The county is given three full votes at the district and state conventions and the county convention split them into six half votes. There were 44 delegates who attended the convention at the Morris American Legion.

The Department of Homeland Security's assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has released the names of the latest recipients, one of which is in Grant County. Last Thursday legislators announced that the Barrett Fire Department will receive $64,933 in grant money to go towards operations and safety. It's one of 15 communities that will receive better tools and/or training for their first responders in the latest round of funding. Since 2001 the AFG program has awarded over 4 billion dollars to communities across the nation to enhance the readiness of first responders. The funding can be used for new equipment purchase, training, or public education programs.

The Minnesota State Patrol and Redwood County Sheriff’s Office were called to a rear-end crash yesterday afternoon (Monday) on Highway 68 on the south side of Milroy. 42 year old John Edwards of Garven rear-ended a vehicle driven by 65 year old Ge Her of Lamberton as he was attempting a left turn onto County Road 32. Both Edwards and Her were treated and released. A passenger in the Her vehicle, 18 year old Gaoshoua Vang of Tracy, was not injured.

58 year old Timothy Juetten has been ordered to serve 54 months in prison after violating his parole. He was convicted of second degree criminal sexual conduct in 2004 on two second degree criminal sexual conduct involving young girls. At that time he was given a year in jail, then put probation and began a sex offender treatment program. He didn’t make good progress in the treatment program and admitted to sexually abusing 15 to 17 victims some as young as two. His next court appearance in Kandiyohi County District Court is April 15th.

35 year old Andrew Lemcke of Appleton testified in Pope County District Court yesterday, maintaining the shooting death of his wife, 26 year old Nichole Riley-Lemcke was accidental. He was indicted by a Swift County grand jury last year, the trial was moved to Pope County where it started Feb. 22nd. Final rebuttal testimony could begin as early as today (Tuesday).

The Kerkhoven City Council had a number of issues on its plate last night (Monday) according to Mayor Brian Thompson. John Holtz from the Swift County Sheriff’s Office was there to give a report on the hours they’ve spent in the city and the types of calls they’ve had. In 2009 they provided 1,408 hours of service to the city, an average of 117.31 hours per month. The city contracts for 80 hours a month so the sheriff’s office is over and above those hours. Holtz also told the council that Sheriff Scott Mattison has recommended to the Swift County Commissioners that Holtz be named interim sheriff when Mattison retires in April.

Seasonal vehicle weight restrictions go into effect today (Tuesday) on the roadways. The Douglas County Public Works has purchased new Hennei scales to be used by sheriff’s deputies to enforce the vehicle weight restriction laws. It’s the goal of Douglas County to use the stepped up enforcement measures to gain voluntary compliance of the weight restriction laws by truck owners and operators that use the roadways.

Conservation Officer Ed Picht of Montevideo has received the Minnesota Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s Law Enforcement Award. Picht, a conservation officer since 2007, was recognized for his tireless efforts to eliminate illegal hunting activities, flood relief efforts in Fargo-Moorhead, work with news media, waterfowl disease monitoring efforts and team work with local wildlife management and conservation initiatives and officials.

Yesterday (Monday) the Litchfield Police Department charged a 19 year old Grove City man with theft from an East Frontage Road business. He will be appearing in Meeker County District Court on a later date. The police also arrested a 24-year-old Litchfield man on an Apprehension and Detention Order from Meeker County. The arrest occurred at a North Sibley Avenue address. He was also charged with possession of small amount of marijuana. He will be appearing in Meeker County District Court on a later date.