County reviews joint powers agreement
Aug. 27,
2008
JACKSON - The Jackson County Commission Tuesday reviewed a
discussed the draft copy of the joint powers agreement for the East
Fork of the Des Moines River Watershed.
An organizational meeting was held in March and the draft copy of
the agreement was developed.
The Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District Board has
indicated that it is in support of the agreement.
Only a small area of the county, about 20,500 acres on the east
edge is in the watershed. Most of it lies in Emmet, Kossuth,
Humboldt, Winnebago, Hancock and Palo Alto counties in Iowa.
No action was taken. County Attorney Bob O'Connor will review the
agreement before action is taken.
Abstract update
County Assessor Farley Grunig and County Auditor Ben Pribyl gave
the commissioners an update on the abstract of tax list.
It had been reported at the last meeting that were problems with
the list.
Grunig told the commissioners that after working with the
Department of Revenue and software company, the list was resubmitted
and it was accepted. He said everything is satisfactory at this
point.
Pribyl told the commissioners that if the Department of Revenue
made changes with documentation, they had not given him any
documentation about the changes.
Assessment hearing
The commissioners set 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23 as the date
for an assessment hearing for the Martin/Jackson Rural Water
Project.
Iowa Lakes Regional Water anticipates providing water service to
approximately 431 rural customers located in the southeastern
portion of Jackson County and the southwest portion of Martin
County.
The commissioners also reviewed the results of the recent
balloting for the Loon Lake and Fish Lake Wastewater Projects that
was conducted in August and directed county staff to draw up a joint
powers agreement for the project to proceed.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Accepted a donation of $2,000 from the Jackson United Fund
to be designated for the Addiction Prevention Coalition.
- Authorized the County Coordinator to fill the full-time
position of Highway Maintenance Worker effective on Oct. 20. The
opening is due to the retirement of Gary Vacura on Oct. 31. It
was requested that the position be filled two weeks before
Vacura's retirement to assist with training.
- Approved a resolution calling for a public hearing on the
intention to issues bonds and adopt the 2009-2013 capital
improvement program. The hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sept.
23.
- Granted out of state travel for Veterans Service officer
Jeff Johnson to attend the National American Legion Convention
on Aug. 21-27. Due to illness and cancellation of one of the
district attendees, Johnson was offered the opportunity to
attend. Numerous speakers will speak on veterans benefits and
concerns. There will be no cost to the county for Johnson to
attend.
- Approved a lease between Leach Furniture Special Sales and
the county for the lease of 4,500 square feet of storage at the
Jackson County Fairgrounds. The lease is for the north half of
the middle building of the three new buildings from Aug. 23-Nov.
30. The rate will be $2,000 for the term of the lease.
- Approved the auditor-Treasurer to pay $27,730 to the Jackson
County Historical Society, which is half of the total budget
allocation for fiscal year 2008.
- Approved setting the bond amount at $20,000 for a solid
waste disposal facility license for Vet's Oil. Vet's had
requested an application to store more than 100 tires at their
site in the City of Jackson. The bond would be used to dispose
the tires if Vet's Oil were to abandon those tires.
- Approved signing a letter detailing the estimated tons of
municipal solid waste that is being sent from Jackson County to
the Nobles County Landfill. Currently about 50
percent of Jackson County's waste goes to Nobles County. The
Nobles County Landfill is looking to expand.
- Approved the resolution and agreement for advance
construction of the Sunset Trail. The Phase II Sunset Bike Trail
connects the Phase I portion of the trail at the intersection of
County Roads 34 and 53 north and east to the intersection of
County Road 14 and Hills Avenue in Jackson. The project will be
funded through 80 percent Federal Funds and 20 percent local
City of Jackson funds. Jackson County funds will be used until
federal funds become available on or before Oct. 1, 2009 and the
county will be reimbursed.
- Heard that an agreement has been reached regarding the
property that is owned by the city immediately north and
includes a portion of the Jackson Speedway racetrack. The county
will enter into a long-term lease with the City of Jackson for
the property for $1. The city will still retain ownership and it
eliminates any liability to the county.
Patrol investigates one-car accident
Aug. 27,
2008
JACKSON - The Minnesota State Patrol
investigated a one-car accident at 4:48 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 71
at the westbound ramp of Interstate 90.
Randon Johnson of Lakefield, 23, was
driving a 2002 Volkswagen Passat when he lost control while making a
turn on to the entrance ramp. The car went off the ramp shoulder and
crashed into a MnDOT closure gate.
Johnson was not injured. The gate
was destroyed.
Johnson’s car sustained severe
damage. The Minnesota Department of Transportation assisted at the
scene.
JCC School Board meets
Aug. 26,
2008
JACKSON - The Jackson County Central School Board met for its
regular monthly meeting Monday night.
Enrollment
Elementary Principal Sam Marek reported that enrollment at
Pleasantview Elementary is down about 10 students from last year to
around 125. Enrollment at Riverside is down about five students
compared with last year, but those enrollment numbers may change as
the year gets started next week.
Meanwhile, enrollment at the Middle School for grades 6-8 is 259,
compared with 248 last year. Middle School Principal Kari Wilkinson
told the board because of the higher number of students, there may
be a few classes that have more than 30 students.
Meyer to serve on committee
Superintendent Todd Meyer told the board he has been asked to
serve on a legislative finance committee with 29 other
superintendents.
The committee will talk and work with legislators regarding
school financing in Minnesota.
Springboard needed
Superintendent Todd Meyer reported the swimming pool committee
met and decided that the springboard and its base need to be
replaced. The cost will be approximately $13,000.
Meyer also reported that the number of people using the pool over
the summer was down a bit from previous years. The pool committee
will work on ideas to increase those numbers in the future.
Fall sports coaches
The board approved fall sports coaching assignments.
Volleyball
- Head coach: Teresa Van Epps
- B squad: Katie Grave
- C squad: Angela Brinkman
- 8th grade: Deidre Feil
- 7th grade: Tara Boogerd
Football
- Head coach: Tom Schuller
- Assistant coaches: Wade
Wacker, Trent Sukalski
- B squad: Jim Gumto, Chris Naumann
- C squad: Nate Hanson, Jay Moore
- Middle school: Galen McCarthy, Travis
Bretzman, Eric Tvinnereim
Cross country
- Co coaches: Kerri Kocak, Brad Strom
Cheerleading
- Head coach: Barb Tvinnereim
In other action, the board:
- Approved the resignations of Darnell
Johnson and Barb Hemmingway as para-professionals at Riverside
Elementary.
- Hired Marie Pell, Sandy Torgerson, Nikki
Austin and Carey Wachal as at-will para-professionals at Riverside
Elementary, each for 7.25 quarter hours per day. All fill vacancies.
- Approved the resignation of Wayne Russell as a high
school custodian effective on Aug. 21. Approval was given to
hire Michael Turner effective Aug. 25.
- Approved the resignation of Liezl Butzon as an ESL
part-time teacher at Riverside Elementary School effective
immediately and also as the head winter cheerleading coach.
- Approved hiring Maya
Bannister as a one-fourth time ESL instructor.
- Approved hiring Larry Traetow as the Pleasantview Elementary
Assistant Principal/Activities Director.
- Approved hiring Stephanie Bot as a long-term sub for
the ag department starting on Sept. 2.
- Approved the new two-year principal's contracts.
The contracts include a total salary increase of eight percent over
two years, along with some changes in duties.
- Approved the maintenance service
proposal from Paape Companies, Inc. for all four schools in
the district for a total net price of $18,992 per year
starting on Sept. 1.
- Approved a resolution relating to the election of
school board members and calling for the school district general
election. Filing closes on Sept. 9. Seats up for election are those currently held by Mary Bezdicek,
John Buschena, Gary Place and Mark Titus.
- Approved the Early Childhood-Learning
Readiness hourly wages for the 2008-2010 school years.
- Approved the amendment to the business manager's contract, Jim
Hoffbeck, to replace the language of $95,000 life insurance
to $150,000 life insurance that was signed on July 15.
State Fair auction sets record
Aug. 25,
2008
FALCON HEIGHTS - It was a record-breaking 4-H purple ribbon
livestock auction Saturday night at the Minnesota State Fair.
The auction raised a new record of $310,613 in additional premium
dollars from 88 head for Minnesota 4-H youth and programs.
This year’s grand champion market swine exhibited by Jenna Stade
of Jackson County sold for a record price of $8,000
to a group that included Hormel Foods of Austin, John Morrell and
Company and The Phillips Agency of Jackson.
The reserve champion barrow, shown by Breanne Rentschler of
Jackson County, set another record price with a $6,000 bid and
was purchased by a group of supporters that included Pioneer Hi-Bred
Seeds, Boeringer-Ingleheim, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Ag Star, New
Fashion Pork, The Phillips Agency and Rolfings of Cleveland.
The champion market gilt shown by Emily Wegener of Martin County
sold for $6,000 and was purchased by Monsanto and the Friends
of Martin County. The reserve champion market gilt exhibited by
Hayden Kerkaert of Pipestone County, purchased for $5,000
from Monsanto, Pipestone Systems Companies and New Horizon Farms.
The Machine Shed Restaurant of Lake Elmo returned to lead a group
of buyers including Pioneer Hi-Bred Seeds and the Minnesota State
Fair concessionaires on a record purchase of $5,100 for the
grand champion market lamb shown by Jacob Wiebe of
Cottonwood County. The reserve champion market lamb shown by Jessica Wiebe of Cottonwood County sold for
$3,100 to the partnership
bid of Big Gain Feeds, Diamond V Mills and the Cottonwood County
Boosters.
The champion market beef steer came from the cross-bred
middleweight division and was shown by Lauren Lindeland of Blue
Earth County. It was purchased for a record price of $14,000
by the Minnesota Farmers Union. The
reserve champion was from the heavyweight division and owned by
Kayla Nelson of Fillmore County set a new record price with the
successful bid of $9,000 from Butch Ames of Ames Construction
in Burnsville.
A record price of $8,000 was paid for this year’s grand
champion dairy steer exhibited by Kristen Wingert of Wabasha County.
The successful bid was from longtime South St. Paul supporters, Lenertz Trucking, O&S Cattle Company, American
Foods Group, and Central Livestock/CRI. Alan Dicke of Goodhue County
showed the reserve champion dairy steer which was purchased for
$6,600 by the Minnesota State Fair concessionaires.
The grand champion meat goat shown by Alix Kermes of Freeborn
County for $4,000 and the grand champion dairy meat goat
exhibited by Paige Johnson of Fillmore County sold for $2,600
to the group known as the 4-H Meat Goat Supporters.
Proceeds from the purple ribbon livestock auction go to the
winning 4-H youth and 20 percent of the funds are designated to
further Minnesota 4-H, the Minnesota 4-H Foundation and the Auction
Scholarships. A total of 19 4-H Livestock auction scholarships were
awarded this year from the premiums received and new matching
dollars that enabled additional youth to receive $1,000
scholarships.
The new match donors include AgStar Home Mortgage, LACO
Industries and Interstate Power Systems, Lynch Livestock, Hormel,
John and Sue Story, Richard and Bonnie Compart, Kent Thiesse, Greg
Harder and Brad Rugg.
Each champion will be on display through Labor Day on the east
side of the cattle barn at the State Fairgrounds. Also the
exhibitors with the 4-H grand champion market beef steer, market
dairy steer, market barrow and market lamb all will have the use of
a new Featherlite trailer for a year.
Taking a look at how the rest of our area 4-H members did at the
sale Saturday night:
- Laura Schulz, Jackson County, champion simmental steer, $4,000,
Minnesota Simmental Breeders Association and the Jackson County
Purple Ribbon Club
- Eli Ihnen, Jackson County, market swine, $2,000
- Dylan Celander, Martin County, market swine, $3,700
- Trevon Bargfrede, Jackson County, market swine, $2,000
- Alycia Carroll, Martin County, market swine, $4,450
- Jacob Ihnen, Jackson County, market swine, $2,000
- Dustin Voss, Jackson County, market swine, $2,000
- Dastinee Vancura, Jackson County, market swine, $2,000
- Kody Burmeister, Jackson County, market swine, $2,000
- Ben Carlson, Martin County, market swine, $3,600
- Elise Mickelson, Jackson County, market swine, $2,000
- Kent Knutson, Nobles County, market swine, $2,000
- Mary Faber, Martin County, market swine, $3,500
Market Lamb sale
- Brook Wiebe, Cottonwood County, champion lightweight
lamb, $1,900
- Casey Rabbe, Martin County, market lamb, $2,750
- Britney Schneekloth, Jackson County, market lamb, $2,000
- Mitchell Olson, Martin County, market lamb, $2,850
- Shelby Springman, Nobles County, market lamb, $2,000
Fairmont man killed in two-vehicle accident
Aug. 25,
2008
FAIRMONT - Michael Draper of Fairmont was killed in a two-vehicle
traffic accident early Sunday.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 1936 Chevy Sedan
driven by the 55-year-old Draper and a 1997 Ford Taurus driven by
36-year-old Chad Penn of St. James collided at 1:12 a.m. Sunday at
the intersection of 190th Avenue and Lair Road.
Following the collision, Draper’s car struck a power pole. Both
cars came to rest in the southwest ditch.
Draper was killed in the accident. Penn was treated and released
for minor injuries at the scene.
The Fairmont Police Department, Martin County Sheriff’s
Department, Fairmont Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance
assisted at the scene.
Authorities investigating attempted armed robbery
Aug. 25,
2008
JACKSON - The Jackson Police Department and the Jackson County
Sheriff’s Office are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at
2:36 a.m. Monday at Vet’s Whoa N’ Go on Interstate 90.
The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20’s,
approximately 5-foot-6, wearing a gray or white sweatshirt and blue
jeans. The suspect entered the store with a blue duffle bag and
brandished a small-caliber handgun while he demanded cash from a
clerk. The suspect had his faced covered with a blue bandana.
Witnesses described seeing the suspect leave the store via the
front door while running west toward Interstate 90. Officers
determined no cash had been taken. They were not able to determine
if a vehicle was used.
Authorities are appealing for the public’s help from anyone who
may have information, or was in the area at the time of the
attempted armed robbery. You can call the Jackson Police Department
at 847-2442.
Jackson man arrested on drug charges
Aug. 22,
2008
JACKSON - A 53-year-old Jackson man was arrested on a drug charge
following the execution of a search warrant Tuesday at a residence
in the 300 block of State Street by the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Department and Jackson Police Department.
Duane Badgley was arrested and charged with one county of a
controlled substance crime in the fifth degree.
As a result of the search warrant, law enforcement officials
seized approximately 4.5 ounces of marijuana. Found in close
proximity to the marijuana was approximately $2,000 in cash and two
handguns, which were also seized.
Badgley appeared in court Thursday and remains in custody under
$10,000 bond.
Worthington man injured in auger accident
Aug. 21,
2008
WINDOM - Around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, the Cottonwood County
Sheriff's Department received a report that 73-year-old Vernon Mews of
Worthington had his arm caught in a grain auger while unloading beans
from a bin located at 92198 500th Ave. in Christiania Township in
Jackson County.
Responding to the scene were the Jackson and Cottonwood County
sheriff's departments, Windom Fire and Windom EMS, Dr. Rodney Dynes
and nursing staff from Windom Area Hospital. A North Memorial
helicopter from Redwood Falls was also called to the scene.
Members of the Windom Fire Department, with consultation and care
from Dynes and the nursing staff successfully removed the arm of Mews
from the auger. He was then airlifted to the Sanford Hospital in Sioux
Falls.
Jackson County Sheriff Roger Hawkinson and Windom Fire Chief Dan
Fossing credit all the agencies involved and the doctors and nursing
staff from Windom for their professional and prompt response to the
scene.
Iowa Lakes trustees meet
Aug. 21,
2008
ESTHERVILLE - The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees
convened on the Estherville campus and learned about the long-time
success of the environmental studies program.
Professor Gary Phillips was introduced to the trustees by Executive
Dean Mary Larscheid of the Estherville campus.
Phillips has led the environmental studies programs for
approximately 26 years. Over that time, more than 1,000 students have
been prepared for careers in the environmental and resources
management fields. The sustainable energy resources management program
is entering its third year next week.
While on the Estherville campus, the trustees got a mini tour of
building projects on campus. Work on the new wrestling building is
progressing toward a scheduled opening of Oct. 1 and the athletics
training room will be completed in time for the start of classes next
week.
In other business, the list of summer graduates was officially
accepted.
The next meeting of the Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees will be held
Tuesday, September 16th at the administrative offices of the college
in downtown Estherville.
Patrol investigates one-vehicle accident
Aug. 21,
2008
BLUE EARTH - The Minnesota State Patrol investigated a one-vehicle
accident around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday in the westbound lane of Interstate
90 in Faribault County.
Meg Gardner of Pleasant Beach, N.J., 22, was driving a 1998 Subaru
that drifted off into the median, hitting the rumble strips. Gardner
was startled and overcorrected, losing control and hitting the median
safety barrier.
Meg Gardner and her passenger, 20-year-old Graeme Gardner, also of
Pleasant Beach, were both treated and released from the United
Hospital Blue Earth.
Moderate damage was reported to Gardner's car. The Blue Earth
Police Department assisted the state patrol at the scene.
Pearson Lakes Arts Center to hold open house
Aug. 21,
2008
OKOBOJI - Pearson Lakes Art Center will hold an open house and
recognition celebration from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday. The event is being
held to recognize and celebrate the major donations that were given to
the Bud Pearson Legacy Endowment.
There will be a special dedication of a new naming plaque for
members of 'Bud's Buddies', who are donors of $100,000 and more. There
will also be the unveilings of new signs naming portions of the
facility.
A special program with presentations will be held at 2:30 p.m.,
followed by a preview of the 2009 performance season. Light
refreshments will be served.
Plenty of suggestions made for use of building
Aug. 20,
2008
JACKSON -
There were no decisions, but a lot of suggestions were discussed for
the
future use of the Chozen building at Tuesday night's Jackson City
Council
meeting.
In July, the Chozen family donated the downtown building to the
City of Jackson.
Jackson Economic Development Coordinator Sue Pirsig told the
council
that a number of people have approached her about the building.
The
retail
and development groups in Jackson have expressed their desire that
the
building be used as retail space. It has been suggested that it
could be
used as an incubator for small businesses that might not be able to
afford
renting an entire building, but could afford renting space in a
building.
Pirsig she has also been approached by parties looking for warehouse
space,
although she said she didn't know if that would be the best use for
the
building.
Councilman Ed Willett said a group has suggested looking at the
building as a potential site for a senior citizens center. Willett
brought
up for discussion putting the issue to
a public vote.
Voters could decide from four options, remodel the
building for a senior center, have the senior citizens center be a
part of
the new county facilities building, remodel the present senior
center or not do anything.
Mayor Mitch Jasper polled the rest of the councilmen on the
idea.
Jerry Palmer thought it would be a pretty good idea in that everyone
could
give their input by voting.
Ken Temple said he'd be favor at looking at leaving the senior
center
where it's at.
Fred Bern said he liked the idea of using the building as a
mall.
Tom Ambrose said that the new county facilities
building
is not a given. He said he's heard a lot of people saying about
the building staying commercial. He said there have also been
suggestions
about the police department moving into the building.
Gary Willink said he thinks putting the matter to a public vote
would be
a fair way to do it.
Willink asked County Coordinator Jan Fransen, who was at the
meeting if it would eliminate the option to have the senior center
in the
new county building if the matter is put to a vote. Fransen said she
didn't
think it would.
Jasper he would like to see the building remain
as
retail space. He said a fifth option for the senior center would be to build
between the current center and the library building where both the
library and
senior center could use the space.
Jasper said if it was put to a vote, then one option should be
chosen
and the other would be to do nothing instead of having four or five
options.
Bern asked how will the options be brought to the
public. There would have to be a meeting to explain the options
within the
next two weeks to get the matter on the November ballot.
Jasper also asked how would you get the cost numbers on all the
options
in order for the public to make a decision. Jasper said he thinks
the building is a great opportunity for Jackson for retail space.
Junior Councilman Tanner Hummel said he would be in favor of using building as a business incubator.
Police Chief Tony Legnani asked the council to consider using the
building for the police department. He said it would get the department downtown
allowing for more access to the public. He said
there are space needs for the department. He said funding
to move to a new location could be found through
grants. Legnani said moving closer to the center of
town
would benefit the community policing programs and better serve the
citizens.
Willett asked if Fransen could put cost numbers
together of what it may cost for the city to have the senior
citizens center
in the new county services building to see if that's a viable option. Willink said incubator space for small businesses has been
discussed for 20 years.
Willink and Willett volunteered to meet with Fransen to discuss what the costs may be for the
senior center in the county services building.
Also, Jasper asked for ballpark cost figures for the other
suggestions. Legnani
will
also research what grants may be available if the police department
were
to move.
The cost figures for the various suggestions and ideas will
be brought to the council's Sept. 2 meeting.
Council holds first reading of ordinance
Aug. 20,
2008
JACKSON -
The Jackson City Council held first reading Tuesday night of an
ordinance
amending the ordinance created by initiative petition regarding the
Des
Moines River Dam project.
The amended ordinance is in essence, a
compromise
with the committee that wanted to save the dam. At an informational
meeting
last week, the Department of Natural Resources said even if a
proposal to put
rocks on the downstream side of the dam was pursued, the dam would
still need to be lowered.
The ordinance authorizes the preparation of plans and specifications
and
will call for and receive bids for Option 4-revised-Stepped Rock
with dam
removal. That's more or less the same option approved by the council
earlier this
year.
However, the amended ordinance directs Barr engineering to
include in
the plans and specifications the use of concrete rip rap that has
been
deposited along the banks of the river for the riffles, authorizes
the city
staff to advertise for rocks and boulders of sizes specified by Barr
Engineering for the project, and authorizes and directs the city
staff to
apply for additional grant funding as may now be available through
the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
The second reading of the amended ordinance will be held on
Sept.
2. After the ordinance is adopted, the Save the Dam committee has
10 days
to express dissatisfaction with the ordinance. If four-fifths of the
committee
expresses dissatisfaction with the ordinance in a statement filed
with the city administrator, the matter will be on the November ballot.
If
the Save
the Dam Committee members approve of the amended ordinance, then the
matter
will not go to a public vote.
Historic Arnolds Park group holds meeting
Aug. 19,
2008
ARNOLDS PARK - About 30 members of Historic Arnolds Park, Inc.
re-elected one board member and elected two others to the board at its
meeting Sunday.
Former chair Becky Batcheller of Sioux Falls, was re-elected to her
board seat, while Rick Berry and Deb Ditsworth, both of Spirit Lake,
were elected to fill vacancies created by treasurer Joe Conover's
retirement from the board and the recent passing of Mike Zenor. Each
will serve a three-year term.
The entire board will elect a new chair at its September meeting.
Those attending the meeting were told that Lee Seeman of Omaha and
Okoboji has gifted $250,000 to the group as an endowment, the income
of which will be used for improvements to the park.
It was also announced that Historic Arnolds Park is in negotiations
to more than double the size of the Maritime Museum. Tentative plans
call for the 6,000-square foot space to be expanded by approximately
10,000 square feet in order to accommodate more exhibits, especially
rotating more wooden boats through the facility.
It was reported that 2008 has been a very good year with more than
200,000 admissions, about half of them paid.
Weekend shows drew an average of 3,000-5,000 attendees, with the
July 4 weekend drawing more than 12,000.
Treasurer Joe Conover explained that an appreciable increase in
August revenues more than made up for slight declines in June and July
income, adding that the group is now well ahead of last year.
Historic Arnolds Park, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization that
oversees the operation of the Arnolds Park Amusement Park, the Iowa
Great Lakes Maritime Museum, the Queen II excursion board, the Queen
Court Mall, and the Preservation Plaza concert space.