Rural Jackson man injured on four-wheeler Sept. 2, 2010

JACKSON - Around 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a four-wheeler accident north of Jackson on County Road 36.

Leo Pohlman, 77, was driving a 2003 Arctic Cat 400 on County Road 36 when he swerved to miss a dog that had jumped out of the ditch.

Pohlman lost control of the four-wheeler and the vehicle rolled. Pohlman was thrown from the vehicle and landed in the roadway. He was taken to the hospital by the Windom Ambulance Service. There was no information on the extent of any injuries.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Department and Windom Fire and Ambulance Service.

No serious injuries in rollover Sept. 2, 2010

ELLSWORTH - No serious injuries were reported in a one-vehicle rollover at 8:48 a.m. Wednesday two miles north of Ellsworth on Highway 91 in Nobles County.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 26-year-old Andrea Zirbel of Ellsworth was driving a 2002 Ford pickup northbound on Highway 91 when she crossed the center line and southbound lane and overcorrected after hitting the southbound shoulder of the highway. Her pickup skidded sideways into the east ditch and rolled into a corn field.

Zirbel was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. She was taken to Sanford Worthington Regional Hospital, where she was treated and released. Zirbel’s pickup was estimated as totaled.

The Nobles County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene.

Worthington woman dies in accident Sept. 1, 2010

SAINT PAUL - Three Jackson County 4-H members were part of the $316,000 premium dollars brought in Saturday night at the 31st purple ribbon auction at the Minnesota State Fair.

One brought in a record bid as the grand champion meat goat shown by Nathan Schultz sold for $4,600 to Wal-Mart, Fred and Phyllis Groth and Steinhoff-Muller.

Nolan Hohenstein's light-weight crossbred was the reserve champion barrow and was purchased for $4,500 by the partnership of the Jackson County Purple Ribbon Club, Pioneer Hi-Bred Seeds, Elanco, Wiechmann Pig Co. and Form-A-Feed.

Also, the reserve champion market gilt exhibited by Jacob Ihnen brought in a bid of $4,500 from Extended Ag Services, New Fashion Pork, ADM Alliance Nutrition, American Foods Group, Spokely Brothers, Anderson Seeds, Ivesco, Ralco and AgStar.

Overall, there were five new record prices set and on was tied

Proceeds from the auction go to the winning 4-H youth, with 20 percent of the funds designated to further Minnesota 4-H, the Minnesota 4-H Foundation and the auction scholarships.

The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association.

Trial date set for Naujock Aug. 26, 2010

SPIRIT LAKE - The trial for 39 year old James Naujock of Spirit Lake has been set for Oct. 5 in Dickinson County District Court.

Naujock is charged with attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, obstruction of emergency communications, willful injury and assault while participating in a felony. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The charges stem from an incident that took place on July 27 when Spirit Lake police were called to a residence in the 1400 block of Gary Avenue after getting a 911 call from that location.

Upon arriving, police and first responders found a woman with multiple wounds. She was taken by ambulance to Lakes Regional Healthcare and was transferred by air to a Sioux Falls hospital.

A protective order has been filed on the victim’s behalf, along with a request to keep cameras of the courtroom.

If convicted, the penalties against Naujock could carry enhanced sentences. Court documents state that Naujock has previous felony convictions in Clayton County, Iowa and in Michigan.

Two face drug charges in Lake Park Aug. 26, 2010

LAKE PARK - Two people were arrested on alleged controlled substance charges near Lake Park.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 1712 110th Street of rural Lake Park Monday evening.

Lisa Bennett, 27, and 28-year-old Jesse Davis were arrested.

Both were booked into the Dickinson County Jail on charges of child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Lake Park Police Department and the Department of Human Services assisted at the scene.

Injuries reported in three-vehicle accident Aug. 26, 2010

GHENT - Injuries were reported in a three-vehicle sideswipe accident at 8:55 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 68, east of Ghent in Lyon County.

Involved was a 1996 Chevy Lumina driven by 63-year-old Marcus Bruns of Minneota, a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 59-year-old Sally Vogt of Canby and a 2001 Peterbuilt semi tractor driven by 29-year-old Jamie Becker of Albany.

Bruns was taken to a Sioux Falls hospital with non life-threatening injuries, Vogt was not injures and Becker was taken to the Marshall hospital, where he was treated and released.

Severe damage was reported to Bruns’ Chevy Lumina and minor damage was reported to Vogt’s vehicle and the semi tractor driven by Becker.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Minnesota State Patrol at the scene.

Capital improvement program approved Aug. 26, 2010

JACKSON - Following a public hearing that lasted nearly an hour, the Jackson County Commission Tuesday unanimously approved the 2011-2015 capital improvement program. The plan outlines capital improvements in the county ranging from roads, equipment for county departments, and buildings.

During the hearing, Mike Handzus outlined several concerns.

Handzus asked about plans for the county service building project. He noted that the current project to demolish the 1938 building and construct a new 9,500-10,000-square foot building for the Department of Human Services will cost about $2.5  million. That project was approved to move forward by the Commission last month.

Handzus asked about the plan's second phase of the building project slated for 2015 at $3 million and a third phase for 2014-2015 also at $3 million, bringing the total cost to $8.5 million.

County Coordinator Jan Fransen said the estimates for future buildings projects are rough estimates. As the schematic design is developed for future space needs, it is will provide for determining better estimates. Handzus told the commissioners the County should utilize their existing buildings to save money.

Handzus also had questions regarding the new county maintenance building. He had a question about the $700,000 in the plan for storage at Lakefield.

County Engineer Tim Stahl said the building in Lakefield will be a storage facility for trucks. There will be no offices, repair work will not be done there and there won't be a wash bay or gas pumps. Handzus also questioned the up to $4 million in the plan for a county maintenance facility. saying it seems like a lot of money for a shed. He urged the commissioners to look at that to see if those costs could be reduced.

Handzus also brought up the trails. He said the trails are a direct expense to taxpayers whether the funding comes from federal, state or local dollars. It will lead to more expansion of government down the road in the form of maintenance. He said the trails also infringe on private property rights of people with property adjacent to the trails. He also noted the Kilen Woods trail that will require having to deal with the DNR.

Handzus also noted the $146,000 for expansion in Brown Park. He said the county should not be in the camping business and that construction of cabins at the park will be more expense for the county because of maintenance. He also questioned the $130,000 for rest room improvements at Robertson Park. Handzus said there needs to be a reduction in property taxes.

Cheryl Brooks asked the commissioners on why the county services building project was coming ahead of the county maintenance building. Brooks said there is much more justification for a county maintenance facility. She asked why the commissioners put the county services building ahead of the county maintenance building when the maintenance building is falling down and the county services building is a solid and strong building and will last for many years.

Commissioner Chairman Roger Ringkob said both facilities are very much needed. He said as soon at the county services building project is complete, the county maintenance building is next. He said the decision to do the projects this way was made seven years ago.

Commissioner Rosemary Schultz, a member of the capital improvement plan committee said the committee took input from county department heads and she and fellow committee member Commissioner Dave Henkels talked with Tim Stahl to get his input. Henkels noted that the building committee will be having a work session Thursday to talk about plans for the county maintenance facility. Henkels said the DHS building was in desperate need to have something done.

Stahl said individual county departments have their own priorities. He said he absolutely thinks the county maintenance facility is important but as a group, you have to take a look at the big picture. Stahl said he was comfortable that things are moving forward regarding the maintenance facility. He said he was used to having projects that take awhile because it takes time to get road projects planned and completed.

Brooks asked if it was the best plan for the county services building. Henkels said it was.

Brooks noted that the overall cost will be more than $8 million, while earlier estimates put the cost at $7.1 million. Henkels said remodeling of the 1938 building of the Resource Center had been looked at. Also, doing the county services building project in phases will cost more over time than if it had been done all at one time.

Ringkob said the public hearing was to take comments about the five-year plan. Brooks said this was the only chance to speak about the county services building project.

Commissioner Bill Tusa asked "What is the commission to make of the public input on the Resource Center issue?"

Commissioner Loren Tusa referred to the Fish Lake sewer project. He said the majority voted in favor of that project, but you never are going to hear from those in the majority.

Roger Ringkob said he had received 16 letters. All but one was a form letter. He said he had one letter unsigned and the other letters he takes under advisement. He said he talked with a couple people, some in his district. He said of the 15 letters in opposition, one paragraph is in opposition to the $2.5 million, which is coming out of reserves.

Bill Tusa asked if voting against the capital improvement plan would change anything, but it was noted it would not as the commissioners have already approved moving forward with Phase I of the county services building project.

The public hearing on the capital improvement plan started and 9:16 a.m. and ended at 10:08.

Following the hearing, Loren Tusa noted that it's just a plan and that projects in the plan must first be taken to the budget process. He make a motion to approved the plan which was seconded by Henkels and unanimously approved.

About 14 people were on hand for the public hearing on the CIP.

Lions club hands out awards Aug. 26, 2010

JACKSON - Several Jackson Lions Club members were honored at the most recent meeting of the club at the Lions Bingo Stand at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

Daryl "Barney" Olson was presented the Helen Keller Sight Award, while the Catch the Dream Award was presented to Tim Olson.

Clayton Lewis and Doug Johnson were each presented the Melvin Jones Award.

Andrew Bazeley landed his ultralight plane in a beanfield near the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

More information released on plane crash Aug. 26, 2010

JACKSON - More information has been released on the airplane crash near the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

At approximately 8:10 p.m. Saturday, 47-year-old Andrew Robert Bazeley of Jackson was flying a Gemini Hummingbird Ultralight plane over the Jackson Municipal Airport to test his equipment. As he was about to turn around and head back to the airport, the motor stalled for an unknown reason.

Bazeley was forced to land in a beanfield managed by Fairland Management Company and farmed by James Ascheman of Jackson. The crash caused damage to the beans.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Jackson Police Department and the Jackson Fire and Rescue.

JACKSON - During their regular meeting Tuesday, Jackson County commissioners went into closed session to discuss legal strategy regarding a possible court injunction to stop demolition of the 1938 portion of the Jackson County Resource Center.

Earlier this summer, the county commission approved moving forward with plans to demolish the 1938 building and construction of a new 9,500-10,000 square foot building on the site to house the Department of Human Services. The new building would be constructed to allow for expansion to accommodate other county offices in the future.

Since that time, the Jackson Preservation Alliance was formed and contacted Minneapolis Attorney Mark Anfinson about possibly filing a court injunction to stop demolition of the 1938 building.

Two weeks ago, Anfinson sent a letter to the county commission and County Coordinator Jan Fransen regarding the proposed demolition plans. Although Anfinson's letter stated it was not a threat of litigation, it proceeds to detail litigation standards that could result in a temporary and permanent injunction.

Prior to going into closed session, County Attorney Bob O'Connor asked the commissioners to vote on a motion stating that the county is under threat of a possible injunction and pending litigation, thus giving grounds to close their meeting for attorney-client privilege because of the need for absolute confidentiality.

Commissioner Loren Tusa made the motion to close the meeting for discussion of possible threatening litigation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bill Tusa and was unanimously approved.

The grounds for closing the meeting were:

• To have a candid and open discussion of defense strategy and possible areas of reconciliation
• The topic will be limited to the threatened injunction concerning the resource center buildings
• An open session would be detrimental because of the likely presence of  potential litigants
• A closed session benefits taxpayers because of possible financial liability
• Anfinson's letter, although stating it is not a threat of litigation, proceeds to detail litigation standards that could result in an injunction

Other factors that have lead the county to discuss legal strategy are stories in the media of objections to destruction of the 1938 former high school building and reports of fund-raising efforts by the Jackson Preservation Alliance to pay for filing fees and litigation.

There was no action taken by the County Commission following the closed session to discuss legal strategy.

ESTHERVILLE - Emmet County Chief Deputy Sheriff Kevin Olson and Estherville Police Captain Brent Shatto have announced that both departments are stepping up traffic enforcement efforts during the fifth and final wave of a special traffic enforcement project through Sept. 6.

This will be in conjunction with the National Drunk Driving-Over The Limit-Under Arrest campaign and Labor Day weekend. The focus of this wave is to remove impaired drivers from the road while enforcing Iowa's traffic laws.

During the August wave, 237 law enforcement agencies and 1,771 officers in Iowa logged 990 operating while intoxicated contacts, 3,469 seat belt violations, 14,718 speed violations and 1,481 contacts with unlicensed or suspended drivers.

Iowa law enforcement officers also assisted 1,983 motorists, investigated 1,069 traffic accidents, made 111 felony arrests, 292 narcotics arrests and served 383 arrest warrants for a total of 37,889 traffic contacts.

The 189 traffic fatalities so far this year in Iowa is 35 less than last year.

FAIRMONT - A Fairmont salesman who won a trip to this weekend's NASCAR races says he feels gratified after donating his tickets to two veterans.

Bill Cieslinski was the grand-prize winner in a promotion through Case IH dealers for selling the most batteries. He won box seats to the race, along with hotel and airfare.

The only problem was, he's not a NASCAR fan. He couldn't sell the tickets so he contacted the Veterans Affairs office in Sioux Falls, which found two injured Iraq War veterans.

By this time he started thinking bigger. He persuaded Case IH and the battery sponsor to donate two more packages. Those went to a Vietnam veteran in Sherburn and an Iraq War veteran in Mankato.

Cieslinski says it was his way of giving back.

Presentation made for Ruesch endowment fund Aug. 24, 2010

WINDOM - During the beef show at the Cottonwood County Fair, there was a special presentation announcing a regional 4-H Endowment in the name of the late Andrea Ruesch.

The endowment will provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors involved in 4-H.

Ruesch served as a 4-H program coordinator in Jackson County and had also worked with the 4-H program in Cottonwood County.

Chergosky said the presentation of the endowment and scholarship program was announced at the beef show because he and Andrea met at the beef stand at the Cottonwood County Fair.

A special presentation of the Andrea Ruesch endowment will also be held during the 4-H swine show Friday at the Minnesota State Fair.

An announcement of the endowment was also held during the swine show at this year’s Jackson County Fair.