MnDOT conducting prescribed burns in NW Minnesota

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Local residents, motorists and others in Kittson, Marshall and Polk counties may see smoke from roadside controlled burns. The prescribed fires are controlled by trained crews and conducted within MnDOT rights of way during optimal weather conditions to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Traffic should not be affected and all roadways and trails will remain open. When weather conditions allow the prescribed burns will take place in the following locations:

·         Highway 59 from Halma to Lake Bronson

·         Highway 75 from Stephen to Warren

·         Highway 75 north of Crookston

·         Highway 75 southwest of Crookston

The fires are used to improve native vegetation and weed control.

“While fire has some effects on weed and brush control,” said Ken Graeve, MnDOT Roadside Vegetation Management Unit. “Its primary benefit lies in creating healthier roadside vegetation that is better able to perform its roadside functions, including soil stabilization, storm water management, resistance to weed invasion, and blowing snow control in some situations.”

For more information on MnDOT’s prescribed fire vegetation management program, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/roadsides/vegetation/fire.html.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges motorists to always drive with caution and slowdown in work zones.

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

Northwest School of Agriculture Announces Top Aggie Recipients for 2016

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) Alumni Association announces its 2016 Top Aggie recipients. The Northwest School was the predecessor of the University of Minnesota Crookston and all alumni of the Northwest School are invited back for a day of activities celebrating their history on the campus on Saturday, June 25.  

The Top Aggie award is the highest recognition given by the NWSA Alumni Association. Three alumni were selected for the honor by the NWSA Alumni Board: Clayton Engelstad 1948, Fertile, Minn. (posthumously); Barbara (Hylland) Lunsetter 1956, Middle River, Minn.; and Stanley Overgaard 1965, Dalton, Minn. The Top Aggies will be recognized during a luncheon held at noon in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.

The alumni reunion, first held in 1918, brings back alumni from the Northwest School of Agriculture, a residential high school located on what is now the University of Minnesota Crookston campus. The NWSA opened its doors in 1906 and graduated its first class of 8 students in 1909. The first Top Aggie award was given to Herschel Lysaker, a member of the staff at the Northwest School, in 1970 and it has been awarded annually since that time.

The reunion brings back more than 150 alumni for a day filled with reminiscing and reconnecting with classmates and friends. Following the Top Aggie Luncheon, alumni hold class meetings and take class photos, enjoy bus tours of campus, and a social and barbecue supper close out the day. For more information on the reunion, contact Sue Dwyer at 218-281-8401.

Largest Model Railroad Display in the Midwest Comes to Duluth this Weekend!

The largest model train display in the Twin Ports will be set up this weekend only at the Depot in downtown Duluth.  This Saturday and Sunday model railroad enthusiasts from several states will meet in Duluth to assemble and operate a train set that will fill the entire Great Hall of the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center, the Depot.

The Minnesota Free-mo Modelers is an association of model railroad enthusiasts who construct, operate and display their HO scale modular railroads around the region and they’re coming to Duluth this weekend!  Each participant is “free” to build a module that conforms to standard specifications that allow each individual display to be interconnected into one HUGE layout.  In this case it will cover the entire Great Hall at the Depot.

The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is proud to present this weekend’s special event that will feature Big Trains Trackside and Model Trains upstairs in the Great Hall.  You can see the trains for free if you are a member of the Museum or they are included at no extra charge with your regular Depot Admission.

HO layouts are built to a 1:87 scale.  They are extremely realistic and the expert modelers who create them build versions for prototypical operations and feature realistic scenery.  Viewers need to closely examine each scene to catch all the different nuances of life built into each backdrop as the train goes by.  A riverbank swimming party on a hot summer’s day, a fire brigade working to extinguish a blazing building, construction workers leaning on their shovels, Friday night at the Drive In or a family picnic can all be found if you look close enough. 

It’s the biggest model display in the Midwest and it’s this weekend only.  Don’t miss this unique Free-mo HO Train Exhibit this Saturday and Sunday at the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center.

Highway 11 project from Baudette to Pitt begins June 1

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 11 in Baudette will experience a detour beginning June 1 as this summer’s complex reconstruction project begins.

The multipart project requires different staging and detours, and the stage one detour follows Lake of the Woods County Road 35. It is located one mile south of Highway 11 between Highway 72 and Third Ave SW.

A public meeting will be held each week at 1 p.m., beginning May 26, at the Lake of the Woods Ambulance Garage, 111 Southwest First Avenue, Baudette.

Representatives of the project team will be on hand to discuss the project details, timeline and answer questions. Individuals not able to make the public meetings are encouraged to visit the project website, www.mndot.gov/baudette, where you can find project maps and sign up to receive email updates.

Overall, the project includes: resurfacing of 10 miles of pavement, repair and resurfacing of the Baudette River Bridge, construction of turn lanes, and the replacement of culverts, curb/gutter, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water utilities, pedestrian ramps and signs.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, call 651-366-4720. To request other reasonable accommodations, call 651-366-4718; the Minnesota Relay Service toll-free at 1-800-627-3529 (TYY, Voice or ASCII) or 711, or email your request to adarequest.dot@state.mn.us. 

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

Highway 75 detour between Euclid and Warren begins May 31

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 75 between Euclid and Warren will experience a detour beginning May 31 as crews replace 20 miles of pavement and culverts.

The detour is located west of Highway 75 on Marshall County Road 15/Polk County Road 20 through Sherack and Polk County Road 19 to Euclid. It is expected to last until mid-July, weather permitting.

The remaining portion of the project will be done under traffic and will be complete in early August. Drivers are urged to slow down and be alert for workers along the highway right of way. 

Knife River Materials is the contractor for the $4.6 million project. The work will ensure a smoother and safer roadway with better drainage for motorists in the region.

MnDOT urges motorists to follow these recommendations in work zones: stay alert; watch for signs, equipment and workers; minimize distractions, such as using cell phones, eating or drinking; avoid tailgating; follow posted speed limits and directional signs; and stay in one lane while driving through the work zone.

           

For real-time traffic and travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.

Highway 9 detour from Ada to Borup begins May 23

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 9 south of Ada will experience a detour beginning May 23 as crews replace the bridge over the Wild Rice River.

The detour follows Norman County Road 24 located three miles east of Ada to County Road 39 near Borup. It is expected to last about four months, weather permitting.

An open house will take place May 19 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ada Public Works building, 900 West Main St., Ada. Everyone is welcome to come when convenient to view the project timeline, detour and anticipated traffic impacts. There will not be a formal presentation, but representatives from MnDOT and the project contractor will be on hand to answer questions.

Redstone Construction is the contractor for the $2.6 million project, which will create a higher clearance over the river to reduce flooding impacts and ensure a safer roadway for motorists in the region.

MnDOT urges motorists to follow these recommendations in work zones: stay alert; watch for signs, equipment and workers; minimize distractions, such as using cell phones, eating or drinking; avoid tailgating; follow posted speed limits and directional signs; and stay in one lane while driving through the work zone.

                                  

For real-time traffic and travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, call Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 or 1-800-657-3774 (Greater Minnesota), 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). You also may send an email to ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us. Please request at least one week in advance, if possible.

Candidate Filing Period Begins in One Week

SAINT PAUL — Today, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State reminds individuals interested in running for most public offices in Minnesota in 2016 that the official candidate filing period begins in one week. 

The official filing period runs from May 17 to May 31, and candidates for federal, state, county, and some local offices must file for office during this period for their name to appear on the ballot.

Candidate filing requirements vary depending on the office, whether the candidate is a member of a major or minor political party, and whether the office is partisan or nonpartisan.

• Candidates for President, Vice-President, and U.S. Representative must file with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. (Please note: the filing dates and process for President and Vice-President are different depending if a candidate is part of a major political party or non-major political party. For more information, click here.)
• Candidates for State Senator, State Representative, and any Judicial office may file with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State or the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.
• Candidates for county offices must file with their county auditor.
• Municipal candidates must file with their municipal clerk.
• School district candidates must file with their school district clerk.
• Candidates for special districts, such as hospital or park districts, should contact the district’s office for information on the filing process.

Candidates can find information about filing for office, along with information on campaign finance, filing a campaign committee, and fair campaign practices, at www.sos.state.mn.us in the “Election Administration & Campaigns” section.