NEWS
--The Pierz City Council met on Monday night. At the meeting the council approved the 2020 finalized levy at $324,884.75 which is an increase from last year of 2.5%. The budget was approved at $3,634,031.72 for revenues and $3,531,000.78 for expenses. Both of the budget numbers are an increase of about $1.1 million dollars, much of which is accounted for by the city of Pierz handling the Rich Prairie Sewer and Water District Billing. 2019 was the first year Pierz handled the RPSWD billing and the council Monday approved another year of handling the billing. The 2020 Park Complex Rates were approved as presented. A building permit for a storage unit at Sunrise Ag Coop was approved. Pierz City Administrator Bob Otremba also mentioned the grooved Cross Country Ski Trail at the Pierz Golf Course is now groomed and open for Cross Country Skiiers.
--Congratulations to the Pierz Healy High School 2019-20 ExCEL winners: Ellie Fischer and Landon Schomer! ExCEL stands for -Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership - is a unique recognition program sponsored by the MSHSL designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show leadership qualities, and who are model citizens. Ellie is the daughter of Shawn and Beth Fischer. She is involved in Volleyball, Dance, Golf, Choir, Jazz Choir, Fall Musical, Spring Play, One ACT Play, Speech, MHS, Knowledge Bowl, Peer Helping, WEB, Yearbook, and Spanish Club. Landon is the son of Howie and Kelly Schomer. He is involved in Cross Country, Basketball, Track, Choir, Jazz Choir, Band, Pit Band, Speech, Knowledge Bowl, MHS, BPA, and Peer Helping.
--At 7:41am Tuesday a pickup struck the back of a semi injuring the pickup driver. Both drivers were heading west on Highway 10 in Big Lake when the pickup driver 46-year old Joseph Hoffman of Champlin made contact with the rear of the semi and entered the right side ditch. Hoffman was taken to the Melrose hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries. The semi driver 51-year old Todd Stecker of Buffalo was not hurt.
--The Centers for Disease Control is issuing a warning to consumers not to eat some Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits. Consumers will have to look for this identifying information to know if they have one of the products that are possibly contaminated. Look to see if your package has UPC 0 71279 30906 4 beginning with lot code Z, and a best-before date up to and including 07DEC19. Samoan authorities scramble to contain measles outbreak featured by The CDC says that if you believe you have one of the salad kits, do not consume it and throw it away. Experts say even if you have the product and have consumed it, but no one appears to have gotten sick, you should still throw it away. Stores should discard of these salad kits immediately and not sell them. If you have symptoms of an E. coli infection contact your healthcare provider immediately.
--Water samples will be taken from Stearns County's groundwater and surface water next spring for testing. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is expanding its search for PFAS. The industrial chemicals, sometimes called "forever chemicals" can get into groundwater and surface water and create an environmental threat. The MPCA randomly chose four counties across the state to search for traces of the industrial chemicals. Previously, the agency focused its efforts in the Twin Cities metro area. PFAS are chemicals used in industries like commercial printing, waterproofing, metal plating shops, and commercial cleaning.
--Morrison County maintenance Crews will be out this week clearing snow from the recent snowfall. Public Works plans on having plows out later in the week as more snow is in the forecast. Please stay back when you see snowplows out working. Crews will continue trimming trees along various right of ways this week, and patching potholes as weather permits. Morrison County would like to remind everyone that it is illegal to push snow across roadways per MN State Statute 160.2715. Drive safe and stay warm, have a great week!
--During the week of December 1st through December 7th, the Todd County Sheriff's Office responded to 182 calls for service. The following were the types of calls: 46 traffic stops, 11 civil process, 12 suspicious activity type complaints, 8 assist other agencies, 6 disturbances/domestics, 9 car/deer accidents, 4 damage to property complaints, 3 accidents, 3 welfare checks, and 6 alarms. Also recently Todd County Sheriff Steve Och was pleased to announce the local awardee of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association Scholarship Program for 2019. The Minnesota Sheriffs' Association Scholarship Program is pleased to announce the awardee from Todd County is Alysha Dykhoff. The members of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association offer their congratulations to each of the scholarship awardees. The qualifications and academic excellence shown by this awardee reflect the dedication and pride of the young people in the State of Minnesota who will enter the difficult but rewarding profession of law enforcement and public service.
--MnDOT recently launched a warning system that uses sensors to detect when there's less friction on the roads. "There's a laser that shoots on and it measures friction," explained Dave Aeikens, MnDOT public affairs coordinator. It was activated at 5:46am Monday. According to Aeikens, there are 10 sensors along a six-mile stretch on Highway 12. When roads are slippery, it warns drivers through signs from Delano to Maple Plain. MnDOT has placed two message signs, along with yellow flashing beacons. The system was installed in mid-November. Aeikens said it's the largest sensor-based system of its kind in the state of Minnesota. In the future, the technology could also be used on other roads across the state. To put in the sensors and signs along Highway 12 it cost between $400,000 to $500,000. MnDOT also plans on removing some trees this winter to help the sun reach the highway to melt the snow and ice quicker. The first of the projects are to be across state highways in the Metro Area with hopes of expanding it statewide in the years to come.
--Holy Trinity School in Pierz presents their Christmas program today at 1pm and tonight at 7pm at the elementary school gym in Pierz.
DEATH NOTICES
--Tina Podraza, age 51 of Pierz formerly of Grey Eagle.
--Scott “Frosty” Snow, age 52 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY STARTS AT 10PM TONIGHT.
TODAY= sunny and cold morning, clouds increase late, high near 0.
TONIGHT= snow likely, 2-4 inches overnight, temps rising to 7 above
THURSDAY= snow early, ½ inch, then cloudy, high 14, low near 12.
FRIDAY= snow likely, cloudy, high 24 then temps drop to near 0 late.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins Hot Stove program tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.