NEWS
--Kinship of Morrison County received a $12,000 contribution from AT&T Tuesday to support its youth mentoring program. The contribution will support Kinship’s youth mentoring program in its efforts to provide positive role models for at risk youth. Additionally, the contribution will enable Kinship to plan and host three group mentoring activities that focus on career exploration. “The goal of Kinship isn’t to replace a missing parent, but to provide a caring adult role model and friend for a child,” said Aaron Olson, Executive Director of Kinship of Morrison County. “Through our youth mentoring program, we strive to provide positive adult influences in the lives of KinKids through matches and group mentoring activities. We are very grateful to receive this donation from AT&T to support our efforts and focus more activities on career exploration.” Kinship’s mission is to help at risk children in single parent homes form and foster long term relationships with caring adult volunteer mentors. Research shows that quality mentoring relationships can improve a child’s social behavior, academics and relationships. Youth ages 6-17 who are not living with both parents and reside anywhere in Morrison County or greater Long Prairie are eligible to join Kinship. Kinship’s programming focuses on community based, one-to-one, couple and family matches, along with monthly group mentoring activities. Mentors are asked to include their Kinkid in their families, to do low or no-cost activities together, and to share their life experiences with a young person who does not have those same positive experiences otherwise. “Kinship is a wonderful organization that is making a difference for children who need the help, one friendship at a time,” said State Senator Paul Gazelka. “Kinship mentors help these young people set the stage for lifelong success by providing guidance, support and encouragement. It is great to see companies like AT&T supporting local efforts to invest in our kids.” “For older students, Kinship’s mentoring programs can help provide the academic and career guidance they need as they face decisions about their future,” said State Rep. Ron Kresha. “We are fortunate to have an organization like Kinship helping at-risk youth in Morrison County develop into our future leaders. This AT&T contribution will help boost efforts to focus on career exploration.” To learn more about Kinship of Morrison County, contact Aaron Olson at 632-8806.
--After a 2 ½ hour debate over whether to change St. Cloud's ordinance and raise the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21 years old, the city council narrowly approved the measure by a 4-3 vote. However, Mayor Dave Kleis then announced his intention to exercise his power to veto the measure. The city council could still override the Mayor's veto, but that would take a super majority vote and unclear if that would happen with the 4-3 margin of the vote passing Monday before the veto decision. The topic of refugee resettlement is a topic that continues to divide the residents of St. Cloud. During Monday night's city council meeting, council member Jeff Johnson once again introduced his resolution calling for a temporary moratorium on any new refugees coming to St. Cloud. He then asked for a fellow council member to 2nd his motion. Council member George Hontos went on to say he strongly disagrees with Johnson's resolution, and that he wanted to take the chance to publicly denounce it by seconding it. However, he does agree with Johnson that there should be more city council involvement. Johnson's resolution was again voted down Monday on a 6-1 vote.
--Voters yesterday in the Upsala School district approved renewing an expiring referendum. The vote on the $206.54 per pupil portion of the school district’s existing referendum authorization was renewed for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2018. The vote was 178 yes to 52 no. That breaks down to about 77% yes and 23% no.
--In Holdingford, both questions on the ballot failed. Question 1- Technology Operating Levy failed 649 no to 543 yes- then Question 2 -bond referendum failed 750 no to 475 yes in Holdingford. There was also a school board election where Pat Meier received 758 votes to Ben Christenson 703 and Ed Feia received 701 votes.
--In other school elections the bonding requests in Pillager and Cass-Lake Bena failed, while the one in Wadena-Deer Creek passed.
--A community meeting for the Pierz School District to discuss the recent survey and its results will be held tonight. The survey was mailed out in late September and early October. 24% of survey recipients returned the survey. At tonight's meeting there will be a presentation followed by a question and answer period with Pierz Superintendent George Weber and the School Board. Amongst topics expected to be covered includes the next options for the school district in Pierz. Meeting tonight is 6:30pm at Pioneer Elementary.
--A 47-year old woman suffered minor injuries when the vehicle she was a passenger in crashed November 1st in Pequot Lakes. The Pequot Lakes Police Department reported the vehicle driven by 27-year old Emily Rader of Pine River, went off the road. Rader was not injured. Her passenger, Jenny Galles of Breezy Point, had minor injuries and was transported to the hospital.
--Sauk Centre police reported 27-year old Eric Terhaar entered a man's home early Sunday morning, assaulted him and threatened his life. Terhaar had his first appearance in court Tuesday morning and faced charges of first degree burglary and terroristic threats. A terroristic threat is a felony charge in Minnesota, used if someone threatens to commit a violent crime with the intent of terrorizing someone or causing an evacuation.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, snow later in afternoon, high 30.
TONIGHT= snow in evening, 1 inch, then clearing, low 12.
THURSDAY= sunny and cold, high 16, low +4, wind chills below 0.
FRIDAY= mostly cloudy, 25, snow develops overnight into Saturday.
SPORTS
PIERZ= there are tickets to the state quarterfinal football game at the Pierz School District office in the high school this week. The game is Saturday at 3pm in Brainerd against Proctor. You can listen to the game live Saturday with James Hershey on FM94 KFML.
NFL= The Vikings have activated Teddy Bridgewater to the roster and placed Sam Bradford on injured reserve on his injured knee. Head Coach Mike Zimmer stated that Case Keenum will start Sunday and Bridgewater, if all goes well at practice this week, could be the backup if needed in Washington.
MLB= Roy Halladay, a two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher who pitched a perfect game in 2010 with Philadelphia and then later that year a no-hitter in the postseason, only 2nd in history to do that, (Don Larsen 1956 World Series), died when his plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. He was 40 years old.
COL FB= Nebraska at Gophers Saturday 10am on AM960 KLTF.