SHAKOPEE: Candidate Forum is All Business Lots of ideas came up on how to attract new business and development among eight city council candidates. Current councilor Matt Lehman, however, keep his focus on lower taxes and keeping residents in their homes given today’s tough economy. “How are these people who are barely making it now going to make it when we start bribing and blackmailing businesses to come here?” Lehman asked.
WILLMAR: Board Says All-Day Kindergarten May Hinge on Referendum The Willmar school board will consider moving from an all-day, every day schedule for Kindergarten classes, tying it to the fate of a referendum on November 8th. The state pays for half-time Kindergarten.
BEMIDJI: Local Arts Council Opposes Legacy Funds for Vikings The Region 2 Arts council for five northern Minnesota counties asked arts lovers to get involved in opposing legacy funding for a Vikings stadium. The concern is that funding could be diverted from local arts and cultural events that have benefited a “huge amount” from Legacy funding.
LITCHFIELD: County Wants Feds to Pay for Bridge Restoration The century old Salisbury steel bridge over the Crow River is on the National Register of Historical Places. A year ago after an accident, it was closed to traffic. Meeker County has applied for a $200,000 federal grant available for repairing historic bridges. No commitment yet from two townships that would have to provide $40,000 in matching funds.
VIRGINIA: Former School Board Member Found Guilty of Felony Sexual Conduct A former member of the Virginia School Board was found guilty of two counts of felony sexual conduct after a district court trial in Virginia. The jury deliberated about four hours in finding Donovan Strong of Tower guilty of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and solicitation of a child. Strong resigned from the school board following the July incident.
