Wednesday, March 20, 2013
A windchill of minus 10 on the first day of spring. Have you considered moving out of state to get away from this climate?
It's 5 degrees above zero on the first day of spring—10 degrees below zero if you count wind chill. Why do you live in Minnesota again? Today is the vernal equinox, when the Earth decides which end it wants to tip toward the sun. Why do our chances of being warm again seem less than 50-50? Spring has sprung, but the climate seems to have sprung a gasket. It's the coldest it's been this late in the season since 1996. Why haven't you moved someplace warm yet? Watch the video above, titled Why We're Here: Twin Cities. It was shot two years ago—entirely in the summer. Coincidence? Leave a comment below and share five good reasons you still live in Minnesota—one reason for each degree above zero this morning.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Peppin on Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange legislation: "The Minnesota plan goes beyond this simple plan and creates what some believe is the most powerful and unaccountable government super agency in state history."
The following was provided by Rep. Joyce Peppin (R - 34A) in her March 13 email newsletter. Peppin represents a portion of Maple Grove and Rogers. Dear Neighbors, In this update: 1) Minnesota Democrats Expand and Increase Obamacare Last week the new Democrat majorities in the Legislature passed the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange (HIX), legislation that builds upon—and greatly exceeds—mandates set down by the federal Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”). The bill contains a number of provisions, but unfortunately, is lacking in three critical areas: affordability, choice in care, and data privacy. An “exchange,” in its simplest form, is meant to provide an online shopping experience for apples-to-apples comparisons on health insurance …
Friday, March 8, 2013
Ice is the main concern with Winter Storm Triton, which will cause travel woes west of St. Cloud, but could impact areas as far east as Elk River.
The National Weather Service has placed Wright County, including the areas of St. Michael, Otsego and Albertville, in a Winter Storm Watch beginning this evening. Winter Storm Triton, the second storm to come through Minnesota in a week, is expected to hit West and Central Minnesota the hardest, with freezing rain beginning later today and building a layer of ice that could be at least a quarter of an inch thick. Snow is expected to start falling some time on Saturday as a second wave of precipitation comes through. Here's the statement from the National Weather Service in Chanhassen: WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY …
Thursday, February 28, 2013
As some school districts struggle with budget reductions, elementary music programs might be the first areas cut.
It has become a common scenario across many Twin City school districts. No passage of an operating levy in November equals a spring of budget reductions. Some school boards have been considering cutting some of the music programs out of their district offerings. A recommendation in District 834 to cut fifth- and sixth-grade instrumental music programs to save $300,000 if a November levy doesn’t pass brought criticism from the Stillwater Area High School Orchestra Director. “The elementary cost center’s suggestion appears disingenuous and may lack the integrity that the Stillwater community expects from its schools and from its School Board,” Stillwater Area High School Orchestra Director Jerry Jones said. “This elimination looks as …
Friday, February 15, 2013
The team takes a shot at the Section 7-3A title and a berth in the State Tournament tonight.
UPDATE: The Knights scored a perfect 69-0 victory over Elk River in the quarterfinals. Up next is Coon Rapids in the semis, and, if the brackets hold true, a battle with Cambridge-Isanti in a rematch of last year's Section Championship * * * The St. Michael-Albertville Knights, the top-ranked "big school" wrestling team in the state, is battling for the Section 7-3A crown. The No. 3 team in the nation is a heavy favorite to cruise to another state bid, and is the favorite to win the state championship over Apple Valley this year. Watch live courtesy this feed at iHigh.com. Audio of the wrestling tournament is available at KRWC, who is broadcasting from Forest Lake, site of this year's team tourney.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
How dangerous are winter roads?
Sunday's snowstorm served as a reminder that winter in Minnesota frequently means car crashes. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the foul weather caused 367 crashes, 48 crash-related injuries, 299 spun-out cars, and three jack-knifed tractor-trailers. In some ways, those numbers are yet more proof that winter-weather driving can prove difficult. For this week's Patch Pro, we've lined up someone who can answer all your questions about winter driving safety, and winter car repairs. Jeff Matt is the owner and founder of Fridley's Victory Auto Service & Glass, a local, award-winning auto repair business with five locations in the Twin Cities. Jeff is also an ASE Certified Master Technician with more than 20 years of automotive …
Monday, January 28, 2013
Rep. Joyce Peppin's newsletter update for Jan. 28, 2013, including details of a visit with area teachers.
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Monday, January 28
The following was reprinted with permission from the Jan. 28, 2013 update from Rep. Joyce Peppin. Peppin represents several communities, including Maple Grove and Rogers. Dear Neighbors, In this edition: 1. Gov. Dayton’s Budget – Tax Fairness or Just Higher Taxes on the Middle Class and Small Businesses? Governor Dayton released his budget plan last week, and, as he promised over the past two years, the plan includes an income tax increase on so-called “rich” Minnesotans. In addition, the governor proposes to lower the sales tax but expand it to many items not currently taxed. The governor has indicated that his goal is to stabilize future budgets and “end the fiscal games, accounting gimmicks, payment delays and other financial …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
How cold was it? Patch Associate Regional Editor Mike Schoemer made snow with just a cup of very hot water Monday night.
Monday night, there weren't many creatures stirring as the mercury dipped well below zero. Temperatures last night in Albertville hit about 13 degrees below zero. With more than 10 mph winds, the wind chill was more than 30 below. So, Twin Cities Patch Associate Regional Editor Mike Schoemer went back to his roots. Schoemer, a South Dakota native, attended college in icy Moorhead, MN and was inspired by a meteorologist (and friend) there to conduct an experience with some very cold air (provided by Mother Nature) and a steaming cup of water (provided by Keurig). And the experiment was a success. Hot water, when launched into bitterly cold and dry air, will freeze and evaporate, creating a fine, crystalized mist that appears to be much like…
Thursday, January 17, 2013
As a parent, do you support state funding for all-day kindergarten? Why or why not?
Among the first bills of the 2013 Minnesota Legislative session included one that would provide state funding for school districts to offer all-day kindergarten. Sen. Chuck Wiger, a co-author of a bill, said the funding would provide “an important step toward enhancing Minnesota’s commitment to quality education for all children.” Some school districts in the Twin Cities are already providing all-day kindergarten at an extra or no cost. The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School Board reallocated funding - $1.5 million - to fund a free, all-day kindergarten program for the 2012-13 school year. Although, some questioned the sustainability. In the Osseo School District, some Maple Grove and Plymouth parents have the option to pay to have their …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Twin Cities area's third store is set to open in Tamarack Village. The company's Rogers store remains one of the nation's most successful retail sites.
Outdoor retailer Cabela’s is planning to build a new store in Woodbury’s Tamarack Village. “Minnesota offers a tremendous array of outdoor pursuits and that has been highlighted by the commitment and loyalty of Cabela’s customers across the state,” CEO Tommy Millner said in a release. “Cabela’s has had remarkable success in the East Grand Forks, Owatonna and Rogers locations and we expect similar results in Woodbury.” The store will open in the fall of 2014. The Woodbury location will be Cabela’s fourth store in Minnesota, and construction on the 85,000-square-foot store is expected to start in the fall of 2013, said Wes Remmer, Cabela's spokesman. The Rogers store is the company's largest in the Upper Midwest, with more than 180,000 …
Barry L
9:43 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
ME TOO... road CONSTRUCTION AND WINTER more ›