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W-M schools aiming to promote literacy
Watertown-Mayer students who lag significantly behind their peers when it comes to reading skills and comprehension have been makingi great strides in recent months, thanks to a new reading intervention program, reported the Carver County News.
Read 180, an intensive 90-minute-per-day, five-day-per-week program, is intended to help students who are numerous grade levels behind their peers when it comes to reading. Kashia Grosser, a Read 180 teacher at the middle school, said the school’s goal is for each student in the program to gain 180 Lexile points for every year in the program, or the equivalent of about two grade levels every year.
Mobile Dental Clinic visits Delano
Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) is known to put a few smiles on the faces of the people it helps on a daily basis. It did just that May 2, when its newest service put smiles on the faces of 10 chosen clients. Love INC spread the word that the dental bus of Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Clinic was coming to Delano, reported the Delano Herald Journal.
For six hours, the dental clinic on wheels provided basic dental services for those 10 Love INC clients who were deemed the most in need of dental care.
Holt Motors in Cokato to undergo expansion
Holt Motors in Cokato will have a completely different look to it as the business currently prepares for demolition and construction of a new showroom, reported the Enterprise Dispatch.
Owner Greg Holt presented to Cokato Planning and Zoning last Monday, explaining that the change was prompted by Ford, which wants its dealerships to have a uniform design.
Demolition of the existing showroom, sales department, and QuickLane write-up areas is expected to begin in the next two weeks, with construction of the new building completed in December.
Litchfield woman crashes car into pole
A 37-year-old female driver from Litchfield crashed a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu into a light pole on South Sibley Avenue, near the intersection of East Commercial Street, in Litchfield Tuesday, reported the Litchfield Independent Review.
The driver and her passenger were transported to Meeker Memorial Hospital, according to Litchfield Police Department. Meeker County Sheriff’s Office, Gold Cross Ambulance, Litchfield Fire Department and Litchfield Rescue Squad responded to the scene. The accident is under investigation by Minnesota State Patrol.
Auditor shares concerns in NYA report
Norwood Young America council members are guiding the city budget in a responsible direction, but there are a few areas of concern. That was the message presented by Brad Falteysek of Edina-based Adbo, Eick, and Meyers, who presented the annual budget audit for the year ending in 2012 to council last Monday, reported the Norwood Young America Times.
Among the key findings in the 22-page document were a lack of internal controls in the audit and a few changes to year-end balances, an aspect the city is making improvements in over the years.
Old building becoming bistro in Annandale
The former Snooty Fox Gallery near Annandale City Hall will become a bistro this summer. The Annandale City Council has agreed to a 10-year lease on the property with Chuck and Julie Carlson, reported the Annandale Advocate.
The Carlsons shared their vision of the building becoming a bistro with the city council at their meeting May 6. The couple proposed improvements to the kitchen, roof, bathroom accessibility, electrical panel, insulation, and tuck pointing of the brick.
Hilgers bids Waconia farewell after 25 years
Sensing the time is right to embark on a new adventure, John Hilgers, who has served the city of Waconia as planning director since 1988, is leaving Waconia to take a position in Colorado, reported the Waconia Patriot.
Hilgers began his career with the city as an intern before ascending to planning director.
The Waconia City Council respectfully accepted Hilgers’ voluntary resignation during its meeting May 6. His last day in Waconia was May 7.
Monticello to join I-94 coalition
Monticello City Council members decided last Monday the benefits of joining the I-94 West Corridor Coalition would be well worth the per-capita price of admission, reported the Monticello Times.
The coalition’s current membership rate is 50 cents per capita. Based on Monticello’s 2010 census population of 12,759, the city will provide $6,379 in support. City leaders decided to become a coalition financial stakeholder after presentations from Bret Weiss, president of WSB and Associates, and St. Michael Mayor Jerry Zachman.
Crow River becoming a priority in Hutchinson
It perhaps could not be called a tidal wave of support, but having almost 60 people attend the Hutchinson Water Forum May 8 indicates at least a rising tide of interest in the Crow River. The forum sought to draw out the public’s priorities for area waters, especially the Crow, reported the Hutchinson Leader.
In the end, three out of 12 pre-identified possible priorities garnered a boat-load of support — constructing a fishing/boating pier near the dam, restoration and cleanup of the river’s shoreland through Hutchinson, and efforts to improve water quality.
Fire damages turkey barn in Grove City
A turkey barn under construction in Swede Grove Township was damaged by a fire Wednesday, according to Meeker County Sheriff’s Office. The barn, located at 51762 310th St., Grove City, is owned by Jennie-O Turkey Store, reported the Litchfield Independent Review.
The fire was caused by a spark while a construction crew was cutting metal on the barn. A 6-foot section of an exterior wall was damaged. No turkeys were in the barn at the time of the fire, and no one was injured. Meeker County Sheriff’s Office and Grove City Fire Department responded to the scene.
Public hearing set for street work in Glencoe
During its May 6 meeting, Glencoe City Council set a public hearing for Monday, June 3, for its 2013 street improvement plans for the west third of Glencoe. The $2.1 million project includes about 7.5 miles of city streets that will either be seal coated, milled and overlaid, or partially reconstructed, reported the McLeod County Chronicle.
John Rodeberg of Short Elliott Hendrickson (SETH) told the council that about 35 percent of the reconstruction and overlay work would be assessed to benefiting property owners, while seal-coating work would not be assessed. Of the $2.1 million project, about 20 percent of the cost will be assessed to properties, and the remaining costs will be paid through a city bond.
Hwy. 25 in Buffalo to undergo changes
Some significant changes are being planned for Highway 25 in Buffalo. Construction of Settlers Parkway could begin this fall, reported the Wright County Journal-Press.
The new roadway will connect Highway 25 near Buffalo Heights Golf Club and Lakeview Cemetery to Highway 55 near the Target Store. Bids on the project are to be opened this summer. The consruction project could be completed by fall of 2014.
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