COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
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FOLK MUSIC CONCERTS: Sunday afternoon concerts return in Taylors Falls. PAGE 2
In Scandia, solar back in spotlight BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
Scandia residents expressed a range of thoughts about solar farms at a public hearing last week. Some think the existing solar farms have been installed tastefully, according to a meeting summary by city planner Merritt Clapp-Smith. Others want more screening and to preserve rural landscapes. Still others were concerned with fencing, both its appearance and the ability of wildlife to pass through solar farms. Scandia’s planning commission and city council will use the public input as they consider potential standards for a new solar ordinance. The plan commission will begin discussions toward a new solar ordinance Feb. 5.
SUZANNE LINDGREN | COUNTRY MESSENGER
Winter blasted through last week, with snow followed by 31-below-zero temperatures. Temperatures rebounded quickly, reaching the high 30s over the weekend.
Winter blasts past BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
A previously mild winter turned into a deep freeze last week, with 30-below-zero temperatures for a two-day stretch. Schools closed throughout the region, as did businesses and government agencies across the state. The United States Postal Service suspended delivery Wednesday, Jan. 30, in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, Iowa and western Illinois. The decision delayed the delivery of mail including newspapers, but the Postal Service wasn’t the only one to halt its service. In Wisconsin, some wholesale beer distributors opted not to deliver, for the safely of their drivers and to prevent beer bottles and cans from exploding as they froze. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency in the face of SEE WINTER, PAGE 2
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Scandia leaders sought public input last week on commercial-scale solar arrays. The plan commission will use the input as it considers a new ordinance.
History of solar in Scandia Scandia established regulations for community solar gardens in June 2015, but placed a three-month moratorium on new
proposals the following year as it adjusted its regulations. With amended regulations, the moratorium was lifted in June 2016. SEE SOLAR, PAGE 2
After polar vortex, Red Cross in need of blood BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
The American Red Cross reported its need for blood donations is high after 370 blood drives were cancelled last week. The organization estimated that nationwide some 11,500 donations were not collected due to extreme cold brought by the polar vortex. In the Twin Cities metro area, more than 4,600 blood and platelet donations went uncollected due to sever weather. “The need for blood doesn’t stop for winter weather,” American Red Cross spokesperson Jessa Merrill said in
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The Red Cross has declared an emergency need for blood donors. Christ Lutheran Church is hosting a drive Feb. 11
a press release. “This month’s historic cold and snowy weather has caused blood drives from the Midwest to the
East Coast to be cancelled and thousands of blood donations have gone uncollected.” The partial shutdown
of the federal government has affected a smaller number of donations. About 30 drives set to be hosted by federal offices were canceled during the shutdown. Donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and there is less than a threeday supply of most blood types on hand. The Red Cross aims to maintain a five-day supply. “Disruptions to blood and platelet donations jeopardize the availability of blood for patients who depend on transfusions for survival,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, SEE RED CROSS, PAGE 2
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