Nicollet County Ledger Sunday, February 26, 2023

Courtland Baseball Page 6 Focus on Ag Page 2 Classifieds Page 4

Lafayette Contracts with New Snow Removal Company, Publicly Issues No Parking Warning

The City of Lafayette has recently contracted with a new snow plowing company to remove snow from its public streets and right of ways. They recently posted this notice on their website about it:

“To assist our city staff and our contracted snow removal company, if you live on a ‘No Parking’ area move your vehicles off the street.

All other areas if you do not have off street parking, once the streets have begun to be clieaned, move your vehcile to a plowed side of the street. With the impact of the storm’s potentially high amount of snow and drifting, please have patience. If you have a fire hydrant on yourblock, help to keep it free of snow.”

A massive storm system recently swept the country, including large parts of the Midwest. Nicollet County was inundated for two days with heavy snowfall and one day with very cold temperatures outside. Residents were busy moving their vehicles, shoveling and snowblowing their sidewalks and driveways across Nicollet County.

Webster.

Marijuana Bill Passes 9 Committees in House, 6 in Senate, Several Pending

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

612-460-5851

A bill to legalize recreational cannabis in Minnesota that was introduced January 4 has passed nine committees in the House and six in the senate at the state’s legislature. The state had a divided government but now a Democrat led majority is paving through legislation that was previously stalled in 2021. The bill would allow anyone 21 or older to recreationally use cannabis and hold up to two ounces in their possession in public spaces, but up to five in

a private setting. Edibles would bellowed up to 800 miligrams of THC. Minnesota previously passed medical marijuana use in the legislature, but the law has been criticized for the low number of available dispensaries and the stringent medical requirements early on. The law evolved to allow for more dispensaries and eased the strict conditions that were mostly terminal to more pain related and other conditions. CBD and hemp related products also were recently legalized and are sold in many smokeshops and convenience stores in the state. Medical pot was legal in 2014 and hemp-derived THC and CBD by June 2022.

The new bill still faces some Democrat and Republican pushback and has so far seen a half dozen ammendments. Former Saint Peter City Councilmember who has been elected DFL Representative, supports the law.

“Right now, there are 14- and 16- and 18-year-olds who are purchasing these drugs from sellers who sell fentanyl, meth and cocaine,” Brand said.

Brand believes these products can be regulated and made safer than what is being offered on the black market.

Smoker’s Choice in Saint Peter, New Ulm Smoke Shop, Freedom

Continued on page 4

Saint Peter School Board Meeting

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

612-460-5851

The Saint Peter School Board met on Thursday, February 23 at 7 p.m. at the Governor’s Room in the Saint Peter Community Center.

The board meeting started with recognition of excellent student performance by fourth grade student Azrii Alas, North Elementary for the student spotlight portion of the

meeting. She had multiple nominations from second, third and fourth grade. North Elementary Principal Darin Doherty made the introduction to Alas to the board. Doherty and Alas met through the school’s online portal called Seasaw to create a presentation for the board, in which Alas answered some prepared questions.

“I know 110 percent, she has earned this,” Doherty said. “Each one of her teachers, like all the way through North, like really recog-

News From Around Nicollet County

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com 612-460-5851

A Saint Peter man was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor, the county sheriff and Nicollet Superintendent stress sportsmanship and another Saint Peter man was accused of setting a house on fire with occupants inside, all in Nicollet County the past week, according to local news sources.

In January, a girl accused a Saint Peter man of sexual misconduct, according to the Mankato Free Press. Gary Otero, 59, was charged in Nicollet County District Court with two felonies. Those include criminal sexual conduct with a minor and soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct. He faced the court this past Thursday over the allegations. An 11-year-old girl who knew the accused said she was in the lobby of a clinic when he inappropriately touched her, as police noted in the criminal complaint. She said he moved his hand up her thigh and made sexual sexually suggestive comments.

nized her work ethic, her ability to just like make social connections with her peers, her classmates and stuff and really connect.”

Alas said reading is a favorite topic of hers. She earned the top grades from second through fourth grade. She wants to work her way to become an actress. Alas said she hasn’t really thought about how the world might be different in the future, but she hopes more cures for sickness and disease are discovered

Continued on page 4

Otero, when interviewed by police about the matter, said it was the girl who initiated the contact by rubbing her leg on top of his while in his seat. He said he kept moving her leg off him and he denied making any of the sexual comments and he said she told him she would make up a story that alleges he did what he is being accused of.

However, the girl showed police text messages that would suggest otherwise, including him calling her cute and sexy and referring to the incident at the clinic. Investigators also allegedly found text messages in Otero’s delted folder on his phone from the date of the alleged incident.

The Free Press noted that the conversation included Otero messaging “it feels good, huh” and “you say nothing to nobody, you understand?”

Otero was arrested on a warrant that was issued in Nicollet County.

According to story posted to Yahoo News on January 27 that was submitted by Brian Arola from the Mankato Free Press, the Nicollet County Sheriff Dave Lange and Nicollet Schools Superintendent

Stephen Malone chastised locals for an incident that took place at a girl’s basketball game a month ago. According to the story, spectators heckled referees and a fan was ejected from the game where Nicollet was hosting Lake CrystalWellcome Memorial, who beat Nicollet 60-33. Another spectator reportedly threw a water bottle at one of the referees.

Lange said it was an unfortunate situation and fans should let the referees do their jobs and count on the student athletes to “do their thing.”

No injuries were reported and the game resumed as usual. According to Arola’s reporting, the Sheriff’s Office and the school district are coordinating and some fans may face potential disorderly conduct charges stemming from the incident. In a statement, the Nicollet Superintendent said criticizing officials and opposing teams is not allowed at games and that fans should enjoy the competition and efforts of those involved in student athletics.

A Saint Peter man was accused of setting a house ablaze with occu-

Continued on page 4

Warmer Weather in the Weeks Ahead

With one night of extremely cold weather after the recent snowstorm that impacted Nicollet County, warmer weather is on the horizon for the remainder of February and into March.

According to a 10-day forecast in the Wells, MN region on Weather. com, temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30s and in the mid to upper 20s in the coming week.

Here is the breakdown of weath-

er in the area:

Today is partly cloudy at 36 degrees. Monday indicates some possible raindrops with the same temperature forecast. Tuesday, the final day of February will be cloudy and 34 degrees. The beginning of March will see the temperature drop a bit to 27 degrees on the 1st with possible snow showers.

Thursday will see another drop to 20 degrees and partly cloudy.

NicolletCountyLedger.com

Friday, still partly cloudy, will be 30 degrees. Saturday will be partly cloudy again with a 33 degree temperature. A week from today will see temperatures in the mid-30s again at 35 degrees with possible rain and snow showers. A wintry mix is reported for the following Monday with the temperature dropping to 31. Then, it’s 20s temps with clouds and snow until Saturday, the 11th.

Photo by Tony

Rep. Jeff Brand and Sheriff Dave Lange at Odds Over Pot Law

Photo by Rob Lawson.

Student Spotlight at the Saint Peter School Board meeting recognized Azrii Alas, North Elementary.

Valley Girls and Boys BasketBall standinGs

Focus on aG

Farm Program Deadline Approaching

By Kent Thiesse Farm management analyst kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced a sign-up period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in 2023 that will extend from Feb. 27 through April 7 at local FSA offices. The current CRP sign-up period will be for renewing existing CRP contracts and adding farmland acres into the General CRP program. Landowners can sign-up for the Continuous CRP program throughout the year, and the sign-up period for the Grassland CRP program will be announced by the USDA at a later date. The CRP program is offered on a voluntary basis through the USDA. The CRP program can be used as a tool by landowners and the agricultural community to invest in the longterm protection and well-being of their land and natural resources.

The CRP program has a long history of promoting conservation practices and farmland stewardship in the United States. The CRP program was established in December of 1985 as part of the 1985 farm bill and has remained part of every farm bill since that time. The maximum acreage and primary goals of the CRP program have changed over the years; however, the CRP program has been a centerpiece of the Conservation Title every time a new farm bill has been written. There may be some adjustments to the CRP program; however, CRP will likely remain a key component of the Conservation Title when the next farm bill is completed later this year or beyond.

There are three different CRP programs that agricultural producers and landowners can enroll in:

• General CRP — The General CRP program has only been altered slightly since the CRP program was initiated in 1985. The goal of the General CRP program is to offer producers and landowners the opportunity to put larger land parcels into a 10-year or 15-year CRP contract, and in return receive an annual rental payment from the USDA for the acres of tillable farmland that are enrolled into CRP. The CRP acres are usually seeded

Gusties Softball with 2 Losses to Start Season

into approved long-term grasses and trees to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. More recently, the General CRP program also includes climatesmart practices to help increase carbon sequestration and the removal of greenhouse gases. Landowners offer land into the General CRP program through a bidding process that includes an acceptable CRP rental rate for the length of the contract. The General CRP rental rates cannot exceed 85% of the average cash rental rate in a given county. The USDA evaluates all bids submitted through an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI), which takes into account the value of the land parcel for protecting the soil, improving water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat and reducing greenhouse gases, as well as considering the annual cost based on the desired rental rate. A total of 2.1 million acres in the U.S. were accepted through the General CRP sign-up period in 2022, representing approximately 90% of the acres that were offered for bid.

• Continuous CRP — Under Continuous CRP, landowners and producers can enroll in the CRP program at any time during the year.

The USDA accepts all land parcels that are offered through Continuous CRP into the CRP program, provided that the land meets the established requirements for the program.

Many times, Continuous CRP is used on smaller land parcels that have specific environmental benefits, such as near rivers, streams or drainage ditches, or to re-establish wetlands. The last farm bill set the maximum annual payment rate for Continuous CRP at 90% of the average county rental rate; however, there has been legislation passed by Congress since the last farm bill that has enhanced some financial opportunities through the program. The Continuous CRP program can be part of special programs such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, and the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers Initiative (CLEAR30). Many times, these special programs are only offered

By Jordan Modjeski Gustavus Adolphus College News

MANKATO, Minn. — Gustavus softball kicked off its 2023 campaign in the Maverick All-Sports Dome, coming away with two losses Saturday night. The Gusties’ season opener was foiled by Coe, 8-0, and the Gustavus comeback effort came up just short against UW-Eau Claire, falling 6-4 to the Blugolds.

Gustavus 0, Coe 8 | BOX SCORE

The Gusties managed just three hits against a pair of Coe College pitchers, as the Kohawks dealt the Gusties an 8-0 setback in their season opener.

The Kohawks plated the only run they would need in the first inning of the opener, scoring once off Gustavus starter Piper Otto (Jr., Brooklyn Park). Coe added four more in the next two innings for an early 5-0 lead over the

Gusties.

Kayla Herda (So., Farmington), Katelyn Kasper (Fy., Maple Grove), and Shelby Ringwelski (So., Forest Lake) collected the Gusties’ three hits in the opener, as Coe out-hit the Gusties 12-3 through the game. Otto took the pitching loss, allowing five runs on eight hits in two innings, while Marah Hulke (Fy., Courtland) surrendered a trio of runs on four hits in two innings of relief.

Gustavus 4, UW-Eau Claire 6 | BOX SCORE

The Blugolds certainly stepped up to the plate ready to play, as Eau Claire’s Megan Maruna homered on the first at-bat of the game. The Blugolds added two more runs before the end of the first inning on three hits off Maizie Anderson (Fy., Rosemount) in her first collegiate start.

The Gusties responded to the Blu-

golds’ three runs with one of their own, as Herda singled on her first at-bat of the game, scoring on a one-out fly by Caitlin Olafsson (Fy., Woodbury).

The Gusties’ bats came to life in the sixth inning, responding to Eau Claire’s fourth run with three of their own to tie the game at 4-4. Olafsson singled up the middle then advanced to second thanks to a single off the bat of Kasper. The Gusties advanced Kayla Ruud (Sr., Savage) on an error to load the bases with Greta Dahlen (So., West Des Moines, Iowa) up to bat. Dahlen singled sending Olafsson home, and was followed by another single by Isabel Reuvers (Jr., Medford), sending Grace Gardner (Fy., Big Lake) home for the Gusties’ third run of the day. Olivia Guggenberger (Fy., Rosemount) sent Dahlen home on a walk, ending the inning with both teams deadlocked at 4-4.

The Gusties forced two pitching changes in the sixth, stringing together more hits in one inning than they had in their entire opening game against Coe.

Unfortunately for the Gusties, UWEau Claire added two more runs to their total to take back the lead, closing the game at 6-4 and handing the Gusties their second setback of the day.

Olafsson led the Gusties’ six-hit game two attack, going 2-3 with a run and an RBI. Herda, Dahlen, Reuvers, and Kasper all finished with one hit against the Blugolds. Anderson pitched a full game in her first collegiate start, allowing six runs on 11 hits. The Gusties are off until next Saturday, heading to Rochester to face Grinnell and Luther on Saturday, followed by a rematch against UW-Eau Claire and a game against UW-La Crosse the following day.

BulldoGs hockey

MN River Bulldogs Youth Hockey Awarded in District 9 Tournament as Local Champions

Le Sueur, MN – February 20, 2023 – MN River Bulldogs Youth Hockey Association is excited to announce District Champions

The Minnesota River Bulldogs/ St. Peter Youth Hockey Association is proud of our Girls 12U -B team for coming into the District 9 Tournament, as the first seed and holding on to that title throughout the tournament. They saw Austin in their first game and went on to win in overtime 3-2. Then, on Sunday, February 19th, they played Dodge County for the District 9 Championship Title and pulled out the win in a 4-2 victory.

This is the Minnesota River 12U-B’s first time winning the District 9 Champion title.

The team includes: Aubrey Heller, Reganne Hartmann, Mara Von Bank, Kacey Hollerich, Maren Swenson, Kelcie Weydert, Payton Fredrickson, Sophie Tews, Thea Braun, and Ali Andresen.

Coaches: Jeff Keeley, Dustin Swenson, Chris Miller, Jason Tews

Minnesota River Girls 12U-B team will be in Worthington, March 3-6 for the Regional Tournament. For more information, visit Bulldogs Youth Hockey

About Bulldogs Hockey

The Bulldogs Youth Hockey Association is dedicated to providing teaching that will develop highly skilled and motivated young hockey players. The Bulldogs develop players from learn-to-skate programs through their Varsity program, providing opportunities to compete against the region’s best hockey players. Our players learn skills both on and off the ice that will benefit them for a lifetime. The Bulldogs are committed to excellence and hard work from all the players, parents, managers, and coaches. This commitment to excellence will include both on-ice performance and off-ice activities as student-athletes and as representatives of the Bulldogs Youth Hockey Association.

VintaGe Photo

Governor Walz Thanks Snowplow Drivers, State Patrol and National Guard for Keeping Minnesotans Safe During Winter Snow Storms

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today thanked Minnesota’s snowplow drivers, the State Patrol, the National Guard, and emergency responders across the state for their work keeping Minnesotans safe during this week’s winter storm.

“I am immensely grateful to the snowplow drivers, state troopers, first responders, and members of

the Minnesota National Guard for working tirelessly to provide aid to Minnesotans and making sure our roads and highways are as safe as possible,” said Governor Walz. “I am proud of this coordinated effort to keep Minnesotans across the state safe. The state stands ready to provide further assistance as we continue to weather this storm together.”

Since Tuesday, thousands of state and local snowplow drivers have worked day and night to clear snow and keep highways as safe as possible for emergency travel. In the past three days, the State Patrol has responded to 3,182 calls to 911, and 100 percent of the calls were answered within 20 seconds. Minnesota State Troopers have also re-

sponded to dozens of crashes and spinouts. The National Guard has been stationed across the state and is prepared to respond quickly to rescue stranded motorists or provide other assistance, at the direction of the Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and as requested by county officials.

Governor Walz Signs Two Bills into MN State Law

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info@nicolletcountyledger.com

ask a troPPer

By Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: Is it illegal for a vehicle pulling a trailer to have a ladder or ramp hanging from the side of the trailer?

Answer: You are able to have ladders or ramps secured to the side of an enclosed trailer as long as you do not exceed the width of 8 feet 6 inches. This is the maximum dimension that may be operated on Minnesota roadways without a special permit. The maximum height is 13 feet 6 inches. If you exceed the height or width, then you would have to apply for an oversize permit.

A few trailer safety tips:

Make sure the pulling unit of the trailer has the towing capacity to pull the trailer safely.

Check the trailer tires for proper tire pressure and the conditions of the tires. If the trailer has not been used recently, check the tread and for any

cracking on the side walls.

Make sure you have the proper ball size required for the trailer.

Be sure the safety chains are connected and all the lights are working properly.

Adjust your mirrors so you can see behind the trailer when towing it.

Adjust your trailer brakes according to the load. For example, if you’re towing a heavy boat you would need to increase the brake press compared to pulling an empty boat trailer.

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.

You can also email him at: Troy. Christianson@state.mn.us.

sPeakinG Proudly

SPEAKING PROUDLY APPLICATION PERIOD BEGINS FOR MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS ORATORY COMPETITION, TO BE HELD AT MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL IN ST. PAUL

St. Paul — Minnesota high school girls wanting to take part in the Speaking Proudly oratory competition must submit their applications during March, according to Sherie Wallace, a member of the event’s steering committee.

The application form and full details are available at speakingproudly.org. Applications must be received or postmarked between March 1 and April 1.

The third biennial competition, Speaking Proudly 2023 will be June 17 at the State Capitol, and the three finalists will receive

prizes of $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000.

This year’s topic, Securing “the blessings of Liberty” in Twenty-First Century America,”encourages competitors to consider what the blessings of liberty are and how they can be protected and nurtured for all Americans,” Wallace said. Speaking Proudly is a nonpartisan, nonprofit project of Metro Republican Women and is open to girls in grades nine through 12 (including Spring 2023 graduates) who reside in or attend school in Minnesota.

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz has signed two bills into law, which add inflation to future state budget forecasts and ensure that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has the authority to properly transfer Minnesota county and state lands.

“As Governor, I am committed to creating a balanced and responsible

budget for the state of Minnesota. By adding inflation to the state’s budget forecasts, we will have a more accurate picture of the state’s finances and be better equipped to make informed decisions about our budget,” said Governor Walz.

“Minnesotans care deeply about our state parks and natural resources. This

bill will ensure proper handling and transfer of our state’s public lands,” continued Walz.

Chapter 10, House File 35: This bill allows the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget to include inflation in future state budget forecasts, providing transparency and a clear picture about Minnesota’s finances. The

bill aligns Minnesota with the rest of the country in terms of economic forecasting.

Chapter 9, House File 50: This bill authorizes the DNR to make changes to improve Minnesota’s state park and recreation area boundaries and properly transfer Minnesota county and state lands.

MN Joins Governor-Led Reproductive Freedom Alliance

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz joined 19 other states to launch a multi-state Reproductive Freedom Alliance. A non-partisan coalition of 20 governors, the alliance is committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom in their states, the largest such coalition ever convened. The alliance will work together to strengthen reproductive freedom in the face of an assault on abortion access and other forms of reproductive health care by states hostile to abortion rights.

Governor Walz is joined by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.

Joint Statement from the Governors

“As governors representing 167 million people across every region of the country, we are standing with all people who believe in reproductive freedom and health care. We are standing with them to say, “enough.”

In the last year alone, over 36 million women have lost access to critical health care with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Medication abortion – one of the safest forms of health care for decades now – may be stripped from our clinics and hospitals nationwide. Doctors face criminal prosecution for providing care. Extremists are trying to restrict access to contraception – and we know they won’t stop there.

In the face of this unprecedented assault by states hostile to abortion rights and their enablers in the courts, we are pledging to work together to strengthen abortion firewalls across America. This fight isn’t over.”

“As states turn back the clock on reproductive rights, reproductive

freedom remains a fundamental right for every person in Minnesota,” said Governor Tim Walz. “Now more than ever, we must protect our neighbors and stand with states across the country to defend reproductive rights, ensure people have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies, and expand access to safe and affordable reproductive health care. I look forward to working with this group of governors to protect and expand this fundamental right across the country.”

“California has long been a leader in reproductive rights, but we can’t do it alone. We have gathered a coalition of bi-partisan governors to commit to reproductive freedom, and a coalition this size – 20 and counting – has never been done before. This Alliance is a moral obligation to what is right and will stand as a firewall to fight for and protect providers, patients, and all who are affected by these attacks on fundamental rights,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“While some politicians want to restrict the ability of individuals to access reproductive health services and some states are criminalizing doctors and women like Texas, Colorado stands for freedom and empowering women and their doctors to make medical decisions without government interference or fear of retaliation. Colorado values freedom for all to make their own choices on how to live their lives,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

“Connecticut has a long history of protecting reproductive rights and the freedom to choose one’s own medical care, and as long as I am governor I will do everything in my power to prevent the government from restricting those rights. The recent activist decision by the Supreme Court to remove a woman’s constitutional right to reproductive healthcare has resulted in confusion across the country and a patchwork of radical laws in certain states that are blocking basic healthcare rights and putting the careers of medical professionals in jeopardy simply for providing essential care to their patients. Now, in this new era, we must actively work to ensure that politicians do not interfere in the decisions made between a patient and their doctor,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.

“Women’s health care decisions are deeply personal and private,

and should be protected under the law – as they are here in Delaware. We look forward to working with other states to keep these decisions in the hands of the women who have to make them,” said Delaware Governor John Carney.

“As a physician, husband and father as well as Governor of Hawai‘i, I know reproductive rights are a critical and central healthcare matter for all families. A woman’s right to choose and therefore control her own reproductive rights, was codified in Hawaiʻi law. Hawai‘i was, in fact, the first state to allow safe, legal abortion care, effective as of March 11, 1970. That was three years before Roe v. Wade legalized this aspect of healthcare policy across the U.S.,” said Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D.

“Here in Illinois, we know that abortion is healthcare and believe that a medical decision should be made between a patient and their doctor—not by extremist politicians,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “As Illinois remains a beacon for reproductive healthcare in a region increasingly plagued by inhumane restrictions, I’m proud to join my fellow Governors to help fulfill the promise I made when Roe v. Wade was overturned: we will not go backwards.”

“The Supreme Court’s wrongheaded decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has left more than half the people in America without access to safe abortion, and it has unleashed unprecedented wave of new threats to reproductive health care. While we have strong abortion laws in Maine, this moment requires that states come together to stand for and safeguard reproductive freedom wherever and whenever possible.

I’m proud to join the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, and, so long as I am Governor of Maine, I will work to protect and strengthen reproductive rights in our state,” said Maine Governor Janet Mills.

“I fully supported four bills heading to the floor of our legislature that will protect abortion access, privacy, and out-of-state patients— including a bill to create a constitutional amendment that will enshrine reproductive rights in the Maryland Constitution. While some states have decided to move toward restricting women’s rights, I can assure you that here in Maryland, we will protect them,” said Maryland

Governor Wes Moore.

“In this moment when abortion access is under threat across the country, Governors have a unique responsibility and opportunity to expand reproductive freedom in our states. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to send a clear message that we are not just playing defense, but moving ambitiously forward to improve access to abortion and reproductive health care,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

“Michiganders and Americans across the nation believe that everyone should be able to make their own decisions about their own body,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Access to abortion and other reproductive health care saves lives, and it’s why we will fight like hell to protect fundamental rights wherever they are under attack. Every American should be able to start a family if and when they are ready.

I am proud to join this alliance and look forward to getting things done with my fellow governors.”

“With the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act that I signed last year, and related reforms and investments to make reproductive health care more affordable and accessible, New Jersey has continued to protect and expand a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive choice.

Amidst a continual assault from a radical minority intent on ignoring facts, public sentiment, and decades of judicial precedent, we will work to expand and preserve reproductive freedom for women everywhere across our country and for the dedicated health care professionals who deliver this care,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

“I am proud to join with 19 fellow governors to protect the rights of every person to a full array of reproductive health services, including abortion. Those rights are fundamental, no matter which state you live in. This group will continue to work to guarantee reproductive freedom in each of our states and to restore that right to every woman in America,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

“New Yorkers have a clear message for anyone who dares to threaten their reproductive rights: not here, not now, not ever. After the Dobbs decision stripped away abortion rights, New York has stood up as a safe harbor for abortion care and women’s rights.

Marijuana Bill Passes 9 Committees in House, 6 in Senate Contined From 1

in Sleepy Eye and FillMeUp in Lafayette currently sell these newly introduced hemp-derived THC products at their stores. These products are subject to sales tax and recreational cannabis would be subject to the same plus an

8 percent state tax for cannabis products. The bill also aims to deal with disparities, particularly racial ones, in criminal apprehension and sentencing. According to data from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Minnesotans

who are black face arrest at five times the rate of those who are white for cannabis related offenses. This new bill would expunge some pot related offenses from criminal records in the state. Historically disadvantaged communities could

enter the legal market with the help of state aid and grant programs as well to boost entrepreneurship, according to bill authors in the House.

The proposed legislation, however, doesn’t come without detrac-

tors, law enforcement among the most pronounced. Nicollet County Sheriff Dave Lange, who was recently reelected in the county, has his own concerns. He has cited traffic safety concerns but also believes there could be more wide-

spread societal issues from legalization. He believes it could worsen the state’s mental health crisis. The process for applying for THC and tobacco licenses can take months, so vendors will need to maintain some level of patience.

News Items From Around Nicollet County Continued From the Front Page

pants inside, according to the St. Peter Herald. The man reportedly is accused of starting a house in Saint Peter on fire while his wife and three of her children were inside the home.

William Eugene Flowers, 43, of Mankato, was charged in Nicollet County District Court with five felony arson counts. A warrent was issued for his arrest on February 17. His charges

include first-,. second- and third-degree arson, all felonies in Minnesota. The site of the fire was 703 N. 3rd St. in Saint Peter. Flowers allegedly set the fire on April 15, 2022 and emergency services were dispatched to the scene just before 2 a.m. that day.

Arriving law enforcement observed the home fully engulfed in flames and the woman and children all were able

to escape, according to the report.

The woman told police he likely intentionally set the fire as they were in the process of separation. She also alleges that Flowers threatened her and her children with harm in the past. That led them to become separated in October 2021. They had a discussion about signing divorce papers just days before the fire. Flowers report-

Saint Peter School Board Discusses Budget Continued From the Front Page

for those suffering from illnesses. She said she is good at writing and storytelling.

The first action item on the agenda was balancing the fiscal year budget. There was a study session two weeks prior, where preliminary discussions took place. The budget is ongoing, of course. The two phases within the school board’s business office include the audit and the actual budget, according to the superintendent, Bill Gronseth. During the presentation, it was stated that last year’s expenses exceeded revenues at the district by about $1.5 million. The revised budget will likely

include a similar deficit, according to officials that conducted the audit at a workshop session. The district plans to use the rest of its funding from the pandemic this year. After COVID funds run out, there will be a few million dollars of a hole in the budget and projections are being estimated based on Governor Tim Walz’s proposed budget for education. Gronseth mentioned the importance of the preliminary budget as the state legislature hashes out funding for schools.

“It is March now and we are identifying our deficit, our projected deficit amount and we are

not going to know exactly what that amount is until May and that’s too late to make some of these decisions, so we need to plan as if that $1.3 to $1.5 million is what we are truly going to need to reduce,” Gronseth said. “Right now that’s all it is, is a list of possibilities.”

Reductions are to be proposed within the next month. Other districts are facing the same cuts.

The board also discussed annual policy reviews. Gronseth said there no major or significant changes at the policy committee. These are required by Minnesota School Board Association. The policies and revisions were approved.

info@nicolletcountyledger.com

edly retreived his belongings from the home a couple days prior and he was observed driving up and down that street near the residence a week before.

According to her statement to police, Flowers showed up at the home intoxicated around midnight the same night of the fire. The woman asked multiple times that he leave

the property and he eventually did. He was reportedly seeking affection from her. The family reportedly heard noise outside the home a short time later and saw light coming from the kitchen. The cat was also reportedly acting out, likely from fear. They observed the porch on fire, according to the report.

Flowers called the woman multiple

times just prior to the fire and at least six times afterwards, according to the report. Flowers told police on April 15 and said after he left the hosue, he went home to Mankato and was there the entire night. Police used local business surveillance footage to determine inconsistencies in his story, and that showed the path of his travel near the home that night.

Academic Achievements

BSU Names Two Local Students From Lafayette and Nicollet to Dean’s List

BEMIDJI, Minn. (February 23, 2023) - Local students were named to the Dean's List at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn. for the fall 2022 semester.

These students were among the 647 students named to the Dean's List. To be eligible for the Dean's List, Bemidji State University students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits and earn a GPA between 3.53.99 during the semester. Students with a GPA of 4.0 will be published separately on the President's Honor

Roll. Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling around 5,000 students, Bemidji State offers 70 undergraduate areas of study and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select preprofessional programs. At Bemidji State University, we educate people to lead inspired lives. BSU's Shared Fundamental Values include civic

engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. BSU is a Minnesota State university. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on your favorite social media networks. HOMETOWN, STATE; ZIP CODE, NAME Lafayette, Minn. 56054, Haylee Liebl Nicollet, Minn. 56074, Zereta Mallak

newspaper

newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program by running ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspaAt times, advertisers may request a specific section. However, the decision is ultimately up to newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased slightly in size to fit your column sizes. do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, please call MNA at 800/279-2979. Thank you.

Your newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program by running these ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspaper). At times, advertisers may request a specific section. However, the decision is ultimately up to each newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased slightly in size to fit your column sizes. Please do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, please call MNA at 800/279-2979. Thank you.

If you

questions, please call MNA at 800/279-2979. Thank you.

Your newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program by running these ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspaper). At times, advertisers may request a specific section. However, the decision is ultimately up to each newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased slightly in size to fit your column sizes. Please do

Notice of Annual Meeting for Courtland township

Notice is hereby given to the residents of Courtland township,County of Nicollet, State of Minnesota that the annual Courtland Township meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 14 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Courtland Community Center 300 Railroad st. Courtland MN 56021 ( in case of inclement weather the meeting may be postponed until the third Tuesday in March,3/21/2023) what will be discussed are township roads, fire truck and all other township business prescribed by law.

DNR Invites Conversation About Wildlife, Habitat and Hunting

Tim Harmening Township Clerk Courtland township February 23,2023

DNR invites conversation about wildlife, habitat and hunting

Contact: Blane Klemek, DNR northwest region wildlife manager, 218-308-2674; Lindsey Shartell, northeast region wildlife manager, 218-328-8870; Gretchen Miller, 507-206-2841, central region wildlife manager, 651-259-5768; and David Trauba, southern region wildlife manager, 507-233-1229. The Minnesota Department

of Natural Resources invites the public to talk about deer and other wildlife, hunting and habitat topics with wildlife managers throughout the state on Thursday, March 2. Wildlife managers will be available in local area offices or by phone from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day.

People who would like to participate should visit the DNR’s talk about wildlife page (mndnr. gov/wildlife/talk-about-wildlife. html) to find the list of area

offices and telephone numbers for their area wildlife manager. Area managers always welcome calls from the public, so people who can’t call during the dedicated time are encouraged to do so at their convenience. Individuals unable to call or stop by their area office on March 2 may also share their thoughts through an online questionnaire available March 2 on the DNR’s talk about wildlife page (mndnr. gov/wildlife/talk-about-wildlife.

html). Written comments may be submitted to Barb Keller, Fish and Wildlife Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Individuals are welcome to talk with DNR staff about deer, other wildlife, hunting and habitat, discuss specific topics that the DNR’s deer advisory committee should be aware of, or provide thoughts and feedback about deer population management.

Focus on Ag Continued From Page 2 New Gar Possession Limit Takes Effect March 1 on All MN Waters

in specific states. Landowners should check with local FSA or Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) offices for details. Local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices are also a good resource for these special initiatives that involve both USDA and state resources.

• Grassland CRP — The Grassland CRP program is a newer initiative and is a working-lands program that is available to landowners, ranchers and farmers. The goal of the Grassland CRP initiative is to protect grassland, rangeland and pastures, while maintaining these areas as working grazing lands. These goals are reached by introducing plant species and management practices that provide biodiversity of plant and animal populations, as well as providing important carbon sequestration benefits. There are currently more than 5 million acres enrolled in the Grassland CRP program, including more than 3.1 million new acres that were accepted into the program in 2022. The Grassland CRP program has become quite popular with landowners and ranchers in the Western and Plains states. Interested parties should check with their local FSA or NRCS office for more details on Grassland CRP.

The initial goal of CRP was to reduce soil erosion on highly erodible cropland and to help curb the overproduction of farm commodities. Secondary objectives of CRP included improving water quality, fostering wildlife habitat and providing income support to farmers. More recently, the CRP program has been identified as a valuable tool through the fed-

eral government as a method to promote carbon sequestration on working farmland. Currently, getting farmland enrolled into the CRP program is being challenged by very positive economic returns from crop production and by tight grain supplies worldwide, as well as by higher cash rental rates for farmland.

As of Dec. 31, 2022, there were a total of just under 23 million acres enrolled in the CRP program, which is about 4 million acres below the maximum level of 27 million acres for 2023 that was established in the last farm bill. Of the total CRP acres, approximately 8.45 million acres are enrolled under a General CRP contract, 7.16 million acres in Continuous CRP and 6.3 million acres enrolled in the grassland program, with the balance of the acres in CREP, wetlands and other special CRP initiatives. The 2018 Farm Bill set a maximum of 27 million acres, and the USDA would like to reach this goal by the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2023. Current CRP contracts will expire on approximately two million acres on Sept. 30, 2023.

The total annual federal budget outlay for the CRP program in the 2022 fiscal year was just over $1.83 billion, including $1.73 billion that was paid in annual rental payments to landowners with acres enrolled in the CRP program. In addition, the USDA allocated $68 million in cost-share payments to landowners for establishing desired practices and plant species on CRP acres and $31 million as special incentive payments through the Continuous CRP program. The overall aver-

age rental rate for land in the CRP program in the U.S. in 2022 was $78 per acre. This includes average CRP rental rates of $57 per acre for General CRP, $140 per acre for Continuous CRP, $172 per acre for farmable wetlands, $209 per acre for CREP and $16 per acre for Grassland CRP.

Summary

The future of the CRP program is likely to garner considerable discussion during the next few months, as the next farm bill is being developed and written. The CRP program has a long and successful history of preventing soil erosion, improving water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat and aiding in carbon sequestration. While it may seem quite logical to utilize expansion of the CRP program to reach further goals related to environmental stewardship and carbon sequestration, there could be some obstacles in accomplishing those goals. Commodity prices for corn and soybeans and farm profit levels in the past two years have been at the highest levels in the past decade, resulting in higher land rental rates in many areas. This makes it difficult to convince farmers and landowners to take farmland out of production to enroll in the CRP program or to re-enroll some expiring CRP acreage, unless there are some added financial incentives.

For more information on the current CRP enrollment, expiring CRP acres, rental rates, etc., landowners and farmers should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office or refer to the USDA CRP website at: http://www.fsa. usda.gov/crp.

Anglers will find this and other changes in the 2023 fishing regulations booklet Spearers, anglers and bowfishers will be allowed to keep up to 10 gar — the toothy, prehistoric fish native to Minnesota waters — starting March 1, when a new gar possession limit is in effect on all Minnesota inland and border waters.

The limit applies to longnose and shortnose gar, which previously could be kept in unlimited numbers, and is among other new regulations in the 2023 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet.

The gar regulation change is part of a larger effort to sustainably manage gar and other native fish including buffalo, sucker, freshwater drum, bowfin, goldeye and bullhead, because they are critical contributors to aquatic ecosystems. The gar limit was established after 2021 legislation requiring the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources determine and set a limit for that species.

“It’s a first step toward a more proactive and conservative approach to managing these native ‘rough fish’ species,” said Shannon Fisher, fisheries monitoring and regulations

manager. “We value these native fish. They are important elements of health rivers and lakes, and yet we don’t know a ton about them.”

While the DNR has less information about gar compared to fish species like walleye, pike or bass, DNR research is underway to track their populations, with initial results expected in the latter part of 2024.

Additionally, the DNR will form a new work group with members of conservation organizations, members of the bowfishing community and interested stakeholders to identify conservation strategies for other native rough fish.

“Historically there have been a lot of misconceptions about fish like gar. People thought that having gar around as predator fish created competition for fish like walleye. We know that’s not the case,” Fisher said. “The more we learn, the more we find out that these fish have important roles and value in the ecosystem.”

Other new regulations

Other fishing regulation changes for 2023 include opening the Vermillion River in Dakota County to a catch-and-release season that mirrors the season in place for south-

eastern Minnesota, which allows catch and release trout fishing from Jan. 1 each year to the mid-April stream trout season opener. Additionally, the brown trout catch-andrelease only regulation applies to the entire Vermillion River starting March 1. New and modified regulations will also be in effect for a variety of other waters. Anglers are advised to check the regulations book for regulation details for these waters, listed here alphabetized by county:

Big Sandy Lake and connected waters, Aitkin County

A portion of the upper Turtle River chain of lakes, Beltrami County

Three Island and Turtle River lakes, Beltrami County

Fox Lake, Beltrami County

Caribou Lake, Itasca County

Round Lake, Itasca County

Otter Tail Lake, Otter Tail County

West Battle Lake, Otter Tail County

Cloquet and Otter rivers of Island Lake Reservoir, St. Louis County.

The 2023 Minnesota fishing regulations are available online (mndnr. gov/fishing) and anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold.

DNR Announces 2022 Deer Season

Preliminary Harvest Results, CWD Management Findings in Minnesota

Hunters harvested about 170,000 deer during the 2022 deer hunting season, a lower total harvest than in recent years. Total harvest was down 7% compared to the 2021 season and 10% less than the five-year average deer harvest for Minnesota.

“Lower deer numbers in northern Minnesota and poor weather during opening weekend in some parts of the state likely contributed to lower firearms A season harvest,” said Barb Keller, DNR big game program leader. “Hunters struggled with rain and wind in some parts of the state during early November, but weather was better during later seasons including firearms B and muzzleloader seasons.”

together with numerous related items of work, all in accordance with Plans and Specifications. This project is subject to Responsible Contractor Certification.

COMPLETION OF WORK: All work under the Contract must be complete by September 1, 2023

PLAN HOLDERS LIST, ADDENDUMS AND BID TABULATION : The plan holders list, addendums and bid tabulations will be available for download on -line at www.questcdn.com or www.bolton -menk.com.

TO OBTAIN BID DOCUMENTS: Complete digital project bidding documents are available at www.questcdn.com or www.bolton-menk.com. You may view the digital plan documents for free by entering Quest project # 8368809 on the website’s Project Search page. Documents may be downloaded f or $50.00. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, viewing, downloading, and working with this digital project information.

BID SUBMITTAL: A bid shall be submitted online no later than the date and time prescribed. For this project, the City will only be accepting online electronic bids through QuestCDN. To access the electronic bid form, download the proje ct document and click online bidding button at the top of the advertisement. Prospective bidders must be on the plan holders list through QuestCDN for bids to be accepted.

BID SECURITY: A Proposal Bond in the amount of not less than 5 percent of the total amount bid, drawn in favor of City of Nicollet shall accompany each bid.

OWNER'S RIGHTS RESERVED: The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any irregularities and informalities therein and to award the Contract to other than t he lowest bidder if, in their discretion, the interest of the Owner would be best served thereby.

DATED: January 16, 2023 /S/ Vanessa Drill City Clerk

Published:

QuestCDN: January 19, 2023

Nicollet County Ledger: January 19, 2023, February 2, 2023, February 9, 2023

The number of deer harvested during muzzleloader season was the highest reported since 2007 and was 10% higher than the 2021 season harvest. Archery season harvest was about 1% lower than the 2021 season. Most archery season harvest occurred prior to the firearms season and peaked in late October and early November.

Analysis of the 2022 deer harvest are still underway. A final deer harvest report will be available in March — past season harvest reports are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/ management/statistics.html).

The release of the final 2022 season harvest results will coincide with opportunities for public input. The DNR will offer walk-in office hours at area wildlife offices across the state, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2. Local wildlife managers will be available to talk one-on-one with anyone about deer and other wildlife, hunting and habitat topics, specific topics that the DNR’s deer advisory committee should be aware of, or thoughts and feedback about deer population management. Those unable to attend office hours in-person will also be able to share their thoughts through an online questionnaire (mndnr.gov/wildlife/ talk-about-wildlife.html) available March 2. Written comments may

be submitted to Barb Keller, Fish and Wildlife Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. Comments will help inform season-setting decisions this spring for the 2023 fall deer hunting season.

CWD management

Chronic wasting disease remains a serious and persistent threat to Minnesota’s deer herd health, but sampling efforts revealed some good news – three consecutive years of disease surveillance in deer permit areas 157, 159, 213, 225 and 273 yielded no detections of the disease in wild deer. Consistent with the DNR’s CWD management plan, these zones were established due to the detection of CWD in captive deer facilities. Following these three consecutive years of no detections in wild deer, successful hunters in these DPAs will no longer need to submit samples for testing.

“This is great news for deer and deer hunters,” said Erik Hildebrand, wildlife health program supervisor. “We greatly appreciate hunters’ help monitoring these areas over the past few years.”

CWD was detected in 26 hunterharvested deer through the 2022 fall seasons. Of these, 73% were from the southeast, a region that continues to see persistent CWD infections in wild deer.

CWD was detected in two hunter-harvested bucks in DPA 184 in the Bemidji area. DPA 184 is part of a CWD surveillance zone established due to the detection of CWD in a captive deer facility and illegal dumping of infected captive deer carcasses on public land. After the discovery of this fall’s CWD detections in wild deer, the DNR held a late disease management hunt to learn more about the presence of CWD in the area. An additional 102 deer were harvested by hunters, with no additional CWD detected.

These results, along with the fact the two deer in which CWD was detected were both bucks, led to the DNR’s decision to not conduct

targeted agency culling in DPA 184 this winter.

“We use targeted culling in areas within two miles of a known CWD detection in deer, particularly does,” Hildebrand said. “We know an adult doe has a smaller home range and a tight social group. If a doe has CWD, the likelihood that her social group also has it is high. When we find a doe with CWD, that serves as anchor point for our culling efforts — we can apply it to very small, specific areas to fight the disease.”

Conversely, bucks have larger home ranges and detecting CWD in two bucks does not allow the DNR to establish an effective anchor point for a culling effort.

Culling efforts in the southeast started Jan. 23 and will continue through late March. Targeted culling will take place in the city of Grand Rapids (part of DPA 679) and the south metro (DPA 605) from Feb. 27 to March 10, focusing on locations where CWD has been detected in the past. All deer culled are processed and the venison is frozen until test results are received. Venison from deer with a not-detected result is distributed to cooperating landowners and those signed up through DNR’s Share the Harvest program (mndnr.gov/cwd/ share-harvest.html).

Hunters and conservation partners are critical in helping control CWD and maintaining the health of Minnesota’s deer herd. The DNR would like to thank deer hunters, taxidermists, processors, tribal nations (Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth), and deer conservation partners (Minnesota Conservation Federation, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Bluffland Whitetails and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers) that helped collect or submit samples for testing.

For more information about deer hunting in Minnesota, visit the DNR deer hunting page (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer). CWD information, test results and more can be found at the DNR CWD page (mndnr.gov/cwd).

The Nicollet County Ledger is more than a newspaper. It’s THE place you turn to find out what’s going on in the community, and it’s where you learn about decisions that affect you. It’s the place to catch up with the people you know. It’s a forum for sharing your opinions on issues important to you, and it’s the place to find out what your neighbors think.

G oVernor Walz and dePuty G oVernor FlanaGan announce recent aPPointments

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor

Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Social Work, Explore Minnesota Tourism Council, Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, and State Board of Physical Therapy. Thomas

Cindy Wannarka – Walker, MN

Explore Minnesota Tourism Council Northwest Tourism Marketing Region Representative

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment Jana Webster – Stillwater, MN

Explore Minnesota Tourism Council Transportation Representative

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment About the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council: The Explore Minnesota Tourism Council serves the broader interests of tourism in Minnesota by promoting activities that support, maintain, and expand the state’s domestic and international travel market, thereby generating increased visitor expenditures, tax revenue, and employment.

Additional information about the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council can be found on the Secretary

of State’s website. Phillip Drobnick – Woodbury, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory

Committee

Member

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Ruben Cortes Miki Lewis-Frost – Saint Paul, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Member

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Sara Thomas

About the Juvenile Justice

Advisory Committee: The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee oversees Minnesota’s compliance with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee provides leadership and support in setting a vision for juvenile justice in Minnesota that is informed by evidence-based practices, multi-disciplinary experience, and the diverse communities of Minnesota.

Additional information about the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Sara Conrad – Minneapolis, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist Assistant

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

Maura Kelly – Maple Grove, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Linda Gustafson

Samantha Mohn-Johnsen –Duluth, MN State Board of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Pamela Jo Peters – Savage, MN State Board of Physical Therapy

Public Member

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

Allen Rasmussen – International Falls, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Public Member

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Steven Scherger – Andover, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist

Effective: February 22, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

About the State Board of Physical Therapy:

The State Board of Physical Therapy evaluates applicants for licensure, renews annual licenses for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, and enforces the physical therapy practice act.

Additional information about the State Board of Physical Therapy can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

We are the face of Nicollet!