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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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.