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The Lafayette City Council met on Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at City Hall in Lafayette.
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The Saint Peter City Council met on March 13. A Public hearing was held prior to the start of the actual regular council meeting. Ben Baker gave a staff presentation on Windsor Pond 5th Addition.
“It’ll be three things: the final plat, the preliminary plat and the development agreement,” Baker said. Windsor Pond is a 30-acre single family residential neighborhood that was developed just
to the east of County Road 20 and just south of Traverse Road. It was developed in 2002. Baker presented the changes in lots over time to the council.
“In the beginning, the lots were a little narrower and the houses were a little tighter,” Baker said.
“Then as the last two phases went on, the lots have become just a little bit bigger as the market has dictated.”
Valley View Land Company was the initial developer that took part in the first two phases, then Mike Volk with Windsor Homes has since constructed the last two phases. He has applied to complete the final phase, the fifth addition.
What’s proposed is ten single family residential patio homes, slab and grade homes with no basement similar to nearby homes. The city engineer and public works have reviewed plans, including traffic and utilities. Windsor Lane will be extended between Traverse Road and Victoria Street to accommodate the project. That would link a gap of 450 feet, according to Baker. Baker presented the plats and aerial view of the proposed construction. The final plat showed the final dimensions of each of the lots of the addition. Mayor Shanon Nowell asked
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Next week will bring warmer weather after some snow or rain showers after Thursday’s cruel
windy snow and rain. A winter storm system roared through Nicollet County Thursday and brought cold temperatures with it for Friday. A mix of rain and snow fell in a storm system that reached from the Twin Cities to Worthington and much of Southern Minnesota,
just missing areas Southeast by Red Wing, Albert Lea and Rochester, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Winds of more than 50 mph were recorded in the area
100 Years Ago – Feb. 14, 1920
Miss Anna Ebert is employed as domestic at the Reuben Lund home.
Robert Isenberg, H. E. Hedren and Henry Johnson attended the Oldsmobile dealers’ convention at the Radisson hotel at Minneapolis last week.
John Satterman will erect his saw mill at the John Lund farm two miles northeast from Lafayette. Those who desire to have lumber sawed may haul the logs over there now at any time.
Buttermaker Sjostrom of Klossner transacted business here Monday.
Aug. A. Johnson has bought the former J. P. Sjogren residence on Church Street and will reside there after March 1st.
Alvin Fjell is installing booths in the H. F. Anderson restaurant. This makes a great improvement to Anderson’s ice cream parlor. There will be a greater demand for ice cream hereafter, by the young folks.
Mrs. C. O. Gustafson of St. Peter arrived here Thursday and will stay at the Anton Malmberg home for a while. With her came Curtis Malmberg who has been visiting with grandma Gustafson since Christmas.
Pete and Albert Peterson of Alfsborg have rented the Freeman Anderson farm in New Sweden.
Decorator Fjell is painting John Peterson’s Ford.
The local W.C.T.U. will meet with Mrs. T. F. Bergquist next Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 17.
E. O. Abrahamson and family and Henry Abrahamson visited at the Rudell home at Winthrop Sunday.
Saturday and Sunday with their father, W. C. Milliman, in Bernadotte.
They came here to observe Mr. Milliman’s birthday anniversary, which was on Saturday.
50 Years Ago – Feb. 19, 1970
Those who spent the weekend at the Ambassador Motel in Minneapolis as guests of Land O Lakes were Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Berdan, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Swenson, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Portner, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Isaacson and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Marti.
Lois Wellnitz of Princeton spent the weekend here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Wellnitz.
Those who gathered at the Gerald Forst home Sunday to honor Robert Hamann who is home on furlough, were, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Schroeder and family of New Ulm, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Meyer and boys, Mr. and Mrs. Delton Hamann and family, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Bieraugel and Mrs. Rose Hamann.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Maidl and family went to the airport in Minneapolis Wednesday to get their daughter, Diane and Deanna Schmitz, who returned that day from a five day visit at the Tony Cranford home at Metairie, La. They also attended the Mardi Gras at New Orleans while there.
Narve Nelson and Otis Muller returned Monday evening from a week’s fishing at Leech Lake with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Woods of Gibbon.
Forester members from this area who attended the C.O.F. Bowling Tournament at St. Peter Sunday were Gerald, Richard and Ronald Seitz, Alphonse Goblirsch, Jerome Weisensel, Leo Maidl, Marion Bushard and Clarence Maidl.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hatch of Rochester spent the weekend at the Otis Muller home.
St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for a new grant to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development.
Continuous living cover (CLC) refers to agricultural systems in which there are living plants and roots in the ground throughout the entire year. This can take many forms, from winter cover crops sown between summer annuals to agroforestry practices, perennial forage crops, perennial biomass crops, and perennial grain production. This includes but is not limited to regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza® perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry.
This one-time funding is provided to the MDA by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
CLC crops have been shown to enhance water and soil quality, sequester carbon, build soil health, and provide greater biodiversity and pollinator habitat. Significant environmental benefits of these crops will result from widespread production, which requires robust value chains and markets.
The goal is to provide grants to CLC crops and cropping systems value chain enterprises for equipment infrastructure and business and market development. For example, this could include customized equipment to harvest the crop, clean and store seeds, and process crops for food products. The intended outcome is supply chain and market development that can increase CLC crops and cropping systems on agricultural lands in Minnesota.
Applicants must:
Be an organization in Minnesota, including a company, government, tribe, urban American Indian Community, partnership, and any type of civil or political association of people.
Focus on continuous living cover.
The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $420,000 using a competitive review process. The maximum award is $50,000, and the minimum award is $10,000.
The Developing Markets for CLC Crops Grant application must be received by 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023, through the MDA’s online application system. Decisions are expected in early May. For more information and to see the complete request for proposal (RFP), visit the Developing Markets for CLC Crops webpage.
The March 8 USDA World
Agricultural Supply and Demand
Estimates (WASDE) report did not have many significant changes from the February WASDE report. The biggest change was a larger than anticipated reduction in expected 2022-23 corn export levels, along with a corresponding increase in estimated corn ending stocks at the end of the current marketing year.
On the flip side, the USDA projected a slight reduction in 202223 soybean ending stocks due to an anticipated increase in soybean export levels. All eyes will now be on the USDA 2023 Prospective Planting and Grain Stocks reports that will be released on March 31.
Corn The latest WASDE report continued to show the total 2022 U.S. corn production at 13.7 billion bushels, which compares to production levels of just under 15.1 billion bushels in 2021 and 14.1 billion bushels in 2020. The recent USDA report also showed that the total demand for corn usage in 2022-23 at just over 13.8 billion bushels, which is down considerably from total corn usage levels of 14.9 billion bushels in 2021-22 and 14.8 billion bushels in 2020-21. Corn export levels were reduced by 75 million bushels in the March report due to sluggish export sales thus far in the 2022-23
marketing year. Corn export sales for the year are now estimated at 1.85 billion bushels, compared to 2.47 billion bushels in 2021-22 and 2.75 billion bushels in 2020-21. The USDA estimated the total corn used for ethanol production in 2022-23 at 5.25 billion bushels and the total corn used for livestock feed at 5.69 billion bushels, both of which are down slightly from levels in the 2021-22 marketing year. The USDA is now estimating 2021-22 U.S. corn ending stocks at 1.342 billion bushels, which is an increase of 75 million bushels from the February WASDE report, representing the projected decrease in corn export levels. The 2022-23 corn ending stocks would still be at the second lowest level in the past nine years and would compare to a carry-out level of 1.377 bushels in 2021-22 The 2022-23 stocks-to-use ratio is estimated at 9.7%, which is almost identical to the 9.8% projection a year ago in March. The current stocks-to-use ratio remains quite tight compared to recent corn stocks-to-use ratios of 13.7% for 2019-20, 14.6% for 2018-19 and 14.5% in 2017-18. This means that there continues to be potential for short-term rallies in the cash corn market in the coming months, especially in areas of the U.S. with tight supplies and high local corn demand.
The USDA is currently estimating the U.S. average on-farm cash
Miss Claudia Swenson of Minneapolis visited here over Sunday.
John Johnson of Parshall, N. D., was a visitor with his bro-in-law C. H. Nelson over Sunday.
75 Years Ago – Feb. 16, 1945
W. H. Krohn and family visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Swartz in St. Paul, Sunday. Mrs. Justine Jacobson entertained a group of ladies at her home Saturday afternoon in observance of her birthday anniversary.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nelson of Winthrop, Mrs. Theo. Ostrom and Grace, of New Sweden, visited Sunday afternoon at the Arthur Flygare home in Bernadotte.
Mr. and Mrs. Delphin Anderson and children, Duane and Gladys, were entertained at dinner Sunday at the Gerald Wise home in New Sweden. The afternoon was spent at the Orville Quist home near St. Peter.
Miss Elaine Isenberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Delphin Isenberg of Cornish, has completed a course in beauty culture, and also passed the state board examinations, thereby receiving the license for such work.
Raymond Quandt, Hugo Albrecht and Arthur Schaeffler, members of the board of Lafayette township, went to St. Peter, Monday, and attended the annual weed conference, which was held in the court room of the court house.
Mrs. Martha Carlson and Mrs. LeRoy Anderson spent last weekend in the twin cities.
Carl Youngblom of St. Paul and his roommate, Tom Kostuch, returned to St. Paul Monday evening, after a few days visit with the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Youngblom.
Misses Betty and Bonnie Milliman, students of the Hamline University, Minneapolis, spent
Except for telephonic communication, this village was cut off by the drifting snow and extreme cold weather.
100 Years Ago – Feb. 14, 1920
Mrs. Henry Netzke visited her daughter at New Ulm the first of the week who has been ill. George and William Lange of Oshawa township have gone to Sioux City, Iowa, to attend an automobile school.
Show your loyalty to the fire company by purchasing tickets for their annual ball to be given in the Nicollet opera house tonight.
The ladies of the Progressive Banner will give an apron sale for the benefit of the auxiliary in the local auxiliary parlors Saturday afternoon, Feb. 21.
Henry Epper and family are getting comfortably settled in their new, large and modern residence on West Fourth Street, having moved in during the week.
Three auctions are booked for this vicinity in the near future. The sale of Louis Wenholz will occur on February 20. August Schroeder will conduct a sale on February 27th, and H. C. Fricke will close out his personal property on March 4th.
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Johnson of Langdon, N. D., the latter a sister of J. H. Meurer, arrived here last Friday for an extended visit with relatives in Nicollet and vicinity. Mr. Johnson was an old time resident of Nicollet and in his early days drove a stage between New Ulm and St. Peter.
the Chester Nelson home Saturday evening.
25 Years Ago – Feb. 16, 1995
Congratulations to Peter Anthony, son of Willis and Rachel Anthony, for being named to the Dean’s List at Bethany College. Also to Michael Gunderson, son of Darwin and Brenda Gunderson, who also made the Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
Sharon Gaalswyk, Karen Gaalswyk, Cheryl Epper and Joyce, manager of the Budgetel Motel went to dinner at Charley’s and saw the play at the University in Mankato, “Stepping Out.”
Kevin and Jeanette Hewitt of Cleveland entertained Sunday afternoon in honor of their daughter, Heather’s 4th birthday. Among those present were Earl and Evie Nelson of Norseland, Bob and Donna Hewitt of St. Peter, Darren and Corrinne Ely, and Angie Seitzer of Cleveland.
Darryl and Barbara Stevensen and Mr. and Mrs. Wade Zieske of rural New Ulm flew to Florida last week to spend time with Barbara’s parents, Herb and Jolene.
Good winter weather has allowed all aspects of construction for the new InLaws Restaurant at Nicollet to proceed. The business, located at the corner of Highways 14 and 111 in Nicollet, is slated to open in early spring.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Eckberg visited at the Carl Lund home in St. Peter Friday evening.
115 Years Ago – Feb. 18, 1905
The personal property taxes are due March 1st, and unless paid by that time a penalty of 10 percent will be added.
The fifth of its series of club dances was given by the Nicollet Dancing Club at Blank’s hall Tuesday evening. The Nicollet orchestra furnished the music.
Do not forget the special school meeting to be held on Saturday evening, February 25th. It is important that all interested in school matters should attend this meeting. The school rooms at present are so overcrowded that early provision needs to be made for an extra room and teacher for same.
The farmers of Brighton township will build a co-operative creamery near the place of Adam Jutz, on the southwest corner of section 3, and are busy hauling material for the same now. They will commence with the erection soon as the weather permits and will hold a meeting on Saturday, March 4th, for the purpose of organizing.
A Judson correspondent says a party from Nicollet, who has been cutting ice, had the misfortune of journeying to the river bottom, rather a disagreeable experience, though the distance traveled was only twelve feet. He then drove home six miles, in his wet clothes, which were certainly stiff upon him by the time he arrived. Do you know him?
The blizzard we had Tuesday worked havoc with the train service. No trains went either way until the following morning when the snowplow cleared the tracks.
Dr. E. F. Vogelpohl, Nicollet’s resident dentist, opened up for business in the former Dr. Meilicke’s office this week. His office is modernly equipped in every respect for his dental practice. Dr. Vogelpohl was called out of town today but will be on deck again Monday morning.
85 Years Ago – Feb. 16, 1935
About 7:30 Monday morning, the fire department was called to the farm home of Henry Ott where a bad chimney fire was raging. There was no damage.
Emil Starke has been busy for the past two weeks cutting logs and sawing lumber for a new barn which he will have erected on his farm this spring.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Wyngarden and children, who spent several months with Mr. and Mrs. Carl Netzke returned to their home at Tappen, N.D., Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Kettner, Mrs. L. W. Kettner, Mrs. E. A. Zimmermann and Mrs. Aug. Thom, Jr. visited relatives at Truman on Monday. The latter two remained for a week’s stay.
Aug. Koetting of Courtland township was seriously injured, Wednesday morning, when a shed, which he was tearing down, suddenly collapsed, pinning him underneath. His right hip and his right leg were broken.
A social evening was spent at the home of Miss Norma and Gordon Ott Wednesday evening. The time was spent in playing “bunco” with high honors going to Miss Viola Bode and Harvey Enter and Miss Elvira Enter and Harold Heidemann, low. At midnight a delicious lunch was served.
Peter Jutz came down Monday from Pierz with a truck load of potatoes which he is selling very cheap.
Mrs. Martin Zins and daughters spent Thursday at Nicollet with her sister, Mrs. R. J. Dauffenbach.
Joyce and Allen Erickson, Henry Maritz, Margie Monson and Mrs. Ella Johnson were entertained at
Herring Trucking of Lafayette put up a new building on the old railroad right-of-way property over the winter. It’s behind the city disposal plant. The 40 X 75 foot building has space for two trucks and will give the Herrings a place to wash their trailers when they return from trips. Final details are being completed and the building should be ready for use in a few weeks.
10 Years Ago – Feb. 18, 2010
Nicollet senior Jordan Rudenick surpassed the 1,000 point career mark in a make-up game with St. Clair Saturday afternoon. Rudenick, a four-year player for the Nicollet High School, has been a consistent scorer for the Raiders and is a good all-around player.
Congratulations to Steve and Barb Hulke of Courtland on becoming grandparents for the first time. Little Hannah Hulke was born to their son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Andria, February 7.
The fourth annual Polar Plunge at Lake Hallett in St. Peter Sunday was even bigger and better than the first three. A total of 313 “human plungers” raised more than $44,000 for Special Olympics. Those numbers are up from 110, 165, and 196 plungers and $21,000, $28,500, and $30,000 in the first three. Nicollet County Sheriff Dave Lange and his group opened the plunge. Nicollet American Legion Post 510 was represented by Del Vulcan and Bruce Connelly. The gals went first and the guys followed when the Courtland Fire Department jumped. Group members were Pam Meyer, Mary Luepke, Jenna Krueger, Danielle Bode, Dave Ubel, Leon Luepke, Jon Rewitzer, Brandon Matter, Adam Marti, and Pat Stadick. Lafayette Ambulance “Team McFreezies” included Kim Schwab, Daryl Trautmiller, Kevin Reinhart, Jay Carlson, Jessi Gieseke, Collin Gieseke, and Marti Uhde. Andrew and Lisa Quist of Norseland were among nearly 90 Minnesota Farm Bureau members who attended the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Promotion and Education Conference January 29-30 in Bloomington.
tion.
Williams died in September 2020 in North Mankato at an apartment, the report stated. He overdosed on heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine toxicity, according to an autopsy report. Police found messages from Facebook between Langston and his girlfriend from the victim’s phone the day he died, according to the report, allegedly requesting a pen, likely referring to narcan, a life saving drug for opioid overdoses.stayed a prison sentence of one year to five and sentenced
Rangel to 99 days in jail. Rangel received credit for 99 days already served. He must also pay more than $6,000 in restitution to the victims from this case. However, prosecutors agreed to dismiss many charges from two previous cases from 2021, according to the report. One involved Rangel providing police with a fake name and driving after cancellation, the report noted. Rangel had allegedly stolen identities of two out-of-state citizens in the United States and then used their identities to obtain county benefits.
Answer: State statue says that no person, while operating a motor vehicle, shall wear headphones or earphones that are used in both ears simultaneously for purposes of receiving or listening to broadcasts or reproductions from radios or other sound-producing or transmitting devices. A hands free device, like a Bluetooth earpiece, is legal because it is only worn in one ear.
There are a few exceptions to the law:
The use of a hearing aid device by a person who needs the device.
The use of a communication headset by a firefighter while operating a fire department emergency vehicle in response to an emergency.
The use of a communication headset by an emergency medical services person while operating an ambulance.
It is important for the driver to be aware and alert to everything that is going on around them. Listening to
music with headphones or wearing earplugs while driving may block out an emergency vehicle’s siren or another vehicle’s horn. That could cause a crash or reduce the response time for an emergency vehicle. The ability to hear a siren and see emergency lights will enable the driver to safety move over and yield to approaching emergency vehicles.
Remember to avoid all distractions while driving as your life and others depend on it.
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.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
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. (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@ state.mn.us) Twitter:MSPPIO_ SOUTH.
info@nicolletcountyledger.com
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - On Tuesday, the Biden Administration announced that the Environmental Protection Agency will require utilities to remove perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS) from drinking water. It is estimated that as many as 200 million Americans are currently exposed to PFAS chemicals through drinking water.
Representative Jeff Brand (DFL—Saint Peter) has been spearheading legislation to eliminate non-essential uses of PFAS in Minnesota, as part of the PFAS Prevention Package.
“I’m incredibly thankful that we will be seeing federal action on getting PFAS out of drinking water. Now, we need to take it a step further,” said Rep. Brand. “It’s corporate greed that got us
into this mess, and we need to turn off the faucet on PFAS in more than just water. These cancer-causing chemicals are found in products and packaging we use every single day, and they’re actively harming our health, our families, and our future. Thank you to President Biden for putting in these protections across the country so that we can trust our drinking water. Here in Min -
nesota, we’re going to finish the job and keep PFAS out of our everyday lives.”
The EPA regulation would include testing and filtering of six PFAS chemicals. There are currently more than 9,000 known PFAS chemicals in existence. A total of 31 state legislatures across the country have proposed or passed legislatio to cut down on PFAS.
Public open house March 27 for the Highway 22 Mapleton to Wells construction project Construction expected to begin midApril
The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public to attend an in-person open house on Monday, March 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Minnesota Lake City Office Building, 103 Main Street North, to learn about the upcoming Highway 22 project from Mapleton to Wells and prepare for construction expected to begin in mid-April. There is no formal presentation planned, and people are
welcome to arrive anytime.
Staff from MnDOT and the contractor will be present at the open
tions. MnDOT will resurface Highway 22 from approximately a quarter of a mile south of Mapleton to the intersection with Highway 109/Faribault County Road 29 in Wells. The project will go through Minnesota Lake where Americans with Disability improvements will be made by adding new curb ramps, updating existing sidewalk, and adding a short segment of sidewalk.
ton to Wells will be closed during construction and traffic detoured. Visit the project website for detour information.
Project benefits and costs
Benefits of the project include improved pavement, drainage, sidewalk system, and traffic safety improvements. Ulland Brothers, Inc. was awarded the project with a bid of $10,144,431.51.
Stay connected
house to provide more information about the project and answer ques-
Traffic impacts Weather permitting, construction is expected to begin in midApril and be completed by late July. Highway 22 from Maple-
Those who are unable to attend the open house or prefer to get information online can visit the Highway 22 website for more information and staff contacts. Information will be shared on the MnDOT | South Central Minnesota Facebook groupand the MnDOT District 7 Twitter account. For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit 511mn. org.
ST. PAUL – Grain indemnity fund legislation long-supported by Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members has cleared the ag committees in both chambers.
“MFU members have advocated for a grain indemnity fund since 2015 when the Porter elevator failed and family farmers lost thousands of dollars,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “The bonding system in Minnesota doesn’t work, leaving farmers vulnerable to grain elevator collapses. There are more than a dozen states with indemnity funds, including North Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. We need to add this protection for Minnesota’s family farmers, and I thank Sen. Putnam, Rep. Cha and Rep. Anderson for their leadership on this legislation.”
This week marks the midpoint of the legislative session and here’s an update on some priorities MFU is working to advance:
The MinnesotaCare buy-in public option continues to advance through the committee process. Several members have testified in support of this legislation (HF96/SF49).
MFU is supporting legislation (HF17/SF168) that would stop price gouging of generic and off-brand prescription drugs and establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) with authority to lower drug costs by setting upper payment limits.
Bills expanding the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit have been approved by agriculture committees in both chambers with several MFU members testifying in support.
MFU members have worked to advance bills expanding farm permits beyond farm kids, expanding funding for broadband and funding cooperative development grants at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
MFU continues to speak out against the proposed merger between Sanford and M-Health Fairview. MFU supports competition in the marketplace and this merger is likely to lead to higher prices, hospital closures and lower quality service. MFU has also been working on legislation that would create more comprehensive pre-merger notification requirements for health care mergers and give the Attorney General the authority to enjoin or unwind a merger that does not protect the public interest (SF1681/ HF402). This legislation is advancing in both bodies.
Also, on the topic of competitive markets, MFU has been a vocal supporter of Attorney General Keith Ellison’s budget request for antitrust work. As proposed by the governor, this legislation would provide nearly $1 million in ongoing funding to hire additional attorneys in the antitrust division. It would also provide $1
million to establish a revolving fund to help pay for multistate litigation expenses.
A third item on the competition agenda is Right to Repair. MFU supports establishing a Right to Repair law in Minnesota (HF1337/SF1598).
This proposal would grant farmers, consumers and independent repair technicians and mechanics access to the diagnostic tools and parts needed to fix agricultural equipment and consumer items. This bill has been acted favorable upon in the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee and the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. The Senate the Commerce Committee has acted favorably on the bill, although that committee removed agricultural equipment.
MFU continues to lead on rebuilding Minnesota’s local and regional meat processing system. Four bills to help local and regional meat processors are advancing through agriculture committees. There’s funding for the AGRI Value Added program for meat and poultry processing (SF2620/HF2563), establishing a meat processing navigator position at MDA (SF1592/HF1302) and funding grants for worker training, recruitment and retention (SF2681/HF2562). There’s also a bill to fund training grants to help navigate regulations for meat pro-
cessors (SF861/HF1303).
MFU is supporting efforts to help farmers lead in voluntary work to build climate resilience on working lands. A variety of these initiatives are moving forward.
MFU is building on its Farmers’ Guide to Carbon Market Contracts in Minnesota, which was released earlier this year, with legislation that bars confidentiality clauses in carbon market contracts. This was heard by both the House and Senate and will be considered for a final agriculture policy bill.
Legislation allowing immigrants to earn driver’s licenses has passed and been signed by the governor. MFU supports this legislation to help people get to work and increase safety in rural areas. The constitutional adjournment deadline for the Minnesota legislature is Monday, May 22.
About Minnesota Farmers Union Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org, and follow MFU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
bill aligns Minnesota with the rest ofChapter 9, House File 50: This bill authorizes the DNR to make changes to improve Minnesota’s state park anderly transfer Minnesota county and
Thursday and vehicles were caked with freezing rain. Driving conditions were difficult with poor visibility and high winds. There were 13 vehicle crash reports in Minnesota between
Thursday and Friday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Condition were listed as snowy/ icy for most of those reports. This comes after a brief period where temperatures were up to
40 degrees by Wednesday. In Nicollet, by Friday, the temperature had a high of 12 degrees and a low of 7 degrees, according to the Weather Channel Friday. The forecast for the day was cloudy
and windy with winds WNW at 25 to 35 mph.
“Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph,” the report noted. According to Watson Insights,
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if the applicant was providing a presentation. City Administrator Todd Prafke said they are always welcome to but in this case, the applicant did not. There were no public comments and the public hearing closed. The matter was on the agenda under New Business for the council to address.
Baker again addressed the council to approve the preliminary plat for the Windsor Pond Fifth Addition. Council member Bradley Devoss said that young adults and families would benefit from more affordable and available housing
in Saint Peter with the continued development of the addition. The resolution was approved.
The next resolution was for the approval of the development agreement between the City of Saint Peter and Windsor Homes for the project. Finally, the council approved the resolution to approve the final plat for the project.
The council then heard about adopting a resolution for a revolving loan fund request for YCDHT LLC. Baker told the council YCDHT stands for You Can Do Hard Things and is a real estate
and property management company. They own the property at 217 W. Park Row in Saint Peter. They purchased the property in September 2020. The River Rock cafe and bakery at that location is the “cornerstone tenant” of that property, according to Baker. The building also hosts four other renters. Tuckpointing and other repairs need to be done to the building in a list of five key items, according to Baker. New windows, new doors and ADA ramps are proposed. The business applied for funding through a Renovation and
Enhancement loan because they are in the business district. They are asking for 90 percent of the costs associated with the project, a total of more than $21,000. According to Baker, the city’s loan program was designed to reinvest in the city’s business district and the city’s historic district. He said it emphasizes historic and handicap accessible improvements, both of which the project will accomplish. If approved the loan would amortize over ten years at zero percent with payments of $183. The last $5,000 can even be forgiven if all
other payments are made on time, Baker said. The company already has two loans with the city currently. This project was reviewed three times by the EDA and another subcommittee and also the HPC because it is located in the historic district. Based on staff and these three boards, it was brought forth for approval.
Councilmember Kari Johson pointed out that other area businesses can also apply for funding in the historic district. She asked about a permanent tuck pointing contract. Prafke referred her to
Baker. Baker said they are looking for a contracting relationship for tuckpointing in downtown Saint Peter. Prafke explained it was a difficult trade and skill to find contractors to fit. The motion to approve the resolution to disburse the loan funds carried with no dissent.
Also discussed at the council under new business were 2023 Accessibility Grants, Assessment Policy, Tree Worker License, ‘23 Equipment Certificate Pool Painting, DNR Grant, and 2023 Park Row Street/Utility Assessments.
A sick feeling washes over you: nausea, stomach cramps, headache and fever. Vomiting and diarrhea may soon follow. The symptoms are familiar to anyone who has had the flu, but there may be another culprit. It could be food that has gone bad.
Food-borne illness, or “food poisoning,” usually comes from eating food tainted with bacteria or their toxins. Other types of microbes like viruses or parasites can also be behind food poisoning. People have
long known that raw meat, poultry and eggs can harbor disease-causing microbes. Even fresh fruits and vegetables have caused headlinemaking outbreaks of food-borne illness.
Fortunately, most cases of food poisoning aren’t life threatening. You usually recover after a few days of misery. However, children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at more serious risk.
Food poisoning can cause debilitating abdominal pain, nausea, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Symptoms usually appear several hours to several days after eating tainted food, depending on the microbe. For example, Salmonella bacteria, a common source of food-borne disease, usually cause illness 12 hours to 3 days after ingestion, with symptoms lasting about 4 – 7 days.
The most common way to treat
food poisoning is to drink plenty of fluids. The sickness usually subsides within a few days. Contact your doctor if you develop signs of severe dehydration, such as dry mouth, less urination or increased heart rate, or if you develop signs of shock, like weak or rapid pulse, clammy skin, or chest pain. Here are some wise choices for preventing food poisoning: Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after touching
food. Keep kitchen items, like utensils, countertops and cutting board, clean.
Keep raw meat, poultry or seafood and their juices away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.
Never defrost food on the kitchen counter. Use the refrigerator, cold running water or a microwave oven.
Keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Cook food thoroughly and at a
high temperature to kill harmful bacteria.
Refrigerate food within 2 hours after cooking. Set your refrigerator at 40 degrees or lower and set your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you would like more information on “Recognize and Prevent Food Poisoning” contact Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus –University of Minnesota at waldn001@umn.edu.
The Annual meeting for Granby Township will be held on March 14 th 2023 at the Marvin Krohn seed office at 43527 Cty Rd 4, Nicollet Mn 56074 at 7:00P.M. The regular monthly meeting will follow the Annual meeting.
Clerk Bob Wills
corn price for the 2022-23 marketing year at $6.60 per bushel, which was decreased by $.10 per bushel from the February estimate. The projected 202122 market year average (MYA) corn price represents the highest estimated WASDE corn price since the 2013-14 marketing year. The current projected 2022-23 average price compares to recent national average corn prices of $6 per bushel for 2021-22, $4.53 per bushel in 2020-21, $3.57 per bushel for 2019-20, $3.61 per bushel for 2018-19 and $3.36 per bushel for both 2017-18. The 2022-23 WASDE price estimates are the expected average farmlevel prices for corn and soybeans for the 2022 crop from Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2023; however, they do not represent the estimated prices for either the 2022 or 2023 calendar year.
Soybeans
The latest USDA report kept the final 2022 U.S. average soybean yield at 49.5 bushels per acre, which is 2.2 bushels per acre below the final U.S. average yield in 2021. Total U.S. soybean production for 2022 is estimated at 4.276 billion bushels, which is a decrease of 189 million bushels from final 2021 production levels. The recent WASDE report estimates total soybean demand at 4.355 billion bushels for the 2022-23 marketing year, which is an increase of 15 million bushels from the February WASDE report but would represent a decrease of 124 million bushels from 2021-22 soybean demand levels. Expected soybean export levels were increased by 25 million in the March report compared to a month earlier; however, export levels would be 109 million bushels below 2021-22 exports. Soybean crush levels are expected to increase slightly in the current marketing year.
The U.S. soybean ending stocks for the 2022-23 marketing year in the latest WASDE report are estimated at 210 million bushels, which was a decrease of 15 million bushels from the February WASDE report. The projected soybean ending stocks for the current year would be among the lowest soybean carry-out levels in the past decade. The projected 2022-23 soybean ending stocks compare to recent year-end carryout levels of 274 million bushels for 2021-22, 257 million bushels for 2020-21, 525 million bushels for 2019-20, 913 million bushels for 2018-19 and 438 million bushels for 2017-18.
The soybean stocks-to-use ratio for 2022-23 is now estimated at only 4.8%, which is a decline from the low ratios of 6.1% in 2021-22 and 5.7% in 2020-21. The projected 2022-23 ratio is considerably lower than other recent soybean stocks-touse ratios of 23% for 2018-19 and 13.3% for 2019-20. The lowest soybean stocks-to-use level in recent times at 2.6% in 2013.
The expected rather tight soybean
supply may offer some opportunities for continued strong cash soybean prices in the coming months, especially if the projected lower soybean production levels in Argentina become reality and soybean export levels remain strong. The USDA is now projecting the U.S. average farm-level soybean price for the 2022-23 marketing year at $14.30 per bushel, which is unchanged from the February estimate. The estimated 2022-23 market year average soybean price would be the highest since the 2013-14 marketing year. The 2022-23 price estimate compares to other recent yearly average soybean prices of $13.30 per bushel in 2021-22, $10.80 per bushel in 2020-21, $8.57 per bushel for 2019-20, $8.48 per bushel for 2018-19 and $9.35 per bushel for 2017-18.
Wheat
Not much has changed in dynamics of the global wheat market or the WASDE report for wheat in the past year. A year ago, grain marketing analysts had their eyes on Eastern Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A year later, the Russian war in Ukraine continues and the rest of the world seems to have somewhat adjusted to this scenario as it relates to the global wheat market. Ukraine and Russia accounted for nearly 30% of global wheat exports prior to the initiation of the war in early 2022. The ongoing war will likely continue to greatly reduce wheat production in Ukraine and will continue to impact grain trade in Eastern Europe. Depending on 2023 wheat production in other areas of the world, the continued war in Ukraine may offer some wheat export opportunities for the U.S. in the coming months. However, the USDA is projecting a slight decrease in U.S. wheat exports for the 2022-23 marketing year in the latest WASDE report. The March 8 WASDE report estimated the total 2022-23 wheat supply at just under 2.47 billion bushels, which compares to over 2.59 billion bushels a year ago. The total projected wheat usage for 2022-23 is 1.9 billion bushels, which is nearly the same as 202021 usage levels. The report estimated the wheat ending stocks for 2022-23 at 568 million bushels, compared to 698 million bushels in 2021-22 and 845 million bushels in 2020-21. The 2022-23 farmlevel average wheat price is now projected at $9 per bushel, which is unchanged from the February estimated price. The 2022-23 wheat price estimate compares to other recent MYA price levels of $7.63 per bushel in 202122, $5.05 per bushel in 202021, $4.58 per bushel in 2019-20, $5.16 per bushel in 2018-19 and $4.72 per bushel in 2017-18. The MYA price for wheat and other small grains is the average farmlevel price in the U.S. from June 1 until May 31 each year.
Hauser from Bolton and Menk.
The bills totaling $95,393.55 were approved on a motion made by Froehlich, seconded by P. Radel and carried with all voting in favor.
The city clerk shared a letter from local property owners that their property abuts the NW Area Alley that runs east and west from State Hwy. 111 to Burg Ave that is to be part of an improvement project in 2023. The property owners
stated their feelings as to why they do not feel the cost for paving the alley is justified.
The council also approved posting the proposed parking ordinance no. 166 on the city website for 10 days before the council approves it at the March meeting. All voted in favor.
The council next discussed resolution #02-13-23 - Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering
Advertisement for Bids for the 2023
Infrastructure Improvements. It was approved on a motion made by Wels and seconded by Radel. All voted in favor.
Next was resolution #02-13-23A
– Decertifying TIF District 1-4 and Closing Fund 314. It was approved on a motion made by Ostermann and seconded by Anthony. All voted in favor.
The council then discussed
LG220 – Permit – American Legion, Bingo Event (city park) June 25, 2023. It was approved on a motion made by Anthony and seconded by Wels.All members again voted in favor of the measure.
The following reminders of the upcoming, meetings were noted:
1) March 13, 2023, 6:00 pm, Regular Meeting, Monday
2) April 10, 2023, 6:00 pm, Regular Meeting, Monday
On February 1, around 11:15 a.m. Saint Peter police assisted the fire department with a vehicle fire. Flames and smoke were billowing from a vehicle at Sunrise Meadows on the 1400 block of Sunrise Drive.
On February 1, police responded to the 800 block of W. College Street for a report of theft for fraudulent charges on a debit card.
On February 5, police responded to a report of theft by a woman on the 200 block of W. Grace Street around 10:30 a.m. A store manager
reported theft of prepaid AMEX cards. On February 6 around 3 a.m., police responded to a report of disorderly conduct on the 1400 block of Washington Avenue. A woman reported that her intoxicated son would not go to bed and picked up a chair. On February 7, around 1:45 p.m. police responded to a report of a theft by a woman on the 600 block of S. Minnesota Avenue for a gas drive-off in the amount of $34.27, no license plate, possibly a gray
van. On February 7, around 3:30 p.m. police responded to a driving complaint at Minnesota Avenue and Jefferson Avenue reported by another driver who said someone was driving erratically on Highway 169 since Mankato.
On February 8 around 12:50 p.m. police responded to a report of assault at a facility on the 100 block of Freeman Drive.
On February 10, at around 8 p.m. police responded to a report of disorderly conduct by a woman on the
600 block of Washington Avenue who said someone broke through her door but they were gone by the time the police arrived.
On February 10, police responded to the 200 block of W. Nassau for underage liquor consumption by two Gustavus Adolphus College students entering a bar.
On February 12, police responded to a report of theft around 4:20 p.m. by a woman on the 400 block of S. Third Street who said an intoxicated male left the establishment she worked at without paying
his $21.31 bill.
On February 12, police responded to Broadway and Washington by a citizen who requested extra patrol after witnessing five or six cars that didn’t stop at a stop sign around 5:20 p.m.
On February 13, police responded to the 200 block of Jefferson Avenue around 5 p.m. for a report of theft of tools from a residence.
On February 14, police responded to a report of disorderly conduct on the 200 S. Minnesota Avenue around 8:30 a.m. for a report of a
female kicked in the stomach by a male who ran off.
On February 14, police responded to a report of disorderly conduct on the 2100 block of W. Broadway for a kid barricaded in a bathroom.
On February 14, police responded to the 2100 block of W. Broadway around 12:25 p.m. for a teacher vs. student assault investigation.
On February 15 at around noon, police responded to the 100 block of Freeman Dr for a report of
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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.Notice to Granby Township residents
criminal damage in the amount of $25,000.
On February 16 around 10:50
a.m. police responded to a report of theft by a woman on the 500 block of Capitol Drive for theft of a Red Wing planter pot from her porch.
On February 20, police responded to a report of motor vehicle theft on the 1700 block of Freeman Drive around 8 a.m. by a man who believed his 2010 Ford Escape had been stolen.
On February 21 around 9:30
a.m. police responded to a report of theft by a man on the 1000 block of Old Minnesota Avenue. A HyVee employee reported theft of $404 the night prior.
On February 21 around 10 a.m. police responded to a report of
theft for a gas drive-off at 1100 S. Minnesota Avenue in the amount of $20.70 from a white SUV that drove up Pine Street after leaving.
On February 24 around 1 p.m. police responded to a report of theft by a woman on the 2000 block of Essler Drive. She said items were ordered online and delivered to her previous address.
On February 26, police responded to a report of threats on the 400 block of W. Jackson Street.
On February 27, police responded to a report of assault around 7:45 a.m. on the 2100 block of W. Broadway.
On February 28 around 3:25 p.m. police responded to the 2100 block of W. Broadway (high school) for a report of assault.
