October 13, 2022 | South Central News & Media Pheasant Opener Public Land Celebration pg. 3
Rural Winthrop Homicide Investigation Update pg. 5
In-Depth HS Sports Coverage pg. 8
Nicollet High Tackles Cancer by Ruth Klossner 507-240-0048 cowladyruth@gmail.com It was Tackle Cancer night at the Nicollet football game Friday, October 7, with the Raiders raising nearly $800 for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund to fight cancer. The football players and their families collected donations and sold luminary bags before and during the game. The luminaries honored and remembered those who have fought or are fighting the cancer battle. A moment of silence was held before the start of the game, recognizing those who have lost their battle. The players were encouraged to play hard for those who have been affected by cancer.
Nearly 200 luminaries lit the walkway from the school parking lot to the bleachers. Individual players recognized family members and/or friends who have or are battling cancer, in a special display. The players wore spotted pink socks, pink gloves, and pink leg wrap in recognition of Tackle Cancer. 2022 marks the 11th year of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) Tackle Cancer campaign, with money raised supporting the state’s cancer community through the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund. Each week of the football season, high school and college teams across the state choose a September and October home game to promote as a
“Tackle Cancer” game in the school and community. Players and family members then collect donations before or at the game. More than 180 high school and college games were designated as Tackle Cancer games this year. The Tackle Cancer initiative has raised nearly $2.5 million for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund since 2012.
Last year, the campaign collected more than $360,00 for the fund with 135 high schools and 12 colleges— plus the Vikings and Minnesota Gophers—taking part. The goal for 2022 is $400,000. All proceeds go to support cancer research and patient aid that benefits all Minnesotans. For more on the Tackle Cancer campaign, check out the MFCA website.
ects are relinquished to other agencies or funding programs. Fox said he knows the city will be funded but the process is held up until a bonding bill is passed by the state legislature (also dependent on a federal bonding bill sponsored by Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar to be signed by President Biden). The council approved a resolution to move forward with requesting design plans and specs that will cost around $230,000 and a twoto three-month turnaround time on development. At this point, Fox is working on several grants for projects and is seeking $2.6 million for the city to
complete the RO Project for a water plant upgrade to reduce chloride in the wastewater stream. Chloride is a derivative of ion exchange systems that are common in water softeners. Fox put in a request of $1 million for the Smith-Klobuchar bill and it has moved through the subcommittee. Once it is included in the federal bonding bill, the RO project will be considered fund eligible for the PFA to provide a funding package. What percent will be loans and what percent will be grants is unknown until the bonding bills pass. The short-term goal, therefore, is to start on the plans/specs to keep the ball rolling
Update on Lafayette Water Plant Upgrade by Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com 612-460-5851 There was another update on the reverse osmosis project (RO Project) for the City of Lafayette at the city’s regular council meeting held on Monday, October 10. Al Fox provided the update under New Business at the council meeting. Fox said there are numerous obstacles the city has already achieved to get funding adquate to meet the needs of the project through grants and other agency funds in the State of Minnesota,
including the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) that provides financing and technical assistance to help communities build public infrastructure that protects public health and the environment and promotes economic growth. Lafayette is in a fairly good spot on the agency’s schedule at #25. The PFA ranks projects based on numerous ranking factors then generates a schedule number based on the data with higher points ranking a lower number on the list to get to the project sooner. Fox said there are around 100 more projects on a list at a given time and some proj-
on the project. The plans must be submitted by March 2023. PFA has authorized a short-term financing package with 2.5 percent interest, but the city will be reimbursed for the loan and the interest unless a bonding bill doesn’t pass. “That’s a worse case scenario,” Fox said. In that case, if no bill is passed but awarded the federal moneys, PFA would offer another loan at a rate of 2.5 percent to fund the remaining project that grant funds wouldn’t cover. That would be a three-year term. Rates are set at 1.2 percent of household median income to find
the funding formula. Grant money comes once a municipality reaches that rate. PFA could offset with a grant package if there is a substantial rate increase, which there would be in the case of no bill. In Lafayette, the average 5,000-gallon user would pay a rate of nearly $100 versus the current rate of just over $55. That would amount to a roughly $44 increase per 5,000 gallon user (residential, commercial, etc). Lafayette household median income is an average of $78,333. The affordability rate is calculated by PFA to be $78. Anything above $78 is eligible for $21.31 per 5,000 gallon user.
Wildlife Stamp Contest Winners The DNR has chosen winners for the Minnesota turkey and pheasant stamp contests. Rushford artist Michael Sieve won the Minnesota pheasant stamp contest with an oil painting of pheasants in flight. The winner was selected from 13 eligible submissions. Second place was Mark Thone of Shakopee; third place was Scott Storm of Freeport. St. Charles artist Micah Hanson won the Minnesota turkey stamp
contest with an acrylic painting of wild turkeys in the woods. The winner was selected from five eligible submissions. Second place was Sam Larsen of Bemidji; third place was Stephen Hamrick of Lakeville. The pheasant stamp and turkey stamp can be purchased in combination with hunting licenses or as collectables. Visit the DNR stamp page (mndnr.gov/stamps) for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.
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