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News -
State Legislators Comments
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Written by Paul Anderson - State House Representative 12A
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Monday, 15 April 2013 10:05 |
Monday, April, 15, 2013
 Committee action in the Minnesota House is winding down as the final deadline for spending bills to be passed out of committee is this Friday, April 19. Action then shifts to more and longer floor sessions, with the schedule for this week having us in session every day, including Saturday, April 20. It’s expected that all major spending bills will be heard during the week and passed.
The Senate released its tax bill last week, and it contained some mild surprises. They made changes to the sales tax, although not going quite as far as Governor Dayton did in his first proposal. Under the Senate plan, the sales tax rate would drop to 6 percent but would be expanded to include all clothing and some services, such as auto and farm machinery repairs. Also in the Senate plan is a proposal to exempt cities and counties from paying the sales tax, something I have supported and, in fact, carried a bill in the House to that effect. The exemption, much the same as townships currently receive, would cost the state around $140 million in lost revenue, so it’s a big item. Various plans in both chambers also provide increased local government aid to cities and counties, and I’d be surprised if they get both the tax break and increased LGA in the final plan that’s passed and sent to the Governor.
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News -
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
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Written by Zach Anderson - Starbuck Times New Editor
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Monday, 15 April 2013 09:58 |
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City keeps Hobo Park rates the same for 2013
 The Starbuck City Council met for their regular April 8 meeting and after suggestions to lower the full-hookup and electric hookup spots at Hobo Park by Park Manager Roger Pederson, the Starbuck City Council voted to leave the rates the same for 2013 instead of changing them midway through 2013. The council will reevaluate the rates for 2014.
A progress update was given in regards to personnel on the hiring process of a full-time patrol officer. 62 applications were reviewed and scored by the Personnel Committee members (Mike Moen and Lyle Katzenmeyer), Police Chief Jim Minion and City Administrator Sunny Schultz on March 28.
Interviews for the final 13 will occur on Friday, April 12 and Monday, April 15.
Former Food Manager Vi Felt gave Schultz a verbal notice that she would not be renewing her Food Manager license.
Schultz said she has taken a class and will perform the Food Manager role until a job description can be made and the city hires a person. |
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Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
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Written by Deb Mercier - Tribune Editor
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Monday, 15 April 2013 09:54 |
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Glenwood Police continue to investigate an armed robbery that took place March 24 at the Cenex convenience store located on Highway 28 in Glenwood, near the Highway 55 entrance.
According to Police Chief Dale Danter, a reward may be offered for information, but no dollar amount of the reward or the conditions were available before this issue of the Tribune went to press on Monday morning.
A worker at the Glenwood Cenex convenience store was held at gunpoint at about 9 p.m. Sunday, March 24 as two individuals robbed the store of a “large amount of money” and then fled on foot, according to Danter.
The store clerk was not harmed in the robbery, Danter added.
According to the report, Pope County Dispatch received a report about 8:57 p.m. March 24 of an armed robbery at the store, located at the top of the hill on Highway 28 in Glenwood. Officers from the Glenwood Police Department, Pope County Sheriff’s Office, Starbuck Police Department, Minnesota BCA and the Minnesota State Patrol responded to the call, it was stated.
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News -
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
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Written by Deb Mercier - Tribune Editor
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Monday, 15 April 2013 09:51 |
MAHS students heading to State History Day competition
Each year, students in grades 6-12 from across the nation prepare research projects spanning the world’s history. Minnewaska Area eighth and ninth-graders participate in the interdisciplinary History Day competition, working with their English and social studies classes to research a topic, write an in-depth paper, and prepare a project about their selected topic.
Topics relate to a theme, which is different each year. The 2013 History Day theme, “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events,” provided an opportunity for students to explore a point in time when history shifted. Students work individually or in groups and can choose to present what they’ve learned as an exhibit, documentary, performance or website.
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News -
State Legislators Comments
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Written by Paul Anderson - State House Representative 12A
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Tuesday, 09 April 2013 07:05 |
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Budget bills proceeding; high-volume water users could pay more
Action on the major omnibus and spending bills is proceeding at the Legislature. A small deficit is still projected when we begin the new biennium in July, so any new spending we approve must either have its own source of revenue or have a corresponding reduction somewhere in the budget to balance out. Current plans by Democratic leadership call for around $2 billion in new taxes to finance their spending increases in education along with some fashion of property tax relief.
To the surprise of many, their early budget plans contained reductions in the area of health and human services. However, some of those affected programs have been shuffled to other areas. For example the budget we passed in the Housing Finance Committee last week contained around $7 million for programs that had been transferred to the Housing budget from HHS.
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A bill heard in the Environment, Natural Resources and Ag Finance Committee last week contained a proposal from committee chair, Rep. Jean Wagenius, for increases in fees for large water users in Minnesota. Those who use over one million gallons per year would be subject to this increase. The largest users of surface- and ground-water in the state are municipal water departments, with farm and other types of irrigation also affected by this proposal. The increase for agricultural irrigation is fourfold in the proposed legislation, while a testifier representing the state’s golf courses said the increase for some of his group would be 11 times.
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Things To Do -
Pope County Historical Museum
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Written by Merlin Pederson - Pope County Museum
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Tuesday, 19 March 2013 12:16 |
From the Glenwood Herald March 21, 1013
Pope County Fair dates are fixed for September 29, 30 and October 1st. The Board of Directors are also contemplating building a new stock barn this summer. The county commissioners have appropriated $400 for this purpose and the board expects to be able to raise a similar amount in accordance with the provisions of the resolution passed by the commissioners.
A deal is practically completed for the transfer of the Fremad Lumber Yard to the Standard Lumber Company.
August Peterson brought home his Indian motorcycle Thursday.
Spring is coming slow but sure, therefore be patient for everything comes to him who waits.
Swenson Bros. were the first to be out in the field for spring work this year. They started to harrow a part of their farm on the 13th of March.
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