Forger puts signature on $1,700 check
WINONA, Minn. – Someone forged a woman’s endorsement on a $1,700 check after stealing it, apparently from her unlocked car. She told police that the theft was a month earlier but that she was hadn’t been aware until her monthly checking account statement arrived in the mail. The theft was during an epidemic of late-night thefts from parked vehicles. Police said, however, this theft didn’t seem to fit the pattern.
UW students: Stand by for 4.2% tuition hike
MADISON, Wis. – The president of the University of Wisconsin System told legislators he sees a 4.2% hike in undergrad tuition and fees in the fall. Even so, said Jay Rothman, the System will remain “an incredible value compared to our peers.” Rothman’s proposal goes to the UW governing board March 30.
Verbatim
Rothman: “It is unsustainable to continue a decade-long tuition freeze, even as costs have increased and inflation has accelerated, This modest tuition increase will help our universities continue to provide students with a world-class education, produce the talent that makes Wisconsin’s workforce succeed, and spark innovation and vitality in our communities.”
New tuition
The proposed resident undergraduate tuition and fees for each university in 2023-24 are:
> UW-Madison: $11,215.
> UW-Milwaukee: $10,020.
> UW-La Crosse: $9,477.
> UW-Eau Claire: $9,137.
> UW-Stout: $8,888.
> UW-Stevens Point: $8,674.
> UW-Superior: $8,487.
> UW-River Falls: $8,425.
> UW-Green Bay: $8,342.
> UW Oshkosh: $8,258.
> UW-Platteville: $8,096.
> UW-Whitewater: $8,044.
> UW-Parkside: $7,855.
How they voted: Minnesota infrastructure /2
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The state Senate voted 33-32 for funding for $1.5 billion in infrastructure projects but missed the 60% requirement for bonding bills. Therefor motion failed. Here’s southeast Minnesota senators voted:
For infrastructure borrowing
Liz Boldon, D-25 (Rochester)
Against
Gene Dornick, R-23 (Hayfield)
Steve Drazkowski, R-20 (Mazeppa)
Rich Draheim, R-22 (Mankato)
Jeremy Miller, R-26 (Winona)
Carla Nelson, R-24 (Rochester
Three finalists for WSU liberal arts deanship
WINONA, Minn. — The search for a new liberal arts ean at Winona State University has narrowed to three candidates. Interviews will run April 3 to 5. The deanship is being vacated by pyschologist Peter Miene, who is retiring. Liberal; Arts is the largest of Winona State’s five colleges. The candidates:
Jennifer Deane. Since 2020 the chair of social sciences at the University of Minnesota-Morris. At UM-Morris since 2005. She holds a doctorate in history from Northwestern University. He earned a bachelor’s in history from the University of Washington.
James Scott. Since 2018 the director of the political science master’s rogram at Texas Christian University. Earlier at Oklahoma State, Indiana State, Nebraska-Kearney, and Illinois State. Scott holds a doctorate and master’s in political science from Northern Illinois University. He has a bachelor’s in political science from Wheaton College.
Marshall Thompson. Since 2020 the associate provost at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Earlier at at Northeastern Illinois. Thompson holds a doctorate and master’s in political science from Washington University in St. Louis. He earned a bachelor’s in international studies from the University of South Carolina.
Blizzard lets up: I-90 open again
Dawn breaks. Snow still drifting across Highway 60 near Mountain Lake in Cottonwood County. Image: Minnesota Transportation Department
Southwest Minnesota highways begin recovery
FAIRMONT, Minn. – As a paralyzing March blizzard abated, the State Patrol reopened Interstate 90 between Fairmont and the South Dakota border. But it wasn’t easy. Plows had to maneuver around dozens of stalled trucks, some of them abandoned when rescuers reached the drivers and took them to shelters. All southwest Minnesota was immobilized. Sheriff Jason Purrington in Windom said 52 stranded drivers spent the night in a rec center. In nearby Westbrook a community center sheltered 12 drivers. A Jeffers church opened up for drivers. So did the Mountain Lake community center. The Minnesota State responded to 200 crashes and spinouts across the state. Interstate 90 was opened at 9 a.m. in Minnesota. An hour earlier, South Dakota reopened I-90 from the Minnesota border for the miles to 70 Mitchell.
Earlier: Blizzard closes I-90, other southwest counties’ routes
Surviving the crunch. A semi came to rest atop a South Dakota Highway Patrol squad after a crash on Interstate 90 between Sioux Falls and Hartford, South Dakota. The trooper, who was in his vehicle, walked away with minor injuries. Image: South Dakota Highway Patrol
Head-on Highway 35 crash near Galesville fatal
GALESVILLE, Wis. – A driver died at a LaCrosse hospital after a head-on accident where State Highway 35 narrows from two to one lane west of Galesville. Sheriff Brett Semingson declined to release the names of everyone involved in the accident immediately. The person who died was driving a 2011 Kia Sorento, deputies said. A 1-year-old child in the back seat was unhurt. The driver of the second vehicle, a 2004 GMC Sierra, was seriously injured. The Sierra, eastbound, crossed the centerline, according to deputies. The accident was about 8 a.m.
Plea deal admits reckless homicide in overdose case
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – A man accused of selling fentanyl disguised as heroin, Trenton Wik, 35, agreed to plead guilty to reckless homicide. Noah Beckstead died in April when, according to court documents, he was taking drugs with Wik. When Beckstead became unresponsive, Wik told investigators that he tried to call 911 but his phone died. The victim was found dead in his car the next morning. An autopsy showed “acute fentanyl toxicity.” Prosecutors said that Wik knew the drugs he was selling were “extremely potent.” Wik’s plea deal calls for dismissing other charges.
Madelia meat-packer accused of exploiting minors
ST. PAUL, Minn. – State investigators went to court against Mankato-based Tony Downs Food Group on allegations that minors, some as young as 13, were hired illegally at its Madelia butchery. The state Department of Labor and Industry is seeking an injunction while it continues its investigation. Court documents say state agents conducted an unannounced after-hours inspection and found eight minors in company books under false names. As evidence of exploitation, the agency said that some of the minors were not native English speakers. Investigators said they identified other employees on the books who were hired before they were 18. The minors worked overnight shifts and longer hours than allowed by law, inspectors said. They operated meat grinders, ovens and forklifts, and worked where products were flash-frozen with the hazardous chemicals carbon monoxide and ammonia. The violations were at Tony Downs plant in Madelia. The surprise investigation was triggered by a a complaint about working conditions. This was in late January. Confronted, the company later opened its employee records. The investigators say that Tony Downs was aware of its violations. Meanwhile, the Labor Department is asking Attorney General Keith Ellison to to seek criminal referrals and penalties.
Minnesota law
The state prohibits employers from hiring minors to work in hazardous conditions. Employers also are prohibited from requiring employees under the age of 16 to work after 9 p.m., more than eight hours a day, or more than 40 hours a week.
Verbatim
Nicole Blissenbach, state labor commissioner: “Child labor laws exist so that when children are introduced to employment, it is in a safe environment and the work advances the economic, social and educational development of our youngest workers. When child labor laws are violated, the best interests of our children are being tossed to the wayside to advance the interests of an employer.”
PSS case
A high- profile child labor abuses against Wisconsin-based Packers Sanitation Sevices was settled in February wuth a $1.5 million fine. PSS had hired more than 100 children in dangerous jobs at 13 meatpacking plants across the country.
Tony Downs profile
In in 1947 Tony Downs purchased a produce business in St. James, Minnesota. The company expanded over the years into fully cooked protein processor and co-packer of frozen entrees for branded and private label products. It remains a family-owned business. The company’s own literature proclaims a commitment to “1uality, service and respect.” This includes “continuous process and safety improvement, recycling and conserving energy in order to create a healthier workplace and reduce our impact on the environment.” Corporate offices are in Mankato. The Madelia plant is 25 miles southwest. There also is a plant in Fairmont, 50 miles southwest of Mankato.
Cold weekend. On shipping docks in Madelia.
Notable journalism
Grace Deng (Minnesota Reformer, March I, 2023): “Families with Transgender Children Seek Refuge in Minnesota”
Rachel Mergen (Winona Daily News, February 17, 2023): “Business Fridays Baker Sboes”
Jacob Shafer (Winona Daily News, March 14, 2023): “Facing a Shortage of Firefighters, Winona Fire Department Trains New Part-time Recruits”
Assault reported at rural Rollingstone house
ROLLINGSTONE, Minn. – A woman called the sheriff’s office about begin assaulted at a house in the 21000 block of County Road 27. The assailant was gone when deputies arrived. This was about 11:50 p.m. The woman identified the man as Jose Sanchez Barbajal, age 27. He was already wanted on a domestic assault warrant, deputies learned. An additional charge was being considered. Barbajal’s address was unknown, but it was thought he hung out around Arcadia, Wisconsin.
College scores
Baseball: UW-LaCrosse 7, St. Scholastica 0
Softball: St. Scholastica 6, Saint Mary’s 4
Softball: Concordia of Wisconsin 5, UW-LaCrosse 2
Tennis (women): UW-LaCrosse 8, St. Scholastica 1
Tennis (women): UW-LaCrosse 7, Williams of Rhode Island 2
Minnesota prep
Basketball (boys): Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs 58, Lake City Tigers 55
Basketball (boys): Spring Grove Lions 57, Goodhue Wildcats 48
Basketball (girls): Stewartville Tigers 60, Becker Bulldogs 59
Wisconsin prep
Basketball (boys): Watertown Luther Phoenix 79, Whitehall Norse 51
Blizzard closes I-90, other southwest counties’ routes
FAIRMONT, Minn. – State troopers blocked access to a 30-mile stretch of Interstate 90in southwest Minnesota as a blizzard was cutting visibility near zero. Gates were lowered about 8 p.m. on access ramps from Fairmont, Fox Lake, Alpha, Sherburn, Welcome and Jackson. Several state highways were also put off limits. Deteriorating conditions were believed to have contributed to a pileup crash on Highway 60 between Worthington about 3 p.m
Stay off roads. Red means red. Travel ill-advised in southwest sections. Image: Minnesota Transportation Department
Injury at U.S. 14 entrance from Altura
UTICA, Minn. – A Rollingstone woman was injured in a collision east of Utica. Ann Hilda Almen, 85, of Rollingstone, was taken 20 miles to the Winona hospital. Her injuries did not appear incapacitating long-term, deputies said. She was southbound in a 2017 Ford Escape on County Road 33 at U.S. Highway 14. This was about 5:30 p.m. The other driver, Grace Elizabeth Brekke, 18, of Rochester, was westbound toward Rochester in a 2008 Jeep Patriot. She was unhurt.
Senate GOP: Nope on loans for infrastructure
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Republicans in the Minnesota Senate blocked a bill for $1.5 billion in public works projects statewide. The bill won a majority of 33-32, but bonding bills require a 60% threshold to pass. The issue, said Republicans leaders, was not whether the projects proposed by Democratic Governor Tim Walz were worthwhile. Nor was it reluctance about borrowing. Then why the GOP opposition? Republican leaders said that Democrats hadn’t consulted them sufficiently on a broad range of other issues. In other words, the 60% requirement was being used as leverage to get Democrats to yield on other issues, notably the Republican version for tax relief from the state’s budget surplus. The surplus is growing and now is projected at a whopping $19 billion.
Earlier: How they voted: Minnesota infrastructure / 1
In jeopardy
Among southeast Minnesota projects tied up in the infrastructure bill:
> $11.4 million for improvements at Rochester International Airport.
> $10 million for an Olmted County waste materials recovery facility.
> $4.8 million for designing a classroom building at Winna State University.
> Housing and infrastructure projects.
Recent history
The Legislature failed to approve infrastructure borrowing in 2022 in a showdown between Republicans, who then controlled the Senate, and Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat. Nobody blinked. As a result the state has not had infrastructure improvements make it through the legislative process since 2021.
Walz floats bolder spending plan: Budget 2.0
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz unveiled a revision in his One Minnesota budget. Call it Budget 2.0 with more fo public safety, education and local construction. Thre state can afford it, Walz said, noting that the revenue surplus has climbed to $18.6 billion. Changes include:
> $550 million to cities, counties, and tribal governments.
> $240 million toward an eventual $1 billion to remove lead pipes.
> $200 million for public safety.
> $160 million for education, resources and training against the opioid epidemic.
> $40 million for local government aid.
Corps honored for small-craft safety training
ST.PAUL, Minn. – The Army Corps of Engineers has received an award for training local rescue teams for small-boater emergencies near locks and dams. Training includes lessons on restricted areas where lock and dam flow can be hazards. Joel Herman, Lock and Dam 6 supervisor for the small boat operator course, noted that boaters are restricted from 600 feet upstream of dams and 150 feet downstream. Restricted areas are marked with buoys and signage on shore and lock walls, he said.
Trempealeau training. Army Corps staff demonstrate safety cords to members of volunteer Trempealeau firefighters. The lesson: How to respond to distressed boaters at Lock and Dam 6. This training was in September.
Injuries in car wreck near Pickwick
PICKWICK, Minn. – An accident on Highway 61 near the Pickwick exit occurred about 7:35 a.m. An ambulance was dispatched.
Federal grant to Rochester as high-intensity drug zone
ROCHETER, Minn. – The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy awarded a $40,000 grant to Rochester police to combat drugs. Rochester qualified as “a high intensity drug trafficking area.” The funds are earmarked for disrupting and investigating drug trafficking and violent crime.
Ganrude among sheriffs against new gun rule
WINONA, Minn. – Thirteen southern Minnesota sheriffs called on legislators to reject bills that would require gun owners to store their guns and ammunition in separate locations. The bill also would require that guns be locked during sales or transfers. The sheriffs, ncluding Ron Ganrude of Winona, called the proposed requirements unnecessary. Also, they said, such a law “would make responsible gun owners criminals for not locking up their firearms.” The signatories:
Dodge County: Scott Rose.
Fillmore County: John DeGeorge.
Freeborn Cunty: Ryan Shea.
Goodhue County: Marty Kelly.
Houston County: Brian Swedberg.
LeSueur County: Scott Mason.
Mower County: Steve Sandvik.
Olmsted County: Kevin Torgerson.
Rice County: Jesse Thomas.
Steele County: Lon Thiele.
Wabasha County: Rodney Bartsch.
Waseca County: Jay Dulas.
Winona County: Ron Ganrude.
Legislative status
Fifty bills have been introduced in the Minnesota House regardug firearms and dangerous weapons. The sheriff’s criticism is aimed at the bill offered by four-term state Representative Jamie Becker-Finn, D-Roseville. The bill has 27 co-sponsors. The bill has been approved by the House Public Safety Committee and referred to rhe Ways and Means Committee. A companion bill is on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee agenda.
Dakota driver booked for marijuana-impairment
WINONA, Minn. – It would have been difficult for Julia Christine Kopperud to deny the marijuana. A deputy said the sweet smoke was obvious during a traffic stop when she lowered the window. Yes, she admitted to puffing. Kopperud, of Dakota, was plainly impaired and failed a sobriety test on the spot, the deputy said. The stop was about 11:40 p.m. on Riverview Drive.
Old age claims Zollman Zoo bobcat
BYRON, Minn. – A resident bobcat at the Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo for 18 years died after a few days of declining health. The female cat had been at the zoo almost since she was a kitten. She and a young male companion, who arrvied at the zoo in 2018, were great buddies, said naturalist Clarissa Schrooten. They snuggled, groomed each other, and took cat naps together, she said. In the wild, bobcats typically live 7 to 12 years.
Zookeeper: “Losing an animal like that, it’s unfortunate, but it was definitely her time.”
College scores
Baseball: Coe 5, UW-LaCrosse 2
Tennis (women): UW-Lacrosse 8, Springfield of Massachusetts 1
Grain worker smothered in bin
DEWITT, Iowa — A man died after being trapped in a partially full grain bin. This was about 7:15 p.m. Clinton County Sheriff Bill Greenwalt declined to release the man’s name immediately.
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