How they voted: Chinese spy balloon
WASHINGTON – The US. House voted 419-0 to condemn China for flying a spy balloon coast to coast over the United States as “a brazen violation” of U.S. sovereignty. The vote:
To condemn
Angie Craig, D-Mn2 (south suburbs)
Tom Emmer, R-Mn6 (north suburbs)
Brad Finstad, R-Mn1( south)
Michelle Fischbach, R-Mn7 (rural west)
Pete Stauber, R-Mn 8 (Iron Range)
Betty McCollum, D-Mn4 (St. Paul)
Ilhan Omar, D-Mn5 (Minneapolis)
Dean Phillips, D-Mn3 (west suburbs)
—
Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wi5 (Juneau)
Mike Gallagher, R-Wi8 (Green Bay)
Glen Grothman, R-Wi6 (Campbellsport)
Tom Tiffany, R-R-Wi7 (Hazelburst)
Bryan Steil, R-Wi1 (Janesville)
Derrick Van Orden, R-Wi3 (Prairie du Chien)
Gwen Moore, D-Wi4 (Milwaukee)
Against
None.
Not voting
Mark Pocan, D-WI2 (Madison)
Others not voting
Dan Bacon, R-Nebraska
Kathy Castor, D-Florida
Jeff Duncan, R-North Carolina
Jesus Garcia, D-Illinois
Wesley Hunt, R-Texas
David Joyce, R-Ohio
Ann Kuster, D-New Hampshire
John Larson D-Connecticut
Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Missouri
Patrick McHenry, R-North Carolina
David Scott, D-Georgia
Darren Soto, D-Florida
Greg Steube, R-Florida
Eric Swalwell, D-California
Biden at union hall: Count the new jobs
DEFOREST, Wis. – President Joe Biden rallied enthusiastic union members at a labor hall event that had the earmarks of a campaign swing through politically pivotal Wisconsin. Biden talked about “investing in people.” He warned about “getting stiffed” by companies that “play us for suckers.” Biden, a firmly pro-Labor Democrat, was following up on his State of the Union address to Congress the night before. To his Wisconsin audience he ran through a list of economic successes since his election in 2020 — 130,000 new business filings, 118,000 jobs, and 1.5-point drop in Wisconsin’s unemployment rate to 3.2%.
The morning after. Biden found friendly listeners at the Laborers’ International Union of North America training center north of Madison. He is expected soon to announce his 2024 re-election candidacy.
R.I.P.: Bill Ferguson
ROCHESTER, Minn. – Billy Laine Ferguson, 63, of Rochester, who was a mechanic at Clements Chevrolet in Rochester after graduating from Dover-Eyota High School in 1977, died at Methodist hospital in Rocheter. He spent most of his life with caregivers after motorcycle accident in 1980 . He had been un the U.S. Army Reserve.
Details: Hoff Funeral Home
1959-2023
Purina recalls Vitamin D-loaded dog food
ST.LOUIS, Mo. – A prescription-only dry dog food was recalled after two dogs suffered vitamin D toxicity. The product is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental. Symptoms of too much Vitamin D include drooling due to kidney dysfunction. Purina said that symptoms in the two affected dogs receded when they were taken off the product. Details.
Only certain lots. In eight-pound and 20-pound bags.
Vice president talks up electric bus fleets
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – For Vice President Kamala Harris, it was a perfect photo-opp. She stepped off a New Flyer electric bus inside the New Flyer factory at St. Cloud. “This is the future,” she said. Harris had flown to St. Cloud as part of a nationl Biden cabinet blitz to underscore points from his State of the Union message the previous evening, including commitments to clean vehicles and to create jobs in the process. Harris noted bipartisan support f or a $5 billion Biden project to put thousands of new electric buses on the streets for public transit.
At bus plant. Harris alights from a a gleaming electric bus at the St. Cloud plant that makes them.
Balloon sighted over St. Cloud: No, not Chinese
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A high-altitude balloon spotted over Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and then 220 miles northeast over St. Cloud was not — repeat, not –another Chinese surveillance craft. The air traffic tracking site FlightAware reported the balloon was Loon 618, also called HBAL618 — a domestic weather forecast vehicle. There were visual similarities from the ground to the Chinese spy balloon that crossed the continent a week earlier before U.S. fighter jets shot it down. Like the China spy balloon, Loon 618 floated through the upper stratosphere, about 65,000 feet, but Loon 618’s path was less controlled. Observers described it as “swirling” above Worthington in southwest Minnesota. After passing St. Cloud. Loon 618 began a descent and was expected to land probably in Minnesota or Wisconsin in a few hours.
Loon schematic.
Tethered Loons. In hangar for testing.
Loon in flight. The 618 balloon carried a radio transmitter so it could be tracked by air controllers. This FlightAware screen shot shows St. Cloud as a a\green dot.Other ground statins are white. Flights in progress are white with their paths indicated. Loon 618 is in yellow and shaped, you guessed it, like a balloon.
Google’s costly ill-timed Loon concept
Google saw opportunity in using balloons to provide internet access to rural and remote areas, It was called Project Loon. Short for “balloon”: Get it? Get it? The idea was a global wireless network with thousands of balloons floating about 60,000 feet. Beginning in 2011 Google built several hundred prototype Loons with high-tech gear to test the how internet signals could be uploaded to balloons from earth stations and relayed from balloon to balloon in the stratosphere and then down to paying consumers on the ground. Using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and weather services in other countries. The experimental balloons were maneuvered to adjust their altitude and location to find suitable wind layers that would work. There were tests in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya New Zealand, Panama, Peru, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uruguay. Google abandoned the project in 2018 as financially infeasible and sold the venture. Among the reasons: Quantum improvements in cable and antenna broadband systems had eclipsed any need for the complex Loon balloon system. Also were obstacles in revising international broadcast spectrum allocations to create room for Loon signals.
Minnesota rep fends off attacker with hot coffee
WASHINGTON – A man assaulted Congress member Angie Craig of Minnesota in an elevator of her apartment building as she was leaving for the Capitol about 7:15 a.m. She threw hot coffee at the assailant, who fled, Craig told police. She was bruised but otherwise physically hurt, police said. Craig dialed 911 on the spot. She described the assailant as high, probably on drugs. Nick Coe, Craig’s chef of staff, said there no reason to believe the attack was politically motivated.
MN-2. South suburbs.
Craig. Three-term Democrat elected from Minnesota’s Second Congressional District. She is from Hastings.
Craig profile
Craig ran for Congress in 2016 and lost to right-wing radio talk-show host Jason Lewis. She won a rematch in 2018 znd ws re-elected in 2020 and 2022. Her early career was as a news reporter at the Memphis Commercial Appeal. She moved to Minnesota in 2005 for a job in corporate communications at St. Jude Medical. She is 50, married with four children. She is the only openly lesbian member of Congress from Minnesota and the first lesbian mother to serve in Congress. Her electoral record:
> 2022: Won 50% to 45% over Republican Tyler Kistner.
> 2020: Won 48% to 45% over Kistner.
> 2018: Won 52% to 47% over Republican Jason Lewis.
> 2016: Lost 46% to 45% to Lewis.
She serves on the House Agriculture, Communication and Technology, and Small Business committees. Earlier she was on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Hot market for southeast Minnesota house-sellers
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The year 2022 was good for southeast Minnesota home-sellers, according to an annual report from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Because more people wanted to buy than there were houses on the market, the median price in southeast Minnesota grew from $245,000 in 2021 to $265,000 in 2022.
State funds cameras for school bus stop arms
ST. PAUL, Minn. –The state Public Safety Office has budgeted $1.4 million to buy camera-equipped stop-arms for school buses. The first round of grants will go to 19 school districtss and transportation companies, to equip 551 buses with stop-arm cameras. Recipients in southern Minnesota:
> Albert Lea: $140,000 47 buses
> Lyle: $17, 000 for six buses.
>Waterville-Elysian-Morristown: $14,000 for eight buses.
At Middle School: Not quite a food fight
WINONA, Minn. – A 14-year-old boy walking past a younger boy at a cafeteria lunch table grabbed the boy’s milk carton. A fight ensued in which the boy whose milk was taken suffered a head injury. Such, anyway, was what witnesses reported seeing. Police, however, delayed charges until they can take more interviews, review school video, and get a medical update on the injured boy’s condition. It’s not unusual in such circumstances for police to write an assault citation even for a minor. This how kids who saw the the incident remember it unfolding:
> The 14-year-old grabbed the seated 13-year-old’s milk while walking by.
> The 13-year-old shot up and demanded his milk back.
> The 14-year-old refused.
> The 13-year-old reached to retrieve his milk and in the process tore the 14-year-old’s shirt pocket.
> The 14-year-old threw the milk at the 13-year-old.
> The 13-year-old threw it back.
> The 14-year-old punched the 13-year-old, who fell and hit his head on a table.
> The boys, now both soaked in milk, were separated.
> Police were summoned.
Ethics complaints plague Winona college chief
WINONA, Minn. – The president of State College Southeast, who has been in office only 1-1/2 years, issued a written apology to her staff for financial irregularities and gratuitous gender and race references. The apology from Marsha Danielson followed separate investigations – one by state auditors, the other by the state college system’s personnel office. This much is known from the investigations:
> Danielson solicited a package of free tickets from the energy company Xcel to attend Minnesota Wild hockey games (which range as high as $200 a seat per game).
> Danielson awarded contracts to friends, including $30,000 deal for marketing, $15,500 academic consulting, and $7,500 fo ra custom training program.
> Danielson used a state vehicle to commute back and forth from home to the college’s campuses in Red Wing and Winona.
> Danielson used nouns of direct address like “hon,” “girlie” and “babe,” which co-workers took as diminutive.
> Danielson called meetings “pow-wows,” a word that Native American used for medicine but whose meaning was corrupted by European colonists and to which Indians over the centuries have taken growing offense.
> Danielson demeaned a fellow college president by imitating his foreign accent.
> Danielson once commented that the state college system president, Devinder Malhotra, didn’t pick up the tab for a lunch, branding him a cheapskate consistent, she implied, with his Subcontinent parentage.
> Danielson said all Asian people look alike, suggesting a racial bias that denies respect for individuals.
The investigation by the state college system’s internal auditors acknowledged ambiguities about some issues, like preferential treatment of friends in contracts. Even so, there were questions of judgment.
Danielson. Accused of multiple misdeeds and misjudgments as president of Southeast State College in Winona and Red Wing. Had been been a rising star in the state college system.
Danielson profile
in July 2021 Marsha Danielson became president of the dual-campus Minnesota State College Southeast. She has more than 25 years experience in higher education. From 2015 to 2021, she was vice president of economic development at South Central College in Mankato and Faribault as Earlier she was senior associate to the president and dean of economic development at South Central. At Minnesota State University, Mankato she worked in development, alumni relations, external relations, and marketing and communications from 1996 to 2007. Danielson holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in higher-ed administration from Minnesota State-Mankato and a doctorate in community college leadership from Ferris State in Michigan. Danielson has served as a racial justice facilitator since 2004. She is affiliated with the Trans-Atlantic Technology and Training Alliance; the American Association of Community Colleges’ Commission on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity; and the NOCTI organization that provides industry-based credentials for career and technical education programs.
Danielson profile
in July 2021 Marsha Danielson became president of the dual-campuss Minnesota State College Southeast. She has more than 25 years experience in higher education. From 2015 to2021, she was vice president of economic development at South Central College in Mankato and Faribault as Earlier she was senior associate to the president and dean of economic development at South Central. At Minnesota State University, Mankato she worked in development, alumni relations, external relations, and marketing and communications from 1996 to 2007. Danielson holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in higher-ed administration from Minnesota State-Mankato and a doctorate in community college leadership from Ferris State in Michigan. Danielson has served as a racial justice facilitator since 2004. She is affiliated with the Trans-Atlantic Technology and Training Alliance; the American Association of Community Colleges’ Commission on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity; and the NOCTI organization that provides industry-based credentials for career and technical education programs.
R.I.P.: James Paszkiewicz
WINONA, Minn. – James E. Paszkiewicz, a heavy-equipment operator many years with Winona Plumbing, died at age 80. He was born, in Winona. He was a 1960 graduate of Winona High School.
Detail: Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home
1942-2022
Squabble ends in gunfire at Lund boat factory
NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. – A worker at the giant Lund aluminum boat factory shot at a fellow employee outside the plant, once for sure, perhaps twice — and missed. The shooter, age 21, was arrested, Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons said. The sheriff declined to release the arrested man’s name immediately. The incident was about 7 a.m. This was the sequence of events as reported by witnesses:
> Two Lund employees got into an argument.
> One man pulled a small-caliber handgun and fired a round at the other man.
> The shooter chased the victim outside. The victim got away. Another round was possibly fired while outside.
> A third worker slammed the door when the shooter tried to get back inside.
> A fourth employee chased the shooter, subdued him, and held him until deputies arrived.
Lund boats. Lund is one of 46 subsidiaries of publicly traded Tennessee-based Brunswick Boat Group, the world’s largest pleasure boat manufacturer. The Lund factory is in New York Mills, population 1,200.
New mental health therapist at Winona Health
WINONA, Minn. – A licensed alcohol and drug counselor, Willa Olivier, has joined Winona Health to provide mental health therapy for adults and children as young as 3. Olivier said her practice includes cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, motivational and acceptance therapy. She is a magna cum laude graduate from Winona State University in social work, She holds master’s degree in mental jealth counseling form Capella University. She also holds a degree in social work from the University of Orange Free State in South Africa.
Olivier. Multi-lingual in conversational Spanish, German and Dutch.
Fire destroys garage; people, dogs OK
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Firefighters had their challenges cut out for them in a home garage fire. Three people and six dogs were in the house next door with power lines nearby, and electrical wires and a propane tank at risk. The detached garage was destroyed, but all else ended up OK. The fire broke ut shortly before 10:40 p.m. in the 3900 block of 5th Streeet Northwest. It was fully enguled when fire crews arrived. Nobody, thank goodness, was in the garage. Not were the dogs. No vehicles were in the garage either.
Total loss. Cause not immediately determined. Image: Rochester Fire Department
College scores
Basketball (men): Saint Mary’s 75, Augsburg 67
Basketball (men): UW-LaCrosse 82, UW-Stout 42
Basketball (women): Saint Mary’s 71, Augsburg 63
Basketball (women): UW-LaCrosse 95, UW-Stout 90 (two overtimes)
Minnesota prep
Hockey (girls): Winona Winhawks 4, Austin Packers 1
Hockey (girls): Owatonna Huskies 8, Rochester Century Panthers 2
Hockey (girls): Lakeville North Panthers 14, Rochester Mayo Spartans 0
Smoke sends high-rise tenants to street
WINONA, Minn. – There were tense moments at the Valley View high-rise apartment tower when smoke wafted through the eighth floor and lobby. Firefighters determined that wood smoke from outside had made its way inside and dispersed throughout.
Valley View tower. The 12-story hexagon structure has 130 units, each either one or two bedrooms. There are two sets of elevators and stairwells
R.I.P.: Carol Wilson
RUSHFORD, Minn. – Carol A. Wilson, 77, of Rushford, who worked many years at Rush Products and Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford died at ,home. She attended Hart Country School and Lewiston Schools. She was a member of Whalan Lutheran Church.
Details: Hoff Funeral Home
1943-2023
Coming soon near you: A plow named Scoop
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Perhaps only rap fans would get it. From 64,000 nominations in the state Transportation Department’s latest name-a-snowplow contest, judges chose “Scoop! There It Is” to christen a southeast Minnesota plow. All we can say to the rapper group Tag Team: “Eat your heart out.” A line from 2012 Tag Team’s 2012 album was “Whomp. there she went. ” Other winners for plows elsewhere in MnDOT districts this year:
> A Blizzard, Harry.
> Blizzo.
> Clearopathtra.
> Better Call Salt.
> Han Snowlo.
> Blader Tot Hotdish.
> Sleetwood Mac.
To the rescue: Hibernating bear trapped in ice
WANNASKA, Minn. – A bear hibernating in a culvert under a road woke up a little woozy, as bears tend to do a few times every winter just to stretch, and found he was iced in. The culvert had filled with melting snow and frozen. Witnesses heard the trapped bear in distress and called game wardens. They used a long pole to tranquilize the bear. Then it took all four of them 10 minutes — big, husky guys all pulling together — to drag the bear out. The bear was estimated at 375 pounds, maybe 400, and probably was six years old.. The wardens took he bear to a state game sanctuary to continue hibernating, this time in a dry place, probably for another six weeks. This was about 20 miles from the Canada border.
Emergency, fire crews make 50 calls
WINONA, Minn. – The Fire Department reported 34 emergency medical calls plus 16 fire calls in recent days:
> Tuesday, February 7: 3 medical calls plus 1 fire call.
> Monday, February 6: 6 medical calls plus 6 fire call.
> Sunday, February 5: 7 medical call plus no fire calls.
> Saturday, February 4: 6 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.
> Friday, February 3: 5 medical calls plus 3 fire calls.
> Thursday, February 2: 3 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.
> Wednesday, February 1: 6 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.
Earlier: Emergency, fire crews make 47 ca1ls
Love, tangled and otherwise, on stage
LANESBORO, Minn. – A Valentine’s variety show with music, poetry and theater is coming Friday to the St. Mane theater in downtown Lanesboro. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $20. Soprano Rachel Storlie and Commonweal actor Sela Burdt are hosting. “All types of love take center stage — romantic, familial, platonic, love of dogs and beyond,” said Burdt.
Merchants Bank surpasses own earnings record
WINONA Minn. –The Winona-based Merchants Financial Group, known mostly for its Merchants Bank, reported net income of $30.4 million last year — the most in Merchants 147-year history. Chief executive Greg Evans said the income exceeded projections by $8.9 million and is and surpassed 2021 esrning by 5.7%.
Minnesota prep
Basketball (boys): Winona Winhawks 41, Red Wing Wingers 35
Basketball (boys): Alden-Conger Knights 82, St. Charles Saints 72
Basketball (girls): Red Wing Wingers 49, Winona Winhawks 29
Basketball (girls): Lanesboro Burros 69, Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 58
Basketball (girls): Goodhue Wildcats 63, Winona Cotter Ramblers 42
Hockey (boys): Mankato East/Loyola Cougars 3, Winona Winhawks 1
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