A Friendly Reminder from the Men in Maroon

The Minnesota State Patrol is urging caution to motorists who will be traveling during the Memorial Day weekend. According to Department of Public Safety,  between 2004-2009 there were at least 2736 motor vehicle crashes in Minnesota killing at least 42 motorists and injuring at least 1605 more.

State Patrol Sgt. Curt Mowers, Regional Public Information Officer said that, “These crashes can be prevented because the vast majority of them are driver-error related.” Sgt. Mowers went on to add that, “If you want a better chance of surviving when driving, you need to slow down, buckle up, driver sober and pay attention.”

Kudos for CLC

For the third straight year Central Lakes College has been placed on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.


The Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual Honor Roll award, named 511 with the distinction.

CLC is one of just five Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system two-year colleges to receive the 2010 award.

Cravaack Says Medicare and S.S. are Out of Money

(AP)  Minnesota 8th District Congressman Chip Cravaack is holding town meetings across his district to defend his vote on a Republican budget bill that includes a transformation of Medicare.

The freshman lawmaker has been meeting with constituents in Cambridge, Mountain Iron and Brainerd.

Cravaack states that Social Security and Medicare are out of money.  He says he is voting for the changes to make Medicare available for his children.

The Republican plan would turn Medicare into a voucher system for those who are currently under 55 years of age.

Sick Raccoons in Breezy Point

Breezy Point Police Chief Kevin Merschman says his officers recently have had to dispatch three raccoons because they were sick.  He suspects that they were infected with Distemper, although no testing was done.

The Chief is recommending that pet owners make sure their animal shots are up to date. Anyone encountering a sick animal should report it to the DNR or local law enforcement. Do not attempt to care for any sick raccoons.