LP police offer reward for help in vandalism case

Lester Prairie Police Chief Bob Carlson has vowed to personally give the person or persons responsible for the recent vandalism spree in his city a ride to the McLeod County Jail, and he is offering a reward to help him find his passengers.

“They can explain their actions to the judge,” Carlson said.

The department is investigating 15 complaints of vandalism that took place between 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 2 a.m. on Oct. 31. Black spray paint was used to spray graffiti on vehicles, buildings, signs and fences throughout the city.

Carlson made it clear that this was not simply a prank.

“Each individual incident is a misdemeanor, but if they are all combined the combined value of the damage brings it up to the level of a felony,” Carlson said.

He added that the combined offenses constitute first degree criminal damage to property, which is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.

The Lester Prairie Police Department is offering a reward for information that leads to charges and conviction of those responsible. Carlson said police need help from the public, and requested that anyone who has information about the incident contact the Lester prairie Police Department at (320) 395-2100 or chief@lesterprairiemn.us.
Those providing information may remain anonymous.

No dollar amount has been announced for the reward yet, but Carlson made it clear that to qualify for the reward, information received must lead to the suspects being charged and convicted.

HLWW FFA Nursery Landscape Team takes 4th at Nationals

The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Nursery Landscape Team traveled to Indianapolis last week to compete at the National FFA Convention. The team placed 4th out of 41 teams at the national level! More information about the competition and results will be in next week’s Herald Journal. Congrats to the Nursery Landscape Team!

Think you are having a bad week?

My sister’s best friend, Paula, 43, was on the I-35W bridge with her husband, Brad, and their two daughters when it collapsed in August. Their car had almost made it to the end of the bridge when their van fell 64 feet hitting solid ground nose first. If you think that you are not having the greatest week, compare it to this — Paula was just moved to the Courage Center last week where she is learning how to take care of herself on her own. That includes learning how to get out of bed and walk again. She was in an induced coma for a month following the accident because of severe brain swelling. Brad has severe neck injuries and has not been able to return to work. Both of their daughters have compressed vertebrae and are still wearing back-braces. On top of all of the time in and out of hospitals and just trying to make it from day-to-day, the Coulters just received one of their first medical bills for $380,000. Of their maximum life-time medical insurance policy of $2 million, they are estimating that they have already spent over $1 million.

Wright County receives a wide range of bids for projects

The value of competitive bidding was clearly demonstrated during Tuesday’s Wright County board meeting.

Bid openings for two projects were conducted during the meeting.
The first was for CSAH 17 tree clearing and surcharge improvements.

Eight bids were received, ranging from $695,786 to $1,051,818, a difference of $356,032. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $725,000. The average of the bids received was $904,025.

The second bid opening was for the 2007 street lighting improvement project, which will include installation of street lights at 12 intersections.

Seven bids were received ranging from $177,007 to $271,000, a difference of $93,993.
The engineer’s estimate for the project was $178,500.

Read the full story in the next issue of the Herald Journal.

Waverly and Howard Lake Halloween parties a success

Waverly and Howard Lake both hosted Halloween parties over the weekend that I was assigned to take pictures at. Both parties were a smash hit for the kids! Lots of games were planned, as well as food and prizes. Many unique costumes were displayed including a candy-corn witch, Little Miss Muffet, ladybug, and a farm wife. Two young brothers were dressed as soldiers, which was very nice to see. Volunteers in our communities really go out of their way to make parties special for our kids! Thank you! Pictures from the parties will be in next week’s Herald Journal.

Fatal accident in Middleville

A one-car accident Saturday morning in Middleville Township turned out to be fatal for the driver, but more details were unavailable from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office as of yet. The driver, who was alone at the time, will be identified pending notification of relatives.

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