Archive for the 'Cokato' Category

Burglaries reported in Cokato and Howard Lake

Published
by
Jennifer Kotila
on January 19, 2012
in Breaking News and Cokato
. 2 Comments

COKATO, MN – A burglar broke the lock on the front door of the Pizza Factory at 345 Broadway Avenue in Cokato last night, taking money out of the cash register, as well as rolls of change, according to Pizza Factory owner Dave Piepgras. The burglary was reported to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office when it was discovered by Piepgras at 9:15 a.m.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office also received a report at 10:09 a.m. of an attempted burglary at the Hair Loft at 320 Broadway Avenue in Cokato.

Emmy’s Salon in Howard Lake was also burglarized last night, with the burglar breaking the lock and cleaning out the cash register, according to an employee. The burglary was discovered at about 8:45 a.m. It is believed the burglary took place between 2 and 2:15 a.m., according to Howard Lake Police Chief Tracy Vetruba.

These incidents are under investigation by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

Cokato’s outdoor rinks should be ready Saturday

Published
by
Kristen Miller
on January 11, 2012
in Cokato
. 0 Comments

icerinkwebCOKATO, MN – “We’ve never had a year like this before,” said Jeremy Quaas of his seven years as rink attendant. He along with Jeff Salmela have been responsible for distributing the half-million gallons of water it takes to cover the three rinks at Mooers Park with 4 to 5 inches of ice. Though the two have been trying since Thanksgiving to get the rinks ready for outdoor skating, Mother Nature just hasn’t been cooperating, Quaas said. “We’ve always been open before Christmas,” he said, adding that the record-warm temperatures have made this by far the latest the two have had the rinks done by.

If temperatures remain cold as typical of a Minnesota January, Quaas hopes to have the rinks ready by Saturday, Jan. 14. Quaas was out Wednesday afternoon flooding the rinks as temperatures hovered in the teens; roughly 30 degrees colder than the day prior when temperatures reached 50 degrees.

Thrift store moves to Lundeen Interiors

Published
by
Kristen Miller
on December 28, 2011
in Cokato
. 0 Comments

web30COKATO, MN – Save and Share Thrift Shop is making its new home on the main level of Lundeen Interiors in Cokato. The store is expected to open Thursday, Jan. 12. Volunteers have been busy moving items, building dressing rooms, and installing shelving in the new location, which is one-and-a-half times the size of its former location behind The Grounds coffee shop. Lundeen Interiors has consolidated to the lower level and will still be open limited hours (to be posted in the new year), according to Paul Neighbors, president of Lundeen Interiors. The business is going well, Neighbors commented. It just didn’t need as much space as was available for the showroom.

Cokato resident wins $21,000 in state lottery

Published
by
Kristen Miller
on December 5, 2011
in Cokato
. 0 Comments

COKATO, MN – John Madson of Cokato recently won $21,000 by playing Lottery’s Gold Coin Crossword scratch game. The winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s General Store in Cokato.

Cokato Lions collecting Silent Santa items through Friday, Dec. 16

Published
by
Kristen Miller
on November 30, 2011
in Cokato and Dassel & Darwin
. 0 Comments

COKATO, DASSEL, MN – The Cokato Lions are coordinating the Silent Santa program in the Cokato and Dassel area. They will be collecting and distributing gifts for the less fortunate. Assisting the Lions will be members of the Dassel-Cokato High School National Honor Society, Heartland Community Action Agency, Wright County Social Services, plus other area organizations. In the past, gifts have been distributed to more than 150 individuals annually.
Gifts (new and unwrapped) will be collected until Friday, Dec. 16. Collection boxes will be available after Thanksgiving in Cokato at First National Bank, State Bank, Holt Motors, Cokato Motors, Daniel’s Family Restaurant, Dollar General, MAWSECO, Allina Medical Clinic, The Grounds, Cokato Licensing, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Boxes will be located in Dassel at Wells Fargo Bank, State Bank of Darwin-Dassel office, Dassel Liquors, Meeker Memorial Clinic, and Dassel Medical Center. Collection will also occur at the Dassel-Cokato High School from Monday, Dec. 12 through Friday, Dec. 16.
Toys, games, sports equipment, personal electronics, personal grooming items, and clothing are commonly collected and distributed. There is always a need for gifts appropriate for teenagers.
Monetary gifts will also be accepted. Make checks payable to the Cokato Lions and mail to PO Box 684, Cokato, MN 55321. Money is needed annually to provide items of clothing for all ages and to provide gift items specific to special needs.
Distribution will be Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Cokato Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until noon.
Applications are available through Human Services in Buffalo, The Market Place, or Cokato City Hall. Meeker County residents may contact heartland Community Action Agency. Questions may be directed to Mike at (320) 286-5378 or by email to cokatosilentsanta@embarqmail.com.

MnDOT installs snow fence along Highway 12

Published
by
Kristen Miller
on November 25, 2011
in Cokato
. 0 Comments

web25COKATO, MN – A MnDOT crew installed snow fences last week on what has been a treacherous stretch of roadway during the winter months along Highway 12 between the city of Cokato and the Dassel-Cokato School District campus. Bruce Schlueter, a MnDOT transportation operations supervisor, said the roughly 2,600 feet of snow fence should help keep snow from drifting across the road as much as had in the past. “It won’t solve the problem completely, but I hope it will help,” he said. In addition to the industrial snow fence, MnDOT also purchased roughly 1,400 feet of corn along the same stretch to act as a natural snow fence.