During Cokato’s Memorial Day parade, the queen candidates for the upcoming Cokato Corn Carnival were debuted. They are Aimee Peterson, Staci Paul, Heidi Nelson, Dayna Sherman, Courtney Valen, Margaret Neutzling, Chantel Davis, and Jordann Nelson.
Monthly Archive for May, 2008
By Roz Kohls, Staff Writer
A vulnerable adult living on East Curan Street in Darwin was scammed and harassed, according to a May 14 theft report.
The scammer promised thousands of dollars to the 87-year-old individual for a $200 check. The victim sent the scammer $200, and then the scammer began harassing the victim for more money.
Meeker County Sheriff’s deputies advised the victim to send no more money and ignore the calls. In the meantime, deputies urged the victim change the phone account to an unpublished phone number, according to the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office.
By Roz Kohls, Staff Writer
A telescope, pellet gun and jar of change were stolen May 13 from a Dassel residence.
The pellet gun, a Penise brand, and the other items were at a second residence belonging to David Floren at 70338 Meeker County State Aid Highway 21, according to the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office.
The Dassel Area Chamber of Commerce is considering erecting a sign advertising Dassel at the intersection of Highways 12 and 15.
City Administrator Myles McGrath distributed copies of a possible sign plan at the chamber meeting Tuesday at Jimmy’s Pizza in Dassel.
The proposed sign will be painted both sides with reflective paint, for north- and south-bound travelers. The 6-foot by 8-foot sign will promote Dassel services and tourism in the Dassel area.
The sign is estimated to cost $500 to $1,200, and will be funded by annual advertisements for local merchants.
The chamber also is considering a sign or plaque informing tourists at the Mushroom Building along Highway 12 about its past as a 1920 filling station.
Other advertising proposals considered were flyers inserted in publications in the west metro area, and direct mail advertisements.
Law enforcement statewide and nationwide are launching a “Click it or Ticket” enforcement preceding a “rash of deadly crashes over the last month that resulted in 22 vehicle occupant traffic deaths of which 15 of the motorists were not wearing seat belts,” according to a press release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. A seat belt fine is $25, but can cost as much as $115 with administrative fees, the release said.
Enhanced patrols enforcing this will began May 19 and will go through Sunday, June 1. Last year, during a similar enforcement, nearly 8,500 seat belt citations were given.
By Roz Kohls
Staff Writer
Meeker County Memorial Hospital expansion project had a 1,000-yard concrete pour last Monday on the third deck of the addition at 612 S. Sibley Ave., Litchfield.
Approximately 100 trucks from Hutchinson, Willmar and New London delivered concrete during the day to the 75,000 square-foot addition. The concrete was pumped up to the third deck, where the patients’ new rooms will be in the $26.5 million project.
The existing hospital’s structural system has shallow floor-to-floor heights, not leaving much space for the mechanical, electrical and technology infrastructure, according to Ron Powell of BWBR Architects.
Also, hospital officials wanted all levels of the hospital addition to line up with the existing hospital for a seamless transition between the two parts, he said.
The 12-inch thick concrete flat slab structural system was selected to give the hospital maximum usable space above the ceiling system. The thick concrete also provides a deadening effect for sound penetrating the floor system. Good sound isolation is important for privacy concerns. Thick concrete helps with stress reduction, high building strength, and fire prevention, Powell added.
One yard of concrete weighs 2,800 pounds. So, the 1,000 yards poured last Monday weighed 1,400 tons, according to construction superintendent Brad Hackenmueller, contractor, JE Dunn Construction.
The project will include new areas for admission, gift shop, emergency room, radiology, surgery, outpatient services, inpatient rooms, patient care area, and a new weather-friendly main entrance to facilitate patient drop-offs.
