Kit Murray
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Kit Murray joined Red Wing Republican Eagle in Aug. 2016, covering government, transportation and public safety. She is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead with a degree in photojournalism and philosophy.
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- Member for
- 1 year 8 months
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Newly appointed Goodhue County Board Chair Ron Allen hopes that 2017 will be a year to focus on security, transportation and health care. Each year, Goodhue County Board appoints a new chairman and vice chairman. This will be Allen's third time as board chair. Until clear guidance is received from federal and state levels of government, Allen said he hopes the county officers can work together to discuss issues while keeping the public's best interest at the forefront.
Whether it's a frigid winter day with ice hanging from the trees, or 80 degrees and sunny with birds singing, Cannon Valley Trail is open year-round, every day, for visitors to soak in its natural beauty. The trail may be old, but so is the Master Plan. After the trail was dedicated in 1983, asphalt surfacing was completed in 1992, as well as the Comprehensive Plan Supplement for the almost 20-mile trail. These plans, as required by the state of Minnesota, are to be updated in order to keep the parks and trails maintained and accommodating.
A Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was injured Thursday evening, Jan. 5 by a fleeing suspect in Wabasha County who later was found up a tree with no clothes on, authorities said. The K-9, Ambush, sustained what appeared to be a stab wound in a struggle with the man after he crashed his vehicle and fled into some woods on Wabasha County Road 11 near the Olmsted County line, according to a Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office news release Friday. The suspect, who was bitten by the dog, allegedly continued into the woods and was found clothesless up a tree. The temperature was reportedly below zero at the time of the incident.
With a strong connection to Goodhue County, Three Rivers Community Action focuses on serving citizens — from Head Start in Red Wing, delivering meals to seniors, to Hiawathaland Transit throughout the county. Alongside its many efforts, the nonprofit has helped renovate and build homes in Goodhue as well as develop 90 affordable rental units the agency owns and operates. Three Rivers recently named Jenny Larson the new executive director. Larson anticipates having big shoes to fill after Mike Thorsteinson held the position for more than 30 years.
A new year means a new Goodhue County Board. After the 2016 election, District 5 Commissioner Paul Drotos and District 3 Commissioner Barney Nesseth were welcomed Tuesday to their seats for the first meeting of 2017. Ron Allen, District 1, was voted as the new county board chairman, with Jason Majerus, District 4, voted as vice chairman. The county alternates these positions at the beginning of each year, Allen noted, to give each district a chance to hold the chairmanship. Building codes put in question
Goodhue County Board After about an 11-minute discussion, the Goodhue County Board decided it was not yet time to vote on a tax levy for 2018. While discussing new and old business, Commissioner Jason Majerus made a motion to set the preliminary levy for 2018 at a 0 percent increase from the current year. This would mean the county couldn't raise the levy. Rather than wait until September, like County Board typically does each year, the topic was put on the table whether it was time to start thinking about the levy or to wait until later in the year.
Levy and Budget for 2017 approved After months of punching numbers, County Board voted 3-2 to approve the final 2017 levy at $30,968,619. The preliminary levy was set at $31,103,000 with a 0 percent tax rate increase. The number was adjusted by transferring a Sheriff's Office vehicle scheduled for replacement. The 2017 budget was approved at $59,720,668 with little discussion. "I know I've spent about nine months working on it," Commissioner Brad Anderson said. "I think we've flushed out all the ideas.
Learning the skills and expertise to navigate winter driving can take years of practice. Pierce County Highway Department and Goodhue County Public Works are here to offer advice during the season where many of us forget how to drive.
On Monday, Zumbrota Township residents were able to discuss concerns regarding a new factory hog farm proposal in Zumbrota Township. The Minnesota Public Agency information meeting put Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on the spot when residents asked to do a more thorough environmental review on the hog farm. According to a news release, MPCA was "unwilling to address" the residents concerns.
A Red Wing man and woman whom authorities say are responsible for the burglary at Cornerstone Church this past weekend face multiple felonies. Red Wing Police officers charged 33-year-old Andrew S. Stensrud with several counts, including: burglary, possess fifth-degree drugs, obstruct legal process, theft, trespassing, possess hypodermic syringes and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jamie M. Freiermuth, 36, was charged with five counts: burglary, fifth-degree drug possession, possess hypodermic syringes, theft and trespass. Both have been arrested based on these counts.