Michael Brun
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Michael Brun is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls journalism program. He has worked for the Republican Eagle since March 2013, covering county government, health and local events.
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PRESCOTT -- When Herdie Baisden attended a Wisconsin Apple Growers Association meeting last year, he had no idea what he would be getting himself into. The organization announced that its giant pie pan — a 12-foot-diameter metallic behemoth split into eight man-sized wedges — had fallen into disuse. Baisden, owner of Maiden Rock Apples, Winery and Cidery in Stockholm, said he was intrigued by the concept of a 12-foot pie. With his curiosity piqued, he offered $80 to bring the pan home. His was the only bid.
Living at home with parents certainly has its perks. Not the least of which is having access to years' worth of accumulated tools and equipment. From dad's workbench to the ubiquitous kitchen junk drawer that always seems to have just the right tool for the job, it's easy to take for granted how important it is to have some common tools on hand. That is until one of those tools is needed but not available. One of the best gifts for college freshmen moving away or new homeowners and renters is a basic toolbox.
A public hearing for a frac-sand mining overlay district proposed by citizens' group Save-the-Bluffs was postponed at a Goodhue County Planning Advisory Commission Monday night. Instead, the group will work with the county to review four alternative amendments to its mining ordinance relating to silica sand extraction.
Goodhue County Board briefs for the Aug. 20, 2013, meeting
Goodhue County will seek proposals from third parties to privatize the Mental Health Center and related services. Health and Human Services Board passed an unanimous motion Tuesday directing staff to continue developing a request for proposal. A preliminary timeline would have the RFP released as early as month's end. HHS Board members reiterated a need for caution in the RFP process, and that the board should give prospective candidates enough time to research the mental health needs in the county before responding.
Goodhue County staff met for a budget workshop Tuesday to discuss options for a nearly $500,000 gap for the next two years. County Administrator Scott Arneson said the proposed 2014 and 2015 budgets are generally well crafted, and that minor changes to line items like requiring Public Works vehicles to go longer without replacement would not be enough to address the shortfall. "We have to figure out some revenue sources or cut expenses," Commissioner JIm Bryant said. "That's budget 101 right there."
Parents do a lot to prepare their children for college. From keeping their nose to the grind during the high school years to helping lug that futon up two flights of stairs on moving day, parental support is important to a student's success in post-secondary education. But when it comes to avoiding the perils of underage and binge drinking, not all of mom and dad's advice is helpful. Experts say the best strategy is for parents to talk openly with their child about drinking, while not glorifying their own past experiences.
Zumbrota Health Services is moving forward with plans for a $5.5 million renovation and expansion project at its Zumbrota Care Center.
Back-to-school time is stressful for both students and parents. Lists of school supplies, new clothes, learning a different schedule and locker combination — the next month can quickly overwhelm without the right preparation. As if the list of things to do wasn't long enough, there's one other important thing for parents to remember and for students to dread: immunizations.
ELLSWORTH -- There is certainly no shortage of generous and enterprising senior citizens in Pierce County. So much so, this year's Most Admired Senior Citizen award at the Pierce County Fair went to not one, but seven senior citizens — including two husband-and-wife pairs. "This year we had an unprecedented number of applicants," said Ginny Huber, who has worked with the fair for six years.