Minnesota News Briefs: State now has 11th fungal meningitis case
Minnesota News- Minnesota has its 11th case of fungal meningitis.
ST. PAUL - Minnesota has its 11th case of fungal meningitis.
However, despite being one of the 19 states involved in the outbreak, no one has died here. There are now 30 reported deaths nationwide and around 420 cases overall.
_________________________________________________________
Could Minnesota be hitting the three-dollar bounce? Some places around the state are now selling gas for as low as three bucks this morning but oil prices are moving up now because of the elections and due to predicted shortages caused by Superstorm Sandy. Minnesota-Gas-Prices.com reports regular unleaded averaging around $3.22 a gallon -- over a quarter under the national average.
_________________________________________________________
It's been talked about for decades and now a new river crossing at Fergus Falls has become a reality. Otter Tail County Commissioner Lee Rogness dedicated the new Tower Road Bridge to POW and MIA veterans. The bridge connects the city's north and south sides over the Otter Tail River -- and addresses high traffic concerns around Fergus Falls.
_________________________________________________________
The start of hunting season and accidental shootings as a result bring new safety warnings from Minnesota authorities. Stearns County Chief Deputy Bruce Bechtold offers safety tips for hunters which include: keep your gun's safety on, point the barrel away from others and be careful when you're going up and down tree stands. It was in Stearns County that a 14-year-old accidentally shot himself in the foot while in his tree stand in Paynesville Township. The boy sustained minor injuries. There were also two hunters who died over the hunting season opener.
_________________________________________________________
The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women is leery of a new pilot project that tracks domestic-abuse defendants using GPS, when the courts have ordered them to have no contact with their victims. Coalition spokeswoman Liz Richards warns it could give victims of domestic abuse a false sense of security. She says "if somebody's within a football field of you, how far away are the responders? How quickly are they gonna be able to respond?" Richards adds GPS monitoring is costly and questions whether it gives the best return-on-investment for victim safety.
__________________________________________________________
A new VA outpatient clinic is scheduled to open somewhere in southern Minnesota late next year or early in 2014. The VA's goal is to have a primary care physician and mental health services within 60 miles of military veterans. Spokesman Ralph Heussner says many communities are being considered for the new location including Austin, Albert Lea, Owatonna and Faribault. Heussner says the demographic survey will help the VA determine which area has the most underserved veterans. The VA will contract with a non-profit medical provider on the new outpatient clinic.
___________________________________________________________
An Idaho supplier of veterinary supplies will close two smaller distribution centers -- so it can open a new, larger one in Minnesota. Boise-based MVI says it open soon in the Twin Cities suburb of Shakopee and hopes to hire 30-plus workers by the end of the month. MVI supplies products to veterinarians ranging from pet food to surgical equipment.
___________________________________________________________
A Minnesota couple is charged with abusing and starving their adopted son. Prosecutors say that 44-year-old Russell Hauer and 44-year-old Mona Hauer of North Mankato intentionally starved their eight-year-old adopted son and repeatedly struck him with a broom handle to discipline him. Authorities say that the boy hadn't been given solid food for two months and when taken to the doctor last month, weighed just 34-pounds.
__________________________________________________________
This week is Winter Hazard Awareness Week across Minnesota. The educational campaign focuses on a specific winter safety topic each day. Today's focus is on Outdoor Winter Safety. Statistics show Minnesotans spend almost as much time outdoors in winter, having fun and recreating, as they do in summer. Adults and kids love to go snowmobiling, skiing, ice skating, sledding and many other activities all season long. Before heading out, check your local weather forecast since winter weather can change quickly. Carry backup clothing, supplies and be sure your equipment is working properly.
__________________________________________________________
There are now two areas of the state where hunters can shoot wolves. The DNR has closed the East-Central Zone after hunters filled the state's quota. Sections of northwestern and northeastern Minnesota remain open for early season wolf hunting through November 18th. As of Sunday, hunters had brought in about 50 wolves. The harvest target is 200.
More from around the web
RSS Feeds