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02-Jun-2023

Farm Income

A new report from the University of Minnesota Farm Business Management program shows great news for area farmers. The net farm income in 2022, or the amount of money that remains in an operation to make family living, non-farm capital purchases, income tax payments, and principal payments for land and machinery purchases, was reported as $311,240, which is the highest average net farm income on record. The median net farm income, or the midpoint of all incomes reported, was $177,614. Over 1,400 Minnesota farms participated in the study, with more than 60 percent grain farms, 12 percent livestock operations, and the balance were combinations of crop, livestock, and other enterprises.

Other details from the report:

The average farm business received $14,606 in government program payments, which is down from the total reported in 2021 of $58,190.

The average family living income was reported at $71,375. That’s a slight increase over 2021 reports. The average non-farm income was $45,240, which represents about 38% of the total net farm income.

The average farm business working capital was reported to be $601,008, more than three times higher than the working capital reported in 2019.

Overall, the report finds excellent crop farm returns with more modest livestock income and a generally positive outlook for the future.

 

 

 

 

02-Jun-2023

Train Derailment

State and local officials are working to determine what caused a Canadian Pacific train to derail in northwestern Minnesota Wednesday night. Gov. Tim Walz said the derailment happened near Lancaster, which is just over 10 miles south of the Canadian border. No injuries were initially reported and the site has reportedly been contained, with no hazardous materials believed to have leaked. The Lancaster Fire Department said the derailment happened around 4 p.m., involving about 27 train cars. Some of them were carrying flammable liquid NOS, but the department said the liquid remained confined within the cars. The Minnesota Department of Transportation said at 6:30 p.m., Hwy. 59 south of Lancaster was closed due to the derailment. As of Thursday afternoon, the highway remains closed between Hwy. 175 and County Rd. 5. Crews are continuing clean-up and inspection efforts on Thursday. MnDOT said the process can take up to 2 to 3 days to complete.

 

 

 

01-Jun-2023

Marijuana And Gun Ownership

Until recreational cannabis is federally legalized, marijuana users cannot legally own or use guns. Minnesota House Representative Marion O’Neill recently pointed out some underlying challenges with the new Minnesota marijuana bill. “There are cases going through the federal courts right now about whether or not it is unconstitutional, to remove someone’s second amendment rights, because they’ve been found in possession of marijuana” said O’Neill. The bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives clarifies that regardless of the recent Minnesota law, someone who is currently using marijuana is still federally defined as an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance. “If you are found in possession of marijuana, you absolutely should lose your second amendment rights. That is what Biden’s administration is saying right now” said O’Neill. Along with the newly passed Minnesota law, the federal reserve will start using FedNow as a federal certification service starting July 1st. “Every single time you use a check, every single time you use a credit card, that transaction is gonna go through FedNow and FedNow is gonna know every single transaction that you make electronically, every single one. You don’t think they’re gonna be looking for marijuana transactions?” said O’Neill. Some opponents are even saying gun control and weed legalization are in the same boat. “One might surmise that weed legalization is a backdoor to take your guns away…” said O’Neill. Minnesotans 21 and older will be able to legally consume and grow cannabis for personal use starting August 1st.

16-May-2023

Father And Son Rescued From Mississippi

A father and son were rescued from the Mississippi River on Saturday afternoon after they became stranded on some islands. Authorities in Stearns County received an emergency report from someone on the 300 block of Montrose Road in St. Cloud, reporting there was a man on an island in the Mississippi who was asking for help as his boat had gotten away from him and drifted down river. The St. Cloud Fire Department were dispatched to the scene along with their boat, but a short time later police received a call from the man's son, who was also on the island, and was reporting his dad had gone into the water in an attempt to retrieve their boat. His dad, however, went too far down the river and the son couldn't see him or the boat. In the end, the father was found on another island, with both brought back to sure uninjured by St. Cloud Fire Department.

10-May-2023

Lane Closure

Drivers traveling on I-94 to and from Clay County Road 10, near Downer, will come across a lane closure on CR 10 when crossing the bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. An automated traffic signal will control traffic and drivers will take turns crossing the bridge. MnDOT is assessing the bridge and roadway after the overpass was hit by the high load of a semi traveling west on I-94 on May 8. The lane closure will stay in place until the assessment is done.

 

 

 

10-May-2023

Street Racing

Minnesota State Troopers and partner agencies are reinforcing their commitment to cracking down on illegal street racing and excessive speeding across the state. They say the number of incidents has declined since efforts to combat the issue began in 2021, but that street racing continues and in some cases is more aggressive. In addition, the State Patrol has relaunched the Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) program. Every 10-day period will require troopers to dedicate at least four hours to speed enforcement. The State Patrol will also have air support to ensure drivers attempting to flee from a traffic stop do not get away. “It’s not simple as, two vehicles pull up to a stop sign, challenge each other, and just race for a quarter mile,” said Col. Matthew Langer, Minnesota State Patrol Chief, at a press conference held Tuesday. “This is an organized effort by people who are promoting it and trying to encourage it to happen, meeting in certain locations, meeting in the next location, with the goal of creating mayhem on our roadways that is undoubtedly going to lead to injury and death, more than it already has unless we get a handle on it.” Also, Project 20(23) will take place this summer, where troopers will work in teams to conduct patrols in heavily trafficked areas. It will kick off this fishing opener weekend in the Brainerd Lakes Area, running from May 12th to the 14th.

09-May-2023

Deadly Crash

- One person was killed and two others were seriously hurt in a crash in Kandiyohi County. The Sheriff's Office says the incident happened just after 10:30 a.m. Monday near Spicer. A pickup driven by a 79-year-old man was going south on County Road 9 when it went through the intersection with County Road 10 and collided with a car. The pickup driver died in the crash. The 28-year-old woman driving the car was taken to the hospital in Willmar with serious injuries. A 41-year-old man who was a passenger in the car was ejected from the vehicle and was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries. A four-month-old boy was not hurt. The names of the people involved have not been released.

 

 

 

 

 

09-May-2023

Todd County Sheriff

On 05-06-2023 at approximately 9:27pm the Todd County Sheriff's Office received a report of a ATV crash at the intersection of County Road 95 and 183rd Ave. The driver of the ATV, Joseph Hershberger, was traveling northbound on 183rd Ave. on a Polaris Sportsman 850 when he lost control, struck a sign and rolling the ATV. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Todd County Sheriff's Office responded and handled the crash scene investigation.

During the week of April 30 through May 6, the Todd County Sheriff's Office responded to 162 calls for service. Included in those calls were 7 accidents, 4 alarm calls, 6 animal complaints, 2 ssists to other agencies, 4 burning complaints, 4 disturbance calls, 7 fraud/scam calls, 5 suspicious activity calls, 11 public assists and 6 welfare checks Todd County Dispatch received 120 911 calls during the week.