News stories from Hutchinson, Minnesota

By David Bau,
ag business management educator, University of Minnesota Extension
Ag land rental rates have reached record levels in 2009. Record farm prices last year, high farmer incomes and continued increases in land values have all pushed up cropland rental rates.

By Kim Asche
University of Minnesota Extension
Regional Office, Hutchinson

A 14-year-old Hutchinson girl was reportedly struck by a late model red Chevy pickup June 22, while crossing California Street on her bike.

Wallace Christensen, 88, of Hutchinson, died Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Hutchinson Community Hospital.

The Erlandson name has been one-third less common in the Hutchinson Police Department since Tuesday. That’s when Lt. Dave Erlandson retired after 29 1/2 years with the force, leaving his sons, officers Ben and Andy Erlandson, to carry on the family name in the department.

In McLeod County we have no parades, fireworks or ceremonies recognizing Independence Day. That’s why it’s important that we write about it here.
   

From Sen. Steve Dille
District 18, R-Dassel

From Joe Davis
Deputy director, Alliance for a Better Minnesota

From Karen and Del Ortloff
Hutchinson

From Brockton Jordahl and family
Hutchinson

Cheers and thank you to the McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Common Cup, Habitat for Humanity and United Way of McLeod County for helping those in need.

Bruce Gillard, 87, of Dodge Center, died Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center.

Farmers markets have been increasing in popularity over recent years driven by consumer interest to buy and eat healthy fresh foods. Why do people go to farmers markets?

The Minnesota Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers that the 0.375 percent general sales and use tax increase goes into effect today. The rate will increase from 6.5 percent to 6.875 percent.

Donald Young, 86, of Bradenton Fla., formerly of Hutchinson, died Monday, June 29, 2009, at Bradenton Health Care.

Now is an excellent time to be controlling Canada thistles. It is important to clip or apply herbicides to Canada thistle before they flower and produce more seed.

The first permit issued this year for a new home was issued in May by the Hutchinson Building Department.

Hutchinson Adult Basic Education courses offered in Room 145 of Ridgewater College are now on summer break through July 12.

A public hearing at last week’s City Council revealed little public interest in a proposal to establish a nuisance housing ordinance for Hutchinson. No one spoke at the public hearing.

Hutchinson set up a public arts commission about three years ago mainly to review gifts of art people may want to present the city. Since then, members of the commission and city officials see the potential for an expanded role.

The nationwide housing slowdown was felt in Hutchinson in 2008, Planning and Zoning Director Rebecca Bowers told the City Council last week.

Not only is it challenging to recruit top-notch professionals to rural areas, but keeping them trained on the latest techniques can be costly because they have to travel away from their clinics and ho

By a 5-0 vote announced Tuesday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in Democrat Al Franken’s favor in an election recount appeal filed by incumbent Republican Norm Coleman, likely clearing the way fo

When you drop off used clothing, small appliances or linens at a local thrift shop or streetside receptacle, do you know where those items will go, or how they will be used?

From Sandy Juffer
Hutchinson
On May 8, Rep. Randy Forbes gave a short speech before the United State House of Representatives in which he commented on the speech President Obama had made in Turkey on April 6.

From Rep. Ron Shimanski
District 18A, R-Silver Lake

From Rep. Ron Shimanski
District 18A, R-Silver Lake

Cheers to the 67th Annual Hutchinson Jaycee Water Carnival Committee and other volunteers that made this year’s community event a great success!

Bob Dascher, 81, of Buffalo Lake, died Friday, June 26, 2009, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Oliver Schafer, 93, of Buffalo Lake, died Friday, June 26, 2009, at the Golden Living Center in Olivia.