From the archives of the dodge county independent

10 years ago
January 9, 2013
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Aquatic Center
Below zero temperatures did not prevent workers from setting rafters on the $2.8 million aquatic Center. They were able to get all of the rafters set and next up will be the roof. According to city administrator Randy Lenth they will be able to work on the building all winter and it should be near completion by spring. Preliminary work on the two pools is complete and will start back up in April, weather permitting.
20 years ago
January 8, 2003
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Ice becomes first real winter hazard
Ice became the first real winter hazard last weekend since the winter season officially began December 22. Snow was not the first to cause minor fender benders and traffic slow downs either. Snow combined with rain and sleet hit the area. Road crews had their first real test this winter season, covering roadways with salt and sand. City intersections were sanded and that still did not stop people from slipping and sliding around. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports that costs for snow and ice removal statewide is $3 million less than at this time last year. The figure is for labor, equipment and material. The lack of snow has allowed crews to perform maintenance work that would normally be deferred until spring including guardrail repair, mowing, brush removal, filling potholes and maintaining equipment. Minnesota receives an average of 59 inches of snow each winter. This winter southeast Minnesota has received only seven inches. Ice is a problem on southern Minnesota lakes and ponds because in many areas the ice is very thin. The area has been lacking in extreme cold weather which typically makes the ice at least six to eight inches thick. Not so this year. People are reminded they should stay clear of the Zumbro River ice near the park. Never walk on ice less than four inches thick or snowmobile on ice less than five inches. Last winter five people died when they fell through ice they thought was safe. Given the fact this is a very mild winter, people are tempted to test January ice that is not as thick as a typical January winter in Minnesota.
30 years ago
January 6, 1993
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Twp. Road grader loses flashing light
Missing: One flashing light (with a blue lens) off of a Mantorville Township road grader. Just before the new year, Al Ruport, plowing the Mantorville Township roads, discovered that he had lost a blue flashing light from the road grader. He did not discover the missing light until the plowing was complete. Ruport expects the flashing light to be laying in a road ditch somewhere along a township road. A snowmobiler or someone else could have some upon the light and not know what it was. The light would not be good to anyone else at all, said Ruport. Anyone who has the light or may have seen it in the ditch should call Jim Maxson at 635-5185.
50 years ago
January 10, 1973
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Hospital Suggests Ways to Entertain Sick Youngsters
What can you do with a sick child who won’t stay in bed? Give him something to do! Recreation therapists at St. Paul Children’s Hospital have developed a list of projects to keep junior in bed and resting to get well. The list of ideas is long and it employs easy-to-collect materials that can be found in anybody’s home. Materials such as paper bags, macaroni, yarn, construction paper, milk or egg cartons, crayons, sponges, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, drinking straws, bottle caps and beads, old magazines and old clothes. With these materials at hand a child can be kept busy all day making puppets, jewelry, doll furniture, pictures, mosaics, or a mobile to hang over his bed. There’s even a recipe to make clay out of ordinary household flour, salt and water. A copy of this colorful leaflet to hang in your home is available by writing: The Public Relations Office, Children’s Hospital, 311 Pleasant Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102. Small quantities of the St. Paul Children’s Hospital leaflet are also available for distribution to Women’s Clubs and other Civic Organizations.