Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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TODD COUNTY PROPERTY ASSESSMENT People have also said, The Amish property is assessed lower than other peoples property, and Amish people are driving up the costs of ag land. Todd County Assessor Chuck Pelzer was contacted. Pelzer said in a telephone interview, Our assessment rules apply to any homeowner in Todd County. If a home has no electricity, no central heating, and no indoor water supply, as is true of many Amish homes, then we apply a standard 15% loss of value to that
The Todd County Sheriff s office has issued a dangerous ice warning for all lakes in Todd County. The sheriff is asking that no one operate ATVs and motor vehicles on area lakes until ice conditions improve with colder weather. Ice conditions have been deteriorating over the past week to ten days due to above average temperatures, high wind, rain, and lack of cold nights to maintain and thicken ice. On December 29, at 12:52 pm, the Todd County Sheriff s office, Sauk Centre Fire and Rescue, and Sauk Centre Ambulance responded to a report of a Polaris Ranger ATV going through the ice on Fairy Lake, six miles north of Sauk Centre. The ATV, driven by Travis J. Ritter, 30, Sauk Centre, and his three year old passenger, Gabriel M. Ritter, went into the freezing water. The two were able to pull themselves up onto the ice and walk to shore. They were treated at the scene and taken to St. Michaels Hospital in Sauk Centre. There were no apparent injuries. Two young teens witnessed the ATV go through the ice and contacted emergency personnel via cell phone 911. The ATV was submerged in approx. 10-12 feet of water. The was the second report in as many days of ATVs going through ice on area lakes. There was also an unconfirmed report of an ATV going through the ice on Maple Lake on December 28,
Dont become a statistic! Use common sense, and heed ice warnings. Typically Minnesotans enjoy some of the best ice fishing in the area in the winter months, and this year can be just as good if you use common sense and pay attention to the ice conditions on the lakes you plan to visit. During the last week of December, over 50 ice houses and several vehicles and ATVs have gone through thin ice on some of the area lakes.
PEOPLE PAGE
Looking Back
50 years ago - Jan. 4, 1962
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenton Johnson, Browerville, boy, Douglas Kent, 8 lb. 5 oz., January 2, 1962. Wednesday, January 10, 1962, at 7:00 pm, the Todd and Wadena County DFS parties will hold a banquet at Schroeder Hall, Long Prairie. The guest speaker will be Minnesota Attorney General Walter F. Mondale.
Births
Lakewood Health System
Kayla Miller, Clarissa, boy, Jayden Christopher, 6 lbs 2 oz, December 17, 2011 Keri and Ryan Kuklok, Cushing, boy, Evan Hunter, 9 lbs 5 oz, December 19, 2011 Julie and Brian Bergman, Wadena, girl, Chelsea Hannah, 6 lbs 5 oz, December 19, 2011 Kirstin Glines, Staples, boy, Keegan Micheal, 6 lbs 10 oz, December 19, 2011 Amanda and Ben Mann, Wadena, boy, Ryan Gregory, 7 lbs 8 oz, December 20, 2011 Kila and Josh Bulter, Menahga, girl, Molly Riata, 8 lbs 10 oz, December 20, 2011 Jena and Danny Carkhuff, Wadena, boy, Logan Daniel, 9 lbs 4 oz, December 21, 2011 Chelsea and Micah Eveland, Backus, boy, Carter Allen, 6 lbs 7 oz, December 22, 2011 Cassandra McGree, Motley and Tyler Schmidtbauer, Staples, girl, Cydney LeAnn, 7 lbs 8 oz, December 22, 201
Milestones
Happy Birthday this week to: Jan. 4: Jared Jagush, Shayla Host, Aidan Rech; Jan. 5: Marlene Bromeling; Jan. 6: Joe Myers, Stacy Eggerth, Irvin Crosby, Joan Perish; Jan. 7: Scott Bleninger, Bryan Crosby, Lady Jane Bednarz, Noah Becker; Jan. 8: Wes Edin, Pat Iten, Delores Larson, Richard Robinson; Jan. 9: Steve Zigan, Jeff Winkler, Lisa Parteka, Sharon Fenner, Cheryl Salber, Steven Goligowski; Jan. 10: Larry Lemm Happy Anniversary this week to: Jan. 9: Jerry and Wanda Tepley
Wishing you all the best in 2012 Aaron, Peggy, Stacey & Tarissa
HAPPENINGS
Going Into Business For Yourself
Going Into Business For Yourself will be held at Central Lakes College, Brainerd Sat., Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Payment is required at time of registration, and the deadline to register is Jan. 9. To register visit us at http://clcmn.augusoft.net/ For information call (800) 933-0346 ext. 8140 or (218) 855-8140 or email jplatta@clcmn.edu
Browerville City Council meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 pm in the Browerville City Hall
By Tarissa Host. Im dreaming of a...brown Christmas? I am pretty sure that wasnt what Irving Berlin was hoping for when he wrote the famous song Im Dreaming of a White Christmas. The warm weather has been wonderful for ice fishing and those who like to be outdoors without wearing five layers of clothing, but it doesnt feel like winter in Minnesota. The lack of snow cover has a significant impact on temperatures due to something called the Albedo Effect. Albedo describes how well a surface reflects suns energy. When theres no snow, the darker surfaces of open ground allow more of the suns energy to warm the surface and surrounding air. Thanks to the Albedo Effect, without snow the possibility of setting record high temperatures is much more likely. A Record Breaking Year This Christmas has been just like any other Christmas, except for the obvious lack of snow and record breaking temperatures across the state. By Christmas day in 2010 we already had 19 inches of snow on the ground and were on our way to the snowiest December on record. This year we have seen temperatures in the forties and only a handful of light snow flurries. In fact, this year we made the list of the five warmest Christmas temperatures on record, taking fifth place with 42 degrees. The warmest Christmas on record is 51 degrees in 1922. Areas in the Twin Cities hit 52 degrees this Christmas, breaking that record. According to the National Weather Service, December has followed the above normal trend, running six degrees above average. November was 5.5 degrees above normal, and October was 6.4 degrees above average temperatures. White Christmas With temperatures in the forties, it is no wonder Christmas was brown this year. Many of us look forward to having a white Christmas, but how often do we really get our white Christmas? Generally, Christmas is considered white when at least one inch of snow is on the ground. In 110 years of snow-depth measurements in various Minnesota areas, a white Christmas occurs 72% of the time. From 1899 to 2010 there have been only 31 years with only a trace or no snow. The chance of seeing a white Christmas ranges from 60% to 90%, meaning approximately one out of four Christmas are brown, without a snow cover or only a trace or less, for our area according to the State Climatology Office-DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources. The Pros and Cons The warm temperatures and lack of snow are not only creating unstable and dangerous ice, but possibly will hurt septic systems as frost deepens. Snow serves as an insulating blanket over septic tanks and soil treatment areas, while helping to keep the heat of the sewage and geothermal heat in deep soil layers. Lack of snow allows the frost to go deeper into the ground, potentially freezing the system. Here are a few things that can be done to help prevent septic systems from freezing: -Add a layer of mulch (8-12 inches) over the pipes, tank, and soil treatment area to provide insulation. -Spread out your laundry schedule to one warm/hot load per day. -Dont leave water running all the time to prevent freezing. Even a slow trickle of water could freeze, while a steady stream could overload the system with water. -Keep an eye on your system. If any seeping or ponding occurs, conContinued on page 16. tact an onsite professional.
Peggys Potpourri
Mussolini dodged the Italian draft. Ancient Egyptian tombs are decorated with pictures of watermelons. James Deans favorite food was rice pudding. Its illegal to own a red car in Shanghai, China. It takes up to four hours to hard boil an ostrich egg. Johnny Carson once hosted a game show called Earn Your Vacation. Myra Franklin saw The Sound of Music more than 900 times Only two words in the English language end in gry---angry and hungry. An adult giraffes tongue is 17 inches long. Hansel means Johnny in German. Carnegie Hall in New York City opened in 1891 with Tchaikovsky as guest conductor. Vultures can fly up to six hours without flapping their wings. Gaetano Albert Guy Lombardo did the first New Years Eve broadcast of Auld Lang Syne, from the Roosevelt Grill in New York City in 1929/1930. Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin
OPINIONS
The risks of living close to nature
unsuspecting motorist in a nice car. They seem to prefer higher priced vehicles. During the rut, I drive only my pickup truck. It has never been hit by a deer and if it were, a person would hardly notice. Deer seem to sense the damage they could do wouldnt annoy me, so they dont bother. On the other hand, it would be foolish to drive in most parts of the county in a vehicle one really cared about. A vintage Corvette in show condition wouldot make it two miles before every deer in the area would be rushing to commit suicide in hopes of totaling a really fine car. I cant imagine what satisfaction they get from this, but the highway is frequently strewn with late model car parts from their efforts. Trees are another source of predation from the hostile deer. Young trees are always vulnerable to attack, especially trees that are bought at the store and planted. When my wife and I finished our new house, our son gave us a beautiful little flowering crab tree. We planted it where we could enjoy it from our porch as it matured. Our house is located in the middle of several hundred acres of timber. A person can look any direction and see hundreds or thousands of trees. Out of all those trees, it took the deer one night to find our newly planted crab apple tree. The bucks polished their antlers on it until all the bark is gone from the ground up the trunk about three feet. I should have known to build a stockade around it. Just a common fence will not do. One year I bought several flowering pear trees. We put one at the end of the quail habitat, one on the island in the lake, and one in front of the cabin. To protect the one in front of the cabin, I set three steel post and built a cage of chicken wire. The next weekend when we came back to the cabin to go fishing, the tree by the quail habitat was gone. The chicken wire was strung across the yard and the pear tree it was protecting was just moderately riddled. The bucks must have had difficulty getting their antlers between the steel posts. The tree on the island was and still is fine. Apparently they wont swim for the sole enjoyment of destroying a store bought tree. Deer can be downright destructive, but we knew the risk before we built here. We mark it as the price one pays to live close to nature. Weve learned to live by rules set by necessity; drive carefully, drive a vehicle nobody would bother to steal, and build good fences when you plant a tree.
By Walter Scott According to the report published by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, the deer population in Iowa is down by almost ten percent. I dont know where they did their count but Im sure it wasnt anywhere around where we live. In the evenings its not unusual to see twenty or thirty deer on the last mile before I get home and an additional herd grazing at the end of my driveway. Im not complaining, as I enjoy having plenty of deer to hunt as well as watching them the rest of the year. At times though, they can get to be a nuisance. The biggest problem with an overabundance of deer is the damage they can do. When they decide to create havoc, they can be very creative. Taking out cars seems to be especially popular in some deer circles. I have personally seen deer hiding at the edge of the road waiting for an
Accurate & Affordable Services Individual Farm Business Bookkeeping Payroll Services
For your convience: Available after hours by appointment
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(320) 594-2911
Publisher/Editor: Aaron Quirt Office Manager: Peggy Freyholtz Ad Sales: Stacey Rushmeyer SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Todd County - $22.00 In Minnesota - $27.00; Out of State - $32.00
Email; staff@bladepublishing.net
LEGAL NOTICES
MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: November 9, 2011 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP BY Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
reinstated under Minnesota Statutes section 580.30 or the property redeemed under Minnesota Statutes section 580.23 is 08/23/2012 at 11:59 p.m. If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGORS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: December 23, 2011 Bank of America, National Association as successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP Assignee of Mortgagee Peterson, Fram & Bergman, P.A. By: Steven H. Bruns Attorneys for: Bank of America, National Association as successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP Assignee of Mortgagee 55 E. 5th St., Suite 800 St. Paul, MN 55101 (651) 209-7599 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 16751-114394
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June 18, 2009,Todd County Recorder, Document No. 463177. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 1 and 2, Block 7, New Hampton Addition to Staples, Todd County, Minnesota REGISTERED PROPERTY: No TAX PARCEL NO.: 3850072500 ADDRESS OF PROPERTY: 602 5th St NE Staples, MN 56479 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Todd ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $132,000.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $163,262.24 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: Thursday, February 09, 2012, 10:00 a.m. PLACE OF SALE: Main Lobby of Todd County Detention Center, City of Long Prairie to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under Minnesota Statutes section 580.30 or the property redeemed under Minnesota Statutes section 580.23 is 08/09/2012 at 11:59 p.m. If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGORS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: December 12, 2011
The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York as Trustee for the Certificateholders CWALT, Inc. Alternative Loan Trust 2006-OC10 Mortgage Passthrough Certificates, Series 2006OC10
Cont. on page 6
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requirements as required by statute; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: Thursday, February 09, 2012, 10:00 a.m. PLACE OF SALE: Main Lobby of Todd County Detention Center, City of Long Prairie to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within 6 months from
the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under Minnesota Statutes section 580.30 or the property redeemed under Minnesota Statutes section 580.23 is 08/09/2012 at 11:59 p.m. If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGORS PERSONAL REPRE-
SENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: December 12, 2011 Bank of America, National Association as successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP Assignee of Mortgagee Peterson, Fram & Bergman, P.A. By: Steven H. Bruns
Attorneys for: Bank of America, National Association as successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP Assignee of Mortgagee 55 E. 5th St., Suite 800 St. Paul, MN 55101 (651) 209-7599 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 16751-111510
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Cont. on page 7
IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: December 15, 2011 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST INC. ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-AHL3 , Assignee of Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP BY Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson - 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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UAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-11; Dated: May 25, 2011; filed August 1, 2011, recorded as document number 474549 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 4 and the East half of Lot 5, Block 32 of Tweed's Fourth Addition to the Village, now City of Long Prairie, according to the recorded plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the county recorder. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 519 4Th Ave SW, Long Prairie, MN 56347 PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 36-0062300 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Todd THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $137,337.53 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: January 26, 2012, 10:00am PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, 115 Third Street South, Long Prairie, MN 56347 to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) the personal representatives or assigns. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property, if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23, is 11:59 p.m. on July 26, 2012. "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: December 8, 2011 THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK,NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-11 Assignee of Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP
BY Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson - 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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Thursday, January 5, 2012 PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 10:00 a.m. PLACE OF SALE: Main Lobby of Todd County Detention Center, City of Long Prairie to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within 1 year from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under Minnesota Statutes section 580.30 or the property redeemed under Minnesota Statutes section 580.23 is 01/19/2013 at 11:59 p.m. If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGORS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: November 22, 2011 Bank of America, National Association as successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP Assignee of Mortgagee Peterson, Fram & Bergman, P.A. By: Steven H. Bruns Attorneys for: Bank of America, National Association as successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP Assignee of Mortgagee 55 E. 5th St., Suite 800 St. Paul, MN 55101 (651) 209-7599 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 16751-113568
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Sheriffs Report
On December 17, at 5:56 pm, a one vehicle accident on 200th St, 1 1/2 miles west of Hwy 71, was reported. Tyler Primus, Stewart, GA, lost control of his 2010 Hyundai Elantra on the washboard gravel road, went into the ditch and rolled. Primus was treated for minor injuries at the scene. The vehicle was a total loss. Long Prairie Fire and Rescue, Long Prairie Ambulance, and Petries Towing assisted at the scene. At 5:49 pm, December 22, a car/deer accident on County 87, north of 290th St, Section 20, Iona Township was reported by Emmett Hoffner, rural Clarissa. Hoffner was not injured, his Chevrolet truck received moderated front end damage. On December 24, at 6:26 pm, Timothy Ollom, rural Long Prairie, reported he had been involved in a car/deer accident on 165th Ave. north of County 38. Ollom was not injured, the Dodge Ram truck sustained minor drivers side bumper damage. At 10:32 pm, December 24, an ATV was reported to have gone through the ice on Osakis Lake, near Lindberg Point. The ATV occupants had made it to safety. Deputies responded to the area and found a Honda Foreman ATV, mostly submerged and on its side in a large pool of water created by a depression in the ice near an ice reef. The driver, Mike Peterson, Osakis, stated he was leaving his fish house and didnt see the open water before sliding into it. Neither Peterson, nor his passenger, Michelle Remmers, Osakis, were injured. The ATV was recovered the following day. On December 26, at 12:30 pm, Mark Undern, Isanti, reported $500 cash had been stolen from his pickup during the night, while it was parked at Verna Klatts residence on 460th St, Bertha. At 1:25 pm, December 26, Staples Fire Department responded to a grass fire on 12th St. NW, Section 2, Staples Township. John Richard, Holley, was at the residence with family members burning garbage, when the fire got away starting a grass fire. Criminal charges are pending for burning prohibited materials. On December 25, at 6:09 am, Clarence Smith reported a fire at a residence on County 28, Motley. A 1996 Peterbilt semi tractor, owned by Smitty, Inc. and operated by Smith, had been unoccupied and parked in the yard overnight, when it caught fire. Smith reported he had been having electrical problems with the tractor the previous day. Staples Fire Dept. responded and extinguished the fire. The tractor was a total loss. At 9:46 am, December 25, Michael Peterson, Swanville, reported that his fish house on Pepin Lake had been broken into during the night. Taken were numerous rod and reel combinations, deep cycle batteries, and a cordless drill. On December 27, at 12:21 pm, Dave Meyer, rural Verndale, reported a burglary. Sometime during the previous several days his shed had been entered and a chain saw, valued at approx. $500-$600 was stolen. Anyone with information concerning any of these cases is urged to contact the Todd County Sheriff s Department at 320-732-2157 or 1800-794-5733.
Property Transfers
QCD Herman R Hendrickson etux to Herman R Hendrickson and Marianne M Hendrickson Trustees of the Trust Agreement of Herman and Marianne Hendrickson, deed dated 8-31-11 SW4 34128-34 rec 11-28-11 QCD Sharon L Oberaigner single to Sharon L Oberraigner Trustee of the Trust Agreement of Sharon L Oberaigner, deed dated 10-28-11 NE4SE4 35-130-32 rec 1128-11 QCD Anthony Haasser etux to Anthony E Haasser and Sandra E Haasser Trustees of the Trust Agreement of Anthony and Sandra Haasser, deed dated 11-14-11 W2SW4 sec 14; S2SE4 sec 15; N2NW4 23-129-33 rec 11-28-11 QCD Harold F Schlueter Jr etux to harold F Schlueter and Annita M Schlueter Trustees of the Trust Agreement of Harold and Annita Schlueter, deed dated 10-11-11 pt of NE4 20-132-34 rec 11-28-11 QCD Jeffrey L Meier etux to Jeffrey L Meier & Cynthia K Meier as Joint Tenents, deed dated 11-1811 Lot 6 Blk 1 Twin Acres rec 11-2811 QCD-JT Brian J Menke etux to Brian J Menke etal 11-16-11 Lot 17 Brookside rec 11-28-11 LIMITED WTY-JT Central Bank to Grant Schoenberg etal 1123-11 :pts 5 & 6 McMahons Subd of Lot 5 rec 11-28-11 WTY Charles Moberg etux to Debra Thoennes 11-22-11 pt of NE4NW4 6-128-33 rec 11-28-11 DEED OF SALE Emily A Tholl PR Est of Sheryl R Shake-Jacobs to Brianna J Kahlstorf 11-22-11 Lots 3 & 4 Blk 4 OConnors Add to Staples rec 11-28-11 QCD-JT Robert D Anderson Jr etux to Steve Hinzmann etal 2-2511 NW4SW4 and pt SW4SW4 25131-34 rec 11-29-11 QCD Bruce Thomas etal to dean Schrom 11-11-11 1/4 int in N2NE4 34-128-33 rec 11-29-11 WTY-JT Kerry J Kaluza etux to Jacob M May etal 11-23-11 pt S2SE4 22-130-33 rec 11-29-11 WTY-JT Leonard C Gedde etux to Trevor E Hove etal 11-28-11 pt Lots 4,5,6 Blk 4 Tiernan Add to Staples & pt vac alley rec 11-29-11 TRUSTEES DEED Jane Ringler Trustee of the S Wayne Sorenson Revocable Living Trust dated 7-19-96 to Robert Sorenson deed dated 11-28-11 NW4NW4 15133-33 rec 11-30-11 QCD-JT Rita A Tepley etal to Darrel F Kapphahn etal 10-11-11 pt NW4NW4 9-131-35 rec 11-30-11 DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE Patricia J Lendenfelser Trustee of the Patricia J Lindenfelser Revocable Trust dated
Court Report
Court appearances are First Appearance, RU8 (second appearance), and Omnibus (third appearance) November 21: Julie M. Peterson, Atwater, was sentenced for check forgery. She was ordered to pay $1575.72 restitution, fined $585, sentenced to 30 days, placed on supervised probation for 5 years and must undergo a psychological evaluation and supply a DNA sample. December 19: Leon A. Yates, Eagle Bend, was sentenced for disorderly conduct. He was fined $385, sentenced to 90 days, 89 days stayed for one year, placed on supervised probation for one year and must attend domestic abuse counseling. December 20: William M. Eggerth, Burtrum, was arraigned on charges of violation of a no contact order. A January 9 plea hearing was scheduled. December 27: Brenda M. OBrien, Browerville, appeared for an RU8 hearing on two counts of DWI and uninsured vehicle charges. An omnibus hearing was set for January 9. Daniel J. Day, Long Prairie, appeared on charges of first degree arson and two counts of domestic assault. His next court date is January 9.
Traffic Citations
Todd County Sheriff Jorge L. Orozco-Leon, Long Prairie, fail to obtain duplicate drivers license-$105.00; no proof insurance-$200.00 Dylan J. D. Peasley, Erhard, unregistered vehicle-$115.00 Zachary A. Smith, Motley, possess drug paraphernalia-$135.00; possess marijuana-$50.00; window tint too dark-$50.00 Adam W. Witt, Long Prairie, drive after revocation-$285.00
Long Prairie Police Ruben Mendoza-Zamora, Long Prairie, disorderly conduct$385.00, 90 days, stayed 86 days, 1 yr, supervised probation, 1 yr Staples Police Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad, Dillworth, block crossing more than 10 minutes-$185.00 Carleen T. Demenge, Sauk Rapids, fail to stop-$135.00 Joseph R. Meech, Motley, no muffler-$135.00 James M. Peters, Motley, no seat belt used-$110.00 Elizabeth K. Williams, Bertha, no seat belt used-$110.00
9-22-97 to Lynette Gagnelius, deed dated 11-29-11 NE4 17, W2SE4 17 and W2NW4 16-133-33 rec 12-1-11 WWWTY Geraald D Kortuem etux to Staphen Rice 11-14-11 pt of NE4 8-129-34 rec 12-1-11 WTY Cleone Sumey single to Karen Hudalla as Atty in Fact to Candace N Pate 11-30-11 pt of NwNW4 13-133-33 rec 12-2-11 WTY City of Staples to Midcontinent Communications 926-11 pt of NW4NE4 12-133-33 rec 12-2-11 WTY David T Patterson etal to Jennie-O Turkey Store Inc 10-2011 Lot 1 Blk 1 Prairie Lakes II rec 12-2-11 WTY Eldred Family Limited Partnership to Dennis Breitenfeldt 12-2-11 Lots 1,2,3, pt of Lots 4,5,6 all Lot 8 and pt vac alley Lawins Add to Long Prairie rec 12-5-11 QCD Rodger Johnston etux to Rodger Johnston etux 11-24-11 S2SW4NE4, N2SW4NE4, GL 3 and pt GL 4, GL 5 7-130-32 rec 125-11DEED OF SALE Michelle A Parenteau PR Est of Elaine A Stueve to Merle J Felling etal 1121-11 Lots 12 & 13 Blk 1 Townsite of Sliters Beach rec 12-5-11 WTY Diane L Blake etux to David P Blake 11-26-11 E2SW4 SW4SE4 SE4NE4 & N2SE4 6-13034 rec 12-6-11 QCD Arnold G Walther etux to Shelly L Dreher etal 11-30-11 pt of Lot 5, Lot 6 pt of Lot 7 Blk 1 Tillmans Addition; pt of SE4SW4 7-128-33 rec 12-6-11
QCD-JT Kathleen F Guthrie, single to John Rachuy etal 11-18-11 Lot 1 Blk 1 Bense Subdivision rec 12-6-11 DEED OF SALE Patrick J Buhl, as personal representative of the Estate of Mildred S Koppes to Blanca Edith Chavez Montanez 125-11 pt of lots 2 & 3 Blk 1 Budgetts First Addition rec 12-6-11 WTY Jeffrey J Groth etux to Connie Fiereck 12-2-11 Lot 4 Blk 1 Pine Island Shores rec 12-7-11 WTY-JT Charles Stevens etux to Levi Oldenburg etal 12-2-11 Lots 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Blk 16 Jenkins First Add to Staples rec 12-7-11 LIMITED WTY-JT Central MN Credit Un to Harley D Harms Sr etal 11-30-11 pt of SE4NE4 (aka Govt Lot 2) pt of NE4SE4 13-12732 rec 12-7-11 QCD Melvin Thompson married to Jean Thompsono 12-6-11 pt of GL 2 22-131-32 rec 12-7-11 PR DEED-JT Janlin Tomford PR Est of Marilyn L Shaske to Gary L Lieser tal 12-7-11 pt of GL 3 5-128-33 rec 12-8-11 WTY Timothy E Bruder etux to Raleigh C Miller 12-8-11 S2NE4 NW4 21-129-35 rec 12-8-11 QCD Rodger Johnston etux to Rodger Johnston etux 12-7-11 NW4NW4, SW4SW4, W2SW2 9130-32 NW4NE4 S2NE4 E2NW4 E2SE4 8-130-32 rec 12-8-11 WTY Rodger Johnston etux to J Enterprises LLC 12-7-11 S2SW4NE4, N2SW4NE4 GL 3 & pt GL 4 7-130-32 rec 12-8-11
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Clarissa Family Dental
Jeralyn Bowie DDS
Drapery Design
The latest window fashions
Ardis Ebnet, Designer/Consultant 320-732-3739
24901 325th Ave. Long Prairie, MN 56347
732-6141
917 1st Ave SE Long Prairie
www.longprairiedentalclinic.com Building a robust economy starts with our kids getting a good education, said Walz. As a teacher on leave from Mankato West while I serve in Congress, I know nothing is more important to the success of our children than access to early education. Minnesota will use the grant to improve the quality of early learning and development programs serving high-need children. Specifically, the funds would work to increase the number of lowincome and disadvantaged children enrolled in early learning programs as well as improve assessment and accountability among program providers. Thirtyfive states applied for the prestigious award, but Minnesota stood out after demonstrating its strong commitment to make early childhood programs more accessible, coordinated and more effective, including providing professional development for teachers and creating ways to assess the education level of kids entering kindergarten. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the winners today at the White House. The two agencies jointly administered the competition. The Department of Health and Human Services oversees the federal Head Start program, which provides early education to nearly 1 million children. U.S. Representative Keith Ellison also signed the letter in October supporting Minnesotas application with Klobuchar, Franken, and Walz.
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218-756-2108
218-738-2913
DNR seeks comments on EAW for Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground expansion
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting public comments during a 30-day public review period from Dec. 26 to Jan. 25 on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) that was prepared for Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground expansion project in Lake County. The state park is located along the North Shore of Lake Superior, approximately 40 miles northeast of Duluth, near Beaver Bay and Silver Bay, MN. The DNR proposes to expand the campground at the park by constructing access roads and adding up to 77 additional campsites and four camper cabins within the existing state park. A copy of the EAW is available online at mndnr.gov. (Click on Public Input, then under Environmental Review, select Split Rock EAW from the scroll-down list). Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5157. A copy of the EAW is available for public review at: DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. DNR Northeast Region --1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. Minneapolis Public Library, government documents, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Silver Bay City Library, 9 Davis Drive, Silver Bay, MN 55614. Two Harbors Public Library, 320 Waterfront Drive, Two Harbors, MN 55616. Reg. Develop. Library (RG 3), Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802. The EAW was published in the Dec. 26 EQB Monitor. Written comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, to the attention of Ronald Wieland, EAW project manager, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Division of Ecological and Water Resources, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025. Electronic or email comments may be sent to Environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us with Split Rock EAW in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address. Written comments also may be sent by fax to 651-2971500.
594-6202 Browerville
FOR RENT
3 bedroom duplex, full basement, garage, stove, refrigerator, possible washer/dryer, 4 blocks from school, Bertha, $500/month, background & credit check, damage deposit, available Feb. 1, 218-924-4674 evenings ________________________________
GIVE AWAY
Love seat, twin beds, steel desk, 320-594-2254 ________________________________
LEGAL NOTICES
Cont. from page 7
MORTGAGOR(S): Jon J. Wilson and Stacy L. Wilson, husband and wife MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. MIN#: 100310900000058283 LENDER: GSF Mortgage Corporation SERVICER: Wells Fargo Bank, NA DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed January 13, 2006, Todd County Recorder, as Document Number 439592 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.; Dated: June 29, 2009 filed: July 6, 2009, recorded as document number 463460 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: That part of the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 and that part of the NW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 8, Township 130 North, Range 33 West, Todd County, Minnesota described as follows: Commencing NW corner of Lot 1, Block 15, Original Townsite of
Browerville , according to the recorded plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder; thence North 89 Degrees 21 minutes 51 seconds West ( assumed bearing) along the South line of Sixth Street, City of Browerville, a distance of 194.00 feet; thence South 00 degrees 38 minutes 53 seconds West, a distance of 150.00 feet to the point of beginning of the land to be described; thence North 89 degrees 21 minutes 51 seconds West, a distance of 35.16 feet to its intersection with the East line of said NW 1/4 of SW 1/4; thence North 00 degrees 43 minutes 20 seconds East, along said East line, a distance of 5.53 feet to the NE corner of said NW 1/4 of SW 1/4, said point also being the SE corner of Lot 1, Block 11, Brower's First Addition to Browerville, according to the recorded plat thereof on file and of record in the Office of the County Recorder, Todd County, Minnesota; thence South 88 degrees 19 minutes 54 seconds West, along the North line of said NW 1/4 of SW 1/4, a distance of 15.00 feet; thence South 01 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West, parallel with the West line of said Lot 1, a distance of 25.00 feet; thence South 88 degrees 19 minutes 54 seconds West, parallel with the North line of said NW 1/4 of SW 1/4, a distance of 9.88 feet: thence South 00 degrees 43 minutes 20 seconds West, parallel with the East line of said NW 1/4 of SW 1/4, a distance of 129.98 feet to its intersection with the Northerly right of way line of Fifth Street, City of Browerville; thence South 89 degrees 54 minutes 29 East, along said right of way line, a distance of 75 feet; thence North 00 degrees 43 minutes 20 seconds
NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BROWERVILLE AND SURRONDING AREA WELLHEAD PROTECTION PLAN PUBLIC HEARING
There will be a Public Hearing on January 12, 2012 at 6:45 p.m. at Browerville City Hall regarding the proposed update to the City of Browerville Wellhead Protection Plan Part II. Information regarding the Plan may be reviewed at Browerville City Hall. Comments regarding the Plan may be provided at the meeting or prior to the meeting in written form. This meeting is open to the public. Lynn Fabro, City Administrator
j5c
juddmaplehill@yahoo.com
East, parallel with the West line of said NE 1/4 of SW 1/4 a distance of 149.73 feet; thence North 89 degrees 21 minutes 51 seconds West, a distance of 14.84 feet to the point of beginning. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 310 5th Street W, Browerville, MN 56438 PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 30-0003900 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Todd THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $79,808.72 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: January 12, 2012, 10:00am PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, 115 Third Street South, Long Prairie, MN 56347 to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) the personal representatives or assigns. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provid-
Amish, continued
21, there were 171 accidents in Todd County between motor vehicles in the area (excluding the cities of Bertha, Eagle Bend, Long Prairie, and Staples, and accidents covered by the Minnesota State Patrol). In 2009, there was one accident involving a buggy and a car in Todd County. In 2010, there were none that we could find. For 2010, the total number of motor vehicle accidents in Todd County was 232, and for 2009 the total was 238. These figures are from the 2010 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, accessed from the website of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/). These figures mean accidents between motor vehicles and buggies made up 1% of the total accidents in Todd County in 2011, excluding the four cities previously listed and accidents covered by the Minnesota State Patrol; 0% of the accidents in 2010; and 0.4% of the accidents in 2009. By any standard, it seems reasonable that a type of accident that accounts for 1% or fewer of the total number of accidents is not worth a major public outcry. Instead, the public could focus its attention on the two leading causes of motor vehicle crashes over the period 2008-2010: DUI (45%) and deer (8%) (dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots). No one knows how many Amish buggies there are in Todd County, but several people we consulted said an estimate of 200 would be on the high side. In contrast, according to the Annual Registration Report for Todd County for 2010, there are 14,864 passenger vehicles and 7,071 pickup trucks registered in Todd County. When you do the math, that is a total of 21,935 vehicles, and that figure does not include commercial vehicles, farm machinery, etc., located in the county. The 200 buggies (well use the high estimate) make up 0.9 % (less than 1% of the personal vehicles using county roads. Some non-Amish residents complaining about the Amish are saying the Amish should have to register their buggies and pay a vehicle tax because Minnesota law requires motor vehicle owners to register and pay such a tax. But the vehicle license fees, sales taxes, and gasoline taxes the Minnesota Legislature has put in place are related to motor vehicle age, size, and consumption of gasoline. The funding the county highway departments receive for road construction and maintenance is 29% of the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund set up by the Minnesota State Constitution, Article XIV. Buggies do not use gasoline and there is no vehicle sales tax that applies to buggies. Another aspect of the non-Amish residents complaints concerns damage done to Todd County roads by Amish buggies. Two county highway engineers were interviewed to find answers to the question of whether Amish buggies damage the roads. Todd County Engineer Loren Fellbaum in a telephone interview on Dec. 21, said the only damage Ive seen is that from time to time [the buggies] will loosen the aggregate shouldering along a paved road, and that will force us to go and repair it. Fellbaum said Todd County Highway Departments annual budget is between $6 and $7 million. His maintenance crews spend on average maybe $10,000 [to fix buggy-created shoulder damage] and maybe thats too high. Fellbaum said, the majority of the Highway Departments costs for maintenance are for snow and ice damage and for weed and brush control, and for preservation of bituminous pavement. He continued, The most significant sources of damage to roads on a regular basis are weather the snow and freezing and the summer sun beating on the pavement, and overloaded farm equipment and overloaded trucks. Wadena County Engineer Ryan Odden, who worked as assistant engineer in Todd County prior to his job in Wadena, told us on Dec. 13 that he saw occasional surface mottling of pavement made by the studded horseshoes the Amish use for their horses, to prevent the horses from slipping as they pull the buggies on pavement. But, he said, The horseshoes dont do structural damage. They do, in some cases, increase the cost of maintenance of the gravel shoulders, but this damage is no different from the damage that four-wheelers and dirt bikes cause. Odden said, The most damage done to our roads is done by farm vehicles and TerraGators and by heavy commercial trucks. A final issue relating to Amish buggies and county roads is the issue of horse manure. As the buggies drive on the roads, the horses often release manure. Some county residents have become upset over the horse manure on the roads after buggies go by, and claim it causes water pollution. However, several people were contacted, who wished not to give their names, and they said the cow manure dropped by honey wagons that hundreds of dairy farmers use to transport cow manure from their barns to their fields is 20 times worse than the few road apples released by the Amish horses. Since we have no way to measure either one of these claims, we will simply say that according to the MPCA, human manure is the most dangerous type of manure because of the toxins and pathogens it contains. TODD COUNTY LAND USE ORDINANCES AND BUILDING PERMITS Another issue some people are upset about is their belief that Amish homes in Todd County are not built with building permits in place, and Amish communities do not follow Todd County land use ordinances. Here are the facts: Todd County Land Use Ordinance requires a building permit be applied for in the case of any structure. Here is the wording of Section 550 of the ordinance: For purposes of enforcing this ordinance, a land use permit shall be required prior to erecting, installing, altering or remodeling by addition, or moving any building or structure or part thereof in the unincorporated areas of Todd County. The terms of this Ordinance shall be met before a land use permit is issued. Buildings or structures less than thirty-two (32) square feet in size, licensed fish houses that are designed as portable structures and deer stands shall not require a land use permit, but shall meet the same structure setbacks as buildings or structures requiring a permit. A land use permit issued under the terms of this Ordinance shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. Exterior of building must be finished in one (1) year. However, a permit may be extended by yearly intervals in instances where reasonable diligent construction could not complete the proposed structure. No such time extension shall be granted if occupancy is planned before completion of the structure unless a county approved water supply and sewage disposal system is installed and operating. Persons requesting a land use permit shall fill out a land use permit form available from the Zoning Administrator. Most Amish families come to the Todd County ELRM Department to obtain a permit for a house or barn before building it, but some do not. The incidence of failing to get a building permit is about the same as for nonAmish residents who put up garages and sheds, add decks to their homes, or remodel without getting a building permit. Todd County ELRM Director Garry Johanson works with all residents to assure that required permits are in place. Whenever he learns of situations where someone has not obtained a permit before starting a building project, he takes action. During the last several years, Amish residents have regularly come to the Todd County Planning Commission to obtain Conditional Use Permits for schools, sawmills, and other buildings. These buildings are required to fully comply with all county setback requirements and zoning district rules. The zoning district rules about the number of homes on a parcel apply equally to Amish property and property owned by non-Amish citizens.
Winter, continued
Fisherman Weather Many fisherman are out on the lakes daily, soaking up the sunshine and catching abundant amounts of fish. Dana Freese, an employee at Christophersons Bait Shop in Alexandria, says there are at least eight to ten inches of ice on the lakes in the area. The lack of snowfall has taken away many time consuming activities, such as plowing, shoveling, and snowmobiling, allowing more time for ice fishing, said Freese. Freese also warned that some ice areas are sketchy on the deeper lakes. We have seen a lot of portable fish houses since the larger and permanent fish houses reflect light which melts the ice surrounding the fish house and can be dangerous. People will bring the larger houses out, but are not leaving them there, said Freese. Shawn Fletcher of Fletchers Bait in Sauk Centre, reported nine to eleven inches of ice on the surrounding lakes. The warm weather does not really effect the ice this time of year, as long as it still freezes at night, says Fletcher. Fletcher also commented that he is seeing many portable fish houses as well, but has seen more permanent houses being moved out in the past few days. Although much of the ice appears to be safe, the Minnesota DNR is reminding parents to caution children to stay off ponds, streams, and other bodies of water that have thin coatings of ice, after an eightyear-old boy in Oak Grove fell through thin ice on a small neighborhood pond. This is not the only accident that has been reported. Accidents on the ice are reported nearly every day. On December 24th an ATV went through the ice on Lake Osakis. Authorities stated the ATV had been driven into a large pool of water made by a depression in the ice near a reef that had opened up thin ice in the area. On December 23rd, emergency crews successfully rescued more than twenty fishermen who had been stranded on Lake Mille Lacs after the ice around them cracked leaving open water. On December 21st, poor ice led to several rescues on Lake Mille Lacs when a 60-80 foot floating ice island ended up surrounded by open water. On December 19th Crow Wing County police responded to fish houses falling through the ice due to warmer than normal temperatures. The Crow Wing County Sheriff, Todd Dahl, reminds ice enthusiasts and anglers to be mindful of thin ice in the area, because many areas are quite murky, making anglers think ice is thicker than it really is. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says when ice is four inches thick, it should be safe for ice fishing. They also warn there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice, and stress the importance of testing the ice before heading out to your lucky fishing spot. For more ice fishing safety tips visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html.
Although Todd County does not require building inspection, most contractors for nonAmish home builders obtain electrical inspection and plumbing inspection of homes as part of the services they provide. Amish homes do not have electricity or indoor plumbing because of religious beliefs. These beliefs include a prohibition against wastefulness. Water is used sparingly for cooking, washing clothes, bathing, and other purposes. Lanterns and candles are used for lighting when needed. TODD COUNTY INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS (ISTS) There is a history of conflict between some Amish families and the ELRM Department over individual sewage treatment systems. Because many Amish homes do not have running water and do not have indoor toilets, most Amish do not believe that Minnesota state ISTS rules apply to them. Most Amish homes are served by outhouses, like most rural homes prior to 1950. After 1950, the Rural Electrification Administration worked to bring electricity to rural areas, which then allowed homes to have electric lights and indoor plumbing run by electric pumps. But most Amish people do not use electricity of any kind. Any pumps they have are run on gasoline. Last fall, three staff members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency were invited to visit three Amish homes in Todd County to discuss individual sewage treatment issues with community leaders. The MPCA staff were also permitted to see how water is used in the homes. According to the notes produced by staff of the MPCA in October 2011, the typical Amish home is considered an ultra low-flow home because it uses less than 30 to 40 gallons of water per day. Two Amish elders the MPCA staff met with said they had no objection to individual sewage treatment systems, but wanted to continue to follow their traditional practices because a sewage treatment system is not necessary considering their lifestyle. Many Amish homes with outhouses have five-gallon pails in the outhouses to contain the waste. The pails are emptied onto the ground in a brushy or wooded area. Kitchen wastewater is emptied onto the lawn or family garden. Bath water and laundry waste-
water are also emptied onto the lawn. The MPCA is working with Amish communities to assure that waste from the outhouses is properly disposed of. According to staff notes from the October visit, [The elders] felt that a SSTS is not necessary considering their lifestyle, and would like to continue to follow their traditional practices. They believed their current long-standing practices are protective of the public health. They want to keep doing what they are doing (privy with surface disposal of privy waste and graywater) and to have the county ordinance allow this practice. Some Amish homes have holding tanks attached to the outhouses, and these are pumped and emptied on a regular basis, just like holding tanks and septic tanks of nonAmish homes. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND THE SUPREME COURT RULINGS ABOUT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM As most people know, the First Amendment to the U.S Constitution states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The First Amendment prohibits the federal and state governments from establishing an official religion, or from favoring or disfavoring one view of religion over another. One religion cannot be given preference over another. This includes the various forms of Christianity. Historians tell us that during times of economic difficulty, and/or political uncertainty in the U.S., complaints by members of the majority increase against members of minority groups. The U.S. is currently experiencing the fourth year of an economic recession; and we are seeing lots of complaints about members of minority groups. The Amish can be considered members of a religious minority. Amish are often targeted for criticism by others because of their appearance and dress. They are also targeted because of their simple way of life. Some non-Amish perceive the Amish simple lifestyle as rejecting other people. But the Amish are simply following the
words of the Bible as they interpret them, especially the parts about keeping separate, not becoming worldly, and living together in community. They prohibit modern dress and conveniences like telephones and electricity, educate their children themselves, and avoid public events. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, Old Order Amish communities today are characterized by a fundamental belief that salvation requires life in a church community separate and apart from the world and worldly influence. This concept of life aloof from the world and its values is central to their faith (Chief Justice Warren Burger, Wisconsin v. Yoder). In 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder ruled that the State of Wisconsin could not compel an Amish family to send their son to public school until age 16. The Court said the First Amendment compelled governmental accommodation of religiously-motivated conduct in the absence of a compelling state interest and the use of means that least burdened religious practices. The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that the Amish have the right to reject certain kinds of state and local ordinances that violate their religious freedom. For example, in 1990, in Minnesota v. Hersberger, the Court ruled that the Amish do not have to use the triangular orange slow moving vehicle symbols on their buggies because it is against their religious beliefs about display of worldly symbols. The Kentucky Supreme Court agreed last month to hear a similar case about slowmoving vehicle symbols (according to Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty online). It would be good for everyone to remember that we are all Americans, and although we may have different beliefs and different customs, we are all one people. (The Blade appreciates the assistance of Sheriff Pete Mikkelson, Todd County Assessor Chuck Pelzer, Todd County Auditor/Treasurer Karen Busch, ELRM Director Garry Johanson, Sheriffs Department TAC/Records Supervisor Rich Pommier, Engineer Loren Fellman, Wadena County Engineer Ryan Odden.)