News

Highway 23 “gaps” did not receive Corridors of Commerce funding

May 1, 2018

Highway 23 “gaps” did not receive Corridors of Commerce funding
St. PAUL – The hopes of local officials that the Highway 23 “gap” between New London and Paynesville and other, area transportation projects in the region would be awarded Corridor of Commerce funds were left unmet.   The Minnesota Department of Transportation awarded a total of $417 million to four projects as part of the 2018 Corridors of Commerce program on Tuesday. None of the hoped-for local projects made the cut. MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle announced that funding for 2018

Why so many Twin Cities immigrant organizations are branching out to Greater Minnesota

April 30, 2018

Why so many Twin Cities immigrant organizations are branching out to Greater Minnesota
In 1998, when John Keller joined the St. Paul-based Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) as an immigration attorney, he would often drive to Worthington, where hundreds of low-income immigrants and refugees depended on the organization’s free legal services. “We would do workshops, answer a bunch of questions, do in-takes and represent whoever we could help,” said Keller. Then one day in 2006, a year after he was named ILMC’s executive director, federal immigration agents raided a meatpacking

Spicer boutique is set to make big move

April 24, 2018

Spicer boutique is set to make big move
SPICER—Since opening Urban Escape Boutique four years ago in downtown Spicer, Eryn Hannig has seen her retail business steadily grow with the sale of women’s clothing, accessories and gift items for the home. Starting early next month, her business will grow even more when she opens the doors to her 4,000-square-foot store. It’s just down the block from the 900-square-foot store where she’s been located since 2014. Hannig, who closed her small shop on April 15, is in the final

Governor’s Fishing Opener hosts waiting for Green Lake ice out

April 15, 2018

Governor’s Fishing Opener hosts waiting for Green Lake ice out
WILLMAR — The 71st annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener is only 28 days away, and local organizers say there are a whopping 25 inches of ice to melt off Green Lake — site of this year’s Governor’s Opener — by May 12. “Our latest ice-out in on record was May 8th, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for a quick warm-up,” said Beth Fischer, executive director of the Willmar Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, in a news release. Whatever

Outdoors will take center stage when Willmar Lakes Area hosts Fishing Opener

February 26, 2018

Outdoors will take center stage when Willmar Lakes Area hosts Fishing Opener
WILLMAR—For those who think that walleye are the star of the show when the Willmar Lakes Area hosts the 2018 Governor’s Fishing Opener, try again. It’s really an opportunity to showcase all of the attractions the area offers, and let people know why this is a great place to visit or call home. Organizers are expecting 125 media guests during the four days of activities May 10-13, according to Beth Fischer, executive director of the Willmar Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Willmar housing project clears a final hurdle

February 23, 2018

Willmar housing project clears a final hurdle
WILLMAR—With the approval Tuesday night of a tax increment financing district, the 15th Street Flats apartment project in Willmar has cleared one of its last hurdles and is now on schedule to begin construction in June. “The city and the EDC have been working with Commonwealth Development for approximately a year to bring this project to the table, to fruition,” said Bruce Peterson, Planning and Development director. The resolution creating the district was approved by the Willmar City

Vaxxinova acquires Epitopix

February 22, 2018

Vaxxinova acquires Epitopix
Vaxxinova, an EW-group company with core business focusing on animal health, has concluded an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Epitopix, a US based animal health company specialized in poultry and livestock biologicals and founder of SRP® technology. The transaction will be concluded by February 28, 2018. Epitopix is a part of the Willmar Poultry group of companies, both of which are based in Willmar, Minnesota, USA.  Epitopix was established in 2002 and has developed various breakthrough

Raymond Assisted Living project stalled, but for good reason

February 21, 2018

Raymond Assisted Living project stalled, but for good reason
It was back during the November elections in 2016, the Raymond Assisted Living project was passed by public vote to approve financing for construction and equipping a 12-unit home for the aged by the city of Raymond. With the question passing by the Raymond community with 70 percent support, the Raymond Assisted Living Committee began the next phase in bringing an assisted living home to Raymond. Now in 2018, the project has stalled, but not for lack of trying, in fact, it has stalled so that the

Reel-Lux is looking forward to bringing a luxury movie experience to Willmar

February 14, 2018

Reel-Lux is looking forward to bringing a luxury movie experience to Willmar
WILLMAR—Reel-Lux Cinemas, once it reopens and renovates the Kandi Mall movie theater, will offer movie goers a luxury theater experience while keeping prices at their current levels. “We will not raise them,” said Reel-Lux Chief Information Officer Joseph Morelli told the West Central Tribune Wednesday. Reel-Lux Cinemas, a new venture in the growing luxury movie theater business, wants to bring theaters with expanded menus and higher-end seating to mid-level markets across the nation,

Aeroponics farm near New London will produce leafy greens year-round

February 13, 2018

Aeroponics farm near New London will produce leafy greens year-round
NEW LONDON—What had been a large, empty pole barn on a farm in rural New London last year is now becoming a climate-controlled maze of computer-operated, high-powered lights and a water misting system housed on a dozen massive stainless steel frames. By early spring, the building will be filled with lush, fresh lettuce and other leafy greens. Grown without soil, pesticides or herbicides, the greens will taste “like a treat,” said Kevin Ortenblad, who along with his wife, Julie, and
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