WRIGHT COUNTY, MN – In a five-candidate race to determine whose names will be on the Nov. 6 ballot for Wright County sheriff, Sean Deringer and Mike Kaczmarek emerged from the crowd.

Of the 17,385 votes cast, Deringer received 5,543 (31.88 percent), while Kaczmarek received 5,032 (28.94 percent), followed by Drew Scherber with 3,155 votes (18.15 percent), Stacy Braun with 2,471 votes (14.21 percent), and Chad Torkelson with 1,184 votes (6.81 percent).

Deringer was the top vote getter in 19 of 43 precincts, garnering 858 votes in Buffalo, 372 in Monticello, and 272 in Maple Lake, where he resides.

Kaczmarek was the favorite in local precincts, receiving 423 votes in Delano, 271 votes in Franklin Township, 187 votes in Rockford Township, 174 votes in Marysville Township, 171 votes in Montrose, and 143 votes in Woodland Township.

Scherber, of St. Michael, was the top vote getter there, with 823 votes, and also carried Albertville with 224 votes.

Braun was also popular on his home turf, receiving 465 votes in Otsego.

In the US House District 6 race, Delano’s Tom Emmer, a Republican, received 34,251 votes (76.58 percent) to AJ Kern’s 7,897 votes (17.66 percent) and Patrick Munro’s 2,575 votes (5.76 percent). Emmer won all local precincts and will face Democrat Ian Todd.

Voters in Delano, Franklin Township, Marysville Township, and Rockford Township followed statewide trends in selecting Jim Newberger and Karin Housley as Republican US Senate candidates, incumbents Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith as Democratic-Farmer-Labor US Senate candidates, Jeff Johnson and Donna Bergstrom as Republican governor and lieutenant governor candidates, Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan as DFL governor and lieutenant governor candidates, Doug Wardlow as the Republican attorney general candidate, and Keith Ellison as the DFL attorney general candidate.

Voters in Montrose and Woodland Township followed suit except that Lori Swanson and Rick Nolan received more votes for DFL governor and lieutenant governor in Montrose, and tied Walz and Flanagan in Woodland Township.

DELANO, MN – Mechanical issues prevented the Delano Splashpad from opening Thursday, Aug. 9.

According to a post on the City of Delano Splashpad Facebook page just before noon “crews are currently working to fix the problem. Please watch the City of Delano Splashpad page for further updates! Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience!”

DELANO, MN – As Taste of Delano guests stroll through Central Park between 5 and 8 p.m. Wednesday and try samples from a variety of local vendors, they’ll also be able to take in the musical stylings of Tony Ortiz and The Guns of Soul.

Ortiz is known as the lead vocalist for The Monroes, who released “What Do All the People Know?” in 1982, which reached number 59 on the charts and earned the band the opportunity to perform on “The Merv Griffin Show.”

Ortiz now makes Minnesota his home and is bringing his band to Delano thanks to the sponsorship of Steve Rogers and Anchor Plastics.

Through Tuesday, patrons can purchase advanced tickets to enjoy the entertainment and food at Minnesota Lakes Bank, State Bank of Delano, Coborn’s, and Delano City Hall. Advanced tickets cost $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and younger. At the gate, tickets will be $10 and $5, respectively. Prices have not changed throughout the 11-year history of the event.

Many businesses are participating in the Taste of Delano, which is organized by the Delano Area Chamber of Commerce.

Those providing food or beverages include Unhinged!, Dave’s Town Club, Delano Dairy Queen, Bison Creek Bar and Dining/Huikko’s Bowling and Entertainment Center, Apple Jack Orchards, Coborn’s, Delano American Legion, Minnesota Lakes Bank providing lemonade, State Bank of Delano providing popcorn, Delano Lions Club grilling hot dogs, Legacy of Delano providing bottled water, Estates at Delano providing freezies, and Detweiler Real Estate Group: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Lovejoy Realty providing kettle corn.

Delano Wine and Spirits is coordinating a tasting event featuring a wide variety of libations, including local brews, in the bingo stand.

Dieticians from Coborn’s will also be on hand to offer tips about healthy eating.

Delano Cub Scouts will have a dunk tank, in addition to other kid- and family-friendly activities.

In addition to these entities, non-food vendors and Delano Legion Market Days vendors will also participate.

There is room for more vendors, as well.

“We still have room available for additional vendors – food and non-food,” said DACC Executive Director Ryan Gueningsman.

Members of the DACC, along with businesses providing food, are able to participate in the Taste of Delano at no cost. Other business or organization booths cost $50. To sign up or for additional information, contact the DACC office at 763-972-6756 or email dacc@delanochamber.com

Due to the addition of the Delano Splashpad and concessions building, the layout will be slightly different than in the past, though the entrance and primary food areas will remain the same.

“We will take advantage of the whole park,” Gueningsman said.

Organizers are hoping a new entry process will make it easier and quicker for patrons to get into the event.

“We’re going to a hand stamp to eliminate the time it took to put wristbands on,” Gueningsman said.

Skeeter the clown talks about the raising of the big top, which will take place between 9:30 and 10 a.m. Monday, July 23, at Kramer Park.

DELANO, MN – Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages . . . the circus is coming to Delano.

With two performances set for Monday, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. at Kramer Park (Field 12) across from the Big Rock Park play area/Central Park grandstand, Culpepper and Merriweather is set to bring its internationally-known circus to town.

“We have been looking at additional non-dues revenue for the chamber of commerce to support our various activities and initiatives throughout the year,” said Delano Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ryan Gueningsman. “When the representative from the circus called earlier this year with an open date, it seemed like a nice fit.”

Along with the DACC, presenting Tiger-level sponsors of the circus in Delano are Harwood’s Body Shop and Minnesota Lakes Bank.

“Having those two businesses hop on board and help us sponsor this event has been very nice and helped us with our marketing and promotion efforts especially,” Gueningsman said. “Both have always been very supportive of the DACC’s initiatives and events.”

Additional sponsors include the Delano Herald Journal, Vanderlinde Group/ReMAX Edge, Brandt Companies, Bryce Deter Agency, Delano Printing, Farmers State Bank of Hamel, State Bank of Delano, Legacy of Delano, Davis Chevrolet/Motorsports, Randy’s Environmental Services, and Flippin Bill’s.

About the circus

Now in its 33rd edition, Hugo, Oklahoma-based Culpepper and Merriweather Circus is an authentic one-ring, big top circus that travels through more than 200 communities in 17 states for 32 weeks of the year, bringing the magic of the circus to life in each of its 90-minute performances.

The current lineup includes an all-star group of performances and entertainers such as Miss Simone and her breath-taking single trapeze, Miss Paulina’s proud “Big and Little” prancing ponies, the Arlise Troupe on their unicycles, Natalie’s American Eskimo escapades, Miss Georgia displaying flexibility to the extreme and, for the first time, the wheel of destiny and tight rope by the Perez family. Performing jungle cats Soloman, Delilah, and Francis, presented by Trey Key, will keep guests on the edge of their seats the entire show. Each performance is accompanied by original music composed by Matt Margucci of Los Angeles, CA.

“We have spoken with a few other communities that have hosted Culpepper and Merriweather, and all have commented what a great show it’s been and how professional of a group they are,” Gueningsman said. “I’ve really enjoyed working with them so far on the planning of this and learning more about their operations and processes.”

In advance of the circus, Skeeter the Clown visited Delano July 16 and made stops at Big Woods Child Care Center, the Legacy of Delano, the Estates at Delano, Tiger Kids Club, the Delano Public Library, and at Tiger-level sponsors Harwood’s Body Shop and Minnesota Lakes Bank.

“Having Skeeter in town really helped us drum up interest in the circus,” Gueningsman said. “She did a 20-minute program at each stop that included things like history, math, Spanish, listening to and following directions, cooperation, and a little slight-of-hand magic. At the library, she also made balloon animals for the children who came to see her.”

Special tent raising and other activities

Delano residents are invited and encouraged to attend the raising of the big top Monday between 9:30 and 10 a.m. at Kramer Park and take a free behind-the-scenes tour.

“This presentation offers a unique face-to-face opportunity for families, schools, and interested community members to meet and learn all about the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus family,” according to Culpepper and Merriweather. It includes a walking tour of the circus grounds, the opportunity to learn interesting facts about performers, the history of the show, and see the different species of animals in the circus family up close. The event also covers things such as hygiene, grooming, and the veterinary care the circus animals receive.

Starting an hour before each show, Culpepper and Merriweather will also offer bouncy houses, a 22-foot slide, pony rides, face painting, and a concession stand. Cash is accepted directly at each attraction.

The big top tent opens 20 minutes before each show and all tickets are general admission, which means first come, first serve for choice of seats.

As it is under the big top, the circus is rain or shine. In the event of severe weather such as high winds, severe lightning, or flooding, the show will be delayed until deemed safe to continue.

Tickets available through show time

The box office opens at 4 p.m. on circus day, however guests are encouraged to buy tickets in advance at Coborn’s through the weekend. Pre-sale ticket sales will not be offered on circus day. Advance ticket prices are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 2-12 and seniors ages 65 and up. At the gate the day of the show, prices increase to $13 and $8. For more information, contact the DACC at (763) 972-6756 or e-mail dacc@delanochamber.com.

WRIGHT AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MN – Did it seem like there was more traffic on Highway 12 Monday morning? Motorists can expect more of the same for up to the next seven-plus weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Motorists who travel Highway 55 between Division Street in Buffalo, and Autumn Oaks/Electric Drive Rockford, need to plan alternative routes throughout that time..

A signed detour is directing traffic along a 20-mile detour that follows County Road 92/Dogwood Street, County Road 11, County Road 139/County Line Road, Highway 12 through Delano, and Highway 25. The detour adds 13.5 miles to the trip.

While the road will be closed to through traffic, all businesses and local residences located along Highway 55 will remain accessible throughout the project.

All lanes of Highway 55 between Division Street in Buffalo and Autumn Oaks/Electric Drive Rockford, will open by Friday, Aug. 31, according to MnDOT.

The closure is part of a major project to reconstruct and improve Highway 55 between Buffalo and Rockford in 2018. The project will reconstruct the road between Division Street in Buffalo and Autumn Oaks/Electric Drive in Rockford, resurface between Autumn Oaks Drive and the Crow River bridge in Rockford, replace or repair underground culverts, remove cattle passes, upgrade guardrail, install a new center left-turn lane at Highway 55/Walnut Place, upgrade the Highway 55/Main Street signal, and improve sidewalks in Rockford.

When complete, the project will improve the ride along 7.5 miles of Highway 55, and improve drainage, safety and accessibility, according to the MnDOT.

Stay informed

To get the latest information and maps, or to sign up to have important project email updates including advance notice of future traffic changes sent directly to your inbox, visit the project’s website.

To follow this and other Wright County projects on Twitter, follow @MnDOTcentral.

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, click here.

This map submitted by MnDOT shows the official detour for Highway 55 during a seven-plus week closure. Note: Division Street in Buffalo west of Highway 55 does not connect to the highway as shown on the map.