DHJ News Log

Local opportunity to influence politics tonight with caucuses

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:03:14 +0000

Ready to make an impact on Minnesota’s political landscape?
One of the ways local residents can get involved in the 2012 general election is by attending the precinct caucuses Tuesday, Feb. 7.
During the caucuses, citizens meet to discuss which candidates to support, and which public policy positions should be adopted.
Democrats and Republicans meet separately, giving citizens the chance to form party platforms and organize volunteers.
Precinct caucuses are open to the public, and political parties encourage participation, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
Political parties may conduct a straw poll to gauge caucus attendees’ candidate preferences for state or federal elected offices.
Anyone who will be eligible to vote in Minnesota by Nov. 6 may vote in the preference ballot. Anyone age 16 or over may participate in caucus business.
For additional information, follow the link to the Minnesota Secretary of State website on the Delano Herald Journal homepage, www.delanoheraldjournal.com.
Republican party
Residents of various cities and townships will meet at different locations for the Republican precinct caucuses Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
• Loretto will meet at Orono High School.
• Delano, Franklin Twp. will meet at Delano Middle School.
• Montrose will meet at Montrose Elementary School.
Democrat party
Residents of various cities and townships will meet at different locations for the DFL precinct caucuses Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
• Loretto will meet at Orono Middle School.
• Delano, Franklin Twp. will meet at Delano High School.
• Montrose will meet at Citizens State Bank.

Delano City Council to consider ‘Pillar of the Community’ sculpture tonight at 5 p.m.

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:49 +0000

DELANO, MN - Due to caucuses tonight, the Delano City Council will meet at 5 p.m. instead of the normal 7 p.m. start time. The meeting will be at Delano City Hall with a light agenda. A final pay request for demolition at 206 Babcock Boulevard West (Leland and Sons) will be considered, and a date will also be set for the city’s local board of appeal and equalization meeting. The council will also consider an application for the “Pillar of the Community” art sculpture. Complete agenda and supporting documentation can be found here: http://www.delano.mn.us/sitepages/pid988.php

Bean bag tournament Saturday at Delano Legion

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:56:18 +0000

DELANO, MN - An indoor beanbag tournament will take place at the Delano American Legion Saturday, Feb. 11, with registration beginning at noon and the tournament beginning at 2 p.m. The entry fee is $30, which includes lunch. It is open to 64 teams and is double-elimination. Call (763) 972-2969 for more information.

Special school board meetings Monday night to include closed discussion on teacher contract negotiations, obtain input on qualities for next superintendent

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:57:08 +0000

DELANO, MN - The Delano Public School Board will conduct two special meetings tonight, both at the Delano City Hall. The first will be at 6 p.m. in the city’s conference room, where the school board will discuss the federal jobs bill stimulus that funds several positions and also set a date to interview candidates for an open position on the school board. Also, the board will conduct a conversation that is closed to the public on employee contract negotiations at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. the school board will move into the council chambers for the remainder of the meeting and hear public input on qualities desired in a new superintendent. Complete agenda can be found here: http://www.delano.k12.mn.us/district/superintendents-office/school-board-meeting-agenda

Quilt exhibit begins Tuesday at Delano Library

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:10:31 +0000

DELANO, MN - The Delano Calico Quilters and the Friends of the Delano Public Library will sponsor an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Delano Public Library Tuesday, Feb. 7. Quilters will be demonstrating their work and will answer questions. Refreshments will be served. Plan time to come to the library and enjoy the beautiful quilts made by people in the community. The quilts will remain on display in the library for three weeks.

Food council hosting brainstorming session Wednesday in Delano

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:09:55 +0000

DELANO, MN - The Delano Food Council is hosting a brainstorm session to develop a vision for a downtown weekend market for Delano. The current concept is of a Saturday farmers-market type gathering with the central goals of community interaction and healthy food access.
Ideas already expressed for the market are: garden produce swap, CSA pick-up, collaborate with current farmers market to sell produce and homemade goods, bulk dry food pickup, fun events, and gathering space for community in Delano.
All are welcome and encouraged to join the discussion, which will be Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Dancing River Wellness Center, located in downtown Delano (across the street from Three Crows Café and Coffee House).

Delano Royalty Organization seeking applicants for youth programs

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:09:00 +0000

DELANO, MN - The Delano Royalty Organization is looking for applicants for its Little Miss and Junior Ambassador programs.
The programs are open to young girls in first grade entering second grade (Little Miss program), or in fifth grade entering sixth grade (Junior Ambassador).
The girls will be crowned at the main Delano royalty coronation event later this year.
For more information or an application, contact the Delano Royalty at delanoroyalty@gmail.com.
Interview of applicants
In June, there will be an early-evening meeting with the judges. The interview with the judges will be with one girl at a time. This is going to be very informal, as organizers want the girls to feel very comfortable with the judges.
The judges will ask questions such as:
Why do you want to be a princess?
Are you excited to wear a dress and crown?
Would you like to ride the float with the royalty and wave to people watching?
By asking these questions and a few others, organizers will be sure the applicant is excited to be a part of the program and will be a great addition.
The judges will choose two girls from each grade to be crowned a Junior Ambassador or Little Miss.
Responsibilities
After the young princess is crowned at coronation, there will be a parent information meeting before the Fourth of July celebration kicks off to inform them of proper attire for the girls, and other rules and guidelines.
If crowned, the girls are only required to be in the Delano Fourth of July parade, riding on the float with the older girls. Any other appearances are up to them.
They will also be invited to attend other parades such as: Rockford, Buffalo, Montrose, and other communities. Attendance will be up to the girls and their parents, as it will be their responsibility to get there and chaperone them until they are on the float ready for the parade to start. Parents will also need to chaperone them when the parade is over.
There will also be community events that they may be asked to attend, as organizers believe one is never too young to start volunteering.

Bloodmobile in Montrose Thursday

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:32:15 +0000

MONTROSE, MN - The Montrose-Waverly Bloodmobile Committee will be hosting the Red Cross bloodmobile at the Montrose Community Center Thursday, Feb. 2 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

Delano City Council to handle full agenda at special workshop Tuesday night

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:26:15 +0000

DELANO, MN - Delano City Council will meet in special work session Tuesday night (tonight) at 7 p.m. at the Delano City Hall. Agenda items include a concept drawing for a sculpture walk, fundraising by the Delano Athletic Club, the Central Park master plan, riverbank restoration program and grant application, and the downtown Rivertown commercial building. The council will also discuss the northwest business park, consider a proclamation for congenital heart disease week, review the agenda for a boards and commissions forum set for Thursday, Feb. 2, and consider a resolution authorizing a grant application for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources community forests grant.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Robert Vandermey, Delano

Ryan Gueningsman DHJ Managing Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:14:17 +0000

Arrangements are still pending, but are tentatively planned for Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Watch for more details when available.