Monticello
GOVERNMENT
Highway 25 bridge work starts Monday
MONTICELLO — The moment that many drivers have been dreading is quickly approaching, with repair work on the Highway 25 bridge slated to begin Monday. MnDOT will resurface and update the bridge over the Mississippi River connecting Monticello to Big Lake from July 8 through late October. The work will have a definite impact on travel in the area, with Highway 25 reduced to one lane in each direction at...
Lane Closures Scheduled to Begin Monday on Monticello Bridge
MONTICELLO (WJON News) -- A bridge construction project in Monticello will cause traffic headaches for drivers who cross the Mississippi River using the Highway 25 Bridge. Starting Monday, crews will begin a resurfacing project that will reduce the bridge to a single lane of traffic in each direction. The work...
Riverfest Duck Race becomes ‘Duck Splash’
MONTICELLO — Ah, Minnesota life. If there are two things you cannot plan around when organizing a summer festival in Minnesota, it is the unpredictable weather, and road construction. It seems the Riverfest Committee has been dealt both cards this year in regards to the Riverfest Duck race, which is being redubbed as the “Duck Splash,” with a new location due to bridge work and unsafe river conditions. “It is...
Q&A: Meet Monticello's 10 Royal Ambassador candidates
MONTICELLO — Every year, as it has done for more than 40 years now, the Monticello Royal Ambassador Program brings together a group of young women with high hopes and takes them on a life-changing journey filled with community spirit, pride and service. The program opens doors and educates candidates about the City of Monticello, while helping them to grow, learn and discover their potential, according to Royal Ambassador Committee member Liz Calpas, who helps to run the program. ...
Longtime Lion, volunteer lauded as Monticello's Citizen of Year
MONTICELLO — At 68, Jim Dickrell is living his best life. The longtime Monticellan has been enjoying retirement with his wife of 44 years; cycling through the countryside on his bike every day; admiring the majesty of the Mighty Mississippi from his riverfront home; devouring more books in a year than some read in a lifetime; and spending time with friends and his only daughter. Now, he’s got even more...
Times Past: Look back at this week in city history
30 YEARS AGO: JULY 7, 1994 • The city’s annual Riverfest was gearing up for a great two-day event. • A feature story told how 4-year-old Keatan White had a second home the Ronald McDonald House. • A 12-year-old girl was abducted on a dirt road in Silver Creek Township. Two days later, Wayne James...
Update: Elk River's Independence Day fireworks show postponed to July 27
Potential cost to babysit fireworks put an end to plans the July 4 show by Jim Boyle Editor Fireworks for a city celebration are expensive and explosive. Baby-sitting them can be almost as costly, members of the Elk River City Council learned on Monday, July 1. ...
Developer plans to revitalize vacant part of Albertville outlets
ALBERTVILLE — A developer plans to breathe new life into the vacant portion of the nearby Albertville Premium Outlets by demolishing the eastern wing and redeveloping it. The redevelopment could possibly contain a grocery store, two restaurants, a car wash and a coffee shop, according to a concept plan by Plymouth developer HJ Development. The developer plans to purchase the unoccupied wing of the mall from current owner Simon Property...
Bridge Over Clearwater River to Close Monday
FAIRHAVEN TOWNSHIP (WJON News) -- A bridge replacement project on the Stearns County/Wright County border will prompt traffic to detour around the work zone. Starting Monday, the Stearns County Road 7 and Wright County Road 2 Bridge over the Clearwater River will close. Crews will be replacing the bridge forcing...
Absentee voting opens for primary
Eligible Wright County voters are now able to begin casting their ballots for the 2024 State Primary Election. The 46-day voting period opened June 28. If you are registered to vote in Monticello, visit city hall to cast an in-person absentee ballot. Voters may also request an absentee ballot by contacting Wright County Elections directly or by completing the online request form at mnvotes.org. ...
Graco building may soon host a ‘Top 5’ employer in Rogers
The Rogers City Council on June 25 approved a resolution supporting the submission of a Job Creation Fund application on behalf of Heliene, a Canadian-based solar panel manufacturer. The company is exploring the potential lease of a 200,000-square-foot building at 13225 Brockton Lane, which was occupied by Graco until it was vacated a few months ago. “The proposed business would occupy the entire building and is projected to add approximately...
Big Lake Resident Named by Governor Walz to State Council
A resident of our area was recently named by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to be a member of a state council. Ellena Kaine-George of Big Lake was appointed to a member position on the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage. The role of the Council is...
Busy 5 Days in Annandale Celebrating Independence Day
ANNANDALE (WJON News) -- There are five days of fun in Annandale as they host their annual 4th of July celebration. The events start on Wednesday with the carnival opening at 4:00 p.m., Music in the Park with the Annandale Community Band starts at 7:00 p.m., and the boat parade is also at 7:00 p.m.
Clear Lake council focuses on Fire Department
Monday’s meeting of the Clear Lake City Council was heavy on Fire Department related items, and it took nearly two hours to complete the agenda. Acting Mayor Karen White called the meeting to order, as council first acted to accept a $10,000 donation from the Clear Lake Lions that will be used towards Fire Department equipment.
Letters to the Editor on July 3rd, 2024
John Haack is right, there are not “50 automobiles that never existed” on his property at 110 Birch Ave. in our downtown Maple Lake business district. There ARE at a minimum 20 vehicles that do exist and do violate the city ordinance B-1 section 28 of Prohibited Vehicle Use. The same ordinance covers Outside Storage/Display. John’s property is in violation of many portions of the ordinance. Please don’t take our word for it…see the photo posted multiple times on the facebook Maple Lake Community site or google Wright County and view a satellite photo of any Maple Lake business address.
Flooding forces relocation of Delano’s famed fireworks show
Flooding along the Crow River has forced the Fourth of July Committee to relocate the city’s famed fireworks show. The river, which measured 16.87 feet Monday morning at about 8:30 a.m., has receded in recent days, but it is still in the flood stage, which is 16.5 feet. The...
Kolbinger Skatepark in Becker gets makeover starting July 8
BECKER, Minn. — After 30 years, a skatepark in Sherburne County is getting a makeover. Starting Monday, July 8, the Kolbinger Skatepark in Becker, Minn. will be closed for staff to remove the old ramps and rails and prep for the installation of new equipment. Over the years, Public...
Main Avenue reconstruction in Albertville could affect 2026 parade
At the June 17 Albertville City Council meeting, the council discussed Main Avenue NE reconstruction and how it will affect the Albertville Friendly City Days parade in the future and Shop STMA spoke to the council. Main Avenue reconstruction City Administrator Adam Nafstad told the council that the city is in the beginning stages of preliminary design for Main Avenue NE’s reconstruction. The pavement on the road is coming close...
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