The South Central Minnesota Chapter of ABATE has a motorcycle rally this weekend at the Litchfield Civic Arena. It will be on Saturday from 10-to-6 and Sunday from 10-to-3.
John Dietel says there’s a $10 admission fee and they use those proceeds for their Buddy Bear program – in which first responders give teddy bears to children they are helping – and for other things such as motorcycle safety course scholarships and for lobbying efforts at the Legislature. He says the rally this weekend will include food trucks and all kinds of vendors.
Dietel says ABATE will also have a local fun run on June 20th which will end up at the Bill & Kristi LaPlante farm. He says May is Motorcycle Awareness Month which is a good reminder for motorists to be mindful of motorcycles on the roadways.
Dietel says there will be a trophy award ceremony on Sunday at the Litchfield Civic Arena as the rally starts coming to a close. He says it will be nice to be inside the Civic Arena in case of rain.
The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Peace Officer Memorial service this morning at 9 a.m. in front of the Meeker County Law Enforcement Center at 326 North Ramsey Avenue in Litchfield. The short prayer service will be officiated by Meeker County Sheriff’s Office Chaplin Jeff Garland.
Sheriff Brian Cruze says the service is a way to reflect on officers who gave their lives in the line of duty – including Meeker County Deputy Edward Eades who died after a gun fight with a suspect in Eden Valley in 1962. He says it’s also a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by officers each day as they are serving the community.
Sheriff Cruze says two Meeker County Jail volunteers – Andrea Tjaden and David Hofstad – received the David Grant Program of the Year award on April 29th at the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association Jail Programs and Services conference in Waite Park. He says they were recognized for their program, “Let’s Dig In,” which focuses on cognitive behavioral growth for inmates.
Sheriff Cruze says Andrea and David are longtime jail volunteers and launched the initiative two years ago. He says their dedication and compassion has brought a lasting, positive impact on many.
Sheriff Cruze says his office has had special weeks this spring to honor their dispatchers, administrative staff, corrections officers, and deputies, and next week is a time to honor Emergency Medical Services personnel. He says the Meeker County Sheriff’s office has the RAVE notification program and residents can sign up for it to receive emergency messages such as in the event of severe weather.
