The presence of zebra mussels has been confirmed in another area lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says zebra mussels have now been found in Long Lake, near Hawick in Kandiyohi County.
DNR invasive species specialists, following up on a report of zebra mussels, found six adult zebra mussels, up to 1.5 inches long, attached to concrete planks at the public access boat ramp.
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires that watercraft, trailers and equipment be cleaned to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species; drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport; dispose of unwanted bait in the trash; and never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
It’s also required to dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21-days before moving them from one water body to another. There are additional steps to help reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species: decontaminate watercraft and equipment; spray with high-pressure water or rinse with very hot water – 120-degrees for at least two minutes or 140-degrees for at least 10 seconds; and dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body. You can find more information at mndnr.gov/AIS.
There’s been a lot of activity the past few months at the Fieldgate Cheese Store on West Depot Street in Litchfield, and the store will have a grand opening on July 6th. A ribbon-cutting will be held that day at 10 a.m.
Manager Melissa Tangen says the store will be open to customers beginning at 10 a.m. on July 6th and after that, the hours will be from 8-to-5:30 Monday through Friday and Saturday from 8-to-noon. She says the store will be dairy-centric and will mostly carry food items including cheese, milk, butter, eggs, brats, bacon, Cold Spring Bakery products and more.
Tangen says there has been lots of talk in recent years at First District Association about bringing the cheese store back. She says they’ve had feedback on their Facebook page from people who especially want to be able to purchase Fieldgate vegetable cheese, and they will have fresh cheese curds as well.
Tangen says there will be lots of new cheese flavors available at the Fieldgate Cheese Store in Litchfield. She says they will have Cheeseburger Days at the store on July 13th and 14th from 11-to-1 each day and proceeds will go to the Meeker County American Dairy Association and the Litchfield FFA Chapter.
The Minnesota State Patrol responded to a one-vehicle crash at 2:44 this morning on Highway 12 in Kandiyohi Township. A 2009 Pontiac was northbound on Kandiyohi County Road 8, crossed over Highway 12 and crashed.
The vehicle was driven by 44-year-old Rolando Cabrerapena of Atwater. He and a female passenger – 44-year-old Belen Gallegos of Willmar – were taken to Rice Hospital in Willmar with non-life-threatening injuries. Also responding to the accident were Atwater Ambulance, Centra Care Ambulance, Atwater Fire Dept. and the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office.
The Litchfield City Council received information Tuesday regarding the 2024 Highway 12 resurfacing project which will be from Davis Avenue in Litchfield to Cokato. The project from Litchfield to Darwin will be able to be done under traffic as it is a mill and 3-inch overlay, but the portion from Darwin to Cokato will be concrete and will require a detour.
A culvert will be installed just east of County-State-Aid-Highway 34 in Litchfield which will require a detour for a period of time. Mayor Ron Dingmann says the project will begin after Watercade in July of 2024 and the portion over to Cokato should wrap up by Mid-October. He says the project next summer will not include an update to the busy Highway 34/12 intersection, but if the City and County want to pursue an improvement there in the future, Mn/DOT will work with them.
Dingmann says City Administrator David Czoik presented a priority list of projects as he does routinely and progress that is being made on each and a couple of the high priority, future projects include the Litchfield Area Recreation Center and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He says the Council also addressed the structural issues that need to be remedied at the Library.
Dingmann says he, City Attorney Mark Wood and City Administrator Dave Czoik will be meeting with officials from Shady’s to find out their intent about purchasing the restaurant at the Golf Club and possibly leasing the golf course and maybe get something in writing.