On Dec. 26, 1944, Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie” was first performed publicly, in Chicago.
In 1955, Decca Records released “See You Later, Alligator” by Bill Haley and the Comets.
In 1957, Elvis Presley got a temporary draft deferment so he could finish making the movie “King Creole.”
In 1963, Capitol Records released the single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles, which became the band’s first number-one hit in the U.S.
In 1967, The Beatles film “Magical Mystery Tour” premiered on BBC television.
In 1968, Led Zeppelin played its first U.S. show, opening for Vanilla Fudge.
In 1973, the film “The Exorcist” made its premiere nationwide.
In 1974, comedian Jack Benny died. He was 80.
In 1999, musician Curtis Mayfield died outside Atlanta at the age of 57.
In 2010, singer Teena Marie died at her home in Pasadena, California. She was 54. Her death was attributed to natural causes.
Today’s birthdays: “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh is 79. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is 78. Bassist George Porter Junior of The Meters is 77. Humorist David Sedaris is 68. Drummer Brian Westrum of Sons of the Desert is 62. Drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica is 61. Guitarist J (White Zombie) is 57. Country singer Audrey Wiggins is 57. Guitarist Peter Klett of Candlebox is 56. Singer James Mercer of The Shins is 54. Actor-singer Jared Leto of 30 Seconds To Mars is 53. Singer Chris Daughtry (“American Idol”) is 45. Actor Beth Behrs (“The Neighborhood,” “2 Broke Girls”) is 39. Actor Kit Harington (“Game of Thrones”) is 38. Actor Eden Sher (“The Middle”) is 33. Singer Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix is 32.
State Senator Andrew Lang of Olivia has announced the disbursement of $1.5 million in aid to ambulance service providers serving Senate District 16 by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The funds are the result of the bipartisan $30-million rural EMS aid package passed in 2024, championed by Senator Lang.
The package includes $24-million in aid to extend a critical lifeline to ambulance service providers across the state as well as a $6-million sprint medic pilot program, authorizing trained medical staff to be the first response and determining if an ambulance is necessary.
Lang says he’s witnessed the challenges our rural EMS providers are facing and it’s been a long road. He says with these funds going out the door, they’re extending a lifeline to help them recruit and retain professionals as well as update their equipment.
The funds include: Atwater fire department ambulance ($57,296), Buffalo lake ambulance ($68,250), CCM health ($150,360), Centracare emergency medical services – Paynesville ($149,572), Centracare emergency medical services – Willmar ($94,517), Clara city ambulance ($69,629), Cosmos ambulance service ($49,488), Fairfax ambulance ($96,270), Granite falls ambulance ($144,584), Hector ambulance ($59,350), Kerkhoven ambulance ($59,953), Lake Lillian ambulance service ($56,147), New London ambulance service ($112,231), Olivia ambulance service, Inc. ($145,077), Raymond ambulance service ($69,851), Sunburg ambulance ($51,756) and Watkins ambulance service ($107,455).
The Litchfield Rescue Squad calendar sweepstakes winners this week include:
Courtney Klimstra, Jacob Pollock and Viking Signs – all of Litchfield, Jim Guza, Jr. of Watkins and Gary Gruenke of Rockland, WI. Each of them will receive $20 from the Litchfield Rescue Squad.
The 2025 Litchfield Rescue Squad calendars are available at KLFD, Litchfield Building Center, Miller Automotive, Ramsey Printing, Mid Country Bank and from any Litchfield Rescue Squad member.
Members of the Litchfield Rescue Squad have been selling their annual sweepstakes calendars for the past couple of months and there are just a few days left to purchase the 2025 calendars. The sweepstakes drawing will be held on January 8th.
Rescue Chief Blake Tangen says when you purchase a calendar, you have a chance of winning back the $20 cost of the calendar and then some – with 3 chances of winning $300, 12 chances of winning $100, and 246 chances of winning $20. He says they use the money they raise to purchase equipment above and beyond their normal budget.
Tangen says they always have a wish list of items to purchase. He says the Litchfield Rescue Squad also raises money with its beef feed in Central Park during the Watercade celebration each July.
Expect temperatures to continue to warm up this weekend with rain starting late Thursday into Friday.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled a new program to support American wood processing facilities. USDA Rural Development is partnering with USDA Forest Service to provide funding through the new Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP).
Originally reported by the USDA.
Originally reported by the USDA.