The Litchfield City Council closed Monday night’s meeting as the final item of business – the performance evaluation of the city administrator – was discussed. The summary of the evaluation will be revealed at the October 7th meeting.
Mayor Ron Dingmann says the annual evaluation will be done in August of each year, but this year, it was done in September. He says Monday night’s meeting began with a moment of silence to remember long-time city attorney Mark Wood who passed away earlier this month.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council needs to put an ordinance together by the end of the year regarding cannabis sales. He says a work session will be held after the October 7th meeting to discuss this matter.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council is leaning in the direction of creating its own ordinance rather than being under the umbrella of a county ordinance. He says the Council also received a report Monday night on the progress of the remodeling project on the Library exterior. The stucco work is nearly done, and work will be take place soon on the rubber roof and metal flashing.
The grand reopening of the Current Trends Christian Gift Shop at Bethesda in Willmar is on Friday. The shop is under new management and is sporting a new name.
A special celebration is being held on Friday from 8-to-5 with the passing of a key ceremony and a blessing at 11 a.m. at the gift shop at 901 Willmar Avenue Northeast. Visitors to the shop can see the revitalized space with new items from local vendors, including unique Christian gifts, fresh flowers, homemade cards and more.
There will also be 10% off drinks at the Brother’s Bistro with proof of purchase from the gift shop on Friday. The Current Trends Christian Gift Shop plays an important role, with proceeds going directly to the Resident Life Fund through the Bethesda Foundation – enhancing the lives of the Bethesda residents.
Bethesda Foundation Board member and volunteer Karen Marcus says what started as an idea has grown into something so meaningful for the residents, team members and the community. She says it’s a passion of hers to bring joy and brighten the daily lives of those at Bethesda, and the gift shop is an important part of that. Marcus says the shop is currently raising funds to purchase Christmas gifts for all Bethesda residents across the campus
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has received an update from Xcel Energy officials about a 180-mile transmission line which will pass through Meeker County on its way from Lyon County to the Sherco plant in Becker. Notices for public hearings will be coming out in early October.
The public hearings will be held later in October and early November and then the recommended route will go to an administrative law judge and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for approval by March of 2025. Negotiations with landowners for easements would take place in 2026 and the line would be operational by 2028.
The Meeker County Board has set the preliminary 2025 net levy at $17,415,859 – a 3.5% increase over 2024. The preliminary budget for 2025 is just over $51-million ($51,027,550).
The Meeker County Commissioners have moved to approve of the establishment of a Meeker County Adopt-a-Highway program for Meeker County’s State-Aid-Highway system. Public Works Director Phil Schmalz says businesses, non-profit groups, families and others may adopt 2-mile sections of the county roads for a minimum of two years and there will be more information about how to do so on the Meeker County website.
The Board has approved of a conditional use permit for property at 17887 670th Avenue of Hutchinson for a landscaping project for Rod Engel on Lake Erie in Ellsworth Township; approved of a conditional use permit for property at 22490 County-State-Aid-Highway 14 in Darwin Township at Lake Washington for a landscaping project for John Rogers; and approved of an interim use permit for Gregory & Nickie Jans for a gravel pit operation in Section 19 of Swede Grove Township.
The Commissioners approved of a proposal from Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors of Eden Prairie for the replacement of the Courthouse boiler for $58,090; and approved of Metlife as the County’s accident, critical illness and hospital care carrier for 2025-2028.
On Sept. 17, 1931, RCA Victor demonstrated the first 33-and-a-third RPM long-playing record in New York.
In 1963, “The Fugitive” began its run on ABC, starring David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble.
In 1964, “Bewitched,” starring Elizabeth Montgomery, made its debut on ABC.
In 1967, The Doors performed “Light My Fire” on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Jim Morrison had been asked to change the line “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher,” but Morrison sang it anyway.
Also in 1967, The Who appeared on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” Drummer Keith Moon had set a flash powder explosion in his drum kit, not knowing technicians had already done so. The resulting explosion sent a cymbal into Moon’s leg and singed Pete Townshend’s hair.
In 1972, “MASH” premiered on CBS. It stayed on the air for eleven years.
In 1978, ABC’s expensive sci-fi show “Battlestar Galactica” made its debut.
In 1980, Bette Midler’s concert film, “Divine Madness,” premiered.
In 1983, Vanessa Williams of New York became the first black contestant to be crowned Miss America. The following July, she also became the first Miss America to resign in the wake of her Penthouse magazine scandal.
In 1991, Geffen Records released “Use Your Illusion One” and “Use Your Illusion Two” by Guns N” Roses. The two albums went on sale at many stores nationwide just after midnight.
Also in 1991, Hank Williams Jr. unveiled a statue of his father in Montgomery, Alabama, where his funeral was held in 1953.
In 1996, The Cranberries canceled the last nine shows of their U.S. tour because singer Dolores O’Riordan was suffering from a combination of exhaustion and the flu.
Also in 1996, London police intercepted and destroyed a booby-trapped book that an obsessed fan sent to singer Bjork. The fan killed himself hours after mailing the package. The package never reached Bjork’s home.
In 1997, comedian Red Skelton died at a hospital near his home in Palm Springs, California, after a long illness. He was 84.
In 2001, David Letterman hosted the first late-night talk show since the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Letterman opened the show with no jokes, just his thoughts on the matter. Dan Rather was his first guest and broke into tears.
Today’s Birthdays: Singer-turned-photographer LaMonte McLemore of the Fifth Dimension is 89. Singer Fee Waybill of The Tubes is 76. Actor Elvira is 73. Comedian Rita Rudner is OK71. Puppeteer Kevin Clash (formerly Elmo on “Sesame Street”) is 64. Actor-director Paul Feig is 62. Director Baz Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge”) is 62. Singer BeBe Winans is 62. Businessman Robert Herjavec (“Shark Tank”) is 61. Actor Kyle Chandler is 59. Rapper Doug E. Fresh is 58. Actor Malik Yoba (“Empire,” “New York Undercover”) is 57. Singer Anastacia is 56. Actor Matthew Settle (“Gossip Girl”) is 55. Rapper VinRock of Naughty By Nature is 54. Actor Bobby Lee (“MADtv,” ″Harold and Kumar” films) is 53. Singer Marcus Sanders of Hi-Five is 51. Singer-actor Nona Gaye (“The Matrix” films) is 50. Drummer Chuck Comeau of Simple Plan is 45. Actor Billy Miller (“General Hospital,” ″The Young and the Restless”) is 45. Actor Danielle Brooks (“Orange Is The New Black”) is 35. Gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds is 35. Actor Denyse Tontz (“All My Children,” ″Big Time Rush”) is 30.