Becker County Highway Department presents 5-year construction plan during public hearing on Dec. 14
Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – The Becker County Highway Department presented their five-year construction plan update to members of the Becker County Board during their recent public hearing last Thursday.
During the Dec. 14 meeting, Jim Olson, county engineer for Becker County, told the commissioners the county receives a fair amount of state aid for road projects, which is collected from the statewide gas tax and now, delivery fees, among others.
“When we look at funding sources, state aid is a big one of ours,” said Olson. “This money is generated through the gas tax, vehicle excise tax and we have some new funds in there too. There are some delivery fees now that are going to that. And, as a result of some of these new fees and dedications toward state aid, that probably one of the bigger reasons you saw a decrease in this year’s budget. We’ll see an increase in those monies. And those monies are split, 60% of those monies from state aid goes towards our roads and 40% of that goes towards our maintenance work. And that 40% generally impacts our levy budget.”
He told the commissioners much of the county highway construction over the next couple of years in going to be in the county’s northern and eastern sections.
In 2024, major road projects are scheduled for:
- County Road 34, east of Richwood, to 295th Street.
- County Road 44, from County Road 46 to the east Becker County line, east of Two Inlets.
- County Road 47, from Highway 34 to County Road 40.
- County Road 42, from County Road 47 to the east Becker County line.
Overall, Becker County has seven highway projects on the books for 2024, totaling nearly $9.3 million. State aid funds will be covering nearly $5 million of the project costs with Becker County responsible for only $3.9 million.
The following year, in 2025, construction will begin on County Road 26, east of County Road 21 and out to the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, County Road 34 and County Road 35, which are regularly traveled north and southbound routes on the White Earth Reservation, are scheduled for a reclamation and overlay, respectively.
Becker County is scheduled to begin construction on West Lake Drive, from Washington Avenue to Legion Road, in 2026. A portion of County Road 120, located south of Highway 34, is also scheduled for an overlay in 2026.
Olson also admitted, he thinks our roads are in pretty good shape when compared to other counties in the area.
“In my opinion, and I do hear from some people, I think we have really good roads compared to other counties,” he said. “I hear that from people that come and drive through. And the sales tax has helped us a lot. And it’s nice to have that. And we’re also blessed in a good portion of our county to have good soils and stuff like that too. So that does help us. It does give us better prices when we good aggregate sources as well.”
DL woman injured in two-vehicle crash on Highway 34 Sunday evening
A Detroit Lakes woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 34 in Becker County on Sunday evening.
On Dec. 17 at 4:38 p.m., a 2008 Ford Focus, driven by 40-year-old Teresa May Hilden of Detroit Lakes, was westbound on Highway 34, near mile marker 64 in Osage Township, when it collided with another westbound vehicle, a 2005 Ford F250 pickup, driven by 69-year-old Arvol Wilfred Lookinghorse of Green Grass, S.D.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported the road conditions as snowy and icy at the time of the crash.
Hilden suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and was transported to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids for treatment.
Lookinghorse did not report any injuries at the scene.
Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash and law enforcement believes alcohol did not factor into the incident.
35 people rescued from Upper Red Lake after ice breaks off from shore
Beltrami County Deputies and Kelliher firefighters rescued 35 people stranded on a large ice chunk that broke from the shore of Upper Red Lake shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday.
Authorities on the scene determined because of the distance, they needed to evacuate the people from the ice by airboat.
Initial reports indicated an estimated 40 to 50 people were on the ice and there was 40 to 50 feet of open water separating it from the main ice connected to shore. During the rescue, strong winds pushed the ice chuck further out, about several hundred feet from shore.
No injuries were reported.
Authorities remind those venturing onto the ice that the unseasonably warm weather combined with recent rain has resulted in inconsistent ice conditions.
Last year first responders had to rescue around 200 people from a piece of ice that broke free on Red Lake.
The Minnesota DNR says there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice, but the general rule is a minimum of four inches for ice fishing….5-7 inches for a snowmobile or small ATV….11-12 inches for a medium SUV or small truck….16-17 inches for a heavy-duty truck.
Detroit Lakes Pizza Ranch approved for 3.2% alcohol sales; expect to open mid-February
The Pizza Ranch in Detroit Lakes was granted a license to sell beer and wine when it opens in 2024.
During the Detroit Lakes city council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, City Administrator Kelcey Klemm said the restaurant will be able to sell 3.2% alcohol by volume beer, as well as “strong beer” and wine.
After the meeting, Nick Price, owner and operator of the Perham Pizza Ranch and operations manager for the new Detroit Lakes location, said they will also offer a selection of seltzers.
The Detroit Lakes Pizza Ranch will be located at 1100 North Shore Drive in the old Spitfire location.
Renovations are underway, Price said, and while the initial hope was to open in January, he said it is likely going to be mid-February when the community can enjoy great food and family entertainment at the venue.
Price explained the delay was due to it taking longer than anticipated to get the necessary equipment for the restaurant.
Story by Dan Schroeder / KPRW
Minnesota will require permits for harvesting turtles beginning Jan. 1; kids Turtle Race turtles exempt
Two changes that enhance protection for Minnesota’s native turtles will go into effect Jan. 1.
Commercial harvest of western painted turtles and snapping turtles will no longer be allowed in Minnesota beginning Jan. 1, the result of a new law enacted in 2023.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, people will still be allowed to raise turtles for commercial purposes under an aquaculture license with a turtle endorsement.
In addition, also beginning on Jan. 1, anglers will need both an angling license and a newly required recreational turtle license to harvest turtles using angling gear like hook and line, landing nets and gaff hooks.
The agency said, in the past, only an angling license was required.
Additionally, traps will not be allowed for turtle harvest, however, individuals under 16 do not need a recreational turtle license and may still collect turtles for turtle races.
Minnesota’s native turtles are facing several threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution and overharvest.
Due to the life history characteristics of turtles — that they are long-lived and slow growing — even low levels of increased mortality can result in declining populations, especially in northern latitudes that have short growing seasons.
The DNR said the enhanced protections coming into effect will help ensure the ongoing health of turtle populations in Minnesota.
Recreational turtle licenses are $25 annually and will be available Jan. 1 through the Minnesota DNR electronic license system, and more information is available on the Minnesota DNR website.
TO READ MORE LAKES AREA NEWS, AND LISTEN LIVE, DOWNLOAD THE LAKES AREA RADIO APP FREE IN THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE OR APPLE APP STORE.
Latest News
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!