MN State Patrol conducts 943 traffic stops in Becker County between Aug. 2-6

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – The Minnesota State Patrol provided extra traffic enforcement across Becker County and the greater lakes area during WE Fest weekend and conducted 943 traffic stops between Aug. 2-6.

Those stops resulted in: 18 DWI arrests; 17 minor consumption incidents under the state’s “Not A Drop” law; 6 arrests for outstanding warrants; and 442 tickets or warnings for excessive speed including 4 stops involving vehicles traveling faster than 100 mph.

State patrol also issued 111 tickets or warnings for seat belt violations and 59 tickets or warnings for distracted driving.

Forty-three individuals were also cited for driving after license revocation, suspension or cancelation.

Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow said, even with the larger crowds going in and out of Becker County, the numbers were pretty consistent with previous years.

“All of those numbers that you she when it comes to the arrests, the tickets, the warnings, all of that, it’s pretty consistent for the last, almost, decade probably” said Grabow.

He also said people should always expect increased traffic enforcement with larger events like WE Fest and they need to always be making good decisions when operating a motor vehicle.

“We try to put this information out there that we’re going to be providing this type of enforcement and education,” he said. “We just want everybody to make good decisions each and every time they get in that vehicle. And when you get that many people in an area, you just hope for nothing bad to happen when it comes to when it comes to traffic crashes and what not. We got through that particular area pretty safe, but at the same time you see a number of people still made those poor choices and that can have some deadly consequences. Whether that be a crash with another vehicle or a pedestrian, whom ever it may be. We just need everyone to do their part to share the roads safely.”

The state patrol did not respond to any serious-injury or fatal vehicle crashes near Detroit Lakes or the concert grounds in Becker County.

The number of traffic stops conducted by the Minnesota State Patrol does not include any stops performed by the Becker County Sheriff’s Office.

DLHS Band performs National Anthem at Twins game

That was MN Twins broadcaster Kris Atteberry announcing the Detroit Lakes High School Band during the Twins radio broadcast following their performance of the National Anthem at Target Field before the Minnesota Twins faced the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, August 4th.

Band director Tim Siewert (see-wurt) and 87 members of the DLHS band performed in front of an announced attendance of more than 29,000 (29,408) Twins fans, which is one of the largest crowds at Target Field this season. 

280 of those fans included the Laker pep band and family and friends that went to Minneapolis for the game

The Twins beat the Diamondbacks 3-2.

It’s the fourth time since 2019 that the Laker Band has performed at Target Field. They also played on August 24th, 2019, July 9th, 2021, and June 12, 2022.

Free school meals begin this fall

School breakfast and lunch are free for all students in the state this fall regardless of income.  Emily Honer with the Minnesota Department of Education said families really depended on the federal program during the pandemic.

“We are the fourth state in the nation to continue this program of free school meals permanently,” said Honer. “Now some other states have been trying to extend that, they’ve had some temporary programs. But it’s a really important point to make that that this program is here to stay.”

Honer says the program also aims to end the stigma of receiving a reduced price or free meal at school.

Crazy Days gets underway in Detroit Lakes

The Biggest One Day Sale of the Year is going on in Downtown Detroit Lakes today. Crazy Days runs on Washington Avenue from 6am to 7pm and will be filled with great deals from local businesses and vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and more. DL Chamber President Carrie Johnston says a lot of downtown businesses expand the sales from their stores right onto the street:

“We do this traditionally in Detroit Lakes the Tuesday after WE Fest, or the Tuesday during Pine to Palm, however you want to see it,” said Johnston. “We are filling downtown. And I’ve been talking to a lot of the vendors, a lot of the retailers, and they can come right out onto the street. We close it. We fill it and they are excited this year. And they’ve got lots of inventory and lots of great bargains this year.”

Washington Avenue will be closed to traffic from Highway 10 to Frazee Street all day today. You can find more details on the Detroit Lakes Chamber website.

Garage fire at an apartment complex in Fargo

Fire caused heavy damage to a garage and vehicle at an apartment complex in south Fargo early Saturday morning. 

The Fire Department said a passerby reported a dumpster fire at 901 42nd Street S. around 1:15 a.m.

When crews arrived at the scene, they realized it was a garage on fire and got the blaze under control within 15 minutes. Other garages were showing smoke, but a department spokesman said damage was limited to the garage where the fire started. 

The cause is under investigation.

DL Breakfast Rotary peach sale begins Aug. 11-12, or until the peaches are gone

The Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary Peach Sale is this Friday and Saturday in the Nereson’s Automotive parking lot.

The 24th annual sale features peaches from Washington state, which will cost $39 for a lug or $23 for a half-lug.

Zach Erickson, president of the DL Breakfast Rotary, said, last year, the sale ended almost as quick as it began.

“Last year, they were sold out within the first four-and-a-half hours,” said Erickson.

He also said the proceeds from the sale go to benefit the Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary’s programs, which includes a focus on literacy of young children.

“We focus on a number of different things,” he said. “Literacy in our community is a big issue, so we will be doing book giveaways throughout the year and all of our programs kind of fund the club as a whole.”

Erickson said he expects a truck load of peaches, but he isn’t sure how many the Rotary will get this year, so it would be wise to get them early during the sale.

The annual peach sale gets underway Friday, Aug. 11 from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until all the peaches are sold.

The Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary also sponsors the Poles ‘N Holes ice fishing tournament during Polar Fest and a wine and meal pairing event at Spanky’s Stone Hearth in Vergas.

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