Becker County approves cannabis public-use restrictions

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – The Becker County Board unanimously approved a cannabis-use ordinance for the county after holding a public hearing and receiving no comments from the public during their meeting on Tuesday morning.

The new ordinance restricts the use of cannabis products to private property and residences and includes a provision that restricts the smoking and vaping of cannabis products in any location where the smoke or vapor could be inhaled by a minor.

Brian McDonald, county attorney for Becker County, explained the intent of the new ordinance to the Board.

“The intent, I believe, here would be to prohibit cannabis smoking in areas in the public, public forums,” said McDonald, during the meeting. “Areas that could affect other people essentially, unless you are on your own private property.

David Meyer, commissioner for District 2, which includes the city of Detroit Lakes, clarified the public-use restrictions for bar and restaurant owners.

“You can’t smoke it where alcohol is served and anywhere on the premises,” said Meyer. “If you are at a restaurant, you cannot smoke it outside where you could smoke cigarettes. It’s considered a public place where the public could gather at.”

Violations of the Becker County cannabis-use ordinance are considered a petty misdemeanor and punishable by a $300 fine.

Private Becker County establishments who wish to have cannabis-use on their property must apply for a license through the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, which isn’t expected to issue any permits until 2025.

Lake Park residents injured in motorcycle-deer strike in Otter Tail County

Two Lake Park residents were injured in a motorcycle-deer strike south of Pickeral Lake in Otter Tail County on Monday.

According to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, on Aug. 14 at 12:25 p.m., emergency dispatchers received a report of a motorcycle striking a deer with multiple riders suffering possible injuries near County Road 74 and County Road 32 in Amor Township.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered that the driver, 71-year-old Larry Ray Kornovich, and his passenger, 71-year-old Katherine Kornovich, suffered significant injuries and were both airlifted from the scene via LifeLink helicopter.

The sheriff’s office stated they are both expected to survive

Adding, both riders were wearing their helmets at the time of the collision and alcohol is not believed to have played a role in the crash.

New art exhibits at M State in Fergus Falls

Beginning this week, Waage Art Gallery at M State’s Fergus Falls campus is housing two new exhibitions of work by area artists:

• “Amplitude,” a collection of ceramic sculptures by former M State student Amanda Callahan, and;
• “Thursday’s Group,” an assortment of paintings and drawings by eight local artists who, for several years, would meet every Thursday to create art and share knowledge.

The exhibitions open Wednesday, Aug. 16 and will continue through Thursday, Dec. 14. An artist’s reception will be held Thursday, Oct. 5 from 1-3 p.m. All are welcome and there is no cost to attend.

St. Cloud SWAT arrests man after 8-hour standoff

The St. Cloud SWAT team was called in to end an eight-hour standoff after a man threatened a woman with a shotgun.

According to a press release, police were called at 10:24 a.m. on August 12th by a victim who said Steven Lee Weissenfluh was frightening her. Officers tried to arrest the 45-year-old, but he refused to answer the door or cooperate.

A search warrant was granted for the home on the 4700 block of 5th Street Northeast. Due to the nature of the threats, Weissenfluh and the fact he was known to have weapons, the SWAT team was called in.

SWAT used Weissenfluh, was arrested at about 6:00 and treated for exposure to tear gas and other irritants. He was charged in Benton County with two misdemeanor counts, including domestic assault and intentionally causing fear of immediate bodily harm or death.

St. Cloud Police say the 43-year-old woman was not hurt, and two 12-gauge shotguns were collected from the home.

New owners take over Fresh Freeze in Wadena

The owners of Fresh Freeze in Wadena have decided to step aways from their beloved restaurant after 24 years and will be turning over the celebrated hamburger and ice cream stand to a new family.

In a social media post, current owners Dawn and Brett Lundgren stated they grateful for the amazing amount of community support they have received over the years and loved the fact the removal of the restaurant’s winter boards in February was the unofficial start of spring in Wadena.

Dawn Lundgren said they have continued, the now 64-year tradition of, making hamburgers the same way as they were taught by the previous owners, who were taught by the owners before that, who were taught by the owners before them.

The Lundgren’s will add their names next to the Breuer’s, Williams’ and Bauman’s, as previous owners of the dining spot.

As of Monday, Bob and Leanne Kingsley, along with their sons, Wyatt and Jesse, will take over operations of Fresh Freeze.

Dawn said she expects the transition to be smooth since the family had already been training and working in the business in the lead up to the transition date.

Lundgren also said, quote: “I feel [Leanne and Bob] will be great operators and will be able to give Fresh Freeze the TLC that it needs and deserves.”

Fresh Freeze is located at: 303 Jefferson Street in Wadena and more information can be found on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Becker County to present 2024 budget in coming weeks

The Becker County Board plans to take their first look at their preliminary budget for 2024 at their Sept. 5 meeting.

Pat Oman, county administrator for Becker County, said, in his meetings with county department heads, he’s seeing a possible tax levy decrease next year.

“We’re seeing some levy decreases with some of the early department head numbers,” said Oman. “Our plan is to go through the committee process in the next couple of weeks, get the wages assigned, and then bring you a preliminary budget to review on Sept. 5. Get direction from the board and then on (Sept. 19) bring a modified budget with a preliminary maximum levy for the Board to approve for state statute.”

He added the one unknown component in the budget process for 2024 is wages, which they plan on addressing over the next two weeks. He also said the influx of state funding from the legislature should provide flexibility for some departments this year and they also have some large expenses that are coming off the bottom line in 2024.

“The one item we need to fill in the blank on, and we’ll be discussing it in the near future, is wages,” he said. “But we are going through the committee review process … and I think some of the real positives is the legislative funding we’ve received and how it could help with budget support … and we going to be doing our last commitment this year, 2023, for the museum payment … in 2024, we’ll be able to use that funding for something else. We have about $2 million in the special general fund.”

A preliminary maximum property tax levy for Becker County must be finalized by the end of September with a final tax levy, that can be less than the preliminary amount, being passed by the end of the year.

Pilot unharmed after crop spraying plane lands on County Road 16 near Wahpeton

A crop spraying pilot is okay after landing his plane on a highway a couple of miles east of Great Bend, southwest of Wahpeton.

Richland County Sheriff Gary Ruhl said the pilot reported that his engine failed Tues. morning. Ruhl said he managed to land the aircraft on County Road 16 and the engine restarted as he touched down. The plane then skidded into a muddy field. He said there appeared to be propeller and engine damage.

County Emergency Management Director Brett Lambrecht said the plane was expected to be towed to the airport in Wahpeton. The pilot works for Dakota Ag. Spray of Wahpeton.

The sheriff’s dept. and Great Bend Fire Dept. responded to the scene. The State Patrol was also notified.

Story by Paul Jurgens / KFGO

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