Thursday, October 25, 2012

Volume 97; Number 18

www.bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

75

Todd County Board concerned over emergency radio coverage

By Rin Porter At its Oct. 16 meeting, the Todd County Board of Commissioners approved an engineering study of a site for an ARMER 800 mgH radio tower near the City of Staples. The additional site is needed, Sheriff Pete Mikkelson said, because of noticeable problems in the Staples area and some in the Clarissa area. ARMER stands for Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response. MnDOT owns, builds, operates, and maintains the ARMER system backbone, - a network of radio towers, equipment shelters, and radio transmission equipment. The system is shared throughout the state and maintained by the Statewide Radio Board. The ARMER backbone is used by MnDOT, the Minnesota State Patrol, the DNR, and other state agencies for voice and data communications. It is shared with local governments and other emergency response organizations so that all emergency responders can have communications with one another. Counties contributed funding to establish the system over the past few years, including bearing part of the cost of radio towers within county boundaries. At the Oct. 16 meeting, Sheriff Mikkleson stated that he could not get calls on the new 800 mgH radio system when he was inside a building. Commissioner Dave Kircher, who served as Todd County Sheriff for 30 years prior to his election as a commissioner, told the board and the public assembled at the meeting, I have issues with the cost Continued on page 20

Oktoberfest has a long history

Former Browerville teacher/coach charged with felony theft

A typical Oktoberfest celebration in Munich.

Former Browerville Phys. Ed. teacher and coach Justin Berg, has been charged with felony theft in Nicollet County. Reprinted from http://mankatofreepress.com The athletic director and dean of students for Nicollet Public Schools has been charged with two counts of felony theft for stealing money from concession and ticket sales, according to Nicollet County Investigator Marc Chadderdon. Justin Berg, 31, of rural Le Sueur County is accused of stealing about $1,500 over numerous occasions during or after athletic events in Nicollet during a three week period. Berg was hired as athletic director and dean of students in July. The Nicollet school district Continued on page 20

Editors Note: Even in Minnesota we hear of many businesses holding an Oktoberfest of their own variation. Though October is nearing an end, there is still time to create your own Oktoberfest and begin a new tradition in your own family. By Rin Porter This time of year, in the newspapers and on posters around the area we often see announcements of dinners, bar specials, and church suppers with an Oktoberfest theme. But what is Oktoberfest, and where did it come from? The tradition of Oktoberfest began 200 years ago, in 1810, in the province of Bavaria in what today is southern Germany, with the celebration of a royal wedding. Local citizens were invited to attend the wedding, horse races were held in honor of the royal couple, and other activities including food and drink took place. The next year, people decided to hold the celebration again, and it became a regular anniversary event. Carousels were added. Beer stands were set up, and became beer tents as the years went by. Parades, brass bands, games, contests, dancing, and costumed revelers increased the fun. (www.ofest.com/history ) Today, Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held annually in Munich, the capital city of the province of Bavaria. It begins in late September, and attracts more than six million people each year (Wikipedia.com). Visitors sample a variety of traditional German foods including chicken, roast pork grilled ham hock, grilled fish on a stick, sausages and pretzels, potato or bread dumplings, cheese noodles, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, white sausage, spicy cheese spreads, honey dumplings with vanilla ice cream, apple strudel, and sugar pancakes with raisins. And then there are the beers. According to Wikipedia.com, only beers conforming to the criteria of the Reinheitsgebot (a set of rules), and containing a minimum of 6% alcohol, may be served at Oktoberfest. The At approx. 7:17 pm, October 19, the Todd County Sheriffs Office beers must be brewed within the city limits of Munich. The special received a call of a shooting that occurred at a residence in the Oktoberfest beers are called Marzen, and are darker and stronger than city of Bertha. It appeared that Eric S. Grewe, 39, Bertha, shot and traditional beers. Just six breweries are allowed to serve beer at the feswounded Angela R. Templin, 31, also of Bertha, then shot and tival: Augustiner, Hacker-Pshorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, and killed himself. Templin was transported to Tri-County Hospital in Spaten. (www.vistawide.com/german/oktoberfest/oktoberfest.htm) Wadena by Bertha Ambulance, then air lifted to Hennepin County In 1887, the Entry of the Oktoberfest Staff and Breweries took place for Medical Center to be treated for her injuries. The incident is still the first time. This event features splendidly decorated horse teams of the under investigation by the Todd County Sheriffs Office and the breweries and the bands that play in the festival tents. This event always Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Eagle Bend Police takes place on the first Saturday of the Oktoberfest and serves as the offiDept. assisted at the scene. cial prelude to the Oktoberfest celebration (www.wikipedia.com). If you Above: The home of Angela R. Templin where the shooting took have seen the Budweiser Continued on page 20 place. Clydesdales on TV or at the

Bertha shooting leaves one dead, one severely injured

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Tue. Oct. 23 Cloudy 58/47 Wed. Oct. 24 Showers 51/37 Thur. Oct. 25 Showers/Wind 41/27 Fri. Oct. 26 Mostly Cloudy 39/23 Sat. Oct. 27 Mostly Cloudy 40/24 Sun. Oct. 28 Mostly Sunny 39/27