Douglas County Commissioners approve July 27 as County Staff Appreciation Day
Governor Tim Walz proclaimed County Staff Appreciation Day across the entire state of Minnesota, declaring that county employees serve as the cornerstone of their communities. 5:51 pm, Jul. 21, 2021 ×
The Douglas County Courthouse in Alexandria. (Echo Press file photo)
Along with the State of Minnesota, Douglas County has proclaimed Tuesday, July 27, as County Staff Appreciation Day.
Douglas County commissioners approved the proclamation at their regular board meeting Tuesday, July 20.
Chairperson Jerry Rapp said the commissioners wanted to express their gratitude to all county staff for everything they have done and endured over the challenging last year.
Osakis Lake Association hopes lakeshore taxes can cover the bill through a Lake Improvement District 12:00 am, Jul. 2, 2021 ×
The Osakis Lake Association is trying to form a Lake Improvement District to fight an aquatic invasive plant called curly leaf pondweed. (Echo Press file photo)
Curly leaf pondweed invaded Lake Osakis decades ago, so long ago that many boaters assume that the wavy-leafed plant belongs there, said Osakis Lake Association President Bruce Magnus.
However, it’s actually a trouble-making intruder originally from Eurasia, Africa, and Australia that the DNR says was first noted in Minnesota in 1910. Magnus estimates it will cost about $200,000 a year for three years to treat.
Gov. Walz signs bill exempting some home-based wild game processors from state oversight 5:00 pm, May 27, 2021 × Garage guy wild game processors can rest a little easier.
The Minnesota Legislature partially overturned a 2020 requirement that they get licensed, which would entail costly upgrades for many of the processers who operate out of their garages, sheds or other outbuildings. It was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz on May 25.
Some processers would still have to get licensed by the state, mainly those making more than $20,000 a year from butchering wild game or who process more than 200 deer a year.
Minnesota had not yet started enforcing the requirement, but had been contacting processors to educate them about the new law and were planning to enforce it beginning this fall.