Out of the fire and onto the ice

By day – and well, by night too – he is a business owner and the Alexandria fire chief. Once winter arrives, he’s a dedicated member of the RFN Racing Team. Jeff Karrow of Alexandria has been racing vintage snowmobiles since 2004. He got his start racing vintage sleds on Wolf Lake. “It’s kind of a little stress reliever,” he said.

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Hospital, clinic explore merger

No formal action has been taken, but there is potential for a merger between Douglas County Hospital and Alexandria Clinic. According to Douglas County Hospital CEO Carl Vaagenes, “Our negotiations have been positive, productive and we are working from a common set of goals and values.”

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Alexandria man robbed in his home

An Alexandria man was robbed at gunpoint early Wednesday morning in his home. Robert James Nelson, 85, reported to law enforcement that someone came into his home with a gun and robbed him around 1 a.m.

Time to talk politics

Across the state, people will gather on Tuesday, February 7 to select candidates during the 2012 caucuses. Precinct caucuses are open to the public and are organized by Minnesota’s political parties.

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Ice fishing challenge is back

After an Ice Fishing Challenge that didn’t go as anyone expected in 2011, the Alexandria Sertoma Club and members of the Viking Sportsmen are excited to put that behind them and get back on a familiar lake on February 11 from noon to 3 p.m. The 2012 Ice Fishing Challenge will be back on Lake L’Homme Dieu near the Kruger’s Creek access after moving to Lake Agnes last winter.

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'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' to be performed

The Alexandria Area Arts Association (AAAA) presents Dale Wasserman's classic play, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, at the AAAA Theatre in Alexandria. Friday and Saturday evening performances are February 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are February 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. The play opened on Broadway in 1963 and was adapted from Ken Kesey's novel of the same name. Years later it was made into a film that starred Jack Nicholson and earned five Academy Awards.

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Winter Dance Club to host Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band

The Winter Dance Club will host Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band on Sunday, February 12 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood.

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A 'happy pastor' bids farewell

Pastor John Peshek of Alexandria admitted he would not have been voted “most likely to become a pastor.” And he knew he didn’t want to milk cows for a career. Peshek grew up on a small dairy farm in Fairfield, Nebraska. “That probably influenced who I am,” he said. The John Deere replicas displayed in his parish office indicate that he hasn’t forgotten his farming roots.

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Signing day: Piepenburg heading to the U of M

Cardinal senior Jamie Piepenburg will run track and cross country for the Golden Gophers.

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Card girls' hockey: Alexandria settles for tie with Pequot Lakes

Alexandria had the lead but couldn't hold on, finishing in a 2-2 tie

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• Photo Gallery: Alexandria Girls Hockey vs Pequot Lakes

Card Nordic skiing: Sieling, Gromatka, Flynn All-CLC

The Cardinal girls were send over all and the boys finished third

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