Fri, Apr 28, 2017 - 2:27pm
A bill to help state- and county-owned hospitals, including Douglas County Hospital, was signed into law Thursday. Gov. Mark Dayton Mark Dayton approved legislation that will reduce current restrictions on public hospitals, allowing them to invest funds in securities to generate more capital for operations and improvements for their facilities. The bill was authored by Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, and Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria.
Thu, Apr 27, 2017 - 4:22pm
State Sen. Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, was appointed by Senate leadership to serve as co-chair of the Minnesota Legislature's Agriculture Conference Committee and as a member of the Environment Conference Committee. Each conference committee is comprised of five members from the Senate and five members from the House. The committee members will work collaboratively over the coming days to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the agriculture and environment finance bills.
Thu, Apr 27, 2017 - 12:16pm
Firefighters from four departments are battling a house fire in Garfield. The initial fire call went out a little after 11:30 a.m. at a residence on Blue Jay Lane, about a mile west of Garfield. Firefighters were called in from Garfield, Brandon, Alexandria and Evansville. The fire started in a garage and spread to the house, which was fully engulfed in flames, according to scanner chatter. The Echo Press has reporters at the scene and more information will be printed as it becomes available.
Wed, Apr 26, 2017 - 7:10pm
Community leaders in Alexandria are hoping to reel in a big prize — hosting the Governor's Fishing Opener in 2019. The Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce organized an informational meeting on the topic Wednesday, inviting businesses, resort owners, tourism groups, local media, hospitality leaders and others. When Chamber Director Tara Bitzan asked the group of 25 whether Alexandria should apply to host Governor's Fishing Opener, the response was unanimously enthusiastic. Some of the comments:
Wed, Apr 26, 2017 - 6:13am
A 42-year-old Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man made his first appearance in Douglas County District Court on Monday after he was charged with six felonies and a misdemeanor involving illegal possession of weapons, burglary and fleeing a deputy. On April 11, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded to a call from a resident on East Lake Vermont Road northwest of Miltona. The caller said a man showed up at his house and asked for water.
Mon, Apr 24, 2017 - 9:53pm
Building activity in the city of Alexandria and its two-mile code enforcement area totaled $49.2 million in 2016. "Although 2016 construction wasn't one for the record books, construction activity remained strong and in line with the 10-year average," noted Building Official Lynn Timm in her annual report that was presented to the city council Monday night. The value of the construction dropped 20 percent from 2015's $62.5 million but represents a 13 percent increase from 2014's total of $43.5 million and a 30 percent increase from 2013.
Mon, Apr 24, 2017 - 9:51pm
Do you have an idea to improve your neighborhood? The city of Alexandria may be able to help get it off the ground.
Mon, Apr 24, 2017 - 9:47pm
At its meeting Monday night, the Alexandria City Council agreed to spend $20,092 to upgrade the city's email and computer systems. The action was recommended by the city's technology team that's been studying the issue for the last six months. There will also be an ongoing monthly fee of $308, $4 for the 77 employees with email. Right now, 25 of the city's 26 workstations are running on 10-year-old software, Office 2007.
Sat, Apr 22, 2017 - 10:34am
A report highlighting building activity in Alexandria will be presented at Monday's Alexandria City Council meeting. According to City Building Official Lynn Timm, construction projects that received permits within the city and its two-mile code administration area totaled just under $49.2 million in 2016 — a 20 percent drop from 2015's $62.5 million but a 13 percent increase from 2014's total of $43.5 million. Timm will present more information from her annual report at the meeting.
Fri, Apr 21, 2017 - 11:05am
A gold 1999 Grand Prix that the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was trying to find has been located.
