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News from the week of March 22, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

 

New ownership set for Tracy Bakery

The Tracy Bakery, one of Tracy's longest established family businesses, will soon have new owners.

Mike and Sue Fritz announced this week that they have accepted positions with the bakery department in the Hy-Vee supermarket in Marshall. Long-time employees Ray and Robin Hay are purchasing the Tracy Bakery.

The effective date of the changes is April 4.

Mike Fritz said the decision was difficult to make. But he and his wife decided Hy-Vee would be a good opportunity for them.

"The bakery has been good to us. It's been a good business," Mike Fritz said. "But after doing the same thing for many years, you get to the point where you need a new challenge."


Hospital CEO briefs board on plans for medical staff

New CEO Dan Reiner rolled up his sleeves at his first Tracy Area Medical Services (TAMS) advisory board meeting March 15.

The Springfield area native, who began work as the top administrator for TAMS and the Westbrook Hospital on March 6, dived into a wide range of issues. The future composition of the TAMS medical staff Critical Access Designation applications, board responsibilities and accountability quality control were among the topics discussed.

Medical staff

Reiner indicated he favors hiring one physician and one “mid-level practitioner” as successors for Doctors Rodelio and Eleanor Bucu, who have announced plans to relocate to the Twin Cities late this spring.


Restored 19th-century pipe organ

returns to St. Mary's Church choir loft

Piece by piece, a 19th century pipe organ is being reassembled in the choir loft of St. Mary's Church.

The Hook & Hastings organ—likely the largest and most sophisticated musical instrument ever to strike a chord in Tracy—is nearing the end of a six-month restoration project.

Last fall, the organ was disassembled down to its smallest levers and cranks, boxed up, and shipped to Morristown, Minnesota, where it's been painstakingly restored by the Rutz Organ Company.

“It will sound wonderful in this church,” smiles Bryan Green, one of four craftsmen who've worked 40 hours a week on the organ since September. Every part of the organ was gone over during the restoration. Broken parts were fixed and new pieces were built to replace the missing or worn out components.


Assisted-living apartments planned near Prairie View

• Ground-breaking planned by July 1

Plans have been announced for a 20 to 30 - unit assisted living complex built onto the south end of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy this summer.

“We hope to break ground by July 1,” said Prairie View Administrator Tim Byrne. October is the targeted completion date. Estimated construction cost is $1.5 million.

The apartments are being built by Tealwood Healthcare Center, a company that owns 18 nursing homes, including Prairie View. The Tracy assisted-living complex is Tealwood's fourth.

The facility will offer what Byrne calls “housing with services.” Residents will live independently in their own private apartments, while having basic housekeeping, dining, and nursing-assistance services available near by.


Concerns aired over high number violations of school training rules

Tracy Public School leaders are appealing to parents and students to reverse what some see as a growing trend of student-athletes breaking rules that prohibit the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Activities Director Bill Tauer, addressing a group of about 150 parents and students Monday, said that 57 high school students had been suspended from athletic activities during the past 12 months because of substance-abuse violations. Most violations were for drinking and smoking.

“We've got a problem here,” said sixth-grade teacher Gale Otto, the head football coach and assistant boys track coach.

“Our intention is not to take the fun out of kids lives,” said Guidance Counselor Chris Kamrud. “We want what is best for the kids.”

Kamrud noted that car accidents are the leading cause of teen deaths. Alcohol is a factor in half of those accidents, he said.

“It's scary.” Kamrud said the high school is very fortunate that in recent years there hasn't been a fatal accident involving a student. “Knock on wood. We have heard of them happening all around us.”

Otto said he has been around long enough to remember going to the funeral of a student killed in an alcohol-related accident. He said he never wanted that experience again.


Watertown, S.D. man buys majority stake in Minntronix

• Company will remain in Tracy

Lew Tollefson, new majority owner of the Tracy Minntronix, Corporation, says he is “very excited to be in Tracy.”

An announcement was made last week that Tollefson has purchased a majority interest in Minntronix. He assumed duties as company president March 15.

The company will continue to operate in Tracy with its present work force, Tollefson said.

Tracy Minntronix was founded in 1990 by Todd Radke, and his parents, Harold and Kay, all of Tracy. Todd Radke will continue at Minntronix as company vice-president and as a large minority shareholder.