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News from the week of June 28, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

 

Downtown video store opening this weekend

“`K Video” is opening in Downtown Tracy this weekend.

The new Tracy business is located between the public library and the American Cable office.

“We have movies on both video and DVD,” said owner Kelly Snelling. “We also rent DVD players for those people who want the higher quality sound and picture, but don't have a player at home. I'm looking forward to doing business with Tracy.”

Snelling, came to Tracy from Tehachapi, California ten months ago. She is new to the video business. Most recently she's worked at Almlie's Furniture of Tracy.


Methodist minister is happy to be in Tracy

Pastor Alan Bolte and his wife, Cindy, say they feel right at home in Tracy.

Bolte, the new pastor at Tracy United Methodist Church, previously farmed for over 20 years near Butterfield, before becoming a Methodist minister.

“We raised both crops and hogs. I worked for a time in a large dairy cattle operation as well," explains Pastor Bolte. “It's nice to stay in a small, rural town like this one where everyone is friendly.”

The Boltes moved from Butterfield to Dayton, Ohio, where Alan attended the United Theological Center. He was ordained as a Methodist minister in June of 1997.


TAMS finances show vigor

Tracy Area Medical Services posted a strong financial month in May.

Net income for the month was $55,442. Gross operational revenue exceeded the budgeted amount by $33,236. Tracy Area Medical Services includes revenues for both the hospital and clinic.

“We had a great month,” said Administrator Dan Reiner. “Everything is working well.”

There were 37 May admissions, and with an average length of stay at 3.35 days.

Reiner said that for Medicare reimbursement purposes, an average length of stay of 3.99 would be ideal.

Stacy Barstad, hospital accountant, said that financial figures look positive for June as well.


Doggone it! City asks dog owners to clean up canine poop problem

Mayor Claire Hannasch phrased the problem delicately.

“We have a problem where people are letting their dogs loose and allowing them to do their business on public property or other people's property,” said the mayor, addressing city council members Monday night. “People let their dogs run loose in the park, and then kids go to the park and play...it's not a pleasant situation.”

Public Works Director Don Polzine said the problem of dog excrement can be seen in downtown areas too, on public sidewalks and in grassy areas the city mows.

City ordinance requires dog owners to clean up after pets. Unleashed dogs running loose in the city are prohibited.

Hannasch expressed the hope that a friendly reminder to citizens will alleviate the problem, The dog owner, he said, is ultimately responsible for the actions of their pets. If the problem doesn't improve, Hannasch said the council will revisit the issue.


44 Balaton students registered next fall at Tracy area High

How many students from the Balaton school district will attend Tracy Area High School next year?

John Rokke, TAHS principal, told board members Monday night that he won't know for sure until the first day of school. But as of this week, Rokke said that 44 Balaton students, grades 9-12, are registered to take classes at TAHS next fall. That's up five from the 39 students Rokke reported were registered two weeks ago.

The Balaton Public School administration has grades 9-12 tuition agreements in place wit both the Tracy and Marshall school districts. Balaton students can choose to attned either school under the tuitioning agreements. Earlier this spring, the Balaton school board voted to close grades 9-12. (The Balaton school board also agreed to sonsor a 9-12 charter school, which recently recdeived state approval.)


Farmers anxious to finish spraying, cultivating work

Just as dry weather hindered crop growth early this spring recent wet weather has slowed area field work recently.

with some windy weather and 1 inch of rain in the Tracy area this past weekend, farmers have been presented with sporadic opportunities to spray and cultivate. This puts field work slightly behind schedule.

University of Minnesota Lyon County Extension Agronomist Anne Boontra comments, "The rains and winds experienced recently have farmers falling behind in post-emergent herbicide application. The weather needs to cooperate for a little while for farmers to accomplish this important aspect of farming."