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Flood update in southern Minnesota
On Wednesday Lt. Gov. Flannagan joined Mankato’s City Manager to share information about the resources available to residents from state and federal governments.
MANKATO, Minn. — While Minnesotans wait for the state’s rising waters to subside, some are already looking at the damage to their homes and land and asking how they’ll recover.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Susan Arntz, the city manager for Mankato, spoke to members of the media Wednesday about river conditions and how people can prepare for when the water recedes.
Officials recommend everyone save receipts for items damaged in their homes, electronics and crops damaged by flood waters. Currently, state and federal partners are still assessing damage levels and that process will continue for the next several days.
“We are very clear that the Governor and I stand ready along with our partners in the legislature to make sure that if Minnesotans need additional resources that we are able to get those to them,” Flanagan said. “I would say you know, special session is certainly an option to getting those resources.
“I’m not clear on timing, and if that’s inevitable… Minnesotans should be certain that if there is additional resources that are needed for recovery, we’re going to figure out how to get them to them.”
Arntz said the Blue Earth River peaked at around 29.7 feet around midday Tuesday and has been steady for the last 24 hours or so. The river is expected to start receding on Friday.
Flanagan acknowledged that not only is the water high in Mankato but that southern Minnesota as a whole is facing incredible damage. Officials noted the importance of listening to local authorities and the safety messages they send out to the public.
“We’ve seen people who are real curious. And the conversations I’ve had with our staff when they see people being curious and going in looking and getting real close, or we’ve seen people standing in the river up to their waist,” Arntz said. “And in talking with the team, when they see that, what goes through their mind is that’s not going to be a rescue effort. That’s going to be a recovery effort.
“They need to stay out of the river, they need to stay out of the closed roads, they need to stop moving barricades and driving around them. We put them there to keep them safe,” said Arntz.
A debris collection site is operating in Mankato at 155 Sakata Drive for residents to drop off their flood-damaged items. Officials said the site will remain open until 9 p.m. on Friday, June 28. Residents can enter the debris site from Riverfront Drive/Lime Valley Road.
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A portion of the proceeds will go toward the nonprofit dedicated to caring and treating raptors.
MINNEAPOLIS — A new beer collaboration between HeadFlyer Brewing and the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center is raising funds for bird conservation.
The limited-edition brew “Escalating Falcon” is part of the Raptor Center’s 50th anniversary celebration. Two percent of the proceeds from beer sales will support the center’s work.
On Saturday, attendees had the opportunity to sample the new beer and meet some of the center’s ambassador birds at the Northeast brewery.
“I think it works because of the community. This is a place where people normally gather together anyway, so it’s a great opportunity to know more about the Raptor Center,” Lori Arent, interim director of the Raptor Center, said.
The Raptor Center admits approximately 1,000 birds of prey to their specialized hospital each year, aiming to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild.
“The center serves birds from all over Minnesota,” said Arent.
The “Escalating Falcon” will be sold for a limited time at HeadFlyer Brewing.
Arent considers the celebration the beginning of their Give to the Max Day season. If you are interested in donating, visit their website.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Investigators are trying to find out what led up to a 14-year-old boy being shot in St. Paul on Saturday.
Authorities told KARE 11 officers were called to the 1900 block of Wilson Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. There they found the teen with a gunshot wound.
The teen was taken to Regions Hospital with injuries officials described as “non-life-threatening.”
No one has been arrested yet, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) that are all connected by a string.
PLYMOUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of people from around the world are in Minnesota this weekend to compete in North America’s largest kendama tournament.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) that are all connected by a string.
The North American Kendama Open (NAKO) is Nov. 15 -17 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth. It’s become popular in part due to a Minneapolis-based company, Sweets Kendamas, and the company’s owner, Matt “Sweets” Jorgenson.
Sweets Kendamas hosts the nation’s largest kendama competitions and sells the toys at Target stores nationwide.
In partnership with the nonprofit Mindfulness Through Play, it also operates 12 kendama clubs at afterschool programs across the Twin Cities.
Besides the competition, NAKO will feature music, merchandise, workshops, video premiers and an award show.
Tickets are $60 for the weekend or $25/day.
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