Kare11
DNR: No warnings, no second chances if you boat and drink on 4th of July
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says in more than half the boating fatalities in the state, alcohol is the main factor.
We are just hours away from the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend and there’s a warning from state officials – there will be no second chances if you’re caught drinking and boating.
It’s part of a three-day, national campaign called Operation Dry Water.
Operation Dry Water coincides with the days leading up to the Fourth of July because waterways are particularly busy and boating while intoxicated-related injuries and deaths tend to spike during this holiday period.
The reason many boating accidents turn fatal is that people who fall overboard weren’t wearing a life jacket.
“It doesn’t matter the badge on our uniform, our approach is the same,” said DNR Conservation Officer Adam Block. “We have zero tolerance for people operating boats or vehicles under the influence.”
The penalties associated with boating under the influence have never been higher, particularly in Minnesota, which has some of the nation’s strongest laws. People convicted of drinking and driving – whether they’re driving a boat, motor vehicle, or recreational vehicle – lose their privilege to operate any of them.
“The bottom line is this, drunk boating is drunk driving,” said Block.
This year, the agencies will have extra help on the water, partnering for the first time with Hennepin EMS.
During the summer months, boaters will notice paramedics riding on boats with deputies. This time-saving partnership will help deputies focus on incident response, while paramedics can focus on patient care.
They’re specially trained for many of the common emergencies seen out on the water, including lacerations, burns, dehydration, and in the most serious situations – major trauma, cardiac arrest, and drowning
“When we’re out on the water, the paramedics can’t get to us, but if they’re with us, it’s been a great partnership,” said Rick Walden with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s really a good thing for us to have them and their equipment and their knowledge.”
The Fourth of July can be a fun time of the year, but it comes with a very clear message and very real consequences that should be sobering for everyone.
“I lost my daughter Jordan to an impaired driver,” said Trish Wehling. Jordan was just 18 years old when she was killed 10 years ago. Wehling is now on a mission to make sure everyone stays safe whether on the roads or on the water.
“Please make the decision to stay sober and to have a sober ride,” said Wehling. “Why risk it, why?”
Operation Dry Water activities are sponsored by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey questioned the legality of the new measure while issuing his veto on Wednesday.
MINNEAPOLIS — The City of Minneapolis will move ahead with new carbon fees after a contentious back and forth at City Hall concluded with the council overriding the mayor’s veto.
The new fees, which target carbon emissions from city businesses, will be implemented on July 1, 2025, according to the council.
Minneapolis already has a pollution fee system, known as the Pollution Control Annual Registration or PCAR. The fees go into the city’s Green Cost Share program, helping pay the costs companies incur bringing down their emissions.
The current PCAR system covers emissions of other air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, heavy particulates, and sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides, lead, and carbon monoxide. Companies are required to report their emissions levels to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which, in turn, charges fees of $100 per ton.
The City Council voted Oct. 2 to add carbon dioxide to the list. The resolution seeks to impose a $452 per ton fee for carbon dioxide.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey questioned the legality of the new measure while issuing his veto on Wednesday.
“I am all on board for PCAR fees—but it’s time the Council stops playing games and follows the processes in place to enact lasting change,” said Mayor Jacob Frey, in a statement to KARE.
Before his veto was overridden, Frey had told KARE that if the measure were to move forward, companies hit with the fees would likely sue the city and win.
Council Member Robin Wonsley, who co-authored the measure, took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to Frey’s veto on Wednesday night.
Wisconsin law enforcement said Katrina Baur, and her partner, Jesse Vang, are facing charges in connection with 3-year-old Elijah Vue’s death, including obstruction.
TWO RIVERS, Wis. — About a month after 3-year-old Elijah Vue’s remains were recovered from a private property in Wisconsin, state authorities announced Thursday that charges have been filed against the boy’s mother and her partner.
Wisconsin law enforcement said Katrina Baur, and her partner, Jesse Vang, are facing charges in connection with 3-year-old Elijah Vue’s death, including obstruction.
Vue went missing in February and it wasn’t until September that his body was recovered and identified.
Wadena-Deer Creek head coach Kyle Petermeier told families in a letter that a rash of injuries has reduced the roster to the point that playing is a “safety issue.”
WADENA, Minn. — A central Minnesota high school is pulling the plug on the remainder of its varsity football season, saying continuing to play would not be “safe or realistic.”
Wadena-Deer Creek head coach Kyle Petermeier sent a letter home to families earlier in the week, explaining the decision to skip the Wolverines’ final game and subsequent district playoffs. Petermeier said injuries began piling up as the club reached midseason, and roster numbers hit a dangerous low following Wadena-Deer Creek’s game in week 7.
Heading into the final regular season game against Staples-Motley, Wadena-Deer Creek had just eight healthy players from 10th to 12th grade. At that point, the coach said, a difficult but necessary decision had to be made in the interest of safety.
“We are in a position now where we would have to trot out a majority of our team that is 14 and 15 years old, and that is not in the best interest of our kids,” coach Petermeier explained. “To us, safety is ahead of any individual game result. Football is a physical sport and putting out a team of mostly 14-15 year olds vs. 17-18 year olds is not safe or realistic for our team, and even the opposing team playing. “
Before the decision to end their season, the Wolverines were 1-6 on the year, losing games by up to 50 points.
Coach Petermeier credited this year’s varsity squad for their preparation, training and effort, and told parents he believes the future of the Wadena-Deer Creek football program is bright with big participation numbers with players at the fifth- to ninth-grade levels.
“Football is a game that requires strength in numbers, and we will do anything we can to keep these numbers high and keep kids out for football,” he promised.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings