Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS/Minnesota News Network
May 17, 2012
The U.S. Postal Service says the mail processing center in northwest Rochester is scheduled to close next February, along with mail processing facilities in Mankato and Saint Cloud. The Postal Service earlier suspended the consolidation plan while Congress worked on legislation designed to assist the financially sinking agency, but today announced it has decided to proceed with plans to shutdown 229 mail processing centers throughout the nation in an effort to cut costs. 48 centers are scheduled to close in July, another 92 next February, and 89 more in early 2014. The list of processing facilities slated for closure has been pared down a bit since December when the Postal Service identified over 250 centers would be consolidated. The postal facilities in Duluth and Bemidji are among the nearly two-dozen that are being spared for the time being.
Rochester man sentenced in 2010 arson case
Kim David, KROC AM News
May 17, 2012
fire in the city in November 2010 has been placed on probation for 10 years and ordered to complete any treatment programs recommended by social services and corrections officials. Sentenced today was 21 year old Ryan Truax, who recently entered an Alford plea to a 2nd degree arson charge. The case against Truax was initially put on hold after it was ruled he was not competent to face prosecution. He then underwent court-ordered treatment. Truax was initially arrested after being caught starting several small fires. Police say while in jail, Truax told an inmate about an earlier fire he started inside a home near St. Mary's where he had been living. He said he started that fire because he was upset at a roommate. The house sustained heavy damage. As part of a plea agreement, the other case against Truax was dismissed. Part of his sentence also requires him to pay restitution of more than $150,000.
Young boating accident survivor is doing well
Minnesota News Network
May 17, 2012
A Clearwater County boy critically injured in a sailboat accident that killed his two younger brothers continues making remarkable progress in his recovery. 8-year-old Isaiah Risland of Leonard is in physical therapy at Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul. According to his Caringbridge website, part of Isaiah's physical therapy includes activities in the pool. Some worried he would be fearful of the water, but it was just the opposite, he thought it was great. Isaiah could be released from the hospital next Friday if there are no set backs. He lost his two younger brothers when their sailboat capsized on Clearwater Lake in April.
MN unemployment rate falls despite job losses
Kim David, KROC AM News
May 17, 2012
Minnesota's unemployment rate fell two tenths of a point last month, even though employers cut 3100 jobs. The April rate of 5.6 percent was a point lower than in the same month a year ago. Officials say even though there was a net loss of jobs last month, there has been a gain of nearly 15,000 over the past 12 months. The April employment report shows manufacturing led all sectors with 2,200 new jobs last month, followed by financial activities (up 2,000) and education and health services (up 1,600). Logging and mining held steady.
Foreclosure activity was up last month in Rochester
Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS
May 17, 2012
Minnesota experienced an increase in foreclosure activity last month. The firm RealtyTrac says there were 2730 foreclosure related filings throughout the state in April. That was up almost 11-percent from March and was about 3-percent higher than the total from April of last year. As has been the case in recent months, all of the filings involved homes in the final stages of the foreclosure process.
Winona State has new prez
Minnesota News Network
May 17, 2012
The state college and university Board of Trustees have appointed Scott Olson as the 15th president of Winona State University. Olson succeeds Judith Ramaley, who last summer announced her decision to step down at the end of this academic year. Olson has been provost and vice president for academic affairs at Minnesota State Mankato since 2003. MN-SCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone says Olson is "a proven leader, an impressive scholar and someone who deeply values students and their success."