Linda Vanderwerf
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I cover education issues for the West Central Tribune and have worked for the paper since 1995. I have worked in journalism since 1981.
Follow me on Twitter: @lindavanderwerf
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- Member for
- 1 year 8 months
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WILLMAR -- Willmar school officials plan to develop new guidelines in case neighboring school districts approach them about cooperating in athletics or other activities. Superintendent Jerry Kjergaard sought guidance from the School Board at a workshop meeting Monday. The demographic trends in west central Minnesota make cooperation requests more likely in the future. Kjergaard, who is starting his third year as superintendent, said he's always been told the district's stand is, "if you want to play for us, you should go to school here." Board members nodded. "There's always the opportuni
WILLMAR -- The sign advertises: "Have your laundry done in 4 minutes." It's owner Myron Krupa's way of telling people about the new same day drop-off laundry service he's offering at Willmar Coin Laundry -- it takes two minutes to drop off the laundry and another two minutes to pick it up. The wash-dry-fold service is the latest in several improvements Krupa has made at the business. Last summer, he added a half dozen front-loading Maytag washers that use 14 gallons of water per load, compared to the 42 gallons used by a top loading machine.
WILLMAR - The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted last week to support the Willmar Public Schools operating levy referendum. The decision was based on a membership survey of chamber members and the recommendation of the Public Policy Committee. The survey had a response rate of 13.86 percent with a clear majority voting in favor supporting the operating levy referendum. "Chamber members have always valued good education for our children and supported the school district," said Board Chair Dean Bouta in a news release.
WILLMAR -- More than 80 students have registered to vote this week at Ridgewater College. The Student Senate started the effort this week, part of a competition among the state's colleges to register young people. It got a boost Thursday with a visit from Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who distributed voter information to students in the cafeteria on the school's Willmar campus.
WILLMAR -- Willmar School Board candidate Brian Bollig announced Friday that he is withdrawing from the race due to a family emergency. Ballots are already printed, so Bollig's name will still appear on the Nov. 2 ballot. "I want to let people know they should vote for someone else," he said in a telephone interview. "There's a lot of good candidates running." Bollig said his youngest daughter, Gabrielle, 3, was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
WILLMAR -- Willmar School Board candidate Brian Bollig has announced that he is withdrawing from the school board race due to a family emergency. Ballots are already printed, so Bollig's name will still appear on the Nov. 2 ballot. "I want to let people know they should vote for someone else," he said in a telephone interview. "There's a lot of good candidates running." Bollig said his youngest daughter, Gabrielle, 3, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. The situation has caused the family to reorder its priorities, he said, and he would not serve on the school board, even if elected.
WILLMAR -- A series of three information sessions on the Willmar School District operating levy will begin Tuesday. Willmar Superintendent Jerry Kjergaard will host the sessions, titled "A Community Investment," to be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, at noon on Oct. 7 and at 7 p.m. on Oct. 14. All of the sessions will be in the board room on the first floor of the Willmar Education and Arts Center, 611 Fifth St. S.W. Those attending the Oct.
WILLMAR -- The West Central Integration Collaborative has been recognized for its work to help young people choose healthier lifestyles. The collaborative is listed among the "Stars of the State" in the 2010 Kids Count Data Book from the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota. The Kids Count book is released each year. It's a compilation of data to indicate the well-being of children in the state.
Ridgewater College has entered into a formal agreement to provide emergency medical training for the Hong Kong Society of Professional Medical Care. The college and representatives of the society signed the papers to seal the deal this week, while the Hong Kong officials were visiting the Willmar area.
WILLMAR -- A series of free workshops to help high school students and their families choose and apply to colleges begins Monday. Todd Johnson, a Willmar lawyer with a college admissions consulting business, will present the workshops, which are open to the public. Each workshop will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.