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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History
- Member for
- 4 years 10 months
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WILLMAR -- Willmar Mayor Frank Yanish continues to withhold the names of the eight advisers who helped him draft his alternate plan for reorganizing city government. The West Central Tribune has filed a letter requesting information about the group with Willmar city government. The letter asks the city to cite specific Minnesota statutes that allow the names to be withheld if the city does not release them. Under Minnesota's Data Practices Act, records of state and local government are presumed to be public unless a specific exception exists in the law.
WILLMAR -- Science teachers at Willmar Middle School started packing as soon as school was out, preparing for a planned remodeling of their outdated classrooms. After Monday's Willmar School Board meeting, they'll have to put everything back, because the project is off, at least for this year.
WILLMAR -- The Willmar School Board approved a budget for the 2013-14 school year with projected general fund spending of $47.4 million. The budget covers fiscal year 2014, which begins July 1. Business and Finance Director Pam Harrington spent much of her presentation at Monday's board meeting explaining changes in school finance made by the 2013 Legislature. Some changes will go into effect with fiscal 2014, and many more will go into effect next year.
MADISON -- Two people died Saturday after a boat capsized on Lac qui Parle Lake. An adult female and a juvenile female were pronounced dead at area hospitals on Saturday. An adult male was treated after the incident. The Lac qui Parle Sheriff's Office said Sunday that the names of those involved would not be released until today. The Sheriff's Office received a report of an overturned boat on the lake at about 3 p.m. Saturday, according to a release from the Sheriff's Office. Three people were pulled from the lake near Boyd's Landing.
WILLMAR — The Willmar School Board will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the board room on the first floor of the Willmar Education and Arts Center, 611 Fifth St. S.W. The board will consider the 2013-14 budget Monday. The fiscal year begins on July 1, and state law requires school districts to approve budgets before the year starts. The budget includes $45,667,460 in general fund revenue and $47,379,232 in general fund expenditures. The general fund covers operating expenses of the district.
WILLMAR — U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson believes a new federal Farm Bill could be approved before Congress’ August recess. In a visit to Willmar on Friday, Peterson said there is more Farm Bill-related activity in the U.S. House of Representatives this year than there was a year ago when the bill was never brought to a vote of the full House. Leaders in the House have told him that they want to get a bill done this year, Peterson said. He is seeing more lobbying activity.
WILLMAR — U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson believes a new federal Farm Bill could be approved before Congress’ August recess. In a visit to Willmar on Friday, Peterson said there is more Farm Bill-related activity in the U.S. House of Representatives this year than there was a year ago when the bill was never brought to a vote of the full House. Leaders in the House have told him that they want to get a bill done this year, Peterson said. He is seeing more lobbying activity.
WILLMAR -- A fire in the shop area of Arnold's of Willmar was extinguished by area fire departments Thursday evening. The extent of the damage and the cause of the fire at the farm implement business were still unknown at 10 p.m. Thursday. The cause is under investigation, according to Willmar Fire Chief Gary Hendrickson. The fire was first reported at 8:23 p.m. when smoke was seen coming from exhaust ducts on the roof, Hendrickson said.
WILLMAR -- The Willmar School District has received a $600,000 federal School Improvement Grant for the 2013-14 school year at Kennedy Elementary School. The school received a similar $500,000 grant for the school year that ends this week. The school will be able to apply for another grant next year, but will be limited to three years. Willmar school officials got news of the grant award early Wednesday afternoon. The grants are funded by a federal program and distributed by the Minnesota Department of Education.
WILLMAR -- Dale Martin watched his son Spencer change and grow into a responsible adult in the past two years, thanks to Focus House. Spencer, 21, has learned what it's like to have a job and has had a couple different ones, including one at the West Central Tribune. "He's more punctual," said Martin, of Raymond. "He gets up by himself, gets ready and gets on the bus by himself."
