Litchfield Independent Review - Blog entry - Comments

I've also heard that the

Kristin Holtz — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:23:42 -0500

I've also heard that the rail line through Litchfield and central Minnesota has endured increased traffic recently due to the flooding in Iowa. Because railways are not accessible in our neighboring state, the line through Litchfield has had above-average train traffic the last month.

It's not your imagination.

apw — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:43:13 -0500

It's not your imagination. Almost two years ago (during August of 2006), the federal govt started requiring trains to blow their whistles louder, for four toots prior to EVERY grade-level crossing. It is now at 95 decibels.
So, yes, trains are blowing their horns louder. Some engineers lean on the horn virtually all the way through town, instead of making a few short toots at each intersection. Why? Who knows.
To put it in perspective, people who live near the airport in the Twin Cities receive roof insulation and in-home air conditioning if routine airline noise exceeds 65 decibels.
We live near the tracks and immediately noticed that train noise--which we had become accustomed to--was now waking us in the middle of the night--especially when we have the windows open.
The only solution (besides earplugs, which might keep you from hearing your alarm clock!) is to get "quiet zones" established in town, which requires the city council to put additional curb barriers in the crossings to prevent vehicles from driving around downed cross-arms. There is quite a procedure involved. They are trying to get a quiet zone in Dassel because there is quite a bit of housing along the tracks.
Another solution--not very practical--is to get the local govt. to request crossings be closed, or to install more above or below-grade crossings. That would require a big expenditure of taxpayer dollars because the railroad won't pay for it.
The increased sound level is, in my opinion, hazardous to the health of people who live near the tracks. I suppose it was required because so may people drive with loud radios, I-pods, cell phones, etc., that they were not hearing the train horns. But why should people who reside in railroad towns suffer for driver inattention--especially at crossings outfitted with automated crossing gates?? Perhaps this is another result of well-meaning, but short-sighted legislation or regulation.

A dress code is not

99Grad — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:39:04 -0500

A dress code is not necessary. The students all worked hard to get to this point. It is their day and should be able to dress the way they want. They have the rest of their lives to dress in business casual attire. I wore my swimsuit under my robe. It was fun.

Well, I was thinking the

jlbarrick — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:13:24 -0500

Well, I was thinking the same thing when I watched a video of the commencement. I personally wore a tie and dressed up for my commencement just because I felt that it was a big day. However, I think that to try to enforce a dress code would only cause problems. If someone wants to dress up it should be thier choice. If you enforce a dress code it would only lead to certain students trying to rebel on thier final day in LHS. Diplomas wouldn't be signed or some garbage and irrate parents would charge into see the administration. Although it might seem to be a practical idea I don't think the dress code is nessesary and could cause problems.
But I must be bored if i'm posting on here at 1 in the morning..

I disagree...not over yet.

LitchRes — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:06:55 -0500

I disagree...not over yet. I think more is to come. Also important for people to remember all of this at the next election. Even in the unlikely event all of this blows over, remember where there is smoke, there is usually fire. I still stand by the belief that something was going on, the FBI isnt going to commit that many resources on a whim or gut feeling.

Sorry folks its over. Lori

friendofsociety — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:51:43 -0500

Sorry folks its over. Lori must like to eat crow. I golf with the lead investigator in this case. It is over . See you at winstock lori

They are building a

vmoreno — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:53:12 -0500

They are building a Chiropractic clinic pace. Its the Jankins or something of the other. The one on main street is moving there. They are making it bigger!

Nice bear! It is probably

cml3165 — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:02:37 -0500

Nice bear! It is probably the one that passed through Litchfield awhile ago. There were bears all around Forest City in the past. My Great Uncle, Bing Schultz, told me about killing one with a hatchet when it had him in a bear hug. Mighty men lived around Forest City before the turn of the century. Now we should just leave it alone.

If you want to see more

Kristin Holtz — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:10:14 -0500

If you want to see more photos of the bear, check out our photo gallery for Photos from 5.15.08 by clicking here. Brent got some really neat shots of the bear in the tree.

Quote--"The good ,the bad

LitchRes — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:28:26 -0500

Quote--"The good ,the bad ,and the ugly. Can anyone tell me what is justice? Tonight I got a email from a friend about meeker county.I called a friend at the court house to confirm the story. Guess what it was true. I dont know where to start ,and most of all how to finish. Friends we are headed for a perfect storm. We the people cant let our politicans and hired police get away with nothing less than turning a blind eye. Monday I will shock the county and police .I will name names dates times and facts about our officals(THUGS)."---Friendofsociety--You promised a big story....What happened to our Shock and Awe???????

Bshoutz, thanks for the

Brent Schacherer — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:48 -0500

Bshoutz, thanks for the post. I was out at the scene, as well, and took the photo you see on the site now. It was a rare event, indeed. We received a call late Wednesday about the bear being in a tree near Forest City, and I decided to go out to take a look. On my way, though, I had to stop to pick up my children from daycare. I was sure the bear, if it really existed at all, would be gone by the time we got there. But it wasn't. It was fun to take some photos, and my kids thought it was pretty exciting too. Again, thanks for the post.

I noticed a sign in front of

sgruenke — Tue, 06 May 2008 09:37:39 -0500

I noticed a sign in front of it yesterday that said "Future Home of Patten Chiropractic".

Thanks for the help. The

Kristin Holtz — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:45:25 -0500

Thanks for the help. The story about the 1987 after-prom party ran in the April 24 Independent Review if you'd like to check it out.

I was thinking the same

LitchRes — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:26:26 -0500

I was thinking the same thing....or is this going to be another one of those "I would tell you, but people are in danger" stories?? Quit yanking our chains please....

friendofsociety, Monday has

LoriM — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:10:57 -0500

friendofsociety, Monday has came and gone, when will we get our shock? Still patiently waiting......