KDUZ » The Affect

President Obama honors Lynx 2011 Championship

adelle — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:23:00 +0000

President Barack Obama honored the 2011 WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx at the White House Tuesday. Below are some photos and a transcript of the President’s speech:

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! Hello! Please everybody have a seat, have a seat. Welcome to the White House, and congratulations to the Minnesota Lynx on winning their first-ever WNBA championship. (Applause.)

These women have brought glory back to the Twin Cities. I know there are a lot fans at home who are happy to have a professional title back in Minnesota.

This team has come a long way to get here. Just two years ago, the Lynx had the worst record in the WNBA. (Laughter.) I’m just saying. (Laughter.) But they didn’t let it get them down –- they got to work. GM Roger Griffith is here, and he’ll tell you that it was hard work for him, too.
It helped that the team drafted UConn standout Maya Moore. She is becoming a regular here. I mean, this like the fourth time she’s shown up at the White House. (Laughter.) She just somehow likes to attract hardware. Picked up veterans like Rebekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whalen, and Cheryl Reeve took over as head coach and has done an extraordinary job.

Apparently, that was the recipe to go from worst to first. By the end of the season, Maya was Rookie of the Year, Lindsay led the league in assists, Cheryl was Coach of the Year. The team had the best record in the league. They made their home games the hottest ticket in town. Then, just in case anyone doubted their dominance, they marched through the playoffs, losing only one game and sweeping their final two series. That is one heck of a turnaround.

In the championship series, the Lynx faced a very tough Atlanta Dream, but they were ready. I hear they brought in a bunch of men who played in college to imitate the Dream in practice so they could gain an extra edge. And those were some brave guys, because — (laughter) — I wouldn’t want to take any of these ladies on. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with Maya and she lit everybody up. (Laughter.) It is not fun when she’s raining down jumpers on you.

But, obviously, it worked. And in the finals, the Lynx came back from three consecutive first-half deficits and took home the championship trophy. They won it on the shooting of Seimone Augustus, who averaged nearly 25 points a game, and after leading the scoring charge in the final game, was named — not surprisingly — Finals MVP. And they won it on the heart and grit of Taj McWilliams-Franklin. Mama Taj played the final game on a sprained knee and still managed to secure the paint and pull down four rebounds.

So there’s no question that these are some outstanding basketball players. But they also find the time to raise money for breast cancer research, help local students with their reading. I hear they clean up pretty well for their Cat Walk for a Cure fashion show. (Laughter.)

So this team does it all and they do it in style. (Applause.) And I appreciate the Lynx taking time to stop by today, because they’re in the middle of their season right now. And they’ve picked up right where they left off –- on top of the Western Conference by a wide margin. Coach just told me that they’ve now secured home court advantage throughout the playoffs. With three games to go, best record in the league. They’re leading the league in points, rebounds, assists. So you get the idea — they’re pretty good. And I have a feeling that we might end up seeing them back here before too long.

And finally, I was saying to these folks as I was backstage, as the husband of a tall, good-looking woman — (laughter) — and as the father of two tall, fabulous girls, it is just wonderful to have these young ladies as role models. There’s something about women’s athletics — we know for a fact that when girls are involved in athletics, they do better across the board. They’re more confident. They do better in school. They have less social problems.

We know all the statistics, but what’s also true is that our women athletes just present themselves so well and are such great ambassadors for the game. And as I was pointing out, you don’t see them on Sports Center doing stupid stuff. (Laughter.) They play the game the right way. They compete fiercely, but they’re good — great sportswomen. And so they’re just wonderful examples for my daughters and my niece, and for so many parents I think we all feel really, really great about what the WNBA has accomplished, but what this team in particular has accomplished.

Tent City

susan — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:37:07 +0000

It’s “Tent City” at Hutchinson’s Library Square again!

The 37th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival and Taste of Hutchinson begins today (Friday) and continues Saturday.

The festival offers a charming downtown park setting, a wide selection of artists, crafters, and food vendors, and thousands of new and returning shoppers. This successful event has been attracting vendors and shoppers from all over the Midwest for the past 37 years, with attendance estimated at over 15,000.

On the south side of the festival, the annual Taste of Hutchinson offers culinary delights ranging from deep fried cheese curds to fountain drinks.

And on the east side of the Library during the show, the Friends of the Library has a book sale with a variety of books available for perusal and purchase.

The festival is from 10 to 6 today (Friday) and from 9 to 4 Saturday.

Final Weekend Before School

susan — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:30:05 +0000

Some local students are already back in the classroom but for the vast majority, the Labor Day Holiday weekend is the last weekend before school starts on Tuesday.

With summer coming to an end and the start of the school year just around the corner, Safe Kids reminds parents and drivers to do their part to keep kids safe as they walk to school. Because this is a time when many head back to school, Safe Kids wants students and drivers to be extra careful when on the roads.

“Parents should be proactive and take the time to talk about safety with their kids before they head back to school,” said Safe Kids “Safe Kids recommends that parents walk the route to school with students before the start of the year to assess hazards and select a course with the least number of traffic crossings.”

Drivers should also take heed by slowing down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones, take extra time to look for children on and near the road, before and after school hours, and reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

Gas Prices…No Relief for Labor Day

susan — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:17:20 +0000

Heading into the Labor Day weekend, experts say their will be no relief at the gas pump.

Gas prices are near the highest they have ever been for this time of year. Oil analysts are saying that nationally, we’re seeing an average price of about $3.63 a gallon, a few cents higher than in 2008. But the big difference is that in 2008, gas prices ultimately ended the year at less that $1.75 a gallon and experts don’t see that happening this year.

At last check, gas in Hutchinson was ranging from $3.66 to $3.78 a gallon. The Minnesota average is at $3.65 a gallon according to minnesotagasprices.com.

Regensheid’s Roads

susan — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:03:10 +0000

The Minnesota Department of Transportation selected Gordon Regenscheid for the position of assistant district engineer for state aid and planning in MnDOT District 7.

Regenscheid began his new role Monday.

Regenscheid replaces Doug Header who retired from MnDOT in June after 21 years of service.

MnDot officials say the management position is responsible for oversight of all local transportation projects using state or federal aid funds. Regenscheid will work with 13 county engineers and nine city engineers in Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Nobles, Rock, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan counties. He will be an active member of the Area Transportation Partnership and develop and maintain relations with all levels of government. Regenscheid also will provide management and direction to planning and transit functions.

Regenscheid recently served as MnDOT District 7’s assistant district engineer for highway maintenance operations, a position he held since November 2000. Prior to MnDOT, He worked as the Meeker County engineer for more than 17 years and as a civil engineer for the Clay County Highway Department for eight years.

Regenscheid holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University.

Sheriff’s Scholarships

susan — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:31:30 +0000

Wright County Sheriff Joe Hagerty along with all Minnesota Sheriffs announce the commencement of the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association’s Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2011. The MSA has established a scholarship fund for the awarding of up to 15 – $600 scholarships for 2011 – 2012. Wright County students enrolled in criminal justice programs are encouraged to apply. Deadline for application is October 15th, 2011.

Scholarships are only available to students currently enrolled in one of the following three categories:
- Mandated POST Skills Program
- In their 2nd year of a two year law enforcement program.
- In their 3rd year of a four year law enforcement program.

Students meeting these criteria are invited to obtain a scholarship application form and instructions online at http://www.mnsheriffs.org/. If students have further questions, feel free to contact Sheriff Hagerty at 763 682 7616.

Honoring a Fallen Soldier

susan — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:22:57 +0000

In honor and remembrance of Sergeant Matthew Allen Harmon, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

Sergeant Harmon, of Lengby, was twenty-nine years old, and a 2000 graduate of Fosston High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 2004. Stationed in Germany, Sergeant Harmon completed two tours of duty in Iraq and was recently deployed to Afghanistan as a member of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade. He died a hero on Sunday, August 14, 2011 in Afghanistan.

At the direction of the Governor, Minnesota flies it’s flags at half-staff following the death of Minnesota military personnel killed in the line of duty, on the day of interment.

A Safer Walk to School

susan — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:50:18 +0000

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced the recipients of about $3.8 million in federal grants for 16 projects to improve the conditions and quality of bicycling and walking to school. The grants come from the federally funded Safe Routes to School program.

“These projects will help make walking and biking to school easier for children and more acceptable to their parents,” said MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel. “The grants will mean safety improvements in routes to school so students will be more inclined to walk to school. And walking to school is another way to increase exercise for healthier kids.”

Of the 16 projects, 12 are in Greater Minnesota and the rest are in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. All of the grants will be used to improve or build trails and sidewalks for walking and biking.

MnDOT announced the availability of the grants in May and received 82 applications representing $83 million in projects.

Among those getting grant money: Arlington gets $199,980 to improve sidewalk and to Sibley East and St. Paul’s Schools, Improvements will also benefit those using ISD 2310 athletic facilities, and those accessing regional trail. Minnetonka will get $357,662 to build a sidewalk system for the main road in front of Glen Lake Elementary School.

Minnesota’s Oldest Festival

susan — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:57:24 +0000

Minnesota’s oldest continuously-running festival celebrates its sesquicentennial this weekend.

Norwood Young America’s Stiftungsfest kicks off its 150th year this (Friday) evening.

Stiftungsfest Board Member Kurt Wilson says it promises to be a fun-filled weekend with events such as Old-Tyme and Rock n Roll music, Bed Races, a softball tournament, the Firemen’s Challenge, and great burgers and brats.

Other highlights of Stiftungsfest this year include a beard-growing contest, a classic car show, a fun run, the 2011 Miss Stiftungsfest Coronation, and the every-5-year Stiftungsfest Parade on Sunday at 12:30.

A complete schedule of events can be found at Stiftungsfest.Org.

No Wake-Wright County

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:20:05 +0000

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Wright County Soil and Water have advised that lakes levels have dropped below the High Water Ordinance threshold on the following lakes: Bass, Cedar, Louisa, Marie, Caroline. The no wake ban for these five lakes has been lifted.

The High Water Ordinance is still in effect on Albion, Sylvia, Locke, Nixon, Pleasant, and Sugar Lake.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to use caution when using the lakes and minimize the impact of wakes on the shoreline as the water levels are still high.