Minnesota Redistricting Maps Released

Minnesota_Congressional_Districts_Statewide.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Minnesota Power hopes to jump-start solar installs with new rebates

Minnesota Power announced Tuesday that it will pay up to 60 percent of new solar electrical systems for
homeowners and businesses as part of a redoubled effort to encourage renewable energy.

Minnesota Power hopes to jump-start solar installs with new rebates | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Complaint against Johnson Controls ‘shot down’ by Judge Lipman

Article from the Cook News Herald: Full Article Link Below:
http://www.cooknewsherald.com/page1.html
February 9, 2012

A complaint brought by the Tower Timberjay and Marshall Helmberger against Johnson Controls over the release of subcontract data with Architectural Resources concerning the North Woods School was dismissed by Administrative Law Judge Eric L. Lipman on Jan. 24.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The Administrative Law Judge is authorized to hear this matter pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13.085.
2. Mr. Helmberger did not establish that architectural services are traditionally performed by school districts in Minnesota.
3. Mr. Helmberger did not establish that prior to the award of the contract to Johnson Controls on February 25, 2010, architectural services were traditionally performed by the employees of Independent School District 2142.
4. Mr. Helmberger did not establish that architectural services is a “governmental function” of the School District, as those terms are used in Minn. Stat. § 13.05, subd. 11 (a).
5. Mr. Helmberger did not establish that the terms of the February 25, 2010, contract between the School District and Johnson Controls required Johnson Controls to make its subcontracts available to the public.
6. Mr. Helmberger did not establish that the services contract between the School District and Johnson Controls placed Johnson Controls on notice that any subcontracts were subject to disclosure to the public.
7. After the close of Mr. Helmberger’s case-in-chief, Johnson Controls was entitled to move for an involuntary dismissal.
8. Johnson Controls demonstrated that it was entitled to dismissal of the Complaint, because upon the facts and the law, Mr. Helmberger had not shown a right to relief.
9. At many times during these proceedings, including on the day of the evidentiary hearing, it was not clear whether Mr. Anfinson was appearing as counsel for Mr. Helmberger or whether Mr. Helmberger was proceeding on his own behalf and without representation. The conflicting statements on this score, and the resulting confusion, hampered efforts to efficiently develop a record for decision-making.
10. Minn. Stat. § 13.085, subd. 6(c) requires that the Office of Administrative Hearings refund the filing fee of a substantially prevailing complainant in full, less $50, and that the Office of Administrative Hearings’ costs in conducting the matter shall be billed to the respondent, not to exceed $1,000. Because Mr. Helmberger did not substantially prevail in this matter, he is not entitled to refund of the filing fee.
11. If the administrative law judge determines that a complaint is frivolous, or brought for purposes of harassment, the judge must order that the complainant pay the respondent’s reasonable attorney fees, not to exceed $5,000. Mr. Helmberger’s complaint was not frivolous or brought for purposes of harassment.
Based upon the foregoing Conclusions, and for the reasons set out in the Memorandum that follows below, the Administrative Law Judge makes the following:
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1 . The Complaint is DISMISSED.
2. Because the costs of the Office of Administrative Hearings in connection with this matter exceed the amount of the filing fee, Mr. Helmberger is not entitled to a refund of the filing fee under Minn. Stat. § 13.085, subd. 6 (d).
3. Because the Complaint was not frivolous or brought for the purposes of harassment, Johnson Controls is not entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees under Minn. Stat. § 13.085, subd. 6 (e).
Dated: January 24, 2012
s/Eric L. Lipman
ERIC L. LIPMAN
Administrative Law Judge

Habitat For Humanity Volunteer Opportunities In Babbitt

North St. Louis County Habitat For Humanity

Office: 106 S 15th Ave W

Virginia, MN 55792

Mail to: PO Box 24 Virginia, MN 55792

February 10th, 2012

(866) 749-8910

 

 

Volunteer Opportunites 

What will you build?

 

Babbitt:

Volunteers have started demolition. If you want to get connected to this project, call the office at 218.749.8910.

 

Ground Breaking/Open House

Sunday, February 12th

2:00pm

Come meet Karen Myers and her family and check out all the work that has already been accomplished at this site. Everyone is invited to attend!

53 Aspen Lane, Babbitt map

Ice Delights take 2nd in Michigan

The Ice Delights synchronized figure skating team of Virginia skated to a second place finish at the Midwestern Synchronized Skating Championshipsheld in Plymouth, Mich., the last weekend in January.

The team of 13 girls skated past 22 other teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas.

The Ice Delights synchronized figure skating team of Virginia is pictured after skating to a second place finish at the Midwestern Synchronized Skating Championships held in Plymouth, Mich., the last weekend of January. Pictured front row (L to R): Alida Tieberg, Lexi Brascugli, Kimberlyn Plunkett, Sydney Souder, Kiersten Jackson, Hannah Pietrini; back row (L to R): Madi Maroste, Amy Iverson, Signe Hanson, Sarah Stubbs, Juliann Perala, Jill Westerbur, Haley Schaefbauer

Skater Amy Iverson is a Babbitt-Embarrass H.S. graduate and former area resident. Good job and congratulations!

Ice Delights take 2nd in Michigan - Mesabi Daily News: Sports

St. Louis County eyes windfall from expanding mines

Expansion of taconite mining across the Iron Range proposed in coming years will be a multimillion-dollar windfall for state and local governments as more mining moves onto land where the state of Minnesota holds the mineral rights. And St. Louis County officials are working to get the county as large a share of that windfall as possible.

Article from the Duluth News Tribune: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/222065/

Twin Metals continues winter drilling

Twin Metals continues winter drilling - Mesabi Daily News: News:
Twin Metals is actively defining its potential future
nonferrous mine and deposits by continuing with its latest drilling
campaign this winter.

Babbitt Public Library: READ Reading Education Assistance Dogs

Reading Education Assistance Dogs & Handler/Breeder/Trainer Paula McKenzie help children successfully develop their reading skills.
Grade 1-3 students read with the therapy team after school on Mondays or Tuesdays during January and February.
Call to be included on their schedule, 827-3345.

Babbitt Public Library: READ Reading Education Assistance Dogs

Twin Metals Minnesota Presentation - Monday, February 6, 2012

Twin Metals Minnesota Presentation to Babbitt City Council

Twin Metals Minnesota team members will present an update on current modern mining activities to the Babbitt City Council prior to the regularly scheduled meeting.

The presentation is open to the public and will include a question and answer session.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Twin Metals Minnesota presentation 5-6 p.m.

Babbitt City council meeting 6 p.m.

 

Location:

Babbitt Municipal Center gymnasium

PolyMet: Another Permitting Delay

Polymet in the news:

WDIO.com - PolyMet: Another Permitting Delay

Cravaack rejects GOP redistricting plan that carves Range out of 8th District

“Some say it’s advantageous for me to be drawn out of the Range. I disagree. I’m completely committed to fighting for Range workers and their families,” the first-term congressman said in a statement to the Mesabi Daily News today.

Cravaack rejects GOP redistricting plan that carves Range out of 8th District - Mesabi Daily News: Home

Magnetation criticized for scouting sites beyond Iron Range

Iron Range officials this week expressed frustration with Magnetation Inc. over the company’s threats to build an iron ore pelletizing plant in another state. But company officials say Minnesota’s tough pollution rules are forcing them to look elsewhere.

Magnetation criticized for scouting sites beyond Iron Range | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota