What occurred at the Meeker County Planning and Zoning public forum July 23, regarding solar and wind electricity generation, was a disappointment to say the least. Despite 13 of 15 speakers at the public hearing who requested more flexibility in the setbacks and small acreage placement of solar panels and wind generators, the Planning and Zoning Commission passed a new 1,320-foot setback.
Teenagers are busier than ever: work, sports, extra-curricular activities, friends, school, thinking about the future, family, future careers, social media and more. But at the library, we like to offer teens opportunities to hang out, collaborate and create. We are excited by how many teens have attended our programs this summer so far, and we hope to see more in the upcoming weeks!
Financial incentives for adoptive and kin guardianship parents might help improve outcomes for children leaving the state’s foster system, according to a June study of changed Minnesota policy. The study focuses on payment equalization policy, which was part of Minnesota’s January 2015 Northstar child welfare policy reform.
CONSTANCE “CONNIE” Constance “Connie” Kay Kaddatz passed away on July 20, 2024, in Duluth at the age of 67. Connie was born on September 9, 1956, at Meeker County Hospital to George and Dorothy (Hervin) Kaddatz. She was one of nine children who were raised on the family farm south of Cosmos. Anyone who knew Connie knew she had endless compassion that was demonstrated in her love for her family, her friends, and her clients. Connie held a deep devotion for God, knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and found community through her faith. She will be dearly missed by her daughters Contessa Sovereign and Jayme (Chad) McKenna; her grandchildren Shalom Larson, Olivia McKenna, and Desmond McKenna; her siblings Don (Jean) Kaddatz, Laurel (Jackie) Kaddatz, Coreen (Steve) Williams, Bette Schweer, Georgine Madden, Craig (Nancy) Kaddatz, Jay Paul (Denise) Kaddatz, and Patricia (Scott) Cozad; and her many nieces and nephews. She will join those who preceded her death in heaven: her daughter Cally Jo; her parents Dorothy and George Kaddatz; brother-in-law Brian Schweer; nephew Michael Lundin; Janice Winter; Elizabeth (Lisa) and Mike Zeps; and her dog Jaxon. Visitation will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Third Street Chapel of Dennis- Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made payable to the “WAF-Cally Jo fund” may be directed to the Cally Jo Children’s Fund c/o Waseca Area Foundation at 501 East Elm Avenue, Waseca, MN 56093. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Jillene Gallatin officiating. A luncheon will follow at church. Connie will be laid to rest next to her dolly, Cally Jo, at Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
Get ready for four days of fun at the Meeker County Fair. The fair runs today (Aug.
Meeker County commissioners approved “protocol and public participation policies” last week that stiffen attendance requirements for the County Board. The 4-1 vote during the board’s July 23 meeting sets a policy that, among other things, prohibits virtual meeting participation except when allowed for medical restrictions or a family emergency.