>>Walz to Highlight Federal Loans for Businesses Affected by Warm Winter
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz will encourage Minnesota businesses impacted by the record-warm winter today (Mon 1:30 pm) to apply for federal economic injury disaster loans. The U-S Small Business Administration funding is designed to help companies that rely on snow, ice, and cold to generate profits. Snow removal companies, snowmobile, and equipment dealers. Outdoor recreation was among the hardest hit this winter. The governor’s office says Walz will highlight support for those small businesses during a news conference.
>>Minnesota BCA Cancels Endangered Missing Person Alert for Rochester Man
(Rochester, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A says a missing Rochester man with Alzheimer’s disease has returned home safely. An endangered missing person alert was issued for 66-year-old Michael Kothenbeutel after he left his residence on foot Sunday night and didn’t return home. The Rochester Police Department is thanking everyone who helped in the search for Kothenbeutel or helped share information.
>>Itasca Sheriff’s Office Searching for Missing Teen
(Bigfork, MN) — The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office asks for the public’s help finding a missing teenager. 16-year-old Alissa Plieseis was last seen leaving her Bigfork residence on foot on March 9th around 6:30 p.m. with no known destination. Plieseis is described as white, 5 foot 6 inches, 200 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a camouflage hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
>>Nearly 5K Fentanyl Pills Found During Search In St. Cloud
(St. Cloud, MN) — A man is facing narcotics charges in St. Cloud after nearly five thousand pills containing fentanyl were discovered in his apartment. Investigators asked for a search warrant after finding 176 pills during a booking search of suspect Luis Garcia on March 2nd. The search by the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force led to thousands of fentanyl-laced pills in the home a few days later. Garcia is facing multiple counts of sales and possession of a controlled substance.
>>Minnesota Food Waste Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — A new Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant focuses on wasted food prevention and rescue efforts. Officials say at least 2% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing wasted food represents an opportunity to help people and mitigate climate change at the same time. Organizations that serve Minnesota communities (non-profit organizations, businesses, institutions, political subdivisions, state agencies, and tribal organizations) can submit their plan to expand or create a program that will reduce or prevent food waste by May 2nd. Approximately $4.5 million in funding is available, with a minimum grant award of $75,000 and a maximum of $1 million. Grantees will be required to provide a 25% match of the grant.