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In the News [The Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.](Pine Journal (Cloquet, MN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 08--Trick-or-treater hit by car A 10-year-old boy was hit by a car while trick-or-treating last Thursday evening in Carlton and suffered a leg injury. According to the Carlton County Sheriff's office, the accident on the 800 block of Third Street was reported at approximately 6:45 p.m. Thursday, on a dark and damp Halloween evening. The accident involved a vehicle traveling north on Third Street and the juvenile boy. The driver of the vehicle states that he didn't see the child run out into the road until it was too late. Witnesses said they saw a person run out directly in front of the vehicle which was traveling in front of them. The child was transported to Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet by Carlton Fire and Ambulance Service with a leg injury. No citations were issued to the driver of the vehicle. Band appeals order to pay Duluth $10 million The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa filed a notice of appeal with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday, as it seeks to overturn a district court judge's recent order that it pay the city of Duluth more than $10 million. On Oct. 8, Judge Susan Nelson ruled the Band was responsible for payments the city should have received between late 2009 and April 2011, when a casino revenue-sharing agreement was in effect. Nelson also ruled the Band should not be required to continue sharing future revenue from the casino with the city. This will be the second time the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has weighed in on the case. It earlier returned the matter to Nelson for her reconsideration, resulting in her latest ruling. Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson said the appeal easily could delay any resolution of the back payments for another year, creating a hardship for the city of Duluth, which had depended on the $6 million per year it received from the casino to fund its street improvement program. AT&T makes upgrades in Northland AT&T announced an expansion of its high-speed wireless service in the Northland, hosting news conferences in Duluth and Virginia Monday. The company has invested more than $50 million in its Minnesota network so far this year, said Paul Weirtz, president of AT&T's operations in the state. He said since 2010, AT&T's investments in its statewide telecommunications network have totaled nearly $500 million. Yet the company still has more work to do before it can offer seamless coverage to the Arrowhead, with its areas of sparse population and challenging terrain. "We continue our efforts to improve coverage, so we have a number of builds and projects in the works," said Andy Sackreiter, network director for AT&T's Minnesota and Northern Plains market. Some AT&T customers welcomed the news, "AT&T service isn't good; it seems to get worse unless I'm in the metro area. I have to use a landline in my house," said Seth Thomsen, an IT analyst at Optum who lives in rural Barnum. "I have been with AT&T for five years. I haven't thought about switching. Hopefully this problem will be fixed before my contract is up." In June, AT&T upgraded its service in Duluth to 4G LTE, operating at speeds about 10 times faster than 3G could deliver, Sackreiter said. Weirtz said the new high-speed service opens opportunities for local businesses, schools and other institutions to increase their reach and access new tools and applications. He predicted the improved service will help the region attract and retain jobs. Walk from Cloquet to Duluth on tap for Boys & Girls Clubs If you see a long line of walkers departing Subway of Cloquet next Tuesday, give them a thumbs up of support because they have many miles ahead of them for a good cause. The Pawn America & Pay Check America Duluth Store has stepped forward with a challenge of walking over 20 miles, from Cloquet to Duluth, on Tuesday, Nov.12, to help raise $25,000 to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland. Store team members, Boys & Girls Club representatives and members of the community will be gathering at Subway, 1500 S Highway 33, Cloquet at 6:30 a.m. The Walk begins at 7 a.m., heading east and walking along Old Highway 61 to the Duluth Pawn America. Everyone is encouraged to join the walk and get donations (or give a donation) for each mile walked. Register by calling the administrative office at 218-727-1549. Registration ends on Monday at 3 p.m. Donations for the walk can be made online at bgcnorth.org/donate or by sending your check to P.O. Box 16435, Duluth, MN 55816. Transfer station to survey customers The Carlton County transfer station will conduct a survey in hopes of improving customer service and transparency following allegations that a former employee embezzled more than $1 million. Customers will be asked to describe the services they use at the station, as well as payment preferences. The survey will be given to customers at the landfill the week of Nov. 18. It also is available online at carltoncounty.com all month. "We really want the public's input on ways to improve customer service," said Heather Cunningham, Carlton County Zoning and Environmental Services administrator. "We've taken steps to make sure the fees are more transparent, but we want to listen to the public about what's important to them." Cunningham, who took over the job earlier this year, said the goal of the survey is to determine whether it is feasible to eliminate on-site cash transactions. She said she also will likely propose a new rate structure to the County Board. Longtime transfer station clerk Joanne Wappes faces charges of theft by swindle and theft of public funds after she allegedly manipulated the landfill's bookkeeping system to steal cash. ___ (c)2013 The Pine Journal (Cloquet, Minn.) Visit The Pine Journal (Cloquet, Minn.) at www.pinejournal.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |