According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety, during Super Bowl Sunday, 2006 –2010:

• Of the nine traffic deaths, four were alcohol-related. This 44 percent rate of alcohol-related fatal crashes is higher than the state’s annual average of more than 30 percent.

• 1,201 motorists arrested for DWI.

“For any night you plan on celebrating, get in the habit of planning for a sober ride home,” says Lt. Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol.  “To stop preventable traffic deaths we need everyone to avoid the risk of driving impaired and always buckle up.”

Each year in Minnesota, alcohol-related crashes account for more than one-third of the state’s total traffic deaths (an average of 160 annual deaths in last five years) and 30,000 motorists are arrested for DWI.

A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time. Stronger sanctions are in effect for all repeat DWI offenders, as well as for motorists arrested for a first-time DWI with an alcohol-concentration level of 0.16 and above. Under these sanctions, DWI offenders must use ignition interlock for at least a year or face at least one year without driving privileges.Interlock requires the driver to provide a breath sample under 0.02 for the vehicle to start.

Keys to the Game
• Have a game plan — plan for a safe ride: Designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation, or stay at the location of the celebration.

• Make the call — report impaired driving: Call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Witnesses must be prepared to provide location, license plate and observed dangerous behavior.

DWI enforcement and education is a component of the state’s core traffic safety initiative, Toward Zero Deaths (TZD). A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes — education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.

KTTC-TV’s Pat Lund said the Terry Mullins-coached Warrior’s win over Lourdes was one of the greatest upsets in Southeast Minnesota girls basketball. Players who attended Saturday night’s ceremony are from left, Tami (King) Goetzinger, Susie (Ideker) Schlesser, Kelli (Moore) Tornstrom, Sue (Fruechte) King, Asst. Coach Amy Wild, Debbie (Myhre) Augedahl, Gretchen Schroeder, Melissa (Rommes) Cordes and Melissa (Banse) Augedahl. (Photo by Becky Fruechte)

“The federal government should be making it easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages, not creating additional hurdles for banks and homeowners.  It’s time for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to stand up and honor their obligation to American homeowners,” said Sen. Franken. “This legislation would make it easier for homeowners to refinance, saving them money and helping them keep their homes.”

According to a recent report, Freddie Mac has made investments that create a disincentive for the mortgage finance agency to help homeowners refinance their mortgages – which is in direct violation of its mission to create affordability in the housing market. Sen. Franken’s legislation would address this practice by requiring the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to prohibit investments by the mortgage finance agencies that create disincentives to help homeowners and stabilize the housing market.

Additionally, the Helping Homeowners Refinance Act would reduce barriers that prevent banks from helping homeowners refinance their mortgages, streamlining the process and making it easier for millions of American homeowners to refinance.

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Ann worked nights as a cashier for Cub Foods in Coon Rapids and her two children are still in school, the family said. Jean lives in the west metro, so the sisters would sometimes meet in Maple Grove for shopping, lunch or to take a walk for exercise. Tuesday, Jan. 31 was a perfect day for walking outside because it was exceptionally warm for a Minnesota winter day. Ann also did not have to pick her son up from school to bring him to Autism therapy sessions until 2:30 p.m.

The family said Ann and Jean were walking along Elm Creek Boulevard toward the new water park east of Hemlock Lane. See more in Eric Hagen’s ABC Newspapers story.

To show support for finalizing a deal this session, fans across the state are signing up to host “Stadium Huddles” at their Super Bowl parties this weekend.

“Our fans have been great about supporting the team throughout this process,” said Vikings Vice President of Public Affairs and Stadium Development Lester Bagley. “We’re now at a critical juncture at the State Capitol and we need fans’ voices to push us over the top.”

Anyone interested in more information on hosting a Stadium Huddle this weekend, joining Minnesota Momentum or other ways to get involved and make their support known can visit the new stadium playbook page on vikings.com.

Additionally, Street Teams will visit various bars and restaurants around the state this Sunday to share stadium information and sign up new supporters. The teams will visit the following locations just prior to kickoff and during the first half of the game:

Mankato – Boomtown (1600 Warren Street, #17)
Maple Grove – Champps Sports Bar & Grill (135121 80th Circle N)
Maple Grove – The Lookout (8672 Pineview Lane)
Maplewood – Champps Sports Bar & Grill (1734 Adolphus Street)
Rochester – Boomers (3737 40th Avenue NW)
Rochester – Buffalo Wild Wings (3458 55th Street NW)
St. Cloud – Buffalo Wild Wings (3701 W. Division Street)
St. Cloud – Howie’s Sports Bar & Grill (1101 Division Street)
Vadnais Heights – Jimmy’s (1132 County Road E East)

More than 200 area scouts from 24 troops took a “Step Back in Time” at the winter encampment in Zimmerman that was designed to bring the girls back to the early days of Girl Scouting.

Girl Scout troops this past weekend took to playing Lummi sticks and Whizzer, and made keepsakes to exchange and hats of tissue paper they wore for an old-fashioned tea party.

Leaders, many of whom were scouts when they were girls, helped keep things moving along. But most of the activity was led by the older Girl Scouts who have become leaders and role models to their peers. See more in Editor Jim Boyle’s Star News story.

PHOTO: Sara Schwinghammer, an 11-year-old Andover girl, put together a Swap, otherwise known as Some Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned. This tradition of Girl Scouts making and exchanging keepsakes started long ago when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides first gathered for fun, song and making new friends. (Photo by Jim Boyle, Star News)

A podcast of that meeting is available at the district homepage (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us).

The district is expected to bring a budget recommendation to the table March 1, and a public hearing will follow on March 8. School board action on the 2012-13 budget recommendation is expected on March 15. See more in ECM Post Review story.

Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel said additional charges may be possible in connection with thefts from the Walmart store in Little Falls.

Also arrested Monday, was 29-year-old David Jason Clairmont of rural Motley, in connection with a residential burglary in Motley Township. See more in Morrison County Record story.

The honors were sponsored by North Memorial Rescue which provides emergency medical services in the Forest Lake and Wyoming areas.

Sgt. Jake Ayers, who was a patrol officer at the time, and officer Pat Ferguson were honored for two efforts and officer Nick Kent was honored for one life-saving effort. See more in Forest Lake Times story by Editor Cliff Buchan.