Thursday, June 6, 2011

Volume 94; Number 51

www.bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

Minnesota hits 100 road deaths for the year
Nine Deaths in One Week
Pushes State Over Milestone
More than 100 people have been
killed in traffic crashes on
Minnesota roads so far in 2011.
The preliminary count
of 102 is 23 percent
below the pace of 2010,
according to the
Minnesota Department
of Public Safety (DPS)
Office of Traffic Safety.
The state topped 100
deaths after a deadly
week (May 17–23) that
included at least nine
traffic deaths.
At this rate, DPS
projects 375 deaths for
2011. In both 2009 and
2010, the state reached
the 100-death mark in
late April. There were
421 deaths in 2009;
2010 numbers will be
announced in June.
DPS officials say there are
many contributing factors to the
safer start in 2011, including high-
er gas prices and inclement weath-
er — resulting in slower, safer
speeds and a late start for motorcy-
clists. Preliminary April deaths
were also significantly lower — 23
in 2011 compared to 43 in 2010.
Officials also note the trend of
fewer road deaths in recent years
has been driven by positive driver
behavior and supported by impor-
tant legislation and proactive
efforts — increased enforcement
and education, engineering
improvements, and efficient trau-
ma response, especially in rural
areas.
Despite the success, State
Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske, says the
speeding, distracted and impaired
driving behavior typical during the
75¢
upcoming summer driving season
can cause a spike in road fatalities.
“Memorial Day weekend is his-
torically the launching point into
the deadly summer driving sea-
son,” says Roeske. “As
warm weather and
bicycle and motorcycle
traffic returns, every-
one needs to be atten-
tive to create safer
roads, and motorists
must be buckled up.”
All Minnesota traffic
safety efforts are com-
ponents of Toward Zero
Deaths (TZD), the
state’s primary road
safety initiative that is
a partnership between
DPS, MnDOT,
Department of Health,
the University of
Minnesota and others.
A primary vision of the
TZD program is to cre-
ate a safe driving culture in
Minnesota in which motorists sup-
port a goal of zero road fatalities by
practicing and promoting safe and
smart driving behavior. TZD focus- Roger Gonsior and Joseph Gaida were among the fifty
es on the application of four strate- Browerville Seniors that received their diplomas during the
gic areas to reduce crashes — edu- Commencement Ceremony that took place on Sunday, May
cation, enforcement, engineering 29th, 2011. Additional photos inside.
and emergency trauma response.

Memorial Day observed “What A World”

The third grade class presented their year-end play, “What A World” to a large crowd of par-
ents and faculty on Thursday, May 26th. The play was directed by Mrs. Michael and Mrs. Reed.
Above: Danny the Dog Justin Host, Doris the Cat Lizzie Brichacek, Elizabeth Morrison Haili
A blustery Memorial Day morning at the Catholic Cemetery, Foote, Being 1 Kessy Holmquist, and Being 3 Carter Perlinger.
Browerville. The flag flying in the background was sent by Friday, May 27th last day of school. Have a great summer!
Airman Patrick Hudalla. The flag was flown over a US
Military Compound in Afghanistan,
January, 2011.
WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT
Wed. June 1 Thur. June 2 Fri. June 3 Sat, June 4 Sun. June 5 Mon. June 6 Tue. June 7
Sunny Rain Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny Sunny Sunny
72°/53° 74°/56° 72°/59° 71°/57° 74°/63° 74°/53° 77°/53°