Out With the Old; Recycle

Submitted by Betsy Singer, ABC 6 News Anchor

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 12:32pm

The Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program, servicing Austin Utilities (AU), Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU), and Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), is back by popular demand. The program, which had an incredible response during 2011, is set to begin May 15 and will continue through October 31, 2012 or until funds are exhausted.

Through this program, which is managed by a local Minnesota based company Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc. (ARCA), participating utility customers who turn in operating but energy inefficient secondary refrigerators and freezers will be eligible for a $35 incentive for each qualifying appliance, with a maximum of two units per program life. ARCA will perform the in-home collection of qualifying refrigerators and freezers and properly recycle the units locally in Minnesota.

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Honors Choirs of SE MN Looking for a Few Good Singers

Submitted by David Springer, ABC 6 Assistant News Director

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 10:55am

Honors Choirs of SE MN Looking for a Few Good Singers

The Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota is holding auditions in May and early June. The regional non-profit goup is made up of four choirs for grades 3-12. In this, the group's 20th year, more than 250 singers from 27 southeast Minnesota communities took part.

Honors Choirs offers motivated singers a unique opportunity to experience artisitc challenge and growth. The choirs rehearse Sunday afternoons and evenings throughout the school year in Rochester.

Singers pay tuition, but scholarships are available for those in need.

You can get more information at www.honorschoirs.org or call 507-252-0505.

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Refrigerator & Freezer Recycling Program Starts May 15th

Submitted by David Springer, ABC 6 Assistant News Director

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 10:28am

Refrigerator & Freezer Recycling Program Starts May 15th

The Conserve & Save program, serving Austin Utilities, Owatonna Public Utilities and Rochester Public Utilities, is back for a second year. The program allows people looking for new refrigerators and/or freezers to turn in operating but energy inefficient units for a $35 incentive. The incentive is good for each qualifying appliance, with a maximum of two units per program life.

This is the 2nd year for the program, which generated an incredible response in 2011. The 2012 program starts today, May 15th, and runs through October 31, 2012 or until funds are exhausted.

In order to qualify, the refrigerator or freezer must be 10-30 cubic feet, operating secondary unit, in working order and owned by an RPU customer. The appliance will also be picked up, free of charge, inside the customer's home from the address listed on their billing account.

You can get more information by calling 1-877-341-2259 or at www.rpu.org

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Walz Leads Push for New Veterans Cemetery in Preston

Submitted by KAAL_Web_Staff

Monday, May 14th, 2012, 10:45pm

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- There's a project in the works to create a third veterans cemetery in Minnesota. It's something Congressman Tim Walz, a veteran himself, is working hard to make a reality. He and other veterans say time is running out for many of Minnesota’s older service members. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, thousands of Minnesota's veterans die every year which is why when it comes time to find a final resting place, local veterans say there isn't an option close to home.

"[Creating this cemetery] is very near and dear to me. I, I was recently - three years ago…diagnosed with lung cancer from Agent Orange," says former Veterans’ of Foreign Wars state commander, Steven O'Connor. The battlefield has changed for O'Connor, who instead of worrying about the dangers in Vietnam, now struggles with knowing he may die soon.

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Extra Seat Belt Patrols Unite to Recognize Teen Crash Survivor

Submitted by Steph Crock

Monday, May 14th, 2012, 10:28pm

Extra Seat Belt Patrols Unite to Recognize Teen Crash Survivor

(ABC 6 News) -- You’ve heard it over and over again, and Monday more than 30 law enforcement agencies from across southern Minnesota gave "click it, or ticket," a whole new meaning. From Faribault to Caledonia, law enforcement from 11 southeast Minnesota counties united to send a clear message about seat belt use.

The numbers don't lie, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. To help drive that message home, they introduced a woman who wouldn't be here today, had she not been wearing a seatbelt.

"When the car stopped, the seatbelt was like pushing me up against the seat, so I just know that my seatbelt kept me where I was," said crash survivor Dani Fiebelkorn. She rolled her car 7 months ago and credits her seat belt for that second chance. "I was wearing my seat belt and without it I probably would have died," she said.

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Spring Valley in Bloom

Submitted by Betsy Singer, ABC 6 News Anchor

Thursday, May 10th, 2012, 3:21pm

Spring Valley Garden Club Plant Sale

The Spring Valley Garden Club Annual Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 19, in Spring Valley at the Growers’ Market located off Hwy. 63 across from Spring Valley Utilities from 9 am to noon.

Browse hundreds of perennial and annual flowers, and bushes all grown in our native Spring Valley soil and climate, that can be placed in English cottage gardens, prairie gardens, woodland gardens, rain gardens, native gardens, water gardens and more. House plants and composted sheep manure will also be available.

All proceeds are used to create the lovely planters in downtown, fill the flagpole and visitor center gardens with annuals, and beautify other areas in Spring Valley. These flowers are being offered at great prices for a wonderful cause!

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