Latest news with #GraniteFalls
CBS News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Looking back at the Granite Falls tornado, 25 years later
Twenty-five years ago, on July 25, 2000, the town of Granite Falls in western Minnesota was hit hard by a devastating tornado. Hundreds of homes were damaged, one man died and more than a dozen people were taken to the hospital. "It sounds just like a freight train, just like what they talk about," said Steve Nordaune. Nordaune is the mayor of Granite Falls. But on July 25, 2000, he was a first-term council member. Just after 6 that night, Nordaune and his family ran to their basement just as the tornado hit. "You just can't run somewhere fast enough to get somewhere to hide," said Nordaune. "I didn't know what to expect and I came up and looked out and the block across from us was completely leveled, basically. We had about 350 homes that were affected. That's about 30% of the community." The F4 tornado mangled semis and produced windspeeds that reached nearly 260 miles an hour. Its path of destruction was 2 miles long and 500 feet wide. Fourteen people were taken to the hospital. At a park near Ninth Avenue and 16th Street, there's a monument for Arly Swanson. He's an 82-year-old retired farmer who was the only fatality of the Granite Falls tornado. A WCCO story from back then showed Swanson's truck upside down on his property. The only thing left standing at his house were the front steps. "I noticed that it looked kind of funny outside," said Phil Kelly. In 2000, Kelly was the executive director at Project Turnabout, a nonprofit that helps people with alcohol and drug addiction. They had just completed a million-dollar renovation when they found themselves in the direct path of the storm. "I could see then what looked like a tornado. I'd never been in one before," said Kelly. They hid in an inner room as the tornado tore off the roof. Kelly was one of the people who was injured. "I got a cut and had about seven or eight stitches there," said Kelly while pointing at his hand. It took a few years, but Project Turnabout rebuilt and so did the rest of Granite Falls. Still, it's a day the town will never forget. "It's hard to describe until you've been through it one time," said Nordaune. Kelly said he's thankful for his staff that day and that everyone at Project Turnabout made it out safely. In addition to the tornado in 2000, Granite Falls experienced major flooding in 1997 and again in 2001.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Small jet headed to Wisconsin crashed in western Minnesota, killing one, reports say
A small jet crashed Monday, July 21, near Granite Falls Municipal Airport in western Minnesota, killing one of two people on board, according to multiple reports. The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office told KMSP-TV that it received a report of a jet having engine problems near the airport shortly before 5:30 p.m., and then minutes later received a 911 call saying the aircraft had crashed near Highway 23. At the site of the crash, emergency responders found one person standing along the highway and gave them medical attention. The other occupant of the aircraft was pronounced dead. Related: Here's how many people have died in crashes related to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh since 1982 The aircraft involved in the crash was an Aero Vodochody L-39, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, which also indicated there were two people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation. The jet departed from Alpine, Wyoming, shortly before 11:30 a.m. Mountain time July 21, briefly landed in Gillette, Wyoming, then arrived in Watertown, South Dakota, shortly after 3:30 p.m. Central time, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website. It took off again shortly after 5 p.m., and crashed on its way to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, not far from the site of EAA AirVenture, a popular airshow that began July 21 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Plane crash kills one person in western Minnesota, reports say
CBS News
22-07-2025
- CBS News
1 dead, 1 injured in jet crash near Granite Falls airport
One person is dead and another was injured in a jet crash near Granite Falls Municipal Airport Monday afternoon, according to the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office. Officials received a report of a jet with two people aboard experiencing engine trouble while near the airport around 5:23 p.m. Around 10 minutes later, a 911 caller reported an aircraft had crashed near the intersection of Highway 23 and 540th Street, the sheriff's office said. Responding personnel found one person who was onboard standing on the side of the highway, who then received medical attention, according to officials. The second individual, who was later found, died at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board has identified the aircraft as an Aero L-39, which the manufacturer describes as a trainer and light fighter jet. The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating, according to the sheriff's office.
Associated Press
19-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pike Plumbing & Sewer Renews Support for Granite Falls Youth Soccer, Reinforces Community Commitment Across Puget Sound
Pike Plumbing & Sewer renews youth soccer sponsorship, reinforcing community support across Puget Sound. Granite Falls, Washington, June 19, 2025 -- Pike Plumbing & Sewer, a well-established name in residential and commercial plumbing throughout the Puget Sound area, has announced its continued sponsorship of the Granite Falls Youth Soccer Club for the second year in a row. The renewed support reflects the company's growing commitment to building strong community connections by investing in youth development and local initiatives. The sponsorship includes financial donations used to provide scholarships for young players and support other club activities, helping ensure that children from all backgrounds can participate in the sport. The initiative is part of Pike Plumbing & Sewer's broader effort to be more than a plumbing service — it aims to be a visible and positive force in the neighborhoods it serves. 'Supporting youth sports is one way we can give back to the communities that have supported us for years,' said a spokesperson for the company. 'We're proud to stand behind the Granite Falls Youth Soccer Club and the values it promotes — teamwork, perseverance, and opportunity for all.' As a plumbing company providing community sponsorships, Pike Plumbing & Sewer has remained actively involved in civic efforts throughout Kent and the surrounding areas. The company's leadership believes that contributing to local programs is essential to fostering strong, connected communities. Beyond its philanthropic efforts, Pike Plumbing & Sewer is known for delivering high-quality plumbing services to both residential and commercial clients. With a team of licensed, experienced plumbers, the company handles everything from minor repairs and fixture installations to large-scale commercial plumbing projects. Its dedication to using up-to-date tools, techniques, and safety protocols has made it a trusted provider in the region. The company's website, showcases its range of services and customer testimonials. Visitors can also access valuable plumbing tips and request estimates directly through the platform. As Pike Plumbing & Sewer continues to grow, it remains committed to maintaining the personal, community-first values that have defined it since day one. About Pike Plumbing & Sewer Pike Plumbing & Sewer is a Kent, Washington-based plumbing company serving the greater Puget Sound area. Known for its professionalism, technical expertise, and community engagement, the company delivers residential and commercial plumbing solutions tailored to clients' needs. Its reputation is built on trust, reliability, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact both inside and outside the home. Contact Info: Name: Pike Plumbing & Sewer Email: Send Email Organization: Pike Plumbing & Sewer Address: 26530 Woodland Way S, Kent, WA 98030 Phone: 206-586-3555 Website: Release ID: 89162641 In case of detection of errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content provided in this press release, or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we strongly encourage you to reach out promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will be at your disposal for immediate assistance within 8 hours – resolving identified issues diligently or guiding you through the removal process. We take great pride in delivering reliable and precise information to our valued readers.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minn. Sen. Gary Dahms says close split played role in forcing special session
May 24---- Differences over funding for health care coverage for undocumented immigrants was the major sticking point that upended a budget agreement and has led the to need a special session to finalize a budget, according to State Sen. Gary Dahms, R- . Dahms told attendees at a town hall meeting in Granite Falls on Wednesday that the divided Legislature — with 100 Republicans and 101 Democrats — made it far more difficult to reach compromise than many had expected. "It's hard to maneuver and get much done," he said. The tight split meant the relatively small People of Color and Indigenous caucus within the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party had the leverage to stop an agreement that would have ended health care coverage for undocumented immigrants ages 18 and over beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Coverage would have continued for their children as part of a compromise agreement, according to Dahms. The caucus consists of five House and five Senate DFL'ers, and they protested what Dahms termed a "reasonable" budget agreement the two parties' leaders had approved one week ago. The Legislature is expected to hold a three-day special session in the coming week to resolve its budget differences. While stating it was not the cause, Dahms also criticized the decision by DFL'ers in the House not to gather in St. Paul for the first 23 days of the session as contributing to the current situation. A dispute over a residency challenge led House DFL members to boycott the start of the session until it was resolved. Republicans continued to meet, but they lacked a quorum to approve legislation, according to a State Supreme Court ruling. The absence of DFL members at the session's start served to slow the process as Senate committees waited for House committees to complete their bills, Dahms explained. "Most of us realized down the road how big of an impact that was going to happen," he said. The Wednesday town hall meeting was to have included State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, but Swedzinski had to remain in St. Paul as part of the negotiations taking place prior to the special session, according to Dahms. The two jointly host after-session town halls in their districts, but this year's work remains unfinished. There remains uncertainty as to the fate of a number of measures. Dahms said the greater share of expected spending cuts in the new budget will be in the form of "shifts" in responsibilities to counties and cities. Some of the biggest shifts will occur in support for skilled nursing care for the elderly, Dahms said. Overall, he warned that the shift in burdens to counties and cities will result in an average 10% to 12% property tax increase, although the actual impact will vary among the counties. Add inflation, and local governments could be raising property taxes by 14% to 18%, according to one projection he has seen. "That is just unaffordable," Dahms said. On top of the shift in burden, Dahms said the latest budget proposal — as of the town hall meeting — calls for decreasing state aid to nursing homes by $250 million. "No way they can take that," he said. Dahms said the expected cut to nursing homes is roughly the same as the projected costs for continuing health care coverage for undocumented immigrants. Dahms said he expects that a $700 million capital investment or bonding bill will be approved in special session. It is much lower than the $1.2 billion that Senate DFL'ers are seeking, he said. The $700 million is based on an analysis from the Office of Budget Management. A larger, $1.2 billion bonding bill will likely be taken up for debate in the next session, he said.
