Latest news with #MendotaHeights
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
When nature calls: Minnesota residents fume after 14,500 pounds of bird droppings fall in local lake
Frustrated Minnesota residents are seeking urgent solutions to pollution in a local lake, which sees around 14,500 pounds of bird poop fall into it per year. Lake Augusta, located in the city of Mendota Heights, becomes a haven for migrating cormorants each fall due to the dead trees that line the shore. Though the birds are a native species, protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a recent report from the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization found them to be 'the estimated largest contributor of phosphorus to the lake.' Seabird droppings, often referred to as guano, are a well-known source of phosphorus. 'Fourteen thousand five hundred pounds of bird poop is a lot of bird poop," Joe Nunez, a resident right on the water, told KARE 11. The report from LMRWMO outlines possible ways to address this specific issue with pollution. Suggested solutions include 'hazing' or 'harassing' with the use of loud noise, strobe lights, fireworks, or other methods. It has also been suggested that portions of the cormorant population be culled. However, experts told the Star Tribune the birds would adapt quickly to such deterrents and that interfering with them could prove problematic should the colony migrate towards a nearby airport and collide with planes. LMRWMO's report also notes that 'management of bird populations by a watershed management organization is uncommon, if not unprecedented, to improve water quality of a lake.' Ryan Ruzek with the Mendota Heights Public Works Department told KARE 11, the city was not looking to use such methods. Another suggestion is the removal of trees surrounding Lake Augusta to deter the cormorants, though again, the impact 'is unknown, may be ineffective, and/or may have unintended consequences,' per the report, and funding for such removal may be difficult to obtain. The city is also considering other solutions that would have little impact on the cormorants, including the building of a separate outlet to help clean the water and remove the phosphorus caused by the droppings.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Conclave has Super Bowl-level hype for Visitation School students
The world waits as the conclave decides who will be the next pope The world waits as the conclave decides who will be the next pope The world waits as the conclave decides who will be the next pope For the two-dozen high school girls at Visitation School gathered for a conclave watch party, Wednesday's events might as well be their Super Bowl. Much like the big game, this watch party in Mendota Heights even has snacks: Conclave rice krispies. "I've been looking forward to this like all week," said Visitation School junior Nora Sonnenberg. "I was talking to my parents about this last night, like 'guys, you know what tomorrow is, it's like the election of the new pope,' like this is such a big deal." The Conclave to pick the late Pope Francis' replacement began inside the Sistine Chapel Wednesday morning. By early afternoon, black smoke poured from chimney, signaling that the cardinals had not picked a new pontiff during their first round of voting. They have sworn an oath of secrecy, and cut themselves off from the outside world, until they reach a decision. "I think people are really excited. This is a really momentous occasion for the church," said Visitation School religion teacher Claire Kranz. This is an especially momentous moment for these students, Kranz said, since Pope Francis has been the only pope they have known in their lifetimes. Elizabeth Landsem has looked to social media for pope predictions. "I have seen on TikTok some people that have rose to the top. I'm not sure how reliable those sources are," said Landsem. Who, and when a pope be selected, is very much up in the air. "We learned in our religion class the longest time it took was three years," said Sonnenberg. Until the white smoke appears, students and teachers at Visitation rely on their faith, in this waiting game. "We wait to see who could emerge and how this will impact our church," said Kranz.
