‘Glee’ Actress Naya Rivera Presumed Dead After Disappearing At Lake In California While Boating With Son

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Actress Naya Rivera is presumed dead after disappearing at a lake in Southern California, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Chris Dyer said at a news conference Thursday, “We’re presuming that an accident happened and we’re presuming she drowned in the lake. Search and rescue efforts for the actress have now shifted to a recovery operation. The goal is still to bring Miss Rivera home to her family.”

Rivera, 33, vanished from Lake Piru on Wednesday evening. According to authorities, she went to the lake that afternoon and rented a pontoon boat with her 4-year-old son, Josey.  Dyer said Thursday that the boat was overdue for return around 4 p.m. local time, and a rental employee found the boat on the north end of Lake Piru. Rivera’s son was on the boat, but the actress was nowhere to be found. One life jacket was found on the boat and the boy was wearing another. Investigators found Rivera’s purse and her identification, but no other clues on the boat.

Search efforts began immediately and continued until about 10 p.m. Wednesday. The search resumed Thursday morning and will continue until sunset and was expected to resume at daybreak on Friday. Detectives have spoken to Rivera’s son and as a result of that conversation do not believe Rivera made it to shore. Rivera’s son is healthy and with family. 

Rivera played Santana Lopez on the Fox show “Glee” for six years beginning in 2009. She was previously married to actor Ryan Dorsey, with whom she shares son, Josey.

‘Glee’ star Naya Rivera, 33, missing and presumed dead after boating with son

Via www.yahoo.com
 

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Jude Law Will Play Captain Hook In Disney’s Live Action Film ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’

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Jude Law is set to play Captain Hook in Disney’s live-action Peter Pan & Wendy, directed by David Lowery. The film will be a retelling of the classic 1953 animated film.

This will be the fourth attempt to tell a variation of the Peter Pan story in live-action form. The first was Steven Spielberg 1991 film Hook, which starred Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, and Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook. The 2003 film Peter Pan had Jason Isaacs taking on the Captain Hook role, followed in 2015 with the film Pan, which starred Hugh Jackman.

Lowery previously directed the live-action Disney film Pete’s Dragon in 2016. 

Jude Law will be joining Ever Anderson as Wendy and Alexander Molony as Peter Pan in the film written by Toby Holbrooks and based on the J.M. Barrie novel.

Another Live-Action ‘Peter Pan’ Is Coming, and It Reportedly Has Its Captain Hook

Via www.msn.com
 

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

SPEEDS INCREASE ON FOUR POLK COUNTY HIGHWAYS TO 60 MILES PER HOUR

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The Polk County Highway Department was recently notified by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) that speed studies had been completed and would be signed to authorize a speed increase to 60 miles per hour (mph) on four County State Aid Highways (CSAH).  Those roads are CSAH 9, 11, 46 around Crookston, and on CSAH 21 from State Highway 220 to Pennington County.

Polk County Engineer Rich Sanders said speed increases across the state began back in 2013. “Back in 2013, the State of Minnesota started increasing speed limits on State Highways to 60 mph,” said Sanders. “That was done by speed zone studies they did on the highways. The legislature left it open whether or not counties could do the same. After a discussion with MNDOT, it was found out that, yes, counties could raise their speed limits to 60 mph on their rural highways as well.”

After learning counties were also eligible, the Polk County Commissioners passed a resolution to attempt to raise the speeds on four main roadways in the county. “The Polk County Board passed a resolution to raise the speed limits on CSAH 46 and 11, which is the truck bypass around Crookston,” said Sanders. “CSAH 9, which is the KT road between Crookston and Thompson. And  CSAH 21 to the Pennington County line, which is the St. Hilaire road. So, all of those roads in Polk County were minor arterials, so they had higher traffic and met the criteria to be raised to 60 mph.”

Sanders said all of the roads should be posted soon. “We had MNDOT do a speed zone study on those four roadways and found out a week ago that those studies would be signed, and therefore, we could raise them to 60 mph,” said Sanders. “And we started posting those last week. Our sign man made up the 60 mph signs and started putting them up last week. So, some roads are already 60 mph, and some roads will be posted soon.”

Whether other roads in the CSAH system will see increased speeds in the future will be determined based on the data collected on the four current projects. “We’re going to look at the analysis of these four roads first to see if the speeds have changed at all,” said Sanders. “Typically, what happens when MNDOT does a speed zone study on their roads, and probably on our roads, the average speed is around 62 mph on a 55 mph road because everybody just does seven mph fast thinking they’re not going to get a speeding ticket. So, when they increased them to 60 mph, it might go up one mph to 63-64. That’s what we’re hoping; we’re hoping we don’t see 67-68. We’re going to look at that data and be reviewing on crash data because not that we’ve raised it to 60, are we seeing more crashes. That will determine whether or not we look at any other roads.”

FEDERAL FUNDING TO PAVE COUNTRY ROAD 210 THROUGH RYDELL REFUGE
Polk County has also awarded a construction bid for paving County Road (CR) 210 from State Highway 2 to CSAH 37 through Rydell Refuge. Sanders said the refuge has been asking for paving for many years. “For many years, the Rydell Refuge has talked to us about paving CR 210 from Trunk Highways 2 down through the refuge to CSAH 37,” said Sanders. “They have a lot of visitors that come into the refuge, whether its schools during their environmental learning or just people doing bird watching. They wanted to see a surface road because our CR 210 was gravel and during the spring would get sloppy which would cut down on their traffic.”

The Federal Land Access program provides grants for roads to federal lands such as Rydell.  Sanders said the county finally received funding for the project after about 10 years, which will pay for a little over 50 percent of the construction. “Federal Highway and U.S. DOT have a program where they pay for construction projects such as this for federal lands access,” said Sanders. “Because Rydell Refuge is federal, we’ve been applying for the Federal Land Access Funds for about the last 10 years and finally received funding in May. We received $800,000 in federal funding, and the project was bid on June 22 and came in at a little over $1.4 million to Agassiz Asphalt out of Newfolden.”

TRAVIS ROSS FINISHES 12TH PLACE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE OPEN AND TAKES HOME SOME MONEY

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Crookston’s Travis Ross had an outstanding third round and shot a four-under-par 68 to finish with a three-round 212 score to finish in a tie for 12th place at the Minnesota State Open Championship at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

Ross started his third round with a bogey but followed with a birdie. After two pars, he birdied the fifth hole and followed with two more pars. Travis had a bogey on the eighth hole but wrapped up the front nine with another birdie for a one-under-par 35 through nine holes.
On the back nine, Travis recorded five straight pars before recording three birdies on the final four holes to finish with a four-under-par 68 to finish with a three-round total of 212. 

Angus Flanagan, of University Golf Club, won the tournament with a 15-under par 201.

Ross played as a pro and receives $1,750 for his 12th place finish.

POLK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS HOSTING ‘TASTE OF THE FAIR’ EVENT THIS WEEKEND

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In a perfect world, the Polk County Fair would have started Wednesday, July 8, and have lasted until Sunday, July 12. But due to COVID-19, the Polk County Fair was called off back on May 5.

While the full blown fair can’t go on, the fair board wants to give the county at least a taste of the annual event. The Polk County Fairgrounds in Fertile is hosting a Taste of the Fair event on Friday and Saturday, with numerous food vendors on site and a fireworks show on Saturday night. A DJ will also play music on both Friday and Saturday, starting at 5 p.m. 

Michael Moore, the board’s secretary manager, said some antique tractors and classic cars will also be on hand.

“This isn’t a contest,” Moore said. “Nothing will be judged. This is kind of just a citizen event. If you have an old car (or tractor) you want to bring into the fairgrounds and have people take a look at it, you’re certainly welcome to do that.”

The food vendors will be open from 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday and again from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday. The fireworks show is set to start at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night. To ensure that social distancing is observed, the grandstand at the fairgrounds will be off limits.

“You’re either going to be in your car someplace or on the grounds, and hopefully people maintain some distance,” Moore said. “That’s the desire. We’re not anticipating a real large crowd, but certainly there’ll be some people there. We’ll also have some music in relation to the fireworks themselves. So, it should be a nice evening. Hopefully.”

While there is a chance for some showers and storms during the day Saturday, the latest forecast calls for clear conditions Saturday night with lows around 60.

Moore said the decision to have some sort of celebration this weekend in place of the fair was made just over a week after the cancellation was announced in May. This is the first time in its 117-year history that the Polk County Fair has been called off, but Moore is hopeful that this weekend’s event provides people an opportunity to still enjoy some summer fun.

“It’s a small celebration,” Moore said. “Just try to do something during fair week to remind people, or to give them a little break. That’s really the idea of it.”

RIVERVIEW’S NORTH CLINIC HOURS TO RETURN TO NORMAL BEGINNING JULY 13

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RiverView’s North Clinic will return to its regular hours of 7 am to 7 pm beginning July 13. The Clinic is also open from 9 am to 1 pm on weekends.

“As visits continue to pick up in the Clinic, we want our patients to have the convenience of same-day appointments and our extended hours of 7 am to 7 pm allowing more options for our community,” shared Amy Seaver, director of Clinics.

As always, RiverView continues to keep the well-being of its patients and staff its top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following restrictions are in effect to assure the safety of everyone at RiverView facilities:

  • Patients will continue to wait in their vehicles until their provider is ready to see them, rather than in the waiting room.
  • For the comfort of patients, one companion/visitor is allowed with each patient in all outpatient areas, including Clinics, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory Services, Rehab Services, Emergency Department, and with anyone having outpatient surgery. One visitor is allowed with each patient staying in the hospital, except for any area designated a COVID-19 unit. Visitors must be over the age of 18.
  • Visitors must wear a face mask (cloth or surgical) when in RiverView facilities at all times. Visitors are asked to bring their own masks.
  • All visitors will continue to be screened according to current guidelines. If the visitor has a temperature or screens positive to any screening questions, he/she is not allowed to visit.

Do not visit if you are sick. As a reminder, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call RiverView’s Coronavirus Nurse Screening Hotline at 218-470-7983 before visiting any of our locations.

LICENSE KNOWLEDGE TESTING TRANSITIONS TO APPOINTMENTS ONLY BEGINNING MONDAY

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Instead of waiting in line, Minnesotans will now be able to schedule appointments online for class D knowledge tests at any of the 14 regional DVS exam stations.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) is discontinuing class D knowledge tests on a first-come-first-served basis and will require appointments beginning Monday, July 13.

“There is a high demand for knowledge tests, because DVS exam stations were closed for eight weeks,” Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Director Emma Corrie said. “People have had to adjust their lives and schedules in order to arrive at exam stations early to try to take the knowledge test. We want to make things easier for Minnesotans and reduce the time they need to spend at exam stations.”

WHAT TO EXPECT
Minnesotans will need to book appointments online at drive.mn.gov. The appointment-scheduling tool will be available beginning Friday, July 10. Beginning July 13, DVS exam stations will not accept walk-ins for class D knowledge tests; an appointment will be required.

Commercial knowledge testing and the motorcycle knowledge test will continue to be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
DPS-DVS will offer an average of 790 class D knowledge test appointments daily at 14 regional exam stations statewide. These locations are open: St. Paul, Arden Hills, Anoka, Eagan, Plymouth, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, Willmar, Detroit Lakes, St. Cloud, Duluth, Grand Rapids, and Bemidji. Exam stations are only offering a certain number of knowledge tests at one time in order to maintain social distancing in light of COVID-19.

To schedule an appointment:

  • Go to mn.gov.
  • Select Schedule or Reschedule an Exam.
  • Follow the prompts.

Anyone who cannot keep an appointment should cancel their appointment online at drive.mn.gov with as much notice as possible so that appointment can be opened up for someone else.

COME PREPARED
Minnesotans will be required to complete a wellness screening before entering the exam station and should come prepared.

  • Wear a face mask (required).
  • Bring required documents.
  • Know your social security number.
  • Bring check, cash or money order to pay the instruction permit fee and the retesting fee, if applicable.
    • There is a $10 test fee for third or subsequent knowledge tests after failing the first two.
  • If you are younger than 18:
    • You must be at least 15 years old.
    • Bring your certificate of enrollment (blue card) proving that you completed classroom instruction and are signed up for behind-the-wheel instruction, or bring your certificate of enrollment (pink card) proving that you are currently enrolled in a concurrent driver education course and have completed the first 15 classroom hours of the curriculum.
    • A parent, court-appointed guardian, county-appointed foster parent or the director of the transitional living program you reside in will need to come with to sign and approve your application.
    • If completed, bring the supplemental parental curriculum completion certificate.

 HOW TO STAY UPDATED
DPS-DVS answers frequently asked questions related to how COVID-19 is affecting DVS services on the DVS COVID-19 FAQ webpage.

THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS OF SEVERAL FRAUD COMPLAINTS

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In recent days, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has received several Fraudulent bank deposit complaints.  If you receive any solicitation to deposit unemployment checks or provide personal bank account information for funds to be electronically deposited for an independent third party, please do not release any personal information and report the incident to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

TRINITY POINT WORSHIP SERVICE TO BEGIN JULY 12, BEACH AND DOCKS REMAIN CLOSED TO NON-MEMBERS

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Trinity’s Congregation Council and the Worship and Music Team have discussed how to begin our in-person worship at Trinity Point. Discussion covered many options but trying worship with limited-capacity seating in the shelter was the best choice.

Worship at Trinity Point begins Sunday, July 12 at 10:45 a.m.

Chairs will be placed to make sure social distancing is following health department recommendations. Worshippers MUST wear a facemask. Everyone attending worship will do a self-screening assessment at the door. We are working out other safety precautions for speakers and musicians. Communion will NOT be by intinction but will be served to people where they are sitting. There will be no physical exchanges between anyone to avoid potential health risks/COVID-19 infection exposure.

This “phased-in” return to worship is a plan in progress so please have patience as we work out the logistics of making Trinity Point worship a safe place for all. Under current COVID-19 restrictions and following health & safety recommendations from the CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, Polk County Public Health, and the ELCA, only members of Trinity Lutheran are allowed access to the beach and boat docks at Trinity Point.

Members must call the Trinity Point Site Director at (218) 687-4380 to make sure there is social distancing space available. Trinity members must register with the Site Director while at Trinity Point for tracking purposes in case of an outbreak of infection.

Wearing a facemask is required.

 

RESURFACING OF HIGHWAY 1 AND 75 IN ARGYLE AND WARREN BEGINS JULY 13

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Motorists on Highway’s 1 and 75 in Argyle and Warren will experience lane closures and delays beginning Monday, July 13 as crews begin resurfacing the highway. Motorists can expect slowdowns or delays during peak travel times.

The construction will create a safer and longer-lasting road surface as well as include pedestrian improvements. The contractor for the $3.11 million project is Ti-Zack Concrete, Inc. The project is expected to last through October, weather permitting. For more information and a map of the project location, visit the website at www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/2020/hwy75-warren-argyle.

Road work continues to be a critical service. MnDOT is committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of its employees, contractors, and all Minnesotans. Crews continue to follow the guidance of state and federal health officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

MnDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions and follow traffic signs in work zones.