Orlando Bastianson reported his home was burglarized Tuesday.

Wednesday, February 28, 2001

Orlando Bastianson reported his home was burglarized Tuesday.

According to a Mower County Sheriff’s Department report, Bastianson was gone when the burglary occurred Tuesday at the residence along U.S. Highway 218 South.

The burglars kicked open a door, fed treats to a dog and ransacked the house, taking long guns and a pistol, jewelry and cash.

Winter road woes

Motorists along Highway 56 between Interstate 90 and Brownsdale face more problems this winter.

According to Mower County Sheriff Barry J. Simonson, residents have complained of deteriorated road conditions and drivers using the shoulder to avoid the roadway. At least one near-miss of a resident along the highway walking to his mail box has been reported.

A year ago at this time, similar road conditions resulted in a wide-spread protest from residents and Mayor Marvin Foster, of Brownsdale.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation responded by doing some minor repairs to the break-up of the road surface, but said reconstruction was not in the MnDOT’s immediate plans.

Now, the potholes and fissures in the road surface are making travel a traffic safety issue, according to Simonson.

"The rough shape of the road has citizens really concerned, because so many people are driving along the shoulders to avoid the rough spots," Simonson said.

The Sheriff’s Department will have extra patrols along the roadway during heavy-travel times and the Minnesota State Patrol has also been notified of the road conditions and possibility of accidents.

In addition, the MnDOT has once again been notified.

Simonson emphasized it is illegal to drive along a road shoulder. "They are intended for emergency stops only," he said.