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For the top news briefs,
- In the wake of Tom Petters’ $3.65 billion fraud trial, there’s one aspect of the story with a local angle that has a positive outcome. In October of 2007 Tom Petters bought 22 units in Northfield’s Village on the Cannon. Petters’ brother John and sister-in-law Colleen developed the property. Once Tom Petters filed for bankruptcy, his unsold units went into foreclosure. Home Federal Savings bank in Rochester held the mortgage on the units. They picked up a share of the gas, electric and upkeep bills until foreclosure. Then, something unexpected happened. A homeowner at the community for residents 55 year plus offered a generous gift—a $100,000, interest-free loan. President of the Village on the Cannon Homeowners Association, Jerry Mohrig says the Association developed a system where anyone could pitch in. They set up a finance committee and opted for self-management. Mohrig says the Village community responded quickly and did everything asked of them in the early days of the turnoil. Susan Pederson is optimistic about the future. She says it’s brought everyone together and the community is “on it’s way back up.” As for Petters, his Ponzi scheme trial continues. Petters’ lawyers say he’s innocent and didn’t know what subordinates were doing behind his back.
- Carleton and St. Olaf have both made Kiplinger’s annual list of the 100 best values in private colleges for 2009-2010. Each year the magazine ranks private and liberal-arts colleges that combine economic value with exceptional education. Pomona College tops this year’s list. Carleton ranks number 13 on the list, and St. Olaf ranks 30th. Other Minnesota schools, Macalaster and Gustavus Adolphus also made the list. As did the College of St. Benedict—which made it’s first apprearance on the the list. The rankings will appear in the December edition of the magazine, on newsstands November 10th.
- Local World War 2 Veteran Al Lewendowski is scheduled to take part in an Honor Flight to the nation’s capital on Saturday. Al was one of two men in his company who made the trip from Normandy to Germany. Al has been decorated with 3 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and 5 Battle Stars. The mission of the honor flight network is to bring World War II veterans to Washington DC to visit the memorials and to honor their service and sacrifice.Vincent Parker, a vet from Stillwater who served as a tailgunner on a b-17 bomber in Europe will also be making the trip. Lindberg says there are about 7,000 vets on the waiting list for future honor flights. The honor flight is scheduled to take off from the Twin Cities at 6:30 on Saturday morning. If you’re interested in learning more about the honor flights, you can click here.
