News from Traverse County

excerpted from the Wheaton Gazette, May 26, 2009

Officials break ground for Browns Valley Floodway Diversion Project - Saturday, May 26, local and state officials helped break ground for the new floodway diversion on the Little Minnesota River. In 2007, a flood devastated part of Browns Valley. The city and the local watershed district worked with many state and national organizations to develop a flood control plan. Mayor Jeff Backer personally thanked West Central Initiative for providing the funds to organize the recovery effort back in 2007.

Traverse County's jobless rate falls during April - For the first time since last October, the unemployment rate fell, from 9.3 percent in March to 7.5 percent in April. Thirty less people were unemployment in the county. The jobless rate also fell below state and national averages for the first time this year.

Bids accepted for sewer rehabilitation and lift station and force main project - The city of Wheaton accepted bids for two major projects in the city. Officials are hoping construction will start mid-June. The bids came in lower than expected.

Browns Valley's Creative Flood Relief Fundraiser

Browns Valley has a new incentive program to encourage donations to the town's long-term flood relief program.Thanks to a gift from Beaver's Pond Press, anyone contributing a minimum of $17 to Browns Valley flood recovery will receive a special 2007 commemorative edition of The County Courthouse Caper. This popular work of historical fiction chronicles Browns Valley's frontier days, from the town's founding in the 1860s to the Traverse County Seat War of 1887. The 240-age book currently has a rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5) on Amazon.com. To receive your copy of this limited collector's edition, mail your donaiton of $17 or more to: BV Flood Relief, P.O. Box 307, Browns Valley, MN 56219. Please include $3 for shipping/handling. For further details, see www.cccaper.com