Brainerd
City may loosen food truck regulations
The Brainerd City Council is looking to loosen regulations on food trucks.
At its meeting last week, the council gave its first reading to a proposal to allow food trucks and other transient food vendors to operate more widely in the city.
Currently, "many transient food units choose not to operate in Brainerd due to the city's rather restrictive … ordinance or operate unlicensed on weekends when staff is not in the office," according to a memo by David Chanski, community development director.
Proposed changes include allowing food trucks to operate in most commercial areas, allowing them to remain open until 11 p.m., and ending a restriction that blocks mobile food vendors from operating within 300 feet of any restaurant or bar serving food.
The proposed ordinance would not take effect until after a second reading and final passage by the council.
john Reinan
benson
Plea for conservation amid the heat wave
Benson city officials are pleading with residents to cut their electricity use during the heat wave.
Visitors to the city's website have been greeted by a message in large, bold type on a vivid red background. "The city of Benson is asking its customers to please conserve electricity between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.," it reads. "We are at peak load and ask you to please turn up your air conditioning and shut off any unnecessary electrical devices."
The city also has closed its armory for indoor walking until further notice.
john Reinan
Mankato
Downtown boutique sued for missing rent
A downtown Mankato women's boutique is being sued for allegedly missing nine months of rent payments.
The Refinery, 518 S. Front St., has failed to pay its $2,500 monthly rent since October, according to a complaint filed in Blue Earth County District Court. The landlord, Block 518 LLC, alleges that the Refinery owes it $22,750 in rent and fees.
The Refinery closed its retail store in nearby St. Peter, Minn., last year.
john Reinan
Caledonia
Do's and don'ts on doggy doo-doo
Caledonians, clean up after your dogs. A recent posting on the city's website reminds residents that city code requires the prompt and sanitary retrieval and disposal of dog waste.
john Reinan
