Environment

Earth Month in Rochester

Submitted by James Wilcox, ABC 6 News Anchor

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012, 9:07pm

Rochester Mayor Ardell F. Brede issued a Mayoral Proclamation for Earth Month 2012, highlighting environmental activities scheduled throughout the month of April. The poster of this year’s A Litter Bit Better Student Art Contest was on display, pledge cards and litter bags were also distributed. To learn more about the "A Litter Bit Better" campaign and how you can help clean-up the litter around Rochester go to http://www.rneighbors.org/?page_id=32.

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RPU Wins Top Prize for Drinking Water

Submitted by Gordon Severson, ABC 6 News Reporter-Rochester

Friday, March 30th, 2012, 4:20pm

You've heard people arguing about it for years, who has the best drinking water?

This week Rochester Public Utilities is happy to announce that their water is the tastiest.

Each participant was required to take a sample of water straight from the tap.

Nearly 50 cities were in competition.

The winner was chosen by over a hundred water experts during a recent conference.

"Everybody had a chance to sample and taste the water from communities. They brought their sample in to vote on which one they though tasted the best. It was the people at the conference that voted us the best,” RPU Environmental Affairs Coordinator Todd Osweiler says.

Rochester's water will move on to the state competition.

The best samples from five different regions will compete for the glory of being considered “Minnesota's Best Drinking Water.”

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Help Make Rochester "A Litter Bit Better"

Submitted by James Wilcox, ABC 6 News Anchor

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012, 5:05pm

Help Make Rochester "A Litter Bit Better"

It appears the community is excited to make Rochester A Litter Bit Better! There are over 900 people signed up to clean various areas throughout Rochester. While this number is impressive and exciting, there are still a great number of areas in Rochester in need of litter clean-ups. Registration is open and there are lots of areas for groups to do their good work. For more information or to register go to http://www.rneighbors.org/?page_id=32.

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No Ban Yet, But Please Don't Burn...

Submitted by David Springer, ABC 6 Assistant News Director

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012, 4:48pm

Olmsted County officials are asking residents to not openly burn anything even though, technically, there is no burn ban in place.

They say the unseasonably warm weather, a lack of moisture and moderate breezes are making conditions ripe for a brush fire. There have only been four brush fires reported in the Rochester area so far this month, but the fire department says it wouldn't take much to start another one.

"It's dry and we're running into basically the same thing we would in the summer time, if we went through a pretty good drought. There's just enough vegetation there that it doesn't take much to start it and get a fire going," said Rochester Assistant Fire Marshal Jason Whitney.

Once again, this is only a burn advisory, but officials say if the warm conditions continue, the advisory could easily turn into a ban . We'll keep you posted.

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A Litter Bit Better Registration Now Open

Submitted by James Wilcox, ABC 6 News Anchor

Monday, March 5th, 2012, 9:36pm

A Litter Bit Better Registration Now Open

Old tires, a Richard Nixon mask, a refrigerator, and a broken flute case. What do these things have in common? They are just a few of the odd things found in Rochester during the last 5 years of litter clean-ups during the annual Help Make Rochester A Litter Bit Better! event. What will our volunteers find this year? So far, over 64 tons of litter has been collected by thousands of citizens since the program began in 2007.

This year’s event will be April 21-28th and registration is now open. Volunteers are encouraged to collect litter anytime during that week. Trash and recycling bags are provided, all you need to do is pick a location, pick a date, and pick it up! Registration information, maps and more can be found at www.RNeighbors.org/litterbitbetter.

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Winona Man Builds Electric Motorcycle

Submitted by Ellery McCardle, ABC 6 News Anchor/Reporter

Friday, March 2nd, 2012, 12:58am

Lyon Smith of Winona is completing construction on an electric-powered motorcycle. Batteries electricity, generators, and bike pedals are used to run it.

He, along with a business partner came up with the idea a over a year ago. The hope is they will be able to sell it internationally. It will be able to go 75 miles per charge and reach highway speeds.

"I think that's part of the cool factor, you can create your own energy," said Smith.

The vehicle will be on display at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona Saturday, March 3rd from 5p.m. to 7p.m.

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Litter Bit Better Registration

Submitted by James Wilcox, ABC 6 News Anchor

Monday, February 27th, 2012, 10:01pm

During the week of April 21-28, 2012, Rochester neighborhoods, businesses, groups, schools, and individuals will be working together to pick up the litter in our community. Will you join in the effort? You can help by volunteering! For more information go to http://www.rneighbors.org/?p=1861.

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