While the final blast of winter slapped the area with six to eight inches of heavy, wet snow on April 11, spring has finally arrived, and with it the spring planting season.

During the past week, more and more farmers have been venturing out into their fields, in preparation of the big spring planting push.

According to Ag Tech Advisor Jerry Tesmer, fieldwork commenced last week "with lots of manure and fertilizer being spread. Fieldwork has started, especially for farmers with the right type of soils," Tesmer said last Thursday. "I think within a week, we're going to see a lot of ground being worked up."

Read more in Caledonia Argus

It appears as if it's "full speed ahead" for a 3,500 square-foot commercial building to by erected by K Properties, LLC at 425 Vista Drive in Caledonia. Local developers George Kittleson and sons Sam and Willie, plan to construct a 50 by 70 foot building just east of Subway Sandwiches along Highway 44 that could house up to three service-type businesses.

Before the new building could become a reality, the Kittlesons had several hurdles to clear on both the city and county levels.

Read more in Caledonia Argus

For a number of testifiers before a House committee Tuesday (April 24) a proposed constitutional amendment was an excursion into the imperfect.

The House Game, Fish and Forestry Division and Environment and Natural Resources Committee took testimony from more than a dozen witnesses on a proposed three-eighth percent sales tax dedication.

If approved by voters in 2008, the dedication would channel funds to natural resources but also the arts and cultural heritage.

Read more: Proposed constitutional amendment excursion into the imperfect

A high-profile proposed outdoor constitutional sales tax amendment was voted down by the Senate Tax Committee on Tuesday (April 24).

"I believe this bill will pass," said Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, talking to reporters after watching the proposed three-eighths sales tax amendment fall on a 5 to 8 vote.

Senate Tax Committee Chairman Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, voted against the bill.

But Bakk is on record as not supporting it.

Read more: High-profile proposed outdoor constitutional sales tax amendment voted down

The House Tax Committee on Monday (April 20) discussed a possible state tax on card clubs that could impact the harness track in the City of Columbus.

House Tax Committee Chair Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, has proposed placing 6.5 percent tax on the gross receipts of card clubs - the state currently has no tax on the card club at Canterbury Park.

It's estimated the tax could yield $2 million in 2008.

Read more: House Tax Commitee discusses possible state tax on card clubs

Medical marijuana bills are curling through the Legislature, a Senate bill last week clearing yet another committee. But state law enforcement opposes the legislation. And their support is critical. Medical marijuana initiative has advanced previous sessions but never so far. Supporters depict the illegal drug as offering pain relief to the terminally ill and those afflicted with chronic pain. A number of state health care organizations, including the Minnesota Nurses Association and Minnesota AIDS Project, support access to medical marijuana.

Read more: Medical marijuana bills curling through Legislature

Every time he comes home on leave Sgt. Michael Higgins visits his mom, Sally. And her fourth-grade class at Ramsey Elementary School.

His two-week leave from Forward Operating Base Loyalty in east Baghdad, Iraq in March was no different. See more in Tammy Sakry's ABC Newspapers story.

Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman enters the cab of an armored security vehicle with Sgt. William Capecchi of the Minnesota National Guard's 1-34 Brigade Troops Battalion after a town hall meeting April 22, 2007 at Camp Adder, Iraq. (Photo by Spc. Brian D. Jesness, 1/34 BCT Public Affairs)

Sen. Coleman just returned from his third trip to Iraq. He said some big decisions are coming in August or September.

Coleman made the trip without other members of Congress, visting two camps where many Minnesota National Guard members are based, one in Talil and one in Taqaddum, which is in the majority Sunni province of Anbar where the Sunni insurgency has been most violent.