Jennifer kotila, West Central Tribune Journalist Profile

Articles

Secrets of a fortress: Inside Litchfield’s GAR Hall

3 days ago | echopress.com | Susan Lunneborg |Jennifer kotila

LITCHFIELD , Minn. — Visitors to the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in this central Minnesota city are able to step back 140 years thanks to the decision of the Civil War veterans who built it. The deed for the property, turned over to what was then the village of Litchfield, spelled out that the building was to be preserved and used in a manner that maintained its original purpose — to honor Civil War veterans and preserve their history.
Parking restrictions OK'd on Seventh Street Southeast in Willmar, Minnesota

1 week ago | wctrib.com | Jennifer kotila

WILLMAR — Parking restrictions on Seventh Street Southeast were approved recently by the Willmar City Council, limiting parking to the west side of the street. Willmar Planning and Development Director Christopher Corbett initially requested that parking be restricted on both sides of the street from Willmar Avenue to 19th Avenue Southeast, but the council approved a no-parking zone only on the east side of the street.
Willmar, Minnesota Daughters of American Revolution chapter turns 100

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Jennifer kotila

May 28---- Theis celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Daughters of the American Revolution is a women's service organization that focuses on work in local communities to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism, according toThere are 175,000 members in 3,000 chapters located across the country and around the world. There are 21 chapters in Minnesota. Any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution can join.
Colleagues remember Les Heitke as a civic-minded champion for Willmar, Minnesota

1 week ago | wctrib.com | Jennifer kotila

WILLMAR — Former Willmar Mayor Lester “Les” Heitke, who died Saturday at the age of 76, is remembered as a civic-minded individual who was a champion for the city of Willmar. “Les was a real champion for our community,” said current Willmar Mayor Doug Reese, who was on the City Council and served as mayor pro tempore under Heitke. “He was always concerned about doing the right thing for the community as a whole.
Willmar, Minnesota Daughters of American Revolution chapter turns 100

1 week ago | wctrib.com | Jennifer kotila

WILLMAR — The Willmar Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization that focuses on work in local communities to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism, according to dar.org. There are 175,000 members in 3,000 chapters located across the country and around the world. There are 21 chapters in Minnesota.
Colleagues remember Les Heitke as a civic-minded champion for Willmar, Minnesota

1 week ago | wctrib.com | Jennifer kotila

WILLMAR — Former Willmar Mayor Lester “Les” Heitke, who died Saturday at the age of 76, is remembered as a civic-minded individual who was a champion for the city of Willmar. “Les was a real champion for our community,” said current Willmar Mayor Doug Reese, who was on the City Council and served as mayor pro tempore under Heitke. “He was always concerned about doing the right thing for the community as a whole.
Municipal Utilities Commission reviews need for new facilities

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Jennifer kotila

May 26---- Ascontinues to seek a location on which to construct new facilities, the Municipal Utilities Commission reviewed the project timeline leading to this point and the reason it is moving forward plans to build. Earlier this year,for land adjacent to, but just outside, city limits for its new facilities. However, theforcing a new search for a location. The council cited the cost of the land and of extending city utility services as the reason for the override.
Municipal Utilities Commission reviews need for new facilities

1 week ago | wctrib.com | Jennifer kotila

WILLMAR — As Willmar Municipal Utilities continues to seek a location on which to construct new facilities, the Municipal Utilities Commission reviewed the project timeline leading to this point and the reason it is moving forward plans to build. Earlier this year, the Utilities Commission approved a purchase agreement for land adjacent to, but just outside, city limits for its new facilities.
Lease to be developed for radio control park on city land in Willmar, Minnesota

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jennifer kotila

May 20---- Although it took a while to get there, thein a split 6-1 vote approved a motion to develop a lease agreement with a radio control car club to construct a radio control park. The council did not, however, support that the radio control car park be located at Pleasant View Park. Instead, councilors instructed Willmar Parks and Recreation Director Rob Baumgarn and the radio control car club to work together to find a different location.
Lease to be developed for radio control park on city land in Willmar, Minnesota

2 weeks ago | wctrib.com | Jennifer kotila

WILLMAR — Although it took a while to get there, the Willmar City Council in a split 6-1 vote approved a motion to develop a lease agreement with a radio control car club to construct a radio control park. The council did not, however, support that the radio control car park be located at Pleasant View Park. Instead, councilors instructed Willmar Parks and Recreation Director Rob Baumgarn and the radio control car club to work together to find a different location.