How high’s the water?

THUMBS DOWN: That’s the question the crews keep asking at the Highway 14-15 Gateway project each day. While the concrete work for much of the project is getting done and the interchange may be able to open soon, work on the bridge has been halted by the high water level in the Minnesota River.

The access road to the project is about five feet underwater, the water level is too high to anchor a barge at the site. MnDOT says the river level needs to fall about five feet in order for work on the bridge to continue, and they are hoping it will drop to that level by July 31.

We’ll keep our fingers crossed. The sooner this two-year project gets done, the better.

Back better than ever

THUMBS UP: Congratulations to Bruce and Julie Buntjer, owners of the B&J Laundromat in New Ulm. A year ago their business was damaged by an arsonist who set a fire in the building on Center Street. Now they are back open, all remodeled, with new washers and driers. The Chamber of Commerce Willkommen Committee arranged a ribbon cutting to celebrate their re-opening.

We’re glad to see the business back.

Successful Classic

THUMBS UP: Congratulations to the American Legion Baseball organization in New Ulm for another successful Upper Midwest Classic baseball tournament. Held last weekend, it brought 16 teams to New Ulm from around the state, South Dakota and Nebraska for a 4th of July weekend tradition of baseball in New Ulm.

Congratulations to New Ulm Legion Gold for its victory in the title game over Chaska.