Friday, March 29, 2013
Ice is thinning and thicknesses are varying because of warming temperatures.
- PUBLIC SAFETY
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Friday, March 29
Editor’s Note: The following announcement comes from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to use caution on all bodies of water due to thinning ice and open water. Ice thickness is variable due to the warming temperatures and freezing and thawing that has taken place throughout the winter and in recent days. On Lake Minnetonka and other lakes, there is thin ice and areas of open water. At this time, the channels of Lake Minnetonka are extremely dangerous and should be avoided. At the same time, spring break from school will mean more children will spend time outdoors near lakes and other bodies of water. Parents and guardians are urged to use active supervision when children …
Friday, February 22, 2013
Deaths in Stillwater and Lake Minnetonka; dozens of cars, snowmobiles and ATVs have broken through area ice this winter.
This winter season (November to April) is on track to be the deadliest on the ice in more than five years, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). So far this winter, five people have died after going through the ice in Minnesota. A sixth person is missing and presumed drowned. In the 2006-2007 winter season, eight people died in ice-related incidents. Just last week a snowmobiler died after going through ice on the St. Croix River near Stillwater. Three of the state's five deaths—an infant, a man in his 30s and an elderly female—have occurred on Lake Minnetonka. “There could be several reasons why so many people have died this year,” said Kara Owens, DNR boat and water safety specialist. “It could be there are …
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is adding orange fencing around "Thin Ice" signs in an attempt to draw more attention to them.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Friday, February 8
Editor's Note: The following is a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office release. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office continues to warn motorists to stay off of thin ice. Our Special Deputy volunteers are providing safety information to people using Lake Minnetonka and many other lakes throughout the county. It is especially important to avoid channels and pressure ridges on Lake Minnetonka because those areas have thin ice even in the coldest of Minnesota winters. The Sheriff's Office is placing orange snow fencing around "thin ice" signs in order to provide greater visibility to these signs. It is the responsibility of motorists to respond appropriately to these warning signs and to make safe choices when they are behind the wheel.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Cars through the ice; snowmobiles sunk; three dead; ice fisherman react; more than a dozen vehicles have gone through Lake Minnetonka ice this winter.
The second and third deaths of the season attributed to thin ice conditions on Lake Minnetonka has got people talking. Below are a selection of notable comments left on Lake Minnetonka Patch's Facebook page and Tweets from throughout the country about the recent accidents. ryan dietrich @rydadi: @DeRushaJ oh no. Same last name but no relation at all. Worked together at MG Granite City when I was finishing school. Sad thing. Jim Manning: "I was fishing on Grays bay when this happened. Was not at all worried to drive my truck on the ice, everywhere I drilled a hole was 16+ inches of ice. I just can't understand why anyone would drive trough a channel, especially when there were "thin ice" signs all around the channel. Susie Jones @…
Friday, January 25, 2013
After seven vehicles plowed through the ice on Lake Minnetonka, Sheriff Stanek reminds citizens to be safe.
Editor's Note: The following is a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office press release. With warmer temperatures expected this weekend, more people are expected to be using the county’s lakes for recreation. The Sheriff’s Office urges all residents to use caution when using area lakes and other bodies of water. Remember that no ice should ever be considered completely safe. Freezing and thawing have created variable ice conditions. Last weekend, there were seven vehicles broke through ice on Lake Minnetonka. Hennepin County residents are urged to review these safety guidelines: · Anyone using the ice –including people on foot, snowmobiles and ATVs --should use safety precautions such as wearing life jackets. Sheriff’s deputies wear life …
Friday, January 11, 2013
The DNR recently issued a warning that when the temperature rises above freezing for six hours during a 24 hour period.
- AWARENESS
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Friday, January 11
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is reminding people that the Thin Ice Advisory remains in effect for all bodies of water in Hennepin County. Colder temperatures are in the forecast this weekend however recent warm weather has already created areas of unstable ice that will need several days of cold temperatures to improve significantly. Ice thickness is variable due to recent warm weather, freezing, and thawing that has taken place over the past several days. On Lake Minnetonka, there are areas of standing water due to the recent rains and warm weather. Even ice near some shoreline areas are showing signs of thawing. Related posts: The DNR recently issued a warning that when the temperature rises above freezing for six hours …
Friday, December 28, 2012
Bodies of water are especially a hazard now since they are the most likely to have a thin layer of ice.
Editor's Note: The following is a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office release. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office reminds you to use caution when you are on or near a lake or pond that is frozen or partially frozen. Parents and caregivers are reminded that if your child is near water, you should be near your child. Set clear rules for children concerning activities near or on a frozen body of water. No ice should ever be considered safe. Bodies of water are especially a hazard now since they are the most likely to have a thin layer of ice. A dusting of snow or frost may give thin ice the appearance that it is safe when it is not. The recommended minimum thickness for ice is four inches for walking and small group activities. Please keep …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Despite more than a foot of recent snow, ice on Lake Minnetonka is still not safe for recreational activities.
- NEWS
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
With the recent snowfall and cold weather, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding everyone, the ice in many parts of the state, including Lake Minneotnka, is still not thick enough for most recreational activities. “We know people want to get out and enjoy the snow, but they shouldn’t put themself or anyone else in danger by going out on the ice,” said Capt. Greg Salo, DNR Regional Enforcement supervisor. Currently, layers of snow are insulating already brittle ice making it even more dangerous. “The ice was not safe before Sunday’s snow and now it’s going to take even longer for it to become thick enough for travel,” said Salo. Snowmobilers need to be extremely cautious, Salo said, because riders might not …
Friday, December 7, 2012
Most fatalities caused by falling through the ice are children, according to Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Friday, December 7, 2012
Hennepin Sheriff Rich Stanek is reminding parents and caregivers to keep children away from thin ice on partially-frozen ponds, lakes and all bodies of water. Most victims of fatal accidents on the ice in Hennepin County have been children. “When your child is near the ice or the water, you should be near your child,” said Sheriff Stanek, “I urge you to provide clear rules about ice safety throughout the winter months.” No ice should ever be considered safe. Small bodies of water such as ponds are especially a hazard now since they are the most likely to have a thin layer of ice. A dusting of snow or frost may give thin ice the appearance that it is safe when it is not. Remember, the recommended minimum thickness for ice is four …
Friday, March 9, 2012
Temperatures this weekend could climb to 60 degrees.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Friday, March 9, 2012
Editor's note: The following news release come from The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to use caution on all bodies of water due to thin ice and open water. This weekend, temperatures will climb to 60-degrees which will continue to melt and deteriorate ice conditions. At the same time, the warmer weather will mean more children will spend time outdoors near lakes and other bodies of water. Parents and guardians are urged to use active supervision when children are near bodies of water due to thin ice. Last month, the Sheriff Office banned the use of cars, trucks, and SUVs on all bodies of water in Hennepin County. That ban remains in place. Lake access points remain closed. In …
Orono
5:27 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Nope, not saying that at all. The thickness of the ice is irrelevant to what happened. more ›