Minnesota played an important role during World War II.

In the summers of 1944 and 1945,  a group of about 60 German prisoners of war were brought to a camp at the Wright County Fairgrounds to help work in factories.

“They would be picking the corn for the canning company,” Geoff Welles with the Wright County Historical Society said.

The fairgrounds were turned into the POWs’ home.

“They had the barracks over in the ag building, showers in the poultry building. They ate around here at the grandstand,” Welles said.

One year the Wright County Fair was delayed because of the POW camp. The prisoners were allowed to worship at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Winsted and were treated very well.

“They were given toys, tools, games to play,” Welles said.

Few who attend the Wright County Fair know of its connection to a German POW camp.

News

Wet conditions remain a problem in Minnesota

Excessive moisture continues to hinder spring fieldwork in Minnesota.

USDA’s latest weekly crop update says topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are 97 percent adequate to surplus.

Soybean planting is 94 percent complete, four days behind the five-year average.  Seventy percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition.

Corn emergence is 93 percent, slightly off the usual pace, with the condition of the crop called 71 percent good to excellent.

For small grains, crop condition ratings are in the low 80’s.

Sugarbeet condition ratings bounced back on the week, improving to 81 percent good to excellent.

And the first cutting of alfalfa reached 67 percent, with 77 percent of hay considered good to excellent.

“ASK A TROOPER” by Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: I am a truck driver and I see a lot of people making some poor choices around us big rigs out here. Do you guys still talk about the “no zone?” If not, please do and thank you.

Answer: Thank you for the email and yes, we do and I will help get the word out. If you are following a commercial vehicle, stay out of its “no zones.” These zones are blind spots to the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle. Some truck drivers may not be able to see up to 20 feet in front of the cab, on either side of the trailer, and up to 200 feet to the rear.

Trucks and buses have operating restrictions, and sometimes use technology like speed limiters. Honking, driving aggressively, or weaving through traffic won’t make the trip faster, but can cause dangerous distractions and crashes. A little bit of patience and courtesy can go a long way and help keep everyone safe.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205.  (You can follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).