This week's Minnesota news from other media

Compiled by Laura Crooks

The Mayo Clinic has hired an engineering firm to explore the possibility of building a bypass route for coal-bearing trains around the city of Rochester, writes Matthew Stolle in the Post-Bulletin. The clinic is concerned about how the coal affects the health of its patients.

Tom Hintgen of the Fergus Falls Daily Journal reports that the Department of Natural Resources plans to reclassify 203 lakes in Otter Tail County that were, according to the State of Minnesota standards, “previously misclassified as general development or recreational development lakes.” The change would prevent homes from being built within 200 feet of the shoreline.

Employees of the City of Bayport voted to institute a four-day workweek, writes Julie Kink of the Stillwater Courier (requires registration). Reviews from workers are mixed, with council member Sharon Ridgeway wondering “what would happen if a sewer backup occurs on a Friday.”

According to the Detroit Lakes & Becker County Record (req/reg),  a wind park in Clay County plans to add 134 more turbines by 2010. Kim Winnegge reports that the 36-square-mile project will cost an estimated $450 million.

An intersection in Carlson was closed off after it was discovered that the toxic chemical dimethylaminoethanol was leaking from a semitrailer, writes Lisa Baumann of the Carlton Pine Journal (requires registration). A hazardous material team was able to clean up the spill before it contaminated the soil or water supply.