10 years ago
Excerpts from the March 13, 2008 Pioneer Journal
• Despite warning, local bar will keep up 'theater nights'
Theatrical performances will continue at Ray's Sport and Karaoke in Wadena, said owner Ray Meyer. This comes after a recent announcement from the minnesota Department of Health determining that theater nights in bars do not fall within the theatrical production exemption of the Freedom to breathe Act.
The smoking ban took effect Oct. 1, 2007 and included an exemption allowing smoking by actors and actresses as part of a theatrical performance.
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Meyer said he will continue to have reality theater and have people smoke in his bar until he gets a ticket. Then, he will continue and take it to court, he said.
"It's all about rights," Meyer said.
In reviewing the law, MDH said it has determined that it has the authority to address "theater nights" and take enforcement action if the activity is an attempt to allow smoking in violation of the act. Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Saane Magnan said MDH will work together with local health agencies to bring establishments into compliance if they violate the law.
Ray's Karaoke's theatrical production is an ongoing production of life in a bar, according to the program in the bar.
Meyer said he got the idea to start the theatrical production after reading a commentary by Mark Benjamin in the Feb. 9 Star Tribune. Benjamin, a nonsmoker and attorney, spurred many bars around the state to have theatrical productions that include smoking.
When the smoking ban went into effect in October, Meyer lost a lot of customers, he said. Since he began having reality theater that included smoking in the bar, business has increased, he said.
The Wadena Police Department has been investigating the theater. A police report was sent to the city attorney for a review of possible charges. If it is determined Ray's Karaoke violated the smoking ordinance, the charge is a petty misdemeanor, which carries a fine.
40 years ago
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Excerpts from the March 15, 1978 Pioneer Journal
• Minneapolis man killed in crash on Highway 10
John Denny, 28, Minneapolis, died in a two-car collision on Highway 10 two miles east of Verndale early Saturday morning, according to the Minnesota Highway Patrol.
Denny was alone in his car when it collided with another at about 3:30 a.m. The driver of the other car, Paul Reed, 20, Wadena, was hospitalized in critical condition in a Brainerd hospital following the crash.
The Patrol said Denny's 1963 Pontiac was eastbound and had been on the right shoulder of Highway 10. He lost control of the car which crossed over the highway, broadsiding Reed who was westbound driving a 1973 Gremlin.
Authorities said Reed tried to avoid the mishap by driving on the north shoulder of the highway but his vehicle was struck nearly dead center. The patrol and the Wadena ambulance service worked nearly an hour to free Reed from the wreckage. He was then rushed to a Brainerd hospital where he underwent surgery. He suffered multiple injuries including fractures about one leg, hip and rib fractures plus head injuries.
His condition was listed as stable in the intensive care unit of St. Joseph's Hospital. Denny was dead at the scene, according to Wadena County Deputy Coroner Gary Pearson.
