One of Minnesota's last surviving drive-in movie theaters finally reopened after being closed for repairs for nearly three months.
The Long Drive-In in Long Prairie shut down after a storm severely damaged its outdoor screen on July 17. It took months to get the repairs made to the original 1950s-era screen, which stands 60 feet high and 86 feet wide. But finally, owners Michelle and Dan Claseman of nearby Little Falls reopened the central Minnesota theater on Oct. 12.
It was the longest the theater had been closed during the seasonal business' 61 years.
The theater will also host a special Halloween event Oct. 20-21 with kids' movies. Michelle Claseman said the theater could stay open until the end of October, depending on weather. For an updated schedule, go to thelongdrivein.com.
The drive-in theater is one of only two continuously running drive-in theaters from the 1950s left in Minnesota. The state once had nearly 90 drive-in theaters during the height of their popularity, but that's now dwindled to only six.
KELLY SMITH
MANKATO
No criminal charges in August quarry blast
The Blue Earth County attorney won't file criminal charges in a quarry blast that sent chunks of limestone screaming through a Mankato neighborhood this summer.
County Attorney Pat McDermott said last week that an investigation of the Aug. 8 incident at the Jefferson Quarry failed to yield evidence strong enough to present to a jury.
"We would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person acted with gross disregard for human life or property," he said. "It's a pretty high burden of proof."
