Hatari Closes in Weimar; Rockdale VFD Gets Crafty

The Colorado Co. Citizen

• Hatari Wildlife Park owners, brothers Ron and Dean Robichaux, announced Dec. 29, 2021 that the Weimar based park would close it’s doors Jan. 3. “Out incredible journey in providing a first-class wildlife park has come to an end,” the press release said. The Rovichauxs said the “sharp increase in the cost of goods, increased wage pressure, as well as recruitment challenges and a dramatic decrease in park attendance” over the last few months hit the business hard. They also added that supply chain shortages deeply affected their gift shop sales. Hatari Wildlife Park opened to the public in 2020 in the midst of the COVID pandemic. After Jan. 2, Hatari’s workforce was reduced to strictly animal care, and operation will be permanently closed down in the weeks to come.

The Rockdale Reporter

• Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department converted an excess military tactical vehicle into a firefighting machine. The large quantity of water that it will carry will help the department gain quick control of a fire. The military vehicle was awarded through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program. The department also accepted a $20,000 grant from the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to purchase a slip-on unit for the truck. One of the stipulations when receiving an excess military truck is that it be painted a nonmilitary color and be service ready in 180 days.

New Ulm Enterprise

• Following an Eagle Board of Review on Dec. 16, 2021, Colton Kase earned the rank of Eagle with the Boy Scouts of America. Colton has been a member of Industry Scouts Pack/Troop 299 since first grade. The Eagle rank is the highest achievement in scouting. For Colton’s Eagle project, he along with the help of his fellow scouts and confirmation students from the church renovated the playground area at Welcome Lutheran Church.

Wharton Journal Spectator

• Former Wharton Tiger standout B.J. Baylor is forgoing his final year at Oregon State and declaring for the NFL draft, he announced on his social media Dec. 28. Baylor, a red shirt junior, was a running back for four seasons with the Oregon State Beavers.

The former Tiger, in his first full season, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2021. Baylor had the 13th most yards in college football this past season, rushing for 1,337 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns.