ST. PAUL — You're Welcome, Don'tcha Snow and Skol Plow are among the newest named snowplows set to deploy in Northern Minnesota as part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation fleet.
State officials announced the latest round of winning names on Thursday, Feb. 13, in MnDOT's Name a Snowplow contest.
The winning names, in order of vote totals, and their future homes are:
- We’re Off To See The Blizzard – District 8 (Southwest Minnesota)
- Snowtorious B.I.G. – District 4 (West Central Minnesota)
- Plowabunga! – District 6 (Southeast Minnesota)
- Anthony Sledwards – Metro District (Twin Cities)
- You’re Welcome – District 2 (Northwest Minnesota)
- Don’tcha Snow – District 3 (Central Minnesota)
- Skol Plow – District 1 (Northeast Minnesota)
- I Came, I Thaw, I Conquered – District 7 (South Central Minnesota)
Nearly 23,500 voters cast ballots in this year’s contest. The order of all 50 finalists can be found on MnDOT’s Name a Snowplow website.
“Each season we have so much fun selecting new and creative snowplow names, but this contest is also a great way to highlight the hard work of our snowplow drivers and keep them safe,” stated MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger in the announcement. “Please slow down and give our snowplow drivers plenty of space to clear roads safely every time it snows.”
MnDOT invited people to submit creative snowplow name ideas in December 2024 and received more than 7,300 submissions. Most suggestions were submitted multiple times by multiple people. Agency staff narrowed the list to 50 finalists for the public to vote on. This is the fifth year that MnDOT has hosted the Name a Snowplow contest.
Statewide, MnDOT now has 44 named snowplows, including Plowy McPlowFace, Betty Whiteout and Taylor Drift. In addition to the 40 named snowplows selected through the annual Name a Snowplow contests, MnDOT staff have also helped to name four additional snowplows statewide in acknowledgement of highways the state plows adjacent to tribal lands. They are Giiwedin-The North Wind; Goonodaabaan-Snow Vehicle (both Ojibwe); and Icamna-Blizzard and Wakta!-Watch Out! (both Dakota).
-
Camp Christopher in Cotton offers free camping for those impacted by suicide or mental health issues.
-
Events this week include a poetry and printmaking program at Arrowhead libraries, Bemidji Chorale concerts and a "Brain Train" event in Cohasset.
-
Ashkan Thibodeaux, 5, rescued his younger brother from an icy creek but couldn't pull himself out. He was flown to a Twin Cities hospital, where he remains.
-
The fires will help reduce overgrown vegetation and protect local communities from wildfires.
-
Hara Charlier accepted another position to be closer to family. An interim president will be appointed in May, and a national search for the next president will begin in the fall.
-
And: Central Lakes College President Hara Charlier is leaving the school; and a new report is concerned with the DNR's plans for electronic licenses this spring.
-
Volunteer Skywarn spotters help the agency deliver accurate and timely severe weather warnings. Training includes thunderstorm safety, the science of storms and cloud formation.
-
Students from across Minnesota gathered at the Capitol to showcase their robotics skills and promote education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
-
Sweeney’s Saloon is offering a “Dine Across the Aisle” special to Minnesota lawmakers who grab a meal with a member of the other party.
-
People of all backgrounds and ages visit the Minnesota State Capitol during the legislative session.