Life goes on in Embarrass at -42F

You might think activity in a small township in northern Minnesota would come to a standstill when the temperature drops to 42 below zero.

Not so. The postmaster in the St. Louis County township of Embarrass says life goes on. Residents have reported to work. Children are in school. And the mail is being delivered.

The National Weather Service says Embarrass is the coldest spot in Minnesota Thursday. Other communities in the region aren't far behind; it was 39 below in Ash Lake and 36 below in International Falls.

Embarrass Postmaster Paul Thesenvitz says his carriers deliver mail by car, so only their arms get cold when they reach out to a mailbox.

He has just one complaint - the power has gone out so his coffee pot isn't working.

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