Month: April 2020

Celebrating Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, the Polk County Transfer Station in Crookston is announcing a new organics compost program, which will be available for Polk County residents to drop-off household organics and food wastes for composting at the landfill. The program will kick-off whenever the governor’s “Stay at Home” executive order is lifted.

Residents that are interested in participating in this new program are urged to reach out to Crookston Transfer Station staff for details about the program by contacting us at 218-281-6445 or by email at environmental.svs@co.polk.mn.us

The first step to composting organics is by separating the organics and food wastes from the garbage at each household.  These residential organics can be composted at the permitted compost facility located at the Landfill.  We are urging households to get on our mailing list for program updates. Please leave your information (name, address and phone number or email) so that staff can get those residents that are interested in this new program an organics collection kit to start implementing in your household.

Polk County Transfer Station’s operational hours are 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday).  Again, we are encouraging residents to reach out to our staff and facility.  If interested please call us at 218-281-6445 or email us at environmental.svs@co.polk.mn.us  For more information about the organics program visit our website at https://www.co.polk.mn.us/ under the Environmental Services Department, “NEW Organics Program”.

On Friday, Gov. Tim Walz announced a statewide initiative to get Minnesotans to make homemade masks.  Walz asked for local fire stations to collect masks on Saturday, April 25 and the Crookston Fire Department will have a collection box at the main fire hall, 620 S Main, said firefighter Chris Klawitter.  “This Saturday, April 25, between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. we’ll be a drop-off point for the collection of homemade masks.  The way this is happening is, we’ll have a container outside our door.  So, when you do drop off masks, drop them in there in a bag and ring the buzzer.  Then someone on duty will come to grab them to keep them safe. Remember to practice social distancing when you’re dropping them off.  Be sure to stay away from other people if you’re dropping them off.”

Klawitter says the Minnesota State Fire Marshal is asking that masks meet the following guidelines. “The State Fire Marshal directive for masks we are collecting is that if you build them, build them so that they tightly enclose the area around the mouth and nose from the bridge of the nose to the chin,” said Klawitter.  “And that they extend up the cheeks past the corners of the mouth so that no gaps occur when talking or moving.  Granted one size doesn’t fit everybody and if people have been making masks, they are probably aware of different sizes for different faces.  Use a mask material that is tightly woven but breathable. Double layer the fabric if possible.  They must be made from a fabric that is washable and can handle high temperatures and bleach because for them to be reused they need to be cleaned properly.  Something that is going to shrink or break down with bleach is not a good idea to make a mask with.  They need to be tolerant of the expected amounts of moisture from breathing.  Some of the suggested materials are an outer layer of tea cloth with an inner layer of microfleece to wick away moisture.  Use an accordion fold to mimic a hospital mask as much as possible. Use a fat woven shoelace material type material to bind the sides such as quilt binding.  Use elastic for the straps that go behind the ears.”

Klawitter said the fire department will serve as the collector and distribute masks to congregate care facilities and shelters throughout the community. “Again, these are going to be collected by the fire department for us to distribute to other congregate care facilities that need them such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, shelters,” said Klawitter.  “We are going into our storm season where we might have to open up storm shelters.  We’re the drop-off point and hopefully, we can get some nice homemade masks donated.”

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has enacted a road closure on Highway 89 from Highway 1 to Marshall County Road 54 near Grygla due to a culvert failure. The highway will remain closed until further notice and traffic should seek alternate routes.

MnDOT crews continue to monitor water levels along with the remaining highway segments that are closed due to flooding. Highways impacted by floods need to be inspected for damage and safety prior to opening.

The highways in northwestern Minnesota that remain closed due to flooding include:

• Highway 89 near Grygla, between Hwy 1 and CR 54
• Highway 175 between North Dakota and CR 34, west of Hallock
• Highway 220 north of Oslo, between Highway 1 and Highway 11
• Highway 317 between Highway 220 and North Dakota border
• Highway 102 northwest of Fertile from Hwy 32 to CR 44

Highways that have been opened and are clear of water:

• Highway 1 near Oslo (5-ton weight limit in effect)
• Highway 2B Sorlie Bridge in East Grand Forks
• Highway 9 south of Ada
• Highway 75 north of Climax
• Hwy 220 south of Alvarado

Areas that have water on the road or are closed because of flooding are marked on MnDOT’s road conditions map www.511mn.org. When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.

On April 19, at approximately 6:50 pm, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a single vehicle accident on County Road 19 near 420th Ave SW. It was reported a vehicle went off the roadway and was submerged in Grand Marais Creek.

The Deputy arrived on scene and discovered a 2020 Subaru Legacy partially submerged in the water. The driver, identified as Zachary Markovich, age 21 of East Grand Forks, was able to escape the vehicle without any injuries. 

No further information will be given at this time.

Assisting agencies were East Grand Forks Police Department and Minnesota State Patrol.