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“Riverdale” Star Vanessa Morgan Alleges She is Paid Less Than White Co-Stars

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“Riverdale” actress Vanessa Morgan announced she’s “not being quiet anymore” when it comes to the portrayal of black people in media. Morgan tweeted:  “Tired of how black people are portrayed in Media. Tired of us being portrayed as thugs, dangerous or angry scary people. Tired of us also being used as side kick non dimensional characters to our white leads. Or only used in the ads for diversity but not actually in the show. It starts with the media.” 

Morgan also stated that she gets paid less than her white co-stars and that she is “used as the token biracial bisexual.” Morgan asked fans not to “attack” her fellow castmates, as they “don’t call the shots,” her co-star Lili Reinhart responded with, “We love you, V. And support you 10000%.”

Morgan, who plays Toni Topaz, joined “Riverdale” as a reoccurring character in the show’s second season and was promoted to a series regular in season 3. She is currently the only black series regular, since Ashleigh Murray left the show after the third season.

Riverdale Star Vanessa Morgan Says She Makes Less Money Than the Rest of the Main Cast

Via www.yahoo.com
Riverdale star Vanessa Morgan, who plays Toni Topaz on the hit CW show, is speaking out about…
 

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Lea Michele Apologizes For Being Difficult On Set Of “Glee” After Accusations Against Her Were Made

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Former “Glee” star Lea Michele has apologized for being “unnecessarily difficult” on the set of her show, after a co-star accused Michele of making her time there “a living hell.”  Michele issued a statement saying that while she didn’t recall any incident or judged anyone by their background, she was sorry and blamed her privilege and “immaturity.”

Michele said: “I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people. Whether it was my privileged position and perspective that caused me to be perceived as insensitive or inappropriate at times or whether it was just my immaturity and me just being unnecessarily difficult, I apologize for my behavior and for any pain which I have caused.”

The apology came two days after former co-star Samantha Marie Ware accused Michele of “traumatic microaggressions that made me question a career in Hollywood.” Michele is white and Ware is black. After Ware’s allegation, the meal kit company HelloFresh announced that it would sever its partnership with Michele, saying “We are disheartened and disappointed to learn of the recent claims concerning Lea Michele.”

Lea Michele Apologizes For Glee Misconduct: ‘I Clearly Acted In Ways That Hurt Other People’

Via www.mtv.com
Lea Michele addressed her past behavior ‘which hurt other people’ in an Instagram note after her…
 

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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SPORTS FEEVER – June 4, 2020

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It has been a tough week in the state of Minnesota and across the nation after the death of George Floyd.  I might have shared the moment I experienced racism in person, but in case you missed it, here is the story –

It was the winter of 1995-96 and I was playing basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston.  Half the men’s basketball team was black and the other were white.  I was close with everybody on the team and some of my better friends were African American.  One day we were walking from a dorm towards the sports center and passing another dorm.  As we were walking by, a window opened and somebody yelled down to us, “look at those Niggers”.  (sorry for the full word, but it was said)  Those of us that were white said let’s go kick his rear end!!!!  Our teammates and friends said no, that is what they want.  They want us to get in a fight and guess who will get in trouble?
It was a moment that is engrained in my head forever.   A while later we were playing at the Dakota Dome against the University of South Dakota Coyotes.  The student body was yelling “Look at all the monkeys” the entire game.  It was unbelievable that the student body would say something like that (I guess not really in South Dakota), but even more surprising that nobody from the coaching staff, or athletic department put a stop to it.
There are many more stories of racism towards my teammates and friends that year.  While I have had a pretty good life being white, I will never pretend to know the struggles African Americans go through and will continue to go through.

With that being said, if you are white…..just listen, try to help fight systemic racism, and most importantly let’s use this tragedy to make sure we don’t let something like this happen again.  And 99 percent of the cops are great people and care about the people and the community.  Don’t let the one percent think poorly of the 99 percent!!!

EVERYBODY is created equal and make sure you treat everybody equal!!!

With that said, I will get a little political here.  People that know me, know I strongly dislike both the democratic and republican parties (they are both corrupt and don’t care about what is best for the people, they just do what is best for the party).
If you are African American in Minneapolis or St. Paul, why would you ever vote Democrat??  They have been in power in those cities forever and things keep getting worse for them.  The democrats love the unions and the union is the reason why bad cops don’t get fired unless they kill somebody.  Education Minnesota is denouncing the union chief of the Minneapolis Police Union (which is fine because the guy is an idiot). But, I find it funny because he isn’t any different than the teachers union that protects bad teachers and makes it almost impossible to fire a bad teacher.  But, Education Minnesota is saying having a union that protects bad apples is bad.  You can’t make up the hypocrisy.

That is more political talk than there should be, but it boils my blood on how people can be so hoodwinked to think people will help them when they are the ones that keep them down. I don’t know what the republican party would do and we all know the whacko president isn’t going to help them either so I don’t know what the right answer is????  Let’s hope Governor Walz is right about one thing….this might be the last chance to get IT right with racial equality, so we better get it right.

Thanks for reading another Sports Feever column and I promise that will be the last political commentary for a while and I apologize.  But I had to get it off my chest.
Thanks for reading and be safe!

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After about two months, Governor Tim Walz finally forgave his old hairdresser girlfriend from college that broke up with him (or whatever the reason) and let hairdressers get back to work.  My wife is finally done living off the government cheese!!!!  I was sick of being the breadwinner for two months because it was too much pressure on me;)…..so we are back to her being the breadwinner of the family and I am fine with it, except she was a lot more relaxed when she wasn’t working!!

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The Minnesota State High School League board has elected its officers for the 2020-2021 school year
President: Blaine Novak of New York Mills
Vice President: Tom Jerome of Roseau
Treasurer: Troy Stein of Edina

Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis
League Office, Brooklyn Center and via digital platform
Monday, June 1, 2020

Welcome

  • Board President Bonnie Spohn Schmaltz called the meeting to order and reminded Board Members that roll call votes are required for all action items due to the virtual meeting setting.
  • Board member John Vraa gave the reflection
  • The meeting agenda as presented was approved by roll call vote
  • The board meeting minutes from April 24, 2020 were approved by roll call vote

Lobbyist Report

  • League Lobbyist Roger Aronson reported the State Legislature adjourned on May 18, but is likely to reconvene on June 12
  • A tax bill that includes a provision for the League’s tax dollars on tournament tickets to be used for operations is on a list of bills that will be considered by the tax committee
  • Approximately $160 million in federal grants are very likely to be available to help state organizations and school districts, among others. The League’s lobbyist and League Staff will explore what eligibility the League might have to receive a grant.

Legal Counsel Report

  • Legal Counsel Kevin Beck reported there is one pending court case. A hearing date for a motion to dismiss is being sought.

Executive Director’s Report

  • Executive Director Erich Martens reported the League office is closed to the public to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. League Staff are now working in the office on a rotation basis and are working remotely when not in the office.
  • The League is one of 70 youth sports providers that are represented on a roundtable with State of Minnesota Commissioner Tarek Tomes to help create a model for the reopening of youth sports. Maintaining health, safety and long-term success are the foundations of the model.

Executive Committee Report

  • By roll call vote, the board of directors approved a committee recommendation to hold a board of directors meeting on July 14, 2020
  • By roll call vote, the board of directors approved a committee recommendation to schedule the next Representative Assembly on Nov. 17, 2020
  • The International School of Minnesota, based in Eden Prairie, is seeking to become a dormitory-based school. Executive Director Martens will provide information to the school’s leadership on criteria and process
  • The committee approved the closing of the associate director position that has been posted
  • The League received $790,000 through the Paycheck Protection Program. In following the requirements of the program, up to $580,000 will be a grant.
  • The League Office will begin traditional summer hours this week and is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Friday. League Staff will work fulltime and are reachable via phone and email.
  • The board of directors approved the Executive Committee report by roll call vote

Closed Session

  • The board of directors approved by roll call vote to move into a closed session at 9:45 a.m., to discuss nonpublic educational data.
  • The board of directors re-opened the meeting at 10:10 a.m.

Action Items (Roll call votes were used on all Action Items because of virtual meeting protocol)

  • 9A: Summer Waiver Coaching Period

Approved a motion by the Eligibility Committee and declaration of the MSHSL to change the Summer Waiver Coaching Period start date to June 15

  • 9B: Representative Assembly Proposed Amendments:

Bylaw 110, Semesters Enrolled — The board of directors approved the advancement of proposed amended language in the bylaw to the Representative Assembly

Bylaw 110, Board Policy Update — The board of directors approved policy language that further explains the approved amendments including notice of students by schools and specific examples of situations.

Bylaw 403, Cooperative Sponsorship of an activity by two or more member schools — The board of directors approved the advancement of proposed amendments to the cooperative sponsorship bylaw provided through the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on Bylaw 403.

  • 9C: Winter Advisory Recommendations

Wrestling

  • The board of directors approved the proposal by the wrestling advisory committee to increase the size of the team roster for section and state tournaments. The increase is to add two wrestlers so that each alternate would cover two weight classes.
  • The board of directors approved the proposal by the wrestling advisory committee to allow for a participant to compete in both junior varsity and varsity matches in the same dual, triangular or quad meets, and have the participation recorded as two individual matches, but only one event.
  • No motion was made in support of a proposal by the wrestling advisory committee to add an additional half day to the state tournament for the purpose of creating a full consolation round for the individual portion of the tournament and spread the team tournament over two days.

9F: 2019-2020 Membership registration fees

  • The board of directors approved a motion that member schools would not receive activity fee rebates or credits as a result of the cancellation of the Spring 2020 season

9G: 2019-2020 Officials registration fees

  • The board of directors approved a motion that registered spring officials would not receive fee rebates or credits due to the cancellation of spring sports and activities

Discussion Items

  • 10A: 2020-2021 Preliminary Budget

League Staff shared information on factors that will impact the creation of a 2020-2021 budget, which include but are not limited to, registration fees, tournament revenues, contracts and sponsorships, as well as projected expenses for programming, insurance and staffing. The League will continue to develop financial projections for presentation at the July 14 board of directors meeting

  • 10B: Consolation and Third Place

League Staff shared information related to consolation and third place rounds within many state tournaments. This information will be considered in future decisions regarding tournaments.

  • 10C: Competitive Section Placement Process Timeline

League Staff shared information on the classification and competitive section placement of member schools that is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2021. Prior to the process, the Region Assignments of member schools will be reviewed and adjusted.

Committee Reports

Audit/Finance Committee (conducted by virtual platform on May 28, 2020)

  • The financial statement for April was approved by the board of directors by a roll call vote
  • The League’s Annual Report is due June 15 to the IRS and Minnesota’s Attorney General
  • The board of directors approved in a roll call vote the increase in registration fees for first-year officials to $30 to more closely address the actual cost of officiating materials.
  • The committee discussed the potential for Administrative Regions to carry more than the current 20 percent of operational expenses in the fund balance

Marketing and Communications Committee (conducted by virtual platform on May 27, 2020)

  • League Staff provided an update on the technology build that is scheduled for a Phase 1 release in mid-July
  • The board of directors approved by roll call vote a motion to renew the existing sponsorship with Wells Fargo
  • The board of directors approved by roll call vote a motion to partner with the Minnesota Vikings for promotions of the Prep Bowl
  • The board of directors approved by roll call vote a motion to partner with Hometown Ticketing, a digital ticketing company

Informational
Next board meeting: July 14, 2020, time TBA

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The Minnesota State High School League is asking school districts to pay $50 more per sport they offer for next school year.  The fee per sport used to be $90 per month and a couple of years ago it increased to $110 per sport. For the school year 2020-2021, the Minnesota State High School League wants $160 per sport and one dollar for each student.
The state high school league is running at a large deficit this year and they are trying to get more money from the districts.

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An upgrade to the Crookston High School weight room was unanimously approved by the Crookston School board last week.  The work on an upgraded weight room started about a year ago and Activities Director Greg Garmen has received quotes with BSN Sports/Tom Piche doing the initial work.  Most schools in the area use BSN Sports and schools like Bagley, Ada-Borup/West, and others have been happy with their upgrades through Piche.
The upgrade will mean new equipment.  “There will be new equipment, new flooring and we want to make it a little brighter with new lights,” said Superintendent Jeremy Olson. “We are trying to make it the best place we can with the space we have.”
Renderings of the weight room are below –

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School Districts across the state have been wondering if and what they should pay the spring sports coaches.
The Crookston School District is saving $44,700 in supplies and transportation by not having spring sports.  With that said, the board approved to pay the spring sports coaches 50% of their coaching salary.   I think it is fair and important to pay the coaches a portion of their salary as they put so much time in during the offseason and extra time during the season.

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The Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Girls Basketball program will be looking for a new coach after Tom Critchley Jr. took a job to be the head Boys Basketball Coach at Big Lake School District.

Critchley has been a head coach for over 24 years has recorded over 400 wins in his career.  Before DGF, he was the head Boys Basketball coach at Marshall, and Ulen-Hitterdal.  He has been elected president of the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association.

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Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Boys Basketball player Jacob Strand (5’11 guard) has signed to play basketball at Mayville State next year.

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Former UMC Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Aneese, who was at the University of Mary for two years has announced he is leaving Bismarck, North Dakota and the coaching profession to become a consultant for a health and wellness company in Colorado.

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Steve Bruce shared the information below.  It shows the number of points scored by sisters.  The Hill and Borowicz sisters are at the top of the list and both groups will be adding to their total next year.

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Just an FYI – Kansas City Kings selected Bruce Jenner in the 1977 NBA draft.  I didn’t know this, so I figured I would share it with you.

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JOKES

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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST email me at  chrisjfee@yahoo.com

Paul Bittner is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket.

Brady Heppner, is playing hockey for the Roanoke Raildogs in the SPHL.

Aleece Durbin, is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.

Brita Fagerlund, is a Junior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.

Ben Trostad is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team.

Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team.

Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.

Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown.

Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.

Cade Salentine is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota. 

Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.

Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s.

Crookston School District Coaches –
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Blake Fee is an assistant wrestling coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach

Non-Crookston High School coaching –

Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown

Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.

Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Josh Edlund  is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.

Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park

Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.

Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.

Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.

Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.

Matt Harris, is a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.

Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.

Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming

Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach

Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School

Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations

Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College

Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies

Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis

Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy

Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.

Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.

Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.

Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School.  He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.

Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation

Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome

That’s it for this week.  Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call.  Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com

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EAST GRAND FORKS CITY COUNCIL APPROVES SUMMER REC ACTIVITIES STARTING JULY 6

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The East Grand Forks City Council gave permission to East Grand Forks Parks and Recreation to begin Summer activities the week of July 6. Registration for programs will open the week of June 8.
They are currently updating the website with current information on how each program will operate for the summer and the requirements of participants, coaches, and parents that need to adhere to during the COVID-19 period. There have been changes to all programs.
Program fees have been updated to reflect the shorter activity season and they will run activities through August 13.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON INCREASES CHARGE ON DEREK CHAUVIN AND CHARGES THE 3 OTHER COPS IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD

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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (pictured below during a visit to Crookston) made several announcements today in the prosecution of the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis.

First, Attorney General Ellison announced that he has filed a charge of second-degree murder against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The new second-degree murder charge joins the previously-filed charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Second, Attorney General Ellison announced that he and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman have filed charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter against former Minneapolis officers J.A. Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao. Arrest warrants have been issued for Kueng, Lane, and Thao.

All the complaints charge that the four officers caused Mr. Floyd’s death while using unlawful and excessive force in arresting Mr. Floyd.

The complaints allege that on the evening of May 25, the officers arrested Mr. Floyd at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. In detaining Mr. Floyd, Derek Chauvin used an unauthorized restraint technique in which he pressed his knee into Mr. Floyd’s neck to restrict Mr. Floyd’s movement while Mr. Floyd was handcuffed and laying on the pavement. Thomas Lane and J.A. Kueng held Mr. Floyd by the legs and hips to further restrict movement. Tou Thao stood guard to prevent members of the public, who gathered nearby to witness the police action, from intervening to aid Mr. Floyd. While the officers restrained him nearly motionless on the ground, Mr. Floyd repeatedly told the officer he could not breathe and also said that he was about to die.

The complaints allege that Derek Chauvin, who last week was charged with third degree murder but now faces an additional charge of second degree murder, assaulted Mr. Floyd by using unauthorized and unnecessary force to intentionally inflict bodily harm upon Mr. Floyd. The actions of Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J.A. Kueng aided Chauvin’s assault by allowing him to continue to inflict bodily harm on Mr. Floyd for several minutes, well after any need by the officers to use physical force had dissipated. Because the actions of the officers resulted in Mr. Floyd’s death, second-degree murder is an appropriate charge.

Derek Chauvin was arrested on May 28 and remains in custody. J.A. Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao were arrested today and also remain in custody.

The case is under continuing investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.  The officers will be prosecuted by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, with Attorney General Ellison as the lead prosecutor. Copies of the complaints for Chauvin, Kueng, Lane, and Thao are available on Attorney General Keith Ellison’s website.

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POLK COUNTY CAMPGROUNDS THANKFUL TO WELCOME CAMPERS, VISITORS BACK THIS WEEK

Besides bars, restaurants and salons, campgrounds across Minnesota were allowed to start reopening this week under Phase II of Governor Tim Walz’s Stay Safe Minnesota Order.

Cynthia Tyler and her husband, David, have co-owned Oak Cove Resort and Marine on Maple Lake just south of Mentor for 35 years. Cynthia calls the ability to reopen a great relief for their site.

“We were trying to figure out exactly what we were going to do this summer,” she said, “and all of the people already asking what they were going to do when they could come, and what they were going to do with their camper, boats or pontoon.”

Oak Cove can accommodate up to seven campers along with their 21 mobile home sites. They also have boat, pontoon, kayak and paddle boat rental. Tyler says the docks at Oak Cove went in during late-April, and that drew boaters back immediately.

“Shortly after that, they started coming out of the woodwork,” Tyler said, “looking for their boats to come out of storage and wondering what they needed to do to get on the list for camping and boat rental. It usually doesn’t get too busy until closer to Memorial Day weekend, but with no graduation ceremonies or parties, it kind of snowballed and blossomed early this spring.”

Campers and boaters are still asked to practice social distancing and maintain proper sanitation practices this summer. Oak Cove is thoroughly cleaning each boat that gets rented out between usage, among other precautions.

Just 10 miles southeast of Oak Cove, Union Lake Sarah Campground was also excited to welcome campers back this week. This popular spot about five miles southwest of Erskine has 130 campsites with 160 families on its waiting list.

Caretaker Dale Thormodsgard also encourages visitors to practice social distancing and use common sense while camping at Lake Sarah, but he believes the great outdoors makes it easier for people to keep their distance.

“It’s by design,” he said. “We’re all separated by our own campsites. We have our campfires and our own boats for the most part. A lot of family activities with walks, golf cart rides, bicycling and all of those kinds of things. It’s way different than any kind of retail store for sure.”

Elsewhere, Lake Cameron RV Park and Campground just outside of Erskine is back open, but their bathhouse and playground is closed, and only seasonal campers are allowed to stay overnight. Crookston’s Central Park campground is tentatively set to be back open by June 15, as the city continues work on a preparedness plan for the site.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources hopes to have all state parks reopened by June 15, with certain large-gathering facilities remaining closed. Camping may look different this summer in some ways, but Thormodsgard hopes people will get out and enjoy what they can.

“We’re very thankful for the ability to provide a service to folks to get away from all the TV drama,” Thormodsgard said, “to come out here, be with nature, catch some fish and get their minds right.”

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FAMILY OF GRAND FORKS OFFICER CODY HOLTE RELEASES THANK YOU STATEMENT

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Yesterday’s memorial service and processional were the most perfect and fitting tribute to our hero. We are truly humbled, and our hearts are filled with gratitude for the extraordinary expression of support from our law enforcement family, our National Guard family, citizens, both local and from across the region, and the local, state, and federal leaders. Thank you for shouldering and sharing in the burden of grief with us. While Cody’s watch on earth has ended, it is because of you that Cody’s legacy of faithful service will endure. Although our hearts are heavy today, we find solace knowing Cody is at peace and that we will be reunited. Thank you again, and God bless.

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CITY OF EAST GRAND FORKS RECEIVES US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT FOR HALF A MILLION DOLLARS

us-department-of-transportation

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced $7.7 million in grant awards to two transit providers in Minnesota as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020. The City of Rochester in Olmstead County will receive $7.2 million to continue transit operations and to purchase replacement buses during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The City of East Grand Forks in Polk County will receive $527,329 to support transit service and transit employee wages.

See FTA’s apportionment tables for the totals apportioned to each area. (This funding is based on the agency’s current request and may not represent the full amount the agency will receive.)

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

“We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”

In addition to the CARES Act funding, FTA issued a Safety Advisory that prompts transit agencies to develop and implement policies and procedures regarding face coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, physical separation, and hand hygiene consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance.  CARES Act funding can be used to cover 100 percent of these costs. 

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GOV. WALZ STATE ON ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICER CHARGING DECISION, EXECUTIVE ORDER EXTENDS CURFEW

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Governor Tim Walz today released the following statement following Attorney General Keith Ellison’s decision to increase Officer Derek Chauvin’s charge to second-degree murder and bring charges against the three additional officers involved in George Floyd’s death –

“I laid flowers at George Floyd’s memorial this morning. As a former high school history teacher, I looked up at the mural of George’s face painted above and I reflected on what his death will mean for future generations. What will our young people learn about this moment? Will his death be just another blip in a textbook? Or will it go down in history as when our country turned toward justice and change?”

“It’s on each of us to determine that answer.”

“The charges announced by Attorney General Keith Ellison today are a meaningful step toward justice for George Floyd. But we must also recognize that the anguish driving protests around the world is about more than one tragic incident.”

“George Floyd’s death is the symptom of a disease. We will not wake up one day and have the disease of systemic racism cured for us. This is on each of us to solve together, and we have hard work ahead.”

“We owe that much to George Floyd, and we owe that much to each other.”

WALZ EXTENDS NIGHTTIME CURFEW UNTIL FRIDAY MORNING
 Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-71 extending the temporary nighttime Minneapolis and St. Paul curfew through Friday morning to provide safety for Minnesota residents from individuals who have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity in recent days and threatened the security of lawful demonstrators and first responders. 

“Minnesotans need more than ever to lean on their neighbors, show up for their communities, and add their voice to this urgent conversation on addressing our systemic problems,” said Governor Walz. “Yet they’ve made those sacrifices to stay home through the curfew to help keep our neighborhoods safe. We’re incredibly grateful that Minnesotans are working with us so we can focus our conversation and energy on justice for George Floyd.”

The temporary curfew is extended from 10pm to 4am, beginning tonight, through the morning of Friday, June 5. During the curfew, no one is allowed to travel on Minneapolis and Saint Paul streets or public places, except for first responders, members of the media, people going back and forth to work, individuals seeking emergency care or fleeing danger, and people experiencing homelessness. Curfews are not limited to Minneapolis and St. Paul. Mayors and local governments across the state can issue their own curfews as necessary.

All Minnesotans in Minneapolis and Saint Paul are urged to comply, and to comply with instructions from law enforcement. Peace officers will enforce the curfew and arrest those who refuse to comply.

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. The Walz-Flanagan Administration is committed to addressing the systemic inequities and discrimination that led to this incident and seeking justice.  

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POLK COUNTY SHERIFF JIM TADMAN REFLECTS ON TRAGEDIES OF GEORGE FLOYD, OFFICER CODY HOLTE

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Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman joined KROX radio Wednesday to reflect the tragedies surrounding the deaths of George Floyd while detained by four now-former Minneapolis Police Officers and Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte while responding to an active shooting involving a suspect and deputies of the Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office.

The loss of Officer Holte undoubtedly hit law enforcement hard in the Crookston and Polk County communities as Polk County deputies, as well as Crookston and East Grand Forks police officers, work alongside Grand Forks officers and deputies as part of various Grand Forks Regional Response Teams from SWAT to search and rescue.  Tadman said the sheriff’s office works hand-in-hand with agencies on both sides of the state boundary and that this has been a difficult week. “That has been very difficult on not only our office, Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Crookston because we work closely like you said,” said Tadman. “We’re part of the (Grand Forks Regional) response team. We have officers, so does Crookston and East Grand (Forks).  And also, we work hand-in-hand with our boat and water, our drone trying to get together to do training with that.  We’re close enough, our county butts up with Grand Forks, ND. It’s another state but we treat them as another agency and if they need assistance, we’re going to be there for them. It’s been a difficult week.”

Tadman expressed his sympathies to the family of Officer Holte and said he hopes he’s never in the situation where he has to inform loved ones that someone died while doing their job. Adding that during this day in age, you have to be mentally and physically prepared because there is no such thing as a routine call. “We’re trying to prepare our officers,” said Tadman.  “And make sure, one, that they’re healthy mentally and physically.  And that they are prepared and don’t take it that this is just another call anymore. It seems like everything is amped up.”

Sheriff Tadman also discussed the death of George Floyd, the protests, and the riots, that took place in the Twin Cities, Bemidji, and Fargo as well as all over the country.  Polk County Deputies have responded to several calls for assistance across the region and state during the unrest.

Tadman, who has been the department’s use of force instructor since 1993 said he couldn’t wrap his head around seeing what happened to George Floyd.  “We have officers, they are human beings, they make mistakes,” said Tadman. “We train very hard for everything and during a time, can something happen, yes.  But I can’t wrap my head around seeing something like that and them not saying you’ve got your hand, your knee, this here and have an outcome like that.”

Tadman said he believes people should protest as is there right but when it comes down to people that start vandalizing and destructing small businesses to victimize other people is going to do any good. “I am all for protesting,” said Tadman. “I believe that people have a right to bring it, protest and show your feelings but when it comes down to people that mix and mingle with good protesters and out vandalizing and the destruction of our small business that for how long now haven’t been able to open. Now they are getting prepared to open and they have shut down again without any income. It’s not like it’s coming from the governor, it’s destruction and maybe they have insurance. But I don’t know how doing this and victimizing other people is going to bring back George Floyd or do any good.”

Tadman said that officers get involved when there is too much criminal activity if people are destroying the community, but they also have to take steps to protect the protesters even when it’s an inconvenience for others. “We want to keep the protesters to be able to do what they can but when it gets to be too much criminal activity we have to step in to say – we have to shut this down because you’re destroying our community,” said Tadman. “I don’t think anybody in Polk County wants their property wrecked either. That’s the hard part where we come in. When do we say no?  You know blocking highways and that, people use that for getting to work. It’s on faith and you get trucks going down and now people are going to get hit. We have to look at the safety of that and put it in perspective to make a decision and that’s the hard part. Some people are happy because we’re shutting it down, but we have to do something if it gets unsafe.”  

Full interview with Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman – 

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