Month: September 2020

In a typical year, the Soup & Chili Cookoff & Chocolate Extravaganza would signal the kickoff of the United Way Campaign. However, with the event canceled due to COVID-19, United Way Executive Director Lori Wagner organized a kickoff photo next to the United Way thermometer outside American Federal Bank that tracks the organization’s process towards reaching its fundraising goal to support agencies helping people in the Crookston area.

Wagner said the campaign is already off to a quick start. “We’re not doing our Soup & Chili this year, which everybody’s sad,” said Wagner. “We’re doing the thermometer for our yearly kickoff, and we’re already at 10 percent, so we’re pretty excited about that. Hopefully, we’re going to have a good year.”

With events canceled, the United Way will fundraise through new virtual methods, according to Wagner. “We’re going to be doing a virtual video that came out today on YouTube and our Facebook,” said Wagner. “All the businesses and individuals can look at that. All the business packets should go out today or tomorrow. We were waiting for our virtual video since COVID has changed the way we do business. Usually, the United Way is face-to-face, which is my favorite part, and I can’t do that anymore. We’re also going to be doing an online auction since we can’t do in-person events anymore, so stay tuned for that.”

Wagner said donors make it possible for the United Way to help the local agencies serving the community. “We kept the goal the same, $160,000,” said Wagner. “And thanks to all of you, last year we made 8 percent over our goal. Now is the new year that goes from October to October, so we’re starting our goal all over again. Without all of the donors, we’d never make it. Last year we gave to 19 agencies and without the donors giving the 19 agencies wouldn’t be able to help the hundreds of people they impact in Crookston with their programs and projects.”

While other United Way organizations are expecting a down year, Wagner is optimistic the Crookston organization can reach its goal. “I’m hoping for a good year,” said Wagner. “A lot of United Ways are planning to be 30 percent down, but I’m always optimistic. I think we can do it because we need to do it for the mission of (helping) our people.”

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce an exhibition of artwork by father and son regional artists Rock and Beau Bakken. The art exhibit installation, Bakken: The Artistry of Father and Son will open October 1 and run through November 30 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland College and Technical School in Thief River Falls. 

Mara Hanel, Director of the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council comments, “We have had our Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit for twenty-one years now, and there is rarely a year that Rock or Beau Bakken of Hallock do not show their paintings. I’m proud to say that both father and son have won first prize in our annual exhibit. Rock also has won people’s choice so often, that we always anticipate that he will garner many votes! I am excited that we will feature their art in our gallery at NCTC this fall.”

Visitors to the gallery will see why Rock Bakken is well known in the area for his detailed drawings and paintings of animals and birds. He places them in landscapes that depict the area and forests of the north, in a style that is popular, especially with men who enjoy high-quality wildlife art. Rock takes his originals and creates high-quality prints and greeting cards that are available for purchase at his store Bakken Boots in Hallock and at arts and craft fairs throughout the valley. The gallery will feature his originals for sale, so if you are a business looking to buy art, this showcase will interest you. Rock also has created portraits and is available for commission.

Mara goes on to say, “Then you have Rock’s son Beau, who is a talented artist also. Beau was selected to receive our prestigious Artist of the Year award. He is known for his large mural paintings in Hallock, Kennedy, Red Lake Falls, and other towns in the Red River Valley. My husband owns six large movie posters created by Beau, that we are putting on display for this show only. Come see our private collection that features the movies of Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, My Fair Lady, Saving Private Ryan, Tommy Boy, and A Bug’s Life. His attention to detail while recreating the movie posters, for our private commission, is amazing.”

This show will feature several of Beau’s large acrylic paintings, with many for sale. They are different than his father’s — often depicting parks and street scenes from foreign locations, in a painting style that is expressive and loose. 

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door A. Visitor parking is free and at this time in the large end lot.  

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The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 817 new cases of COVID-19 and five deaths.  The news cases were found in 15,257 completed tests for a positive rate of 5.4 percent. There were no new cases reported in Polk County.

Updated September 29, 2020
Updated daily at 11 a.m., with data current as of 4 p.m. the previous day.

Data is for cases that were tested and returned positive. All data is preliminary and may change as cases are investigated. Many data points are collected during case interviews. Data presented below is for all cases, regardless of interview status. Data for cases pending interview may be listed as “unknown/missing.”

Not all suspected cases of COVID-19 are tested, so this data is not representative of the total number of people in Minnesota who have or had COVID-19. Cumulative numbers are since Jan. 20, 2020.

Other Statistics

• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children (MIS-C) Statistics
• Minnesota COVID-19 Public Dashboard
• Minnesota’s COVID-19 Response and Preparation Capacity
• Dial Back Dashboard
• CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in the U.S.
• Minnesota COVID-19 Modeling

Data in the data tables is correct as of 11 a.m. daily. Dynamic images and maps will update shortly after 11 a.m. daily and will not work if your browser is in compatibility mode.

The Northwest Regional Corrections Center announced the arrests of the following individuals:

Michael Ned Valinski, 41 of Crookston, for a felony probation violation. Released on personal recognizance.

Dustin Lee Mondor, 38 of East Grand Forks, for a felony violation of a domestic abuse order for protection. Released on personal recognizance.

Jace Michel Bueng, 30 of Twin Valley, for felony 3rd-degree assault. Released on personal recognizance.

Nathan Terrance Brickzin, 39 of Alvarado, for felony 1st-degree possession of 25 grams or more of cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine.

Priscilla Ann Storbakken, 34 of Red Lake Falls, for felony 3rd-degree possession of methamphetamine in a school, park, or public housing zone.