Month: September 2020

_­In September 2018, Polk County held a workshop on its County Road Safety Plan (CRSP). The CRSP is a joint project developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and County Engineers to improve safety on roadways outside the seven-county Twin Cities metro area.

Two projects were discussed during that meeting, the urbanization of County Road 11/Fisher Avenue into Crookston and installing Restricted Crossing U-Turns at points along Highway 2.

FISHER AVENUE
The Fisher Avenue project was initially planned to be completed this year.  “Originally, it was supposed to be constructed in 2020, and that’s what we were pushing for,” said Sanders. “We have local road improvement program bond funds and the local option sales tax that will be used to pay for it. The plan is quite extensive because it’s an urban plan with a lot of different little details, so it’s taking a little longer to get that plan done.”

When complete, Fisher Avenue will feature three lanes for traffic, one heading in each direction, with a center turn lane.  Curb and gutter will also be installed east of Drafts Sports Bar and Grill to Highway 2.  The intersection at North Broadway and Barrette Street will also have rapid flash beacons installed for pedestrian safety that will strobe when pedestrians are entering or on the crosswalk.

RESTRICTED CROSSING U-TURNS
Highway 32 will also be detoured next summer on County State Aid Highways 49, 12, and 41 as the Minnesota Department of Transportation puts the first of several Restricted Crossing U-Turns (RCUTS) on Highway 2 in Polk County.

When completed, those traveling on Highway 2 will still be able to make left turns onto Highway 32, but those traveling along Highway 32 will have to use the RCUTS rather than driving straight across four lanes of traffic on Highway 2, explains Sanders. “They’ll be closing the median to north/south traffic,” said Sanders. “You’ll still be able to make a left turn off of Highway 2 onto Highway 32. But if you’re going to go straight through on Highway 32, you’ll have to make a right, go down the road about 1,400 feet, make a U-turn, come back and make a right to go north if you were heading north.”

RCUTS are designed to reduce both injury and fatal crashes at intersections but can also increase efficiency said, Sanders.  “It’s a safer intersection,” said Sanders. “It can also be more efficient because to merge, make the U-turn, and merge back in could be less time then it would be to wait for the gap you’re looking for to go straight across all four lanes. It’s definitely going to be safer because you don’t have to worry about the T-bone crashes at the intersection itself.”

Additional RCUTS in Polk County have been proposed at U.S. Highway 2/Business 2 in East Grand Forks, and U.S. Highway 2/U.S. Hwy 75 North by the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Throughout Minnesota, 4-H educators and youth are putting their innovation skills to work as they create alternative experiences to replace 2020 county fairs, including the Polk County Fair.

During the month of July, Polk County 4-H’ers shared their skills and accomplishments with judges in a modified showcase environment, as necessitated by COVID-19. The annual livestock shows took place online. Individuals submitted their projects then judges reviewed each animal project. After this judges and youth come together online to go over the placings of each class. Static, dog, and horse projects were judged through a platform called flipgrid. 4-H’ers uploaded videos of their project into flipgrid. Judges were then able to provide feedback on projects to the 4-H’ers. To help safeguard health, the events were not open to the public.

“This has been a challenging year for 4-H’ers. We’re truly proud of how they’ve risen to the occasion to help make their showcases happen,” said Extension educator Katie Becker. “We’ve seen some amazing displays of ingenuity from Polk County 4-H’ers.” 

“4-H’s priority is to provide learning and leadership experiences that guide youth in building relationships, developing communication techniques, and strengthening organizational skills,” said Jennifer A. Skuza, Extension Center for Youth Development Associate Dean and State 4-H Director. “We’ve been committed to helping maintain the county fair experience as much as possible, recognizing that possibilities and limitations vary among all of Minnesota’s 87 counties.”

Results from judging are below. Educator Katie Becker noted that the events could not have been conducted without the help of families, volunteers and other partners. “We’re grateful to 4-H supporters for helping us put youth at the center of our alternative fair and creating a memorable, meaningful experience.”

Polk County 4-H here

Polk County Showcase Results below – 

General Static Exhibits (Youth in grades 3rd through 1 year past high school):

Cloverbuds (Grade K-2)
Blakely B. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, 7 static projects
Blakely B. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, pet show
Ella C. a member of North Star 4-H Club, 7 static projects

Animal Science Division
Top Exhibitor Elizabeth V a member of Willing Workers 4-H club
Elizabeth V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Pets, Champion
Elizabeth V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Pets, Reserve Champion

Crafts & Fine Arts Division
Top Exhibitor Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Crafts & Fine Arts, Champion
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Crafts & Fine Arts, Reserve Champion
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Crafts & Fine Arts, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Crafts & Fine Arts, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Crafts & Fine Arts, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Crafts & Fine Arts, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Crafts & Fine Arts, Blue

Demonstrations Division
Top Exhibitor Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club
Ella C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Cloverbud Demonstration, Cloverbud ribbon
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Demonstration, Champion

Family & Consumer Science Division
Top Exhibitor Dominic D. a member of North Star 4-H club.
Dominic D. a member of North Star 4-H club, non-garment, Champion

Food & Nutrition Division
Top Exhibitor Lille T. a member of North Star 4-H club.
Ella T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Food & Nutrition, Reserve Champion
Ella T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Food & Nutrition, Blue
Lillie T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Food & Nutrition, Blue
Lillie T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Food & Nutrition, Champion

Mechanical Science Division
Top Exhibitor Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Electric, Blue
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Shop, Reserve Champion
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Small Engines, Blue
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Tractor, Champion
Dominic D. a member of North Star 4-H club, Engineering Design, Red
Dominic D. a member of North Star 4-H club, Shop, Blue

Performing Arts Division
Top Exhibitor Adelle E. a member of Fisher-Climax club
Adelle E. a member of Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Champion
Ella T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Performing Arts, Reserve Champion
Lillie T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Performing Arts, Blue

Photography & Video Division
Top Exhibitor Teresa V a member of Willing Workers 4-H club
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Champion
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Reserve Champion
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Blue
Kailah L. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Red
Kailah L. a member of  Willing Workers 4-H club, Digital Photography, Red
Elizabeth V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Elements of Photography, Reserve Champion
Elizabeth V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Elements of Photography, Blue
Elizabeth V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Elements of Photography, Blue
Teresa V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Elements of Photography, Champion
Teresa V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Elements of Photography, Blue
Teresa V. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Elements of Photography, Blue

Plant & Soil Science Division
Top Exhibitor Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Plant & Soil Science, Champion 
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Agronomy, Blue
Ben C. a member of North Star 4-H club, Small Grains, Blue
Courtney V. a member of North Star 4-H club, Flower Gardening, Reserve Champion

Livestock Exhibits (Youth in grades 3rd through 1 year past high school): 

Beef
Dominic D. a member of the North Star 4-H club, Jr. Yearling, Breeding Champion
Dominic D. a member of the North Star 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 3-5, Champion
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Steer, Market Champion & Supreme Champion
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Steer, Blue
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Heifer, Market Reserve Champion
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 9+, Champion
Sidney E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Steer, Blue
Sidney E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Steer, Blue
Sidney E a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 6-8, Champion

Dairy
Ava G. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, 3 year old, Supreme Champion
Ava G. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, showmanship Grade 6-8 , Blue

Goat – Dairy
Courtney V. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Jr Kid, Breeding Champion & Supreme Champion
Courtney V. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Milking 2 yr old, Breeding Reserve Champion
Courtney V. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 9+, Champion

Goat-Meat
Adelle E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Sr Yearling Doe, Blue
Adelle E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Sr. Meat Breed, Blue
Adelle E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 9+, Champion
Sawyer E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Jr. Yearling, Blue
Sawyer E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Sr. Yearling, Breeding Champion & Supreme Champion
Sawyer E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 3-5, Champion
Trinity E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Sr Yearling, Blue
Trinity E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Sr. Yearling, Blue
Trinity E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Breeding Doe, Breeding Reserve Champion
Trinity E. a member of the Fisher-Climax 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 9+, Reserve Champion

Poultry
Blakely B. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, 1 Cloverbud entry

Sheep
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Commercial Yearling, Breeding Champion & Supreme Champion
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Commercial Yearling, Blue
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Commercial Feb. Ewe, Blue
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Black Face, Market Champion
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 9+, Champion
Sidney E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Commercial Yearling, Breeding Reserve Champion
Sidney E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Speckled Face, Market Reserve Champion
Sidney E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 6-8, Champion 

Swine
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Barrow, Market Champion & Supreme Champion
Catie E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 9+, Reserve Champion
Emma E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Barrow, Blue
Emma E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 9+, Champion
Hadlee E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Gilt, Blue
Hadlee E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 3-5, Champion  
Mya E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Barrow, Blue
Mya E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 3-5, Champion 
Tori E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Barrow, Market Reserve Champion
Tori E. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 6-8, Champion 
Bennett G. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Registered Feb. Gilt, Champion
Bennett G. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 3-5, Blue
Sofie G. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Registered Feb. Gilt,  Champion
Sofie G. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Market Barrow,  Blue
Sofie G. a member of the Fertile 4-H club, Showmanship Grade 6-8, Blue

Horse Show Exhibits
Blakley B. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Cloverbud Showmanship, cloverbud ribbon
Blakley B. a member of Willing Workers 4-H club, Cloverbud W. Pleasure, cloverbud ribbon  
Ella T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Western Pleasure, Red
Ella T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Western Horsemanship, Red
Lillie T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Western Pleasure, Red
Lillie T. a member of North Star 4-H club, Western Horsemanship, Red
Linnea F. a member of North Star 4-H club, Western Pleasure, Champion
Linnea F. a member of North Star 4-H club, Western Horsemanship, Champion
Linnea F. a member of North Star 4-H club also received the overall high point.

Dog Show Exhibits
Kaitlin D. a member of the Paws and Pals 4-H club, Obedience-Foundation Class, Blue

The Highland Parent-Teacher Organization has organized a school supply drive.  PTO member Lorri Capistran said the need includes regular school supplies but also things like cleaning supplies and disposable cups nictitated by COVID-19. “It’s our second year hosting a school supply drive,” said Capistran. “Obviously, going back to school this year looks a little bit different, so we had Mr. Trostad check-in with some teachers to ask about supplies they thought they’d be looking for this year. I think the water fountains are going to be shut off, so they are looking for things like reusable water bottles and disposable drinking cups, rubber gloves. I think they’re going to be a lot of cleaning. And then the general school supplies that kids will need. Things like dry erase markers, glue sticks, notebooks, paper, and pencils too.”

If the drive generates enough supplies, the PTO would also like to make those available for students partaking in distance learning, explained Capistran. “Later, if we can get a good stash of supplies donated, we’re planning to put out some boxes along the street by Highland,” said Capistran. “They are old newspaper boxes that Jess Bengston over at the Times was able to get for us, and we’re going to see if we can get some of the supplies stashed out in those boxes too. So, the kids that are doing distance learning this year will also be able to access some of the supplies that maybe they are short on.”

Supply lists for Highland Elementary School can be found here. Capistran said the PTO will also take monetary donations to use toward school supplies if anyone wishes to donate but doesn’t feel comfortable out in the stores. “We’re just thankful for anything that people are willing to buy extra,” said Capistran. “If they don’t want to venture out shopping and would prefer, they can send monetary donations over to the school, and our PTO members can go do the shopping for them if they don’t feel comfortable venturing out right now.”

Capistran said donations can be dropped off inside the main doors at Highland School. “We have put some boxes just inside the main doors at Highland,” said Capistran. “So, you don’t actually go into the school but just through the first set of doors. I think those doors are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., possibly longer, but for sure during those hours. We were hoping to get supplies collected by the time school starts, but we will definitely accept donations throughout the year. We know that sometimes the teachers need to replenish supplies throughout the year, so we will be happy to take them at any time.”

The school drive runs through Tuesday, September 8.

The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 502 new cases of COVID-19 and six deaths. Just 9,158 tests were completed for a positive rate of 5.5 percent. Four new cases were reported in Polk County bringing the total number of cases to 204.

Updated September 1, 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
• 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 for case demographics, likely exposure, residence, and residence type will update shortly after 11 a.m. daily and will not work if your browser is in compatibility mode.