Month: December 2020

The Polk County Commissioners met for the final time in 2020 last week. It was the final meeting for Commissioner Don Deidrich, who spent 16 years as the Polk County Commissioner for the Fifth District.

Polk County Board Chair Gary Willhite shared some memories of Diedrich and Diedrich said he was very thankful for the people he’d worked alongside as a commissioner. “I’d like to thank all the people who voted for me and all the people who didn’t,” said Diedrich. “I tried to represent you in the best manner that I could. I tried to answer your complaints and answer your phone calls. I guess I’d like to have a shoutout to the employees of the county that always had a friendly smile and a greeting for me, especially the department heads. On the county board, the guys that we worked with the most were Chuck Whiting and his predecessor Jack Schmallenberg. Good fellows, good people to work with. And I’d just like to say thank you to each and every one of them. You guys have given me a lot of memories to ponder. Thank you so much to each and every one of you.”

Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting also wished Diedrich well. “Want to thank Don Diedrich,” said Whiting. “It was his last meeting today after 16 years on the board. He’s certainly been a good commissioner to work with, and we wish him well in his retirement.”

Diedrich will be replaced on the County Board by Mark Holy, who won the November election with 56.2 percent of the vote over former State Representative Tim Finseth.

2021 TAXY LEVY
The final cuts to the 2021 Polk County tax levy had been made already by the December 1 board meeting. But the board officially voted to pass the levy onto the taxpayers. The County met its goal for having a levy under three percent by maintaining a conservative budget said, Whiting. “The final levy is $25 million, which is a 2.88 percent increase over 2020,” said Whiting. “It’s a pretty conservative budget. No great initiatives. We just want to get through the pandemic.”

COURTROOM IMPROVEMENTS
The County Commissioners approved a Polk County reserves’ expenditure to renovate the technology in the Polk County Courtrooms. Whiting said three other entities also appropriated funds. “Approved $17,000 for some courtroom improvements,” said Whiting. “The County Attorney and the Law Library is putting up $105,000, and the State of Minnesota is putting up even more than that to get the technology up to date in the courtrooms. That will be a project that gets done over the winter, so we’re glad to see that happening.”

The courtroom’s technology has become so outdated and unreliable that some court sessions had to be delayed because the technology wasn’t working properly on a particular day. In total, $17,515.77 came from Polk County Reserves for the project, $10,000 from Polk County Forfeiture Funds, $95,000 from the Polk County Law Library, and $151,727.45 from the State of Minnesota.

STATE COVID-19 RELIEF
In mid-December, the Minnesota Legislature passed a $216.8 million business relief package, which was subsequently signed by Governor Tim Walz. The bill includes $88 million in direct payments to restaurants, bars, and gyms; $14 million for convention centers and movie theaters; and $114.8 million for local economically significant businesses and organizations, including non-profits, that will be distributed by counties.

The payments will be distributed through local governments. Whiting said Polk County will receive the funds and will work with the economic development staff in the county’s three largest cities to distribute funds around the county as they did with the CARES Act funding. “We are going to receive some more money from the State of Minnesota for business grants,” said Whiting. “We look forward to working with the city staff in Fosston, Crookston, and East Grand Forks. And helping businesses out with that money after the first of the year.”

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced it has issued cease-and-desist orders and notices of license suspension to Joe’s Diner, in East Grand Forks; King Sparrow, in Milaca; and Big Orv’s, in Adrian, after determining that the facilities had violated executive orders designed to protect their employees, customers, and communities from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-99 on Nov. 18. The executive order prohibits bars and restaurants from offering on-premises dining. The executive order was issued at a time of rapid acceleration in the spread of COVID-19 across Minnesota and sought to protect Minnesotans while also preventing hospitals and health care systems from becoming overwhelmed by the surge in cases. As of Dec. 18, at 11:59 p.m., restaurants and bars could resume outdoor dining at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 100 people, with some additional restrictions. While up to five customers at a time may step inside briefly to pick up takeout, indoor dining remains closed to the public.

On Dec. 17, MDH inspected Joe’s Diner in East Grand Forks. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-site consumption of food and/or beverage, in violation of Executive Order 20-99. A waitress was not wearing a mask and there were no signs reminding customers to wear masks, in violation of Executive Order 20-81. On Dec. 22, MDH conducted a follow-up inspection and found the business was again open for on-site food and/or beverage consumption. A cease-and-desist order and license suspension notice were served on Dec. 26.

On Dec. 18, MDH inspected King Sparrow in Milaca. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-site food and beverage service, and allowing more than five customers indoors to pick up takeout at one time, in violation of Executive Order 20-99. Employees were observed working without masks, in violation of Executive Order 20-81. A cease-and-desist order and license suspension notice were served on Dec. 28.

On Dec. 21, MDH inspected Big Orv’s in Adrian. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-site consumption of beverages, in violation of Executive Order 20-99, and a customer was observed not wearing a mask, in violation of Executive Order 20-81. A cease-and-desist order and license suspension notice were served on Dec. 28.

According to MDH Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff, enforcement actions are a last resort when it is clear that education and outreach are not sufficient to help a regulated establishment come into compliance with requirements.

“COVID-19 protocols are designed to slow the spread of this virus and reduce the impacts of this pandemic,” Huff said. “Our preference is always to work with businesses to bring them into compliance, and we consider regulatory actions as a last resort. The vast majority of businesses are doing their best to help slow down the spread of COVID-19, and we owe it to them to have a consistent and fair enforcement approach.”

A two-vehicle accident occurred Tuesday afternoon between a van and a pickup at the corner of E Robert St and Broadway. Crookston Police, Fire, and Advanced Tire responded to the scene. More information will be released in the Crookston Police Department Accident Report. 

Attorneys for farmers announced the execution of a $400 million settlement agreement designed to compensate farmers for yield losses resulting from dicamba damage. The claims period began on Tuesday, December 29.

 Impacted soybean farmers can submit claims at www.dicambasoybeansettlement.com/ or call 855-914-4672. The deadline to submit claims is May 28, 2021.

The settlement with Monsanto provides compensation for damage and yield losses occurring from the introduction of the Xtend crop system. The $400 million settlement offers farmers an opportunity to receive the financial compensation they deserve for damage they have experienced, which is particularly helpful to farmers in these difficult times. Anyone with specific types of evidence of dicamba damage in any of year from 2015 through 2020 is eligible to participate in the settlement.

“We are pleased that relief will soon be available to the thousands of farmers across America who have suffered yield losses due to off-target movement of dicamba,” said attorney Don Downing, chair of the court-appointed Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the multi-district litigation.

Under the settlement, affected farmers may receive up to 100% of their yield losses caused by off-target dicamba. That means impacted farmers can potentially recover 100 cents on the dollar of the losses that they can establish with standard farming records.

“At the end of what has been the hardest year of many Americans’ lives, we are grateful these farmers will be able to get the compensation they have long deserved,” added attorney Bev Randles, member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee.

Farmers are able to complete the claim process on their own; can hire an attorney of their choice; or can retain one of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee firms to assist with putting together the claim form and supporting documentation.

The settlement resolves the claims brought by a large group of farmers from several states whose dicamba injury lawsuits had been consolidated into a multi-district litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and claims for the 2015-2020 crop years.

The settlement was negotiated by the court appointed Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee: Don Downing of Gray Ritter & Graham; Rene Rocha of Morgan & Morgan; Paul Lesko of Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway; Hart Robinovitch of Zimmerman Reed; James Bilsborrow of Weitz & Luxenberg; Paul LLP; Bev Randles of Randles & Splittgerber; Paul Byrd of Paul Byrd Law Firm.

KROX is extremely sad to report Matt Bishop (a former announcer) passed away today (December 29, 2020) after a lengthy bout with cancer, for a second time.  Even though Matt was with us for a few years before the second bout of cancer forced him to move back home, he settled into Crookston and made a lot of friends.  “He was liked by everyone and he loved Crookston, and he was always upbeat and positive.  He was positive no matter what was going on in his life.  He was an amazing person,” said KROX’s Chris Fee. “While we are saddened by the news of his passing, we KNOW he is in a better place and he isn’t suffering anymore.  Matt was truly one of a kind and an all-around great guy.  He was a fighter and stayed positive no matter what he was going through. He is an inspiration to all of us and he will be missed. Our sympathies to his wife Katie and the rest of his family.  We look forward to celebrating Matt’s life in the spring!”

Matt’s mother, Cathy Bishop, posted online the following –

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.   James1:12

With heavy, broken hearts we said our physical goodbyes to Matthew this morning. He remained steadfast under trial, stood the test and now has received the crown of life!  We find comfort and joy in that promise!

We would like to celebrate his life well so will most likely wait until later spring 2021 to do so.

Thank you for lifting our family up in prayer these past 7 years of his cancer/transplant journey. Every comment is read and appreciated.

In Christ,

The Bishop family

The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 825 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, 163 probable cases from antigen testing, and 36 deaths. The confirmed cases were the result of 6,681 completed tests for a positive rate of 12.3 percent.

Polk County had nine new confirmed cases, Roseau County, Red Lake County, and Kittson County each had one confirmed case.

Updated December 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.”

Positive PCR test results are considered confirmed cases. Positive antigen test results are considered probable cases.

All probable cases get the same public health follow up and recommendations as cases confirmed by PCR tests.

Other Statistics

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

Data in the data tables is current 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 National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Crookston and the KROX listening area from Noon today to 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30.
The advisory includes the following Minnesota cities – Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada, Twin Valley, Halstad, Moorhead, Mahnomen, Naytahwaush, Waubun, Alida, Ebro, Lake Itasca, Long Lost Lake, Lower Rice Lake, Roy Lake, Upper Rice Lake, Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Wolf Lake, Wadena, and Menahga.  In North Dakota – Grand Forks, Finley, Hope, Mayville, Hillsboro, Hatton, Portland, and Fargo.

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with up to 5 inches possible. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE…Portions of central, north-central, northwest and west-central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota.

* WHEN…From noon today to 6 AM CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.