Month: July 2021

Every summer, nearly 2 million people visit the Minnesota State Fair. The Fair is an #OnlyinMN tradition for many Minnesotans and visitors alike.

With nearly 500 food items, 30 carnival rides, and more than 900 free performances, there’s plenty to keep you busy throughout the Fair’s 12-day run.

There’s more to celebrate this summer than ever before. Get ready for the “Great Minnesota Get-Back-Together” with this 25 must-dos.

1. RIDE THE GIANT SLIDE

Grab a mat and ride the iconic Giant Slide at the Minnesota State Fair.

2. FLOAT THROUGH ‘YE OLD MILL’

For an old-school good time, board a boat and float through Ye Old Mill. This State Fair staple has been in operation for more than 100 years.

3. CHILL OUT ON A RELAXING RIDE

Summer days at the State Fair can get pretty hot, so take a minute to cool off on the River Raft Ride or enjoy the Great Wheel, one of the tallest traveling Ferris wheels in North America.

4. EXPERIENCE A NEW ATTRACTION OR EXHIBIT

From new shops to support to thrilling attractions, you will find something different to experience year after year. This year, take a ride on the new Riptide rollercoaster or watch artists create new murals at the Joyful World Mural Park. Find the full list of new attractions(opens in new window) and exhibits for 2021.

5. RISE ABOVE THE CROWDS

Get a bird’s-eye view of the fair by taking a ride on the SkyGlider or Skyride. It’s a great way to get around the fairgrounds when you get tired of walking.

6. GO INTO SPACE

See new heights and great views of the fairgrounds and the Twin Cities by going up in the iconic Space Tower.

7. WATCH THE PARADE

Watch the daily parade(opens in new window) at 2 p.m. featuring the high school band competition, floats, animals, visiting royalty, and more.  

8. ENJOY FINE ART

Stroll through the Fine Arts building to see unique pieces by Minnesota artists.

9. ATTEND A FREE CONCERT

Catch some live music at the Leine Lodge Bandshell(opens in new window), International Bazaar, or Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater(opens in new window).

10. SEE THE BUTTER SCULPTURES

Watch Princess Kay of the Milky Way and the court have their likenesses carved into a 90-pound block of butter in the Dairy Building.

11. SEE HUGE SHOWS AT THE GRANDSTAND

See a popular show at the Grandstand(opens in new window). Past artists include The Doobie Brothers, Weird Al, Darci Lynne Farmer of America’s Got Talent and many more.

12. LAUGH WHILE YOU LEARN

Discover Minnesota’s history with the hilarious History-On-A-Schtick show at the Schell’s Stage.

13. TRY ALL THE NEW FOODS

Every year, State Fair food vendors try to one-up each other with a mix of over-the-top new foods meant to impress and delight your palate. Come with a group and try to taste them all! This year will feature bison bites, cucumber jalapeño limeade, Cajun cheese curds, caramelized banana pudding and more. See the full list of funky foods for 2021(opens in new window). 

14. EAT A BUCKET OF COOKIES

Dunk a warm Sweet Martha’s Cookie (or 12) into a cup of ice cold milk from the All You Can Drink Milk booth.  

15. SIP MINNESOTA-MADE DRINKS

There are more than 300 Minnesota beers(opens in new window), wines and ciders on the fairgrounds for you to try. Some Fair favorites are Lift Bridge Brewery’s Mini Donut Beer and the flight of Minnesota wines at Minnesota Wine Country.

16. TAKE IN THE SCENERY

Watch a variety of Minnesota fish swimming in the pond or climb to the top of the fire tower at the DNR Building.

17. APPRECIATE AGRICULTURE

Celebrate Minnesota’s agricultural significance by seeing the prize-winning and giant vegetables in the Agriculture Horticulture Building(opens in new window) or learn about a variety of topics in the 4-H building.

18. SEEK OUT SEED ART

Gaze at the incredible crop art in the Agriculture-Horticulture building. Art and crops collide to create unique pieces made of seeds, corn husks and more. This state fair tradition has been going on since 1965.  

19. WATCH LUMBERJACKS AT WORK

Channel the spirit of Paul Bunyan at the Timberworks Lumberjack Show with daily shows at the North Woods area.

20. EAT CURDS

Share some piping hot cheese curds with your friends or family.

21. SEE THE STUNT DOGS

See former rescue dogs perform new tricks at the All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash at the North Woods.

22. WATCH LLAMAS DRESS TO IMPRESS

Watch the popular Llama Costume Contest to see 4-H kids and their llamas in coordinating costumes.

23. APPRECIATE THE GIFT OF LIFE

Walk through the CHS Miracle of Birth Center(opens in new window) to see and pet adorable baby pigs, cows, goats and chicks—you may even witness a live birth.

24. GO UPSCALE

Shop ‘til you drop at the West End Market(opens in new window), Veranda and more. The new Veranda area in the Grandstand features boutique-style shopping showcasing vintage, upcycled, handmade and made-in-Minnesota goods.

25. EAT FOOD ON A STICK

The post 25 MUST-DOS AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR appeared first on KROX.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eviction moratorium is currently slated to end on Saturday, July 31, potentially affecting thousands of American renters behind on their rent – but not Minnesota renters.

With legislative action last month, Minnesota has broader and longer renter protections than the ending CDC eviction moratorium. Minnesota renters who are eligible for federal emergency rental assistance are protected from eviction for nonpayment of rent while an application for assistance is pending. This protection is in place until June 1, 2022 in order to provide time for the federal resources to be used to satisfy outstanding rent arrears. 

At this time, only renters who have had a material violation of their lease or who are eligible for rental assistance but refuse to apply may be evicted. Minnesota renters who are not eligible for emergency rental assistance and who owe back rent are protected from eviction until September 12.

Both the federal and state eviction moratoriums were put in place to help people stay in their homes during the historic threat to the nation’s health due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want renters to understand that the end of the federal eviction moratorium does not affect Minnesotans. Minnesota has its own timeline,” said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. “We know many renters are hurting, and property owners are too. We encourage renters and property owners to go to RenthelpMN.org and work together to apply for emergency rental assistance. We have the funds to help pay back rent and three months of future rent.”

Renters can apply for rental assistance or learn more about the application process by visiting RentHelpMN.org or calling Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline (Toll Free: 1.800.543.7709; Local: 651.291.0211). The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The post ENDING OF FEDERAL EVICTION MORATORIUM DOES NOT AFFECT MINNESOTANS appeared first on KROX.

The Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston reported the following arrests

Jesus Antonio Ortiz, 29 of Warren, for Traffic-DUI Third Degree Driving while impaired

Nathan Terrance Brickzin, 40 of Alvarado, for 1st Degree Drug sale

Travis William Berhow, 33 of Mcintosh, for Traffic-DUI Third Degree Driving while impaired

The post ARREST/FIRE REPORT – JULY 31, 2021 appeared first on KROX.

With the release of the online version of the 2021 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations handbook, you can read up on what’s new to prepare for this year’s deer hunting season. The handbook is now available on the DNR website and printed copies of the handbook will be delivered to hunting license vendors the first week of August.

Hunting licenses go on sale Sunday, Aug. 1, and are available at any DNR license agent, by telephone at 888-665-4236, or online. Archery deer season opens Saturday, Sept. 18, and firearms deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 6.

More details: DNR deer hunting page

The post DEER HUNTING REGULATIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2021 appeared first on KROX.

The Downtown Crookston Development Partnership, Crookston, University of Minnesota Extension, and the City of Crookston would like to implement the AARP Walkability Toolkit on the side streets of Ash and Marketplace in Downtown Crookston. Each of the partners is recruiting volunteers who will implement the project on Saturday, July 31^st between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with volunteers meeting at the farmer’s market barn at the Downtown Square.

Here is a link to the toolkit that volunteers would be asked to complete this coming Saturday for a block of either Ash Street or Market Street. When you do go on your walk, just be sure to inform on the booklet which block or blocks you cover. The more perspectives walking the streets the better results that will be in the summary report to the DCDP and the City.

They are hoping to recruit 25-30 Crookston residents to help implement the audit before Aug 13th. This side street audit planned by the DCDP will complement the efforts of the City of Crookston and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to bring the main thoroughfares of Main St. and Broadway into ADA compliance by 2030. 

If you are interested in volunteering and have questions as to what is involved to be an audit volunteer, please contact Rani Bhattacharyya at: rani-b@umn.edu, or 218-275-3444, by noon Aug. 13th.

The post CROOKSTON AREA CHAMBER IMPLEMENTING AARP WALKABILITY TOOLKIT IN DOWNTOWN CROOKSTON appeared first on KROX.

Back in April of this year, Nicki Martinez was named the new Crookston High School Principal. We are now one month out from starting the 2021-2022 school year, and she is getting ready to tackle her first year on the job. Ms. Martinez brings a focus on professional development, curriculum experience, and passion for educational excellence. 

She spoke on what her background was and what she can help implement here in Crookston. “Immediately before coming here, I was the assistant principal at Laporte Public Schools, but before that, I also taught English in Detroit Lakes as well as a few other various places,” said Martinez. “English is my background, and from there, I decided to pursue a leadership role.”

Martinez graduated from Hector High School in Minnesota, and even from her time in High School, Martinez knew she was a leader and wanted to push herself in her career. “In High School, I was in the student council and different leadership roles and knew to push myself in my career, I needed to keep going to the next steps,” said Martinez. “Growth is one of my core values, and I knew I had to push myself and put myself outside of my comfort zone to grow.”

Martinez’s official first day on the job was July 6, but she has attended the school board meetings for the months of May, June, and July this year. Martinez said she loves this part of the State and said Crookston just seemed like the right fit. “I like this part of the state, I have the experience in Detroit Lakes, so I’m used to being up in this area,” said Martinez. “When I looked at the report card for Crookston, I saw that there is a big Hispanic population, and me being the mom of two Bi-racial children, my heart obviously goes out to the Hispanic population, and it seemed like it was a good fit.”

Martinez has been using the time this summer to get acclimated and prepare for the upcoming school year but has admitted the summer will be nothing like this fall when school starts up. “Hard to say how I’m coming along because nothing right now is what it will be this fall,” said Martinez. “Everyone in the community has been extremely welcoming and is interested in what I have to bring to Crookston, which has made a move very easy.”

Going into her first year, Martinez talked about how her goals for the school align with what Crookston is trying to accomplish. “Last year, Crookston started focusing on literacy, and I come from that background with English, so that will be something we try and continue,” said Martinez. “When they told me I was hired, one of the reasons was because of my love for curriculum, and people in Crookston want to push things a little more rigorous in the academic world, which is something I feel like we will try and accomplish long term.”

Martinez and the rest of the Crookston High School members will have another month to prepare for the upcoming school year, as the first day of class is slated for Tuesday, September 7th.

The post NICKI MARTINEZ ADJUSTING TO NEW ROLE AS CROOKSTON HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL appeared first on KROX.

The Crookston Parks & Recreation Department will meet Wednesday, August 4th, at 4:45 p.m. in City Hall. This meeting is replacing the regular meeting that was canceled earlier this month due to a lack of quorum.

The biggest item on the agenda will be the Hiring Committee’s recommendation for Parks & Rec Director. The list was trimmed down to six finalists as of earlier this week. Once a recommendation is made, it will be passed onto City Council for approval at the next City Council meeting.

There will also be a Discussion on the reduced Splash Park Hours. This decision comes after the City of Crookston implemented water restrictions earlier this week.

The post CROOKSTON PARKS & REC HIRING COMMITTE TO GIVE RECOMMENDATION FOR NEW DIRECTOR appeared first on KROX.