The Crookston Planning Commission met on Monday night in the City Hall Council Chambers to review a conditional use request.
The agenda also included the approval of the last meeting’s minutes which took place in March. The Planning Commission usually meets once a month; however, there were no agenda items for discussion in April, May, or June. After the minutes were approved, a conditional use request was looked at for 320 West 6th Street property in Crookston.
The entire board was not in attendance; however, the four that were recommended removal and denial of the request and it will now not be permitted. Crookston City Attorney Charles Reynolds explained the problem with the request and regulations that would prohibit it. “Conditional uses can be allowed in residential areas if it’s considered a local neighborhood commercial,” said Reynolds. “I researched that phrase, and that term generally refers to grocery stores, restaurants, laundry mats, and types of services that people need on an everyday basis.
The use presented before the planning commission was a commercial use for solar panels, and while the commission believes solar panels are good, it could not pass the request. “It becomes a slippery slope, and eventually a business can locate anywhere,” said Zoning Administrator Greg Hefta. “Zoning has tried to prevent that within residential areas, so we do this more for the residents rather than the occupation that would be in that residential area.”
The property is fairly dilapidated and would need to be brought up to code if the conditional use request would’ve been passed. The property owner currently lives in Winnipeg, Canada, and had the opportunity to speak with the board during the meeting but did not join in via Zoom. Hefta said that he would follow up with the owner later this week to share the news.
Hefta expects the planning Commission to meet in August to cover at least one agenda item. If the meeting does occur, it will happen on the third Tuesday of the month, August 17.
The Crookston High School Pirate Marching Band will be having practice/rehearsal for parades they will be marching in during the months of August and September.
The rehearsal schedule for August: Tuesday, August 10th – 5:00pm to 7:00pm, (Drumline/Treasurettes @ 4:30) Thursday, August 12th – 5:00pm to 7:00pm, (Drumline/Treasurettes @ 4:30) Friday, August 13th – 9:00am to 10:30am Tuesday, August 17th – 4:45pm to 6:00pm Thursday, August 19th – 4:45pm to 6:00pm Friday, August 20th – 9:00am to 10:30am Tuesday, August 24th OR Thursday, August 26th – 4:30pm to 6:00pm Make sure you bring your instrument, music, and a water bottle to all rehearsals.
The event schedule: Saturday, August 21st: Ox Cart Days Crookston 7:00PM Saturday, August 28th: Potato Days Parade Barnesville 5:30PM Monday, August 30th: Minnesota State Fair Twin Cities 2:00PM Saturday, September 24th: Homecoming Field Show Crookston 7:00PM Saturday, September 18: UND Potato Bowl Parade Grand Forks 10:00AM November: *UND Band Day Grand Forks All day *Band only event. More details coming soon!
A reminder that the students should be working on the following tunes for this season: Minnesota Rouser (school song), Oye Como Va, and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
If you have conflicts with any of these rehearsals or events, let Caitlin Becks know at caitlinbecks@isd593.org before the first week of rehearsals so they can plan accordingly.
The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team is the recipient of the United States Marine Corps (USMC)/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2020-21 season.
The award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade point average of 3.30 or higher on a 4.0 scale or 4.10 on a 5.0 scale.
UMC volleyball had the 2020 fall season canceled due to COVID-19, and played one match in the spring of 2021 against the University of Mary while also playing in several scrimmages.
The Minnesota State Fair’s Amateur Talent Contest will return this summer, bringing to the stage singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and every type of performer in between for fair guests to enjoy and support as these amateur performers compete for the right to be named Minnesota’s top talent. Registration for auditions is open to everyone through 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 28. In total, nearly $20,000 in prize money will be awarded to the first- through third-place winners in three divisions: Open Division (any age), Teen Division (ages 13-18), and Preteen Division (ages 12 and under).
Auditions run Monday, July 26, through Sunday, Aug. 1, at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell on the fairgrounds and begin at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The public is welcome to attend auditions, and admission is free.
In conjunction with the auditions, as part of its Minnesota State Fair Community Gives Together initiative, the State Fair invites contestants, audience members, and the public to donate brand-new unopened/unused school supplies to benefit the Roseville-based nonprofit Kids In Need Foundation. For more information and to view the list of school supplies that are most needed, visit mnstatefair.org/community-gives-together/.
From auditions, semifinalists will be selected to perform during the first 10 days of this year’s Minnesota State Fair at 6 p.m. on the Leinie Lodge Bandshell stage. Winners from the semifinals will then compete in the finals at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, on the Grandstand stage. The finals are open to the public and free with fair admission.
Participants are encouraged to register online at mnstatefair.org. Entry forms may also be printed and returned through the mail. For more information, call 651-288-4395 or email msfent@mnstatefair.org.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday morning in the Polk County Government Center. The agenda featured April Swenby from the Sand Hill River Watershed District, Polk County Engineer Richard Sanders for a work order to design a roundabout, Sherriff James Tadman discussing a financial donation vested in the K9’s for Polk County K9 Program, and Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting for an American Relief Program Status.
SAND HILL RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT
April Swenby gave an annual report of the 2020 year regarding the Sand Hill River Watershed District, as well as some things they’re currently working on. “In the report, it highlights all of the things we did the past year,” said Swenby. “We did a legal ditch system; we wrapped up a lot of habitat waterfronts on the Sand Hill River. That spread all the way from Fosston to West of Fertile.”
The other topics were three separate general tax levy petitions that would help projects the Sand Hill River Watershed District is working on. The board approved all three.
ROUNDABOUT COMING TO POLK COUNTY
Polk County Engineer Richard Sanders discussed two actions with the board regarding designing and installing a roundabout at the CSAH 21/TH 75 Intersection. The roundabout will be designed to tailor to Semi’s and truck drivers to fit through the roundabout without any issues. After a lengthy discussion from board members, they approved both actions, and the project is expected to be complete by 2024. Will have a full story on the roundabout later this week.
SHERRIFF JAMES TADMAN
Sherriff James Tadman wanted to inform the board regarding K9s for Polk County K9 Program and a vested interest in donating to the program. This donation will go towards their new K9 Rex. “I just wanted to acknowledge that we received a sponsor from vested K9, which is a non-profit organization,” said Tadman. “They provide donations for law enforcement K9s. The department received a sponsorship from Joan & Mark Lee, and Tadman wanted to thank you and allow the board to recognize the donation. Rex will be wearing the new tactical vest he will wear on duty within a month, thanks to the sponsorship.”
2022 BUDGET STATUS
Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting discussed an American Relief Program Status update and the 2022 Budget status update. “We’re about where we normally are at this time of year,” said Whiting. “we’re working on our department budgets, and staff will get their preliminary budget numbers into me at the end of the week. From there, I will spend some time figuring out priorities and calling out any issues that may be in the budget.”
This process will stay the same until towards the end of the year. The board will continue to review the budget over the weeks until Christmas, which Whiting noted seems like a long way away, but budget-wise comes quickly.
OTHER ITEMS
Karen Warmack from Social Services brought forth an Eligibility Worker Replacement Request for the board to review.
Environmental Services Administrator Jon Steiner went over the costs and potential changes made to the Polk County property insurance for facilities. The first action that took place was an agreement with Mahoney Group of Mesa, AZ, for $25,000 in administering the property insurance for the R.R.F. The second action was to execute a contract from property insurance with Starr of Chicago, IL, for August 1, 2021, until July 31, 2022. The exact amount of insurance premium it will cover will be determined at a later date.
The next Polk County Board of Commissioners meeting will occur next week, Tuesday, July 27, at 8:00 a.m. in the Polk County Government Center.
Rod Beiswenger makes no secret of the fact that he loves his life. That’s why the rural Fisher resident couldn’t wait to get back to it after a terrible battle with COVID-19. Beiswenger’s journey back to health was long, full of prayer and medical intervention, and included RiverView Health’s Pulmonary Rehab Services.
Beiswenger is feeling great these days. Life is good. “It’s easy to be me,” he said recently in his cheerful tone. “it’s a joy to be me. If I could be anyone else, I’d be my wife so I could be married to me.”
Life wasn’t as rosy last fall, though, when COVID hit both he and his wife, LuAnn.
Long Road to Recovery
After falling ill, Rod had a positive COVID test on Sept. 19, after which he stayed home with a high fever and “feeling listless.” On Sept. 24, he collapsed in the shower, and LuAnn brought him to RiverView’s Emergency Room.
“When I describe my time at home prior to going to the ER, I liken myself to a stroke victim,” he explained. “I sat slumped in a chair covered with a blanket virtually all day and all night.”
After receiving fluids and lowering his temperature at RiverView, Beiswenger was transferred by ambulance to an intensive care unit (ICU) in Bemidji.
“I remember when I arrived at the Bemidji ICU, they asked if I could move from the gurney to the bed. I replied, ‘of course.’ I’m not sure I could have given the same answer 24 hours later,” he stated of his deteriorating condition.
Beiswenger spent 23 nights in the hospital, including 14 in ICU, six in the COVID Unit, and three in a regular room. He went home with a walker and an oxygen tank.
After his long hospital stay, Rod spent several weeks struggling at home until Dr. Bosun Fashoro, Internal Medicine provider at RiverView, suggested he try Pulmonary Rehab to aid in his recovery.
“I was pretty excited to get help,” Beiswenger shared. “I wanted to go to rehab. I knew I’d do better if I was in rehab and held accountable. And, it clearly helped me to get back on my feet.”
Blazing a Trail
Beiswenger was the first patient with post-COVID issues to go through RiverView’s Pulmonary Rehab, according to Wanda Sorum, coordinator of Cardiopulmonary Rehab. Rod participated in Phase II Pulmonary Rehab, a monitored exercise program. During Phase II, the patient wears a cardiac monitor, and blood pressure and oxygen saturation are also monitored. If needed, the patient uses supplemental oxygen, as well. The program teaches patients different breathing techniques to help them control their breath, slow their breathing, and utilize their lungs as efficiently as possible.
“Pulmonary Rehab conditions patients and improves their overall wellbeing,” reported Leah Hendricks, respiratory therapist. “Some patients have come to us requiring supplemental oxygen, and after completing the program, no longer need it.”
Through the program, patients use a variety of exercise equipment to help improve endurance and stamina to improve mobility.
“I remember the first time Brittni Johnson (RiverView physical therapist) told me she wanted me to work on going up and down the stairs; it scared the heck out of me,” Beiswenger shared. “I told her I knew I could roll down quickly, but I wasn’t sure I could make it up the stairs. Now, I don’t even think about it.”
Today, Beiswenger considers himself back to his pre-COVID condition. He continues to use the lessons he learned in Pulmonary Rehab, and he and LuAnn do a lot of walking. As for LuAnn, Rod reports that she “got plenty sick” with COVID, but he “took the prize for the sickest.”
“My survival is a miracle, and I had an incredible number of people praying for me,” he shared. “My recovery has also been outstanding, and I feel I am at 100 percent today.”
A Steady Stream of Long-haulers
Rod doesn’t consider himself a COVID long-hauler since he has made a full recovery, but there have been many long-haulers who have gone through the Pulmonary Rehab program, and some continue to do so.
“Long-haulers are patients, who after several months post-COVID are still having issues with shortness of breath, shortness of breath with activity, difficulty returning to work, or difficulty carrying on normal day-to-day activities.”
According to Hendricks, long-haulers benefit from upper body training. “So often, when these patients start rehab, they are weak and have lost muscle mass. Strong core, chest, and shoulder muscles are important for proper posture and to assist with breathing.”
Camaraderie and accountability are also benefits Beiswenger appreciated from his time in rehab. “I don’t think there was a person in the room or who would walk through that I didn’t know. I enjoyed seeing everyone.”
Hendricks said studies have shown that Pulmonary Rehab not only helps patients with the physical symptoms they are experiencing post-COVID but also helps patients decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and can get people back to feeling like themselves, both physically and emotionally.
Pulmonary Rehab is covered by most insurance, but patients need a referral from their provider to participate.
“I would very much recommend RiverView Pulmonary Rehab for anyone that needs that type of care in their recovery,” Beiswenger stated. “This was a really big event in my life. Rehab held me accountable to do what I needed to get back to my wonderful life. The staff was so great to work with too.”
“I’m thankful for the medical help I received and very thankful for all of the prayers that helped me come back to this life that I’m so happy to live. I can still set a hook with the best of them.”
For more information on post-COVID care at RiverView, talk to your primary care provider or call the Rehab Services Department at 281.9463.
Hilde Ford, 95, Ada, MN, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the Benedictine Care Community in Ada.
Hilde Gauss was born on December 9, 1925 in Riederich, a town near Stuttgart, Germany, the third daughter born to Eugen and Berta (Wenzelburger) Gauss. Hilde was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Church. She attended grade school in her hometown of Riederich until the 8th grade. During World War II, Hilde was drafted into labor camps and began working for farmers and later working at a factory making airplane parts.
In 1951 Hilde immigrated to Minnesota and moved in with her aunt and uncle, Anna and Peter Beck of Borup. After staying with Anna and Peter for a few years Hilde began working at the Ada Bakery, where she met Harold Ford. On June 9, 1957, Harold and Hilde were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Green Meadow Township). Hilde became a member of St. John’s and was part of the Ladies Aid. Harold and Hilde raised their children on the Ford family farm, also located in Green Meadow Township, and were active lifelong members of the church.
Hilde was also a 4-H leader, a prolific knitter, and crocheter of doilies for family and friends alike. She and Harold enjoyed square dancing for many years with the Ada Valley Squares. Hilde also enjoyed hitting the links with Harold after they moved to town from the farm, and they usually turned the game of golf into a game of seek and find, bringing home more golf balls than they left home with.
Hilde and Harold enjoyed traveling too, places they visited include Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Germany, Australia, and quite a few road trips with their kids and grandkids to both coasts and many places in between.
Hilde is survived by her sons, Walter (Tammy) Ford, McGregor, MN and Robert (Lois) Ford, Oakland, OR; daughter, Heidi (Alan) Smith, DeSmet, SD; six grandchildren, William, Daniel, Garet, ReAnn, Carson, and Erin; six great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Johnny (Marlene) Ford, Moorhead, MN, and several nieces and nephews.
Hilde was preceded in death by her parents, Eugen and Berta; sisters, Berta Lipp and Hedwig Doster, Germany; and husband, Harold.
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, August 20, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rural Ada.
Visitation: One hour before the memorial service at the church.
Inurnment: St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Ada.
The new Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) board was given an update at their Tuesday morning meeting on the Epitome Energy project taking place in Crookston. The timeline for the plan is still on pace and moving forward smoothly.
Epitome Energy President Dennis Egan spoke to the board about the progress and updated them on procedures moving forward. “For months we have been working and waiting on a permit for the modeling,” said Egan. “The last couple of weeks we’ve started to get some good results out of the air modeling, and we received additional information from American Crystal Sugar from the state of Minnesota and have taken the new boundaries from our site and it’s coming together.”
The new boundaries have increased from approximately 55 acres of land to 60 acres of land. Egan believes that all federal requirements and state thresholds have been met. “We believe that we’ve met all federal and state thresholds for PM10 and PM2.5 which is what gets measured for industrial projects,” said Egan. “We’re under those thresholds, so when I said we’re in a good space, it was in regards to getting our air permits submitted to the state of Minnesota.”
While certain dates for accomplishments moving forward in the project are not yet set, the goal and aspirations of Egan are to have the ground-breaking on the project still take place in 2022. “The goal is still the early part of next year we will break ground,” said Egan. “Some of the other things have also started to fall into place in terms of off-take agreements of Soybean Meal. We believe we’ve got a place for over 900,000 tons of Soybean meal, and we’re working on the oil offtakes.”
Egan was at a conference last week and was working on signing oil off takes with four other companies. With the signing of these oil companies, they would also potentially bring in equity for the project.
While the project is far from complete, many around the CHEDA board are hopeful the deal goes through and gets done on time. Crookston Mayor Dale Stainbrook said, “I hope this deal gets done and goes through smoothly because this is a good deal for the city of Crookston.”
A separate meeting will take place later this afternoon with Epitome Energy President Dennis Egan, and City Administrator Amy Finch. We will have information from that meeting later today, so check back this afternoon.
The Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) met Tuesday morning at Valley Technology Park. It was the first official meeting with the new board of officers in place.
The main agenda included a change to the Capital Funds 5-year plan, an Epitome Energy Update, and a 2022 Budget discussion. Other various items were also discussed by the board. After a quick public hearing on the Capital Fund 5-year plan revision, the agenda for the day was approved, as were the minutes from the last meeting on June 8th.
CONSENT AGENDA
All consent agenda items were passed in one motion as there was no further discussion needed by the board. The big items on the consent agenda included EDA Financials, Epitome Energy Financials, Valley Technology Park Financials, Building Occupancy, and Expanded Business Incubation, as well as CHEDA bills payable in the totaling amount of $485,596.12.
MAIN AGENDA
The Main Agenda began with a revision to CHEDA’s 5-year plan. The capital funds are giving annually to Public Housing Agencies for the development, financing, and modernization of public housing developments and for management improvements. To use the money, it needs to be a part of a 5-year plan, however, the 5-year plan is usually revised on a yearly basis. All revisions are to be made at Oak Court. The changes made to the 5-year plan include the improvement of the following.
Revisions to the smoke detectors
Revisions to the air conditioners
Fees and Costs – surveys environmental, audits, construction management, and A&E consultant services
Hazardous Materials (fees and costs associated with hazardous materials)
Attorney Fees & Cost (In case of eviction of tenant and need for an attorney)
Circulating pumps for the boiler
Exterminating services
CHEDA Interim Executive Director Amy Finch spoke more on the process of the above improvements. “The 5-year plan revisions are all related to Oak Court,” said Finch. “A bond application will be submitted and if it is awarded, all those items can be a use of the money that is received.”
An Epitome Energy Update was also provided during the meeting. All of the standards have been met for the State of Minnesota and the application has been submitted to the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency). The project is in a good spot and a meeting will be held later this afternoon to discuss upcoming dates for the timeline, and how to move forward with the project.
A Lime Loan Request was made to spread limestone outside of the area of Crookston. There is not enough land in the area for American Crystal Sugar Company to spread the amount of Lime they have. This request will allow the lime to spread to other markets including a potential area in Canada and Central Minnesota for farmers. This process of palletizing the lime will also allow farmers to use their own equipment to spread the lime once it’s received.
CHEDA President Wayne Melby discussed the deal more in-depth. “What they were looking for was a gap loan in order to get the process up and running,” said Melbye. “The deal was $100,000 with a 6-month deferral. They’ll set up payments after that for a loan with 4.25% interest. The end game is hopefully to have the product shipped out of Crookston with a full-time operation with about 20 full-time employees.”
A few other small items were addressed, including the approval of four Epitome Energy Invoices, as well as the authorization of grant money in the amount of $10,000 to fix a few doors at the Golden Link in Crookston. Melbye discussed the importance of the project. “The automated doors on the south end of the building have not been working properly,” said Melbye. “Ottertail Power Company approved a grant that was submitted to them for $10,000 so the Golden Link will get that money and be able to fix the doors so that’s great.”
The meeting ended with a 2022 CHEDA Budget discussion. There was nothing needed to approve, but Finch brought forth before the board a few ideas for the 2022 budget and things to consider. “The CHEDA budget and City budget are going to coincide in various ways,” said Finch. “There are certain programs that currently exist at CHEDA such as the B3 grant program that makes sense to leave where it is in the budget, but I will work with CHEDA staff members to work on what makes sense to keep separate from the city, and what makes sense to combine with the city budget.”
The next CHEDA meeting was scheduled for September, however, after discussion from the board, there will now be a meeting held sometime in August at a date to be set at another time.
Canadian health officials announced on Monday that American citizens who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed entry into Canada for non-essential travel, beginning next month. The Public Health Agency of Canada said in an official update that beginning Aug. 9, Americans who have completed regimens of approved vaccines can enter the country for discretionary travel if they can provide proof of vaccination and meet several other criteria. Unvaccinated American children under the age of 12 will also be allowed entry after Aug. 9 if accompanied by a qualified parent or adult guardian.
When the new rules are implemented, non-essential travel between the United States and Canada would be allowed to resume for the first time since the earliest stages of the pandemic in March 2020. The government said it intends to further open its borders starting Sept. 7 when it will allow fully vaccinated travelers from any country to enter Canada as long as they can show they had become immunized at least 14 days before entry.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters his government has been in “close communication” with the U.S. administration about the move, saying: “I can tell you that as we made decisions around reopening to the world in early September and to American travelers a few weeks before that we kept the American government fully apprised of exactly those issues,” adding, “every country makes its own decisions about its own borders.”
Are you still listening?
3628718290
Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
