Posted on

FIRE IN GRAND FORKS AT BUBBLE LAUNDRY COMPANY

grand-forks-fire-department-1

At approximately 5:02 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28th, the Grand Forks Fire Department was dispatched to the Bubble Laundry Company at 1401 12th Ave. S for a fire alarm activation with reports of smoke in the building.

Fire Crews arrived on the scene, located, and extinguished a fire in the laundry facility on the main floor of the structure. The occupants of the upstairs apartments were alerted of the fire by smoke detectors and were able to exit the structure free from harm. Fire damages were contained to the service area of the laundry facility and is estimated at $10,000. The cause has been determined to be accidental starting in a pile of oil-soaked rags. The occupants were allowed back into their apartments and the business was allowed to operate by approximately 6:30 am.

The Grand Forks Fire Department responded with five engines, one truck, and
one command vehicle with seventeen personnel. There were no injuries to Fire
Department personnel reported. The Fire Department was assisted by the Grand
Forks Police Department, Altru Ambulance, and facility management.

The post FIRE IN GRAND FORKS AT BUBBLE LAUNDRY COMPANY appeared first on KROX.

Posted on

JOSLYNN LEACH SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT TO PLAY GOLF AT CONCORDIA COLLEGE IN MOOREHEAD

joslynn-leach-2-258x420-1

Crookston Pirate Girls Golfer Joslynn Leach has signed a letter of intent to play golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. Leach wrapped up her Pirate career in June with a 31st place finish at the State Tournament held at the Ridges of Sand Creek Golf Course near Jordan.

Leach explained the decision to attend Concordia in the fall. “Initially I was going to go UND, but it was kind of based on whether or not I was going to golf,” said Leach. “After the State Tournament I felt like I didn’t want to be done and wanted to keep going, and that’s a big reason why I chose Concordia. I also feel like the smaller class sizes will help me be extremely successful there because of how much they care about your success.”

Leach signed her letter of intent on Wednesday morning with family in attendance as well as Crookston Golf Coach Jeff Perreault. Concordia is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and competes at the Division III level.

Leach will enroll this August and start competing as a Cobber this fall.

#td_uid_1_610184d7c1542 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Joslynn-Leach-2-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_610184d7c1542 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Joslynn-Leach-1-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}

The post JOSLYNN LEACH SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT TO PLAY GOLF AT CONCORDIA COLLEGE IN MOOREHEAD appeared first on KROX.

Posted on

CDC changes mask guidance for those vaccinated, urging mask wearing indoors and in areas with high risk of virus transmission

shutterstock_1713950752

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised its guidance on mask wearing. In a reversal of its earlier position, on Tuesday the agency recommended that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors, if they live in areas with significant or high spread. Many public health experts had been urging the agency to change its policy for weeks, arguing that fully vaccinated people should wear masks in indoor settings, especially in areas where transmission of the virus is high.

Acknowledging that people are “tired and frustrated,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said, ‘this was not a decision that was taken lightly.” New data shows that while vaccinated people account for a very small amount of risk, in rare cases they can get infected and spread the virus to others. The CDC’s change in position comes as the highly transmissible delta variant is causing a surge in cases around the country, and multiple cities have reinstated indoor mask mandates, including in Los Angeles County and St. Louis.  Walensky said, “the delta variant is showing every day its willingness to outsmart us.”   In addition, the agency also recommended that all teachers, staff and students of K-12 schools wear masks, even if they are vaccinated. Children remain unprotected against the virus, as the vaccines are not authorized for children under 12 and many teenagers have yet to be vaccinated.

In May, the CDC announced it was safe for fully vaccinated people to stop masking in most settings. The hope was that dropping the mask mandate would encourage more people to get vaccinated.  But just three months later, about 30% of adults in the U.S. haven’t been vaccinated, with polls indicating that up to 80% of unvaccinated adults are unlikely to change their minds.

Editorial credit: Rob Hainer / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Capitol police officers give testimony about defending the Capitol on Jan. 6

shutterstock_1889190991

On Tuesday, the Capitol police officers who were injured while fighting off rioters during the Jan. 6 attack described to the House select committee what it was like on the front lines. The hearing was the first for the committee, which was formed to probe the attack by radical supporters of former President Donald Trump, who were attempting to disrupt the official certification of Joe Biden as president.

The officers spoke about the physical and psychological injuries they sustained and detailed the types of attacks they and their fellow officers suffered. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell said he was beaten with a flagpole and soaked with chemical spray while defending the Capitol. As a result of his injuries, he said had surgery on his right foot, would need surgery on his left shoulder, and will need further rehab for possibly more than a year.

D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone said he was “tortured” on January 6, dragged alone into the crowd, tased and beaten with fists and metal objects. The attack rendered him unconscious and that he suffered a mild heart attack and a brain injury. Fanone said he feared for his life and pleaded with the mob, telling them, “I have kids.” He said he heard the crowd chant, “Kill him with his own gun,” and said, “I can still hear those words in my head today.”

Capitol Police Private First Class Harry Dunn, who also testified Tuesday, said he was assaulted and called racial slurs during the mob attack. Dunn said that during the siege, while in conversation with a rioter, he volunteered that he’d voted for Joe Biden. A crowd of about 20 people then surrounded him, screaming and calling him the n-word.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Heather Locklear to star in new Lifetime movie chronicling Kristine Carlson’s life, produced by Meghan McCain

shutterstock_366502535

Heather Locklear will star in a Lifetime movie based on the life of author Kristine Carlson, executive produced by Meghan McCain. Locklear, 59, and McCain, 36, are teaming for the network’s upcoming movie “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story.”

The biopic tells the story of Kristine Carlson, who co-authored several titles of her late husband Dr. Richard Carlson’s best-selling book series “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” After Richard dies suddenly, Kristine struggles to cope with overwhelming grief and raising her two children alone, while dealing with the self-help empire he left behind. The New York Times best-selling book series “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” was first published in 1997, and has sold over 25 million copies. The inspirational nine-book series served as a guide to help readers to put difficult challenges into perspective and “keep the little things from taking over your life.”

This is Locklear’s first acting role since appearing in an episode of ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” in 2017. It is also McCain’s first project since announcing she was leaving “The View” earlier this month. “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story” is scheduled to begin shooting shortly in Nashville, Tennessee, and premiere on Lifetime later this year.

Editorial credit: Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Kelly Ripa to release her first book of personal essays in 2022

shutterstock_1583419843

Kelly Ripa will release her first book, titled ‘Live Wire,’ in 2022. Described as a book of Ripa’s personal essays, Live Wire has the 50-year-old Ripa exploring “childhood, motherhood, marriage, her career, and the intersection of all the above — putting her thoughtfulness, assertiveness and deep understanding of the dynamics of gender and power on full display.”

The ‘Live with Kelly and Ryan’ co-host — who shares sons Michael, 24, and Joaquin, 18, and daughter Lola, 20, with husband Mark Consuelos — will show readers “what really makes her tick.” A book description reads: “As a professional, as a wife, as a daughter and as a mother, she brings a hard-earned wisdom and an eye for the absurdity of life to every minute of every day. It is her relatability in all of these roles that has earned her fans worldwide and millions of followers on social media. Whether recounting how she and Mark really met, the level of chauvinism she experienced on set, how Jersey Pride follows her wherever she goes, and many, many moments of utter mortification (whence she proves that you cannot, in fact, die of embarrassment.)  Kelly always tells it like it is. Ms. Ripa takes no prisoners.”

Live Wire is available for pre-order now.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

TWO ARRESTED IN FENTANYL DEATH IN POLK COUNTY

death-investigation-4

On July 26 at approximately 8:50 pm, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible death on Hwy 102 approximately seven miles from Fertile.  Katie Elizabeth Flick (32) of Erskine was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to UND Pathology for an autopsy.  Georgie Piatkoff (29) of Erskine was transported to Riverview Hospital.  

After further investigation the incident is suspected to be a Fentanyl overdose and Piatkoff and Andre Laschon Metcalf (43) of Crookston were arrested and are pending charges. Approximately 16 M30, fake, Percocet pills were recovered which are suspected to contain Fentanyl.  M30 pills have been flooding the region and are extremely deadly as they have been the source of multiple overdoses.

No further information is being released at this time as the investigation continues.  

This is a joint investigation with the Pine to Prairie Narcotics Task Force.  Assisting agencies are the Fertile Fire Department, County EMS, and the Crookston Police Dept.

The post TWO ARRESTED IN FENTANYL DEATH IN POLK COUNTY appeared first on KROX.

Posted on

CROOKSTON DAIRY QUEEN HOSTING EARLY MIRACLE TREAT DAY JULY 29

dq

The Crookston Dairy Queen, 1740 University Ave., is celebrating an early Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 29.

That day, $1 or more from each Blizzard® sale will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network benefitting Sanford Children’s. The nationwide Miracle Treat Day will take place on Thursday, Oct. 28. Due to being a seasonal location, the Crookston Dairy Queen location decided to host Miracle Treat Day in the summer.

Since 1984, the Dairy Queen system has raised more than $159 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through fundraising efforts including Miracle Treat Day, The Miracle Balloon campaign, and other local initiatives.

Donations support life-saving research, special treatments, equipment, and charitable care.

The post CROOKSTON DAIRY QUEEN HOSTING EARLY MIRACLE TREAT DAY JULY 29 appeared first on KROX.

Posted on

POLK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEET K9 REX, HEAR FROM OTHERS AT MEETING

k9-rex-315x420-1

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met on Monday morning in the Polk County Government Center. The agenda included updates from Polk County Sheriff James Tadman as well as a visit from K9 Rex and Deputy Ben Stout, Jon Ross representing Polk County Republicans and their right to bear arms, Polk County Engineer Richard Sanders for a 2022 Highway Budget update and Wheelage/local option sales tax, and Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting updating the board on the 2022 budget.

SHERIFF TADMAN

Sheriff Tadman brought in K9 Rex and Deputy Ben Stout to show the Board of Commissioners the new duo. They’ve been working together for about a month on the job, and Tadman says they’ve been keeping busy. “It’s been going really good so far now that he’s had some time to get into the role,” said Tadman. “Rex has gained some weight back from the training after working so many long hours and all the stress with that, so that’s good. Deputy Stout is doing great not missing a beat, they’ve been staying busy in the different counties’, and it just gives us another tool in the event we need another K9 unit if something comes up.”

Sheriff Tadman also provided an update on the monthly report, and most of the numbers for July are on pace compared to other months. The last issue Tadman addressed the board with was the request to sell four squad cars. Tadman spoke more on the topic and the reason for the selling of the vehicles. “We’re at the point where the mileage and usage of the vehicles are starting to give us headaches,” said Tadman. “We have a standard rotation we’ve been using over the years, but now that the county has gone with Enterprise, we have to stay up to schedule with their rotation. Some will last longer than the others, which is normal but will have four more vehicles for the board to approve coming down the road.”

JON ROSS POLK COUNTY REPUBLICANS

Jon Ross represented Polk County Republicans and their right to bear arms and other rights they feel are being infringed on. “We brought a petition we’ve been working on for several months that would make Polk County a second amendment dedicated county,” said Ross. “This means we reassert the commitment to not infringe on our rights to bear arms. This is the main concern right now; if you look around the country, you see blatant government overreach, and we want to keep our rights and stall any potential government action against the constitution.”

Another reason they felt led to make the petition and come before the Board of Commissioners is to show law enforcement that they stand behind them and are backing them up in these divided times.

According to Ross, the action presented before the board would delay an infringement if Governor Walz were to implement actions that would take away constitutional rights. The board will ask for a recommendation from the County Attorney, and a decision will be made at another time.

WHEELAGE/LOCAL SALES OPTION TAX

Polk County Engineer Richard Sanders brought two agenda items to the board. The first was a 2022 Motor Grader Purchase which the board passed, and the second a Wheelage Tax for the upcoming year. The wheelage tax was not passed as the board did not believe it was the best way to receive the money the highway department needs.

The local sales tax option to increase from a quarter to half a percent was also denied by the board. It will stay at a quarter percent for the upcoming year of 2022.

2022 BUDGET UPDATES

Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting provided a budget update for 2022, and everything is moving along as planned. Whiting and his staff will start to review departments’ budget submissions and find any problems that will need to be addressed. This process will look similar for the next couple of months as we approach the end of the year.

Whiting also discussed the American Relief Program status and a few other small updates with the board.

OTHER ITEMS

Other Items included an outstanding title clearance deed for Happy Joe’s in Crookston. The title clearance will ensure that the county doesn’t have any outstanding interests on the property Happy Joe’s resides on. The board passed the item unanimously.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Jacob Snyder then brought forth a conditional use permit for the board to review. He explained the logistics behind it and the reason for the use will be to install a septic tank on the property. The board passed the item after a brief discussion.

The Red Lake Watershed District provided a 2020 annual report on accomplishments and upcoming projects they’re currently working on. The district also provided some staff information about overturn and new hires.

Sarah Reese provided a quick public health update and Crookston Army Testing Site Recap. Reese also brought forth a Health Consultant Contract that would benefit the county and will be a term of three years. The item was approved by the board, and the contract will begin on August 1st.

Kurt Ellefson of Veterans Services asked the board for approval in the annual CVSO Operational Grant for $10,000. The item was approved after a short discussion.

Next week, the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 3, at 8:00 a.m. back in the Polk County Government Center.

#td_uid_1_610079f41450c .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/K9-Rex-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}

The post POLK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEET K9 REX, HEAR FROM OTHERS AT MEETING appeared first on KROX.