Month: August 2021

The Polk County School Superintendents met last week with Polk County Public Health Director Sarah Reese to discuss the new CDC recommendations and how to move forward with the beginning of the school year. Crookston Public Schools will recommend wearing masks at the start of the school year but not mandating them.

A lot can change from now until the beginning of the school year with COVID-19, but this is the route Crookston will head for the time being. They will be releasing a notice sometime next week with more details.

Crookston Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Olson talked about the meeting with Reese and the information they received. “All the Polk County Superintendents try to get together routinely with Polk County Public Health,” said Olson. “We just want to make sure we’re all on the same page with what’s happening in our county from a health perspective and trying to match our responses as a district.”

Olson also discussed the decision to move forward without a mask mandate for the time being. “As a result of that meeting, we were able to receive an update from Polk County Health about what’s going on in our district,” said Olson. “At this point, we’re well situated, but we also discussed our mitigation strategies and how it affects our residents and students at this point. At this point, we are not mandating masks but rather recommending because that is what the CDC is doing; however, if parents want to send their kid to school with a mask, we will encourage that.”

Olson didn’t go into specifics about a certain threshold that would need to be met to mandate masks, and at this time, the district is going to take things week by week. There is not much information about the new variant of COVID-19, and if things get worse, more mitigation strategies will be deployed and vice versa if things get better.

At this point, the district has local control and will decide what decision they make. Olson said because of this; they will continue to look at things on a local scale to make decisions. “Because we have local control right now, we will be looking at local factors while determining what actions should be taken,” said Olson. “The first strategy I would ask people to use to keep everyone safe and avoid wearing masks would be for everyone who is twelve and older to get vaccinated. That is the first and foremost preventative measure we can take at this time.”

The fewer restrictions that need to be applied throughout the year will allow for sports to continue to move forward and a more normal school year for students.

For all the kids who are not eligible to get vaccinated due to age, the school is looking at a couple of potential options to keep them as safe as possible. “We have a couple of options we’re looking into for ways to keep students safe and will be releasing all that information sometime next week,” said Olson. “The biggest question I get at this point is “are we going to have to wear masks?” and at this point, the answer is no when it comes to a mandate.”

As mentioned, Olson says the information will be released in the coming weeks; however, he offered a few other suggestions to parents if they want to stay up to date. “The Minnesota Department of Health has some great resources and statistics you can look at and stay up to date with on their website,” said Olson. “We are not going to have a set rate in which we make changes; this is going to be something that we look at within our community and make decisions as we go after consulting with Polk County Public Health.”

Olson also noted that if transmission rates change over the coming days/weeks, things can change, but no mask mandate will be in place for the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

The post CROOKSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECOMMENDING, NOT MANDATING MASKS FOR START OF SCHOOL YEAR appeared first on KROX.

The City of Crookston Parks & Recreation Board met on Wednesday night in the City Hall Council chambers. The agenda included the Hiring committee’s recommendation for the department’s director position, as well as a discussion on reducing the splash park hours due to the City of Crookston’s new water restrictions.

The board approved the hiring committee’s recommendation for Jake Solberg to be the new director.

City Administrator Amy Finch was a part of the hiring committee and talked a little more about the process and selection of Solberg. “We picked a pool of interviewers off of any complete applications that we received,” said Finch. “We were looking at job history, experience, and from there, we were able to select six people to interview. Jake stood out with a good, well-rounded experience and had a very calm and consistent manner about him during the interview. I think he will be a perfect fit for our organization and staff.”

Solberg has an impressive background making him a great choice for the position. Solberg is initially from Silver Bay, Minnesota, along the north shore. He started working in Parks & Recreation when he was fifteen and hasn’t stopped since. His first job was a Rec Coordinator position in Williston, North Dakota, where he spent two years before being promoted to a Rec Superintendent position.

Solberg and his wife Shayla, who is originally from the area, decided to move back to Minnesota and lived in Austin, Minnesota, where Jake took another job as a Rec Superintendent. After a while, Shayla took a job in Crookston at the Altru Clinic, while Jake currently works in East Grand Forks, a part of the city’s Park & Recreation Department.

The decision to hire Solberg will become official at the next City Council meeting this coming Monday night.

The board also discussed reducing the splash park hours due to city water restrictions that came into effect last week. The splash pad was originally open from sunrise to sunset but was reduced to 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. due to the cities new water restrictions. Tonight, the board approved moving the hours back to run from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. after receiving feedback from families.

Finch spoke on the decision to reduce the hours and the adjustments that were made. “The reason for the reduction in the hours was based on what other communities were doing,” said Finch. “Because of the drought conditions, it wouldn’t be fair if we were requiring water reduction but then not doing any ourselves. It’s a high-water usage at the park, which is great because it means it’s being used, but also a bad thing because of the conditions we’re facing.”

The splash pad will be officially closed for the year on Labor Day weekend.

The board also heard from Finch about a request to add more pull-throughs at the city’s campground site. The site currently has three but would like to add more to provide a more convenient site for users. The downside to this decision would be the need to clear spaces and leave fewer spots for the campground.

After a lengthy discussion, the board voted to add more pull-throughs, and Finch talked about why the pull-throughs will be of great value. “Many people like a pull-through option with a bigger RV or truck and trailer that they may have,” said Finch. “The benefit with this option will allow the campground to be more user friendly and give people the option to have a pull-through spot rather than needing to back into a spot.”

The project will start advertising for bids if the motion from the board is passed at the next City Council meeting this coming Monday night, August 9. Advertising usually takes three weeks, and a few other details will also need to be fleshed out, so the city wants to move on this as soon as possible, or else the project won’t take place until the spring.

The next Parks & Recreation board meeting will take place Monday, August 16, in City Hall.

The post CITY OF CROOKSTON PARKS & REC BOARD APPROVES HIRING OF JAKE SOLBERG appeared first on KROX.

UMN Crookston and the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) will honor thirty-five faculty and staff who have departed the campus just prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are looking forward to honoring these employees who, over the years, made significant impacts on the campus, community and of course thousands of students,” said Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause.

Holz-Clause and NWROC Director of Operations, Maureen Aubol, welcome all to mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 18, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m and celebrate these thirty five faculty and staff.  “These colleagues worked hard for the University of Minnesota (Crookston Campus/NWROC) for many years, and we would like to express to them the gratitude we feel for all the help, support and leadership throughout those years, “Holz-Clause said.

The event will take place at UTOC, Lot J under tents – in lieu of weather Charles H. Casey Equine Arena.

A light brunch will be served, to RSVP please contact Michelle Christopherson, Director of Outreach and Engagement or RSVP here. 

Retirees include: Greg Benoit, Neal Benoit, Bob Bouvette, Jason Brantner, Debi Chandler, Peggy Chaput, Tim Danielson, Corey Frentz, Marilyn Grave, Stacey Grunewald, Mark Hanson, Les Johnson, Dale Kemble, Tim Menard, Hal Mickelson, Karen Miller, Gail Myers, Rhonda Pahlen, Lucy Payment, Rick Quirk, Dennis Regan, Joan Reitmeier, Jim Schaar, Albert Sims, Hugh Stadem, Barry Stephens, Pam Sullivan, Patti Tiedemann, Elizabeth Tollefson, Terry Tollefson, Val Uttermark, Neal Vraa, Nancy Vraa, Lyle Westrom, and Gary Willhite.

The post UMC & NWROC TO HONOR 35 RETIREES AUGUST 18 appeared first on KROX.

Mark Huglen, Ph.D. has accepted the role of Acting Division Head for the University of Minnesota Crookston Business, Arts, and Education department.

Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, John Hoffman, Ph.D. said while the title “Division Head” follows the University of Minnesota naming conventions for the Crookston campus, the scale and scope of responsibilities reflect those of an academic dean at campuses of similar size and complexity. 
Huglen has been the Chair for the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education for the past two years, and he will replace Kevin Thompson, PhD., Division Head at the end of August. The Division Head role includes additional responsibilities for the Business Department, the Early Childhood Development Center, and the University’s dual-enrollment programs, which serve approximately 900 students annually.  The University welcomed nominations and applications for a one-year appointment as Acting Division Head for the Division of Business, Arts, and Education (BAE) in June.  “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Division of Business, Arts, and Education here at The University of Minnesota Crookston,” said Huglen.

Hoffman went on to say that this is an exciting opportunity for tenured faculty in the University of Minnesota System to gain academic leadership experience. “Our approach is unique. Leaders in academics, student affairs, student success, enrollment, and athletics — professionals who typically work in separate areas at most colleges and universities — meet together weekly to ensure that we are creating seamless learning experiences for our students. Perhaps more importantly, it better enables us to place equity and inclusion at the heart of our work across all areas.” said Hoffman.

Additional efforts will be announced in the coming weeks as the campus will launch a search for a permanent Division Head early in the Fall semester.

The post MARK HUGLEN ACCEPTS HEAD OF THE UMC BUSINESS, ARTS, AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT JOB appeared first on KROX.

Governor Tim Walz announced today that Minnesotans can now submit their requests for the $100 vaccination rewards program at mn.gov/covid19/100. Minnesotans 12 years of age and older who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since July 30 can submit a request for a $100 Visa gift card. The form will remain open for submissions for Minnesotans who get their first dose until August 15.

“If you are still waiting to get your vaccine, this is your chance to get $100 just for rolling up your sleeves,” said Governor Walz. “We face a critical juncture in the pandemic – the Delta variant is pushing cases up across the country, including right here in Minnesota. As we head into the fall and kids go back to school, the best tool we have to fight COVID-19 is any of the three safe, free, and highly effective vaccines. Now is the time to get your shot and get $100, Minnesota.”

“For those who are eligible to get vaccinated but haven’t yet done so, this is the time to do it,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “A full vaccination series provide strong protection against serious COVID-19 illness and hospitalization, and, as Minnesotans, it’s another way we take care of ourselves and each other. And, until August 15, every new first vaccination could come with $100.”

The $100 reward request form is open from Wednesday, August 4, through Sunday, August 15. Reward requests must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 15, 2021. Vaccine information will be subject to verification by the Department of Health.

Governor Walz will authorize up to $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding to start up the program. At this time, this rewards program is limited to the first 24,330 eligible submissions.

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