Month: November 2021

At approximately 9:39 a.m. this morning, the Grand Forks Fire Department was dispatched to a report of heavy smoke on the third floor of 3400 24th Ave. South. Fire crews arrived on the scene to find smoke inside the building but no active fire.

There had been a fire extinguisher discharged upon arrival. While investigating, it was noticed that the fire caused minor damage to the kitchen cabinets. The smoke was cleared from the building, and all tenants were allowed back in.

The Grand Forks Fire Department responded with five engines, one truck, and one command vehicle with seventeen personnel. One tenant was transported to the hospital with burn injuries; the extent of those injuries is unknown. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it appears to be unintentional. The Grand Forks Fire Department was assisted by the Grand Forks Police Department and Altru Ambulance.

The post GRAND FORKS FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO STRUCTURE FIRE SUNDAY MORNING appeared first on KROX.

The Crookston High School Welding and Fabrication class recently toured the American Crystal Sugar factory in Crookston to see how they make sugar.
“My main goal with the tour was to look at the maintenance side of the process from start to finish,” said Crookston High School Industrial Technology teacher Travis Oliver.  “American Crystal employs people in a lot of different fields of work, one of those being welding and fabrication. If you live in the area and have never been through the sugar-making process at American Crystal, it is quite amazing. The employees on the maintenance side are a huge part in keeping the plant running 24/7. I believe my students took home a different point of view on the plant and the process inside. I want to thank American Crystal Sugar-Crookston along with Plant Manager, Ryan Wall and Engineering Superintendent Keaton Hanevold for letting my class tour the facility.”

The post CROOKSTON H.S. WELDING AND FABRICATION STUDENTS TOUR AMERICAN CRYSTAL appeared first on KROX.

The Benedictine Auxiliary is bringing back two different events/fundraisers for the 2021 holiday season. The 2021 Angel Tree will be on December 6 this year, with Angel Pick from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Summit Entrance, and they will be accepting donations for their Light up a Life event until December 15.

Ashley Melsa from the Benedictine Living Community said they are happy to bring the Angel Tree back this year after it was canceled last year due to Covid-19. “We did get the go-ahead to move forward with our Angel Tree event this year. It will look a little different as will be at the Summit Entrance this year, but this will accommodate the skilled living and memory care residents,” said Melsa. “Each resident will have a wish list and will go through and be able to pick out some of the things on the list.”

Around 90 residents will benefit this year from the Angel Tree event. Benedictine Auxiliary President Diane Seddon says this is one of the residents’ favorite events. “The residents really enjoy it,” said Seddon. “They have their lists of what they want, and it ranges from socks, candy, miracle grow for their plants, soda, things that just bring them joy. Anyone enjoys a nice new pair of warm fuzzy socks, so it really is the small things that can make a big difference.”

Seddon also explained how people can participate in the Light Up a Life event and some more details about what will occur. “People can donate a light in remembrance of a loved one, and it doesn’t have to be a resident here with us; it can be in remembrance of anyone,” said Seddon. “Last year, we lit up a staircase with all the lights, and it actually looked like a Christmas Tree by the time we were done with it. It’s another thing that may seem small but can make a big difference for our residents.”

Melsa also said the event gained a great response from the community last year, making it a lot of fun. “It was very well perceived by the community last year. People would drive by and tell us that it looked beautiful, and it was so fun to do,” said Melsa. “I’ve already got to hang up a lot of Christmas lights for this year so that it will be lit up outside again, and the staircase will be lit up beginning on December 31 of New Year’s Eve, until January 31. So anytime you want to drive by, you can say a prayer or have a time of reflection for a loved one.”

Melsa and Seddon believe Light Up a Life is the biggest fundraiser they put on each and every year for the Auxiliary.  

For more information on the Light Up a Life, you can go to the Benedictine Living Community Facebook Page and scroll to events. Donations of $5 per light bulb can be mailed to Benedictine Auxiliary 516 Walsh St Crookston Mn, 56716. Please include a name of who the light will be in honor of.

The Angel Tree pick-up will be on Monday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Angel Gift Drop off will be no later than December 20, at 3:00 p.m. at the Skilled living entrance. If you have any questions, you can also email Ashley Melsa at ashley.melsa@benedictineliving.org.

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The post BENEDICTINE AUXILIARY BRINGING BACK “LIGHT UP A LIFE” AND “ANGEL TREE” THIS HOLIDAY SEASON appeared first on KROX.

Ottertail Power Company held its Holiday Light Exchange event in Crookston on October 26, from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Ottertail Power Company Energy Management Representative Aaron Sigette explained why the event was held and the goals they were trying to accomplish. “We essentially are trying to recycle old Christmas Lights and replace them with new, more efficient LED Christmas Lights,” said Sigette. “So, for every canned food item or cash donation that was brought to us that day for the Crookston Care & Share, we in return donate LED Christmas lights to the community.”

The event has been held in Crookston before, and Sigette said this year’s numbers topped the previous years. “This is the third year we’ve now done this event in Crookston, and we’ve also done it twice in Hallock,” said Sigette. “In 2020 in Crookston, we had 12,000 lbs. of food that we donated and $394 in cash donations. Back then, we were partnering with the North Country Food Bank. This year we beat the lbs. of food that we got as we received 13,800 lbs. and $323 in cash that will go to the Crookston Care & Share.”

Sigette also said the numbers in Hallock this year doubled, and all the proceeds raised from that event went to the Cornerstone Food Pantry in Hallock. Sigette considers both events a huge success and also said Ottertail Power Company was able to get plenty of LED Christmas Lights out into the community.

Sigette said everyone at Ottertail Power Company appreciates the generosity of those that showed up and participated, and he’s always surprised at how giving the Crookston community is. “The people up here are great whether it’s in Crookston or Hallock,” said Sigette. “I’m always surprised how they come out in full force with their food and cash donations for the local charities. It’s pretty fun to be a part of and see.”

A picture of Sigette presenting the money to Crookston Care & Share Executive Director Brian Halos can be found down below. Also pictured is Duane Straus who helped throughout the event. 

Pictured L-R: Aaron Sigette, Brian Halos, Duane Straus

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The post OTTERTAIL POWER COMPANY HELPS RAISE 13,800 LBS. OF FOOD AND $384 FOR CROOKTSON CARE & SHARE WITH HOLIDAY LIGHT EXCHANGE appeared first on KROX.