Month: January 2022

The Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston reported the following arrests.

Terrance Richard Conlon, 41 (no address given) for DUI.

The post ARREST/FIRE REPORT – January 5, 2022 appeared first on KROX.

Governor Tim Walz today announced new COVID-19 testing resources for Minnesotans across the state, including new community testing sites in the Twin Cities and east-central Minnesota, expanded rapid testing availability, and more tests for schools. 

“Testing is a key tool for Minnesotans looking to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19 – especially the new, contagious Omicron variant. That’s why we’re expanding the testing options available across Minnesota by opening new community testing sites and providing more at-home rapid tests to communities and schools,” said Governor Walz. “I have directed the National Guard to operate more testing sites to make sure every Minnesotan has access to the convenient testing they deserve, and we’re partnering with schools and community groups to make sure rapid tests are available to students, teachers, and families everywhere.”

“Providing Minnesota families with free and convenient testing is critical to making sure every Minnesotan can access critical COVID-19 resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “By collaborating with the National Guard, Minnesota schools, and community groups, we can make sure more Minnesotans can receive testing when they need it.”

Three new community testing sites will open

To help meet increased testing demand in the metro area, Governor Walz has directed the National Guard to open two new community testing sites at armories in the metro in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health. The National Guard has identified locations in Anoka and Cottage Grove as testing sites. More details on locations, hours, and appointments will be released in the days ahead.

MDH also announced a new community testing site will launch in North Branch on January 10. Appointments are strongly encouraged but walk-ins are also available.

The new site in North Branch will open at the former Nike Outlet Store at 38500 Tanger Dr, North Branch, MN 55056 on January 10. The North Branch site will be open for testing Monday through Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, offering PCR and rapid antigen testing.

Locations, hours, and appointment links for all the state’s community testing sites can be found online.

More test kits for Minnesota schools, child care providers

To provide families with more options to help keep their kids safe, MDH has secured an additional 1.8 million at-home rapid tests for Minnesota schools, on top of the initial 1 million announced last month.

In addition to the state’s free rapid and PCR community testing sites and no-cost at-home testing program, the state’s free school testing options allow each educational institution to determine the best testing strategy for them.

Rapid testing community partnership

The Walz-Flanagan Administration is partnering with community organizations to expand the availability of at-home rapid antigen tests across Minnesota.

In partnership with local public health, tribal health, food banks, and MDH COVID-19 Community Coordinators (CCCs), the state of Minnesota will distribute 150,000 at-home rapid antigen test kits. Each test kit contains two tests.

Providing free at-home rapid testing will reduce barriers and expand access to Minnesotans who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“Testing is a vital tool for helping lower the risk of COVID-19 for Minnesotans, their families, and their communities, so it’s very important to make it as easy as possible for everyone to access,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “Test results only represent one moment in time, so it’s important for people to use the other layers of prevention, including vaccination and boosters, masking, and staying home when sick in order to prevent spread.”

“As much as we wish an end to the pandemic and increased hunger were in sight, that’s just not the case,” said Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland. “We are proud to work with the state and our partner food banks across Minnesota to deliver COVID-19 test kits to food shelves and other hunger-relief organizations. These test kits, alongside the nutritious foods already provided by these organizations, will help keep our neighbors and communities safe and healthy.”

Minnesota also offers rapid testing at many of the state’s community testing sites, and it has provided more than 1.1 million rapid tests to Minnesotans through schools, child care centers, and community testing locations.

How Minnesotans can get a COVID-19 test:

• Walk-in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free community testing sites across Minnesota: COVID-19 Community Testing Sites.
• Order a test through the state’s free at-home COVID-19 testing program: COVID-19 Test at Home.
• Find a testing option near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations map: Find Testing Locations.

How Minnesotans can get their free shot:

• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
• Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
• Walk in to or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites.
  • Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline
    • 1-833-431-2053
    • Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

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The Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) Board met today inside Valley Technology Park (VTP). The meeting was a makeup for the one postponed on December 21 due to weather.

All Consent Agenda Items were approved unanimously by the board. The items on the Consent Agenda were as follows.

• EDA Financials
• Crookston Job Loan Status and Financials
• Community Investment Financials
• B3 Grants and Financials
• The Prairie Skyline Project
• Epitome Energy Financials
• Revolving Loan Status and Financials
• Oak Court Public Housing Financials
• Housing Choice Voucher Financials
• Workforce Housing Financials
• Rehab Housing Loan Status and Financials
• All CHEDA bills payable
• Valley Technology Park Financials
• Valley Technology Park Building Occupancy
• Valley Technology Park Expanded Business Incubation

OLD BUSINESS

The board then heard a Colborn Property Infrastructure Update and POHP Plumbing Project Update. There was no update on the Colborn project, but Theresa Tahran informed the board that the POHP Plumbing project is now complete.

There was then a brief discussion from the board on the Lead the Way Training that each board member was supposed to complete. Some board members still need to complete their Lead the Way Training at this time.

Another item the board discussed was an update on the Epitome Energy project. CHEDA Executive Director Robert Barnes provided what the update was. “The project is coming forward, and we’re starting to see site plans and preliminary numbers on their utility demands and other things,” said Barnes. “We’re still waiting on some permits from them and other things, but the project continues to move forward, and we’re starting to look at what some of the responsibilities might be for the city.”

There was then an update on the 1603 Hoven Lane project. Tahran informed the board the down payment has been received, and the hope is that the project is completed sometime in February or March.

MAIN AGENDA

The Main Agenda began with a consideration to change the Personnel Policy. Barnes discussed what changes would take place if approved. “The policy, in my opinion, is a little restrictive to our employees,” said Barnes. “The amount of vacation time that can be carried over year to year does not align with the City of Crookston’s. There is a very close relationship between CHEDA and the city, and we wanted to get our employees on a policy that mirrors the city’s policy. The city allows its employees to carry over 150% of their leave time into the next year, and that is far more than what CHEDA has. This will give our employees the chance to use their time the way they need to without fear of losing it at the end of the year.”

The board approved the changes unanimously. The next item on the agenda was a B3 recommendation for NT Auto. The B3 program helps local businesses in Crookston receive funding from CHEDA if qualifications are met. NT Auto is asking for $3,000 for signage to market and advertise their business. After some discussion, the board approved the request to give $3,000. NT Auto will also be shopping locally to get the supplies they need.

The board also reviewed a B3 application on behalf of Sistas Corner. They are asking for $5,000, and all use of the money requested would qualify for B3 funding. With that in mind, the board approved the request unanimously.

The biggest item on the Main Agenda was approving the 2022 CHEDA Budget. This item had previously been tabled so that Barnes could better understand the budget before asking the board to approve it. The Budget was also supposed to be approved in December but has been pushed back to this date after the December meeting was canceled. Barnes discussed the challenges of putting the budget together and how it will be handled moving forward. “The main challenge with this budget had to do with the transition that we are in right now,” said Barnes. “The budget is becoming largely housing, and housing has had challenges the past few years. We’ve had a drop in income, and when you take that with wanting to add new staff and new objectives and goals, it’s sometimes hard to get the numbers to meet. Next year I am hoping we can give them a much more accurate and substantial explanation for what our plan is going forward.”

There was a lengthy discussion from the board, and after talking it over, the board approved the budget with a slight change so that the budget could be balanced. The budget came in with a $17,000 deficit, and Crookston City Administrator Amy Finch discussed the decisions made so the budget could be balanced. “The discussion was how do we balance this budget,” said Finch. “There is a budget line in the city’s general fund, where we left $10,000 there for this purpose exactly. This will offset part of that deficit. There is also money in reserve funds from the Valley Technology Park fund that could be used if we end up being $7,000 over at the end of 2022. We may generate enough income so that these transfers aren’t necessary, but the money is there if we need to offset the deficit at the end of the year.”

The meeting ended with setting the 2022 CHEDA meeting dates. The meeting dates for 2022 will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 12:00 p.m.

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Altru Health System in Grand Forks announced today that Todd Forkel has been selected as Altru’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective February 28, 2022.

“On behalf of Altru’s CEO search committee, we are thrilled to have Todd joining our leadership team,” shared Karen Thingelstad, Chair of Altru’s Board of Directors. “His experience and leadership style make him the perfect leader for Altru. He is a humble servant leader and a visionary who will lead Altru’s path to growth and innovation for generations to come.”

Forkel brings over 24 years of leadership experience in healthcare, most recently serving on Avera’s executive team as the Regional President and CEO of Avera St. Luke’s and CEO of Avera St. Mary’s Region since 2011. In this role, he has managed two regions of a regional faith-based, nonprofit health system in South Dakota comprised of six hospitals, multiple clinics, and physician groups. He also serves as the executive lead for several system-wide initiatives, including lean initiatives, implementation of evidence-based leadership practices, support of veterans, as well as the lead of several service lines, including orthopedics, radiology, and the hospitalists.

“I am excited and honored to be named as Altru Health System’s next CEO,” shared Forkel. “Altru’s stated vision is to deliver world-class care for those we serve. That level of commitment and high standard inspires me. I cannot wait to journey with the 3,600 Altru teammates in the continuation of making that dream a reality.”

Forkel earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mary School of Business, a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Cal Coast University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northern State University, and an Associate of Science in Radiology Sciences from Presentation College. Prior to his most recent role with Avera, he served in leadership roles with Essentia Health, Innovis Health, and Mayo Clinic.

“My family and I love everything about Altru Health System, as an organization, and the vibrancy of the Greater Grand Forks community,” said Forkel. “We are excited to become part of the team and community in the near future.”

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The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota has issued a Blizzard Warning for the Red River Valley from 6:00 p.m. tonight (January 4) to 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5.
The warning includes the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Warren, Stephen, Argyle.  In North Dakota – Cavalier, Walhalla, Drayton, Pembina, Neche, St. Thomas, Grafton, Park River, Grand Forks, Mayville, Hillsboro, Hatton, Portland, and Fargo.

…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM CST WEDNESDAY…

* WHAT…Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE…The Red River Valley.

* WHEN…From 6 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce the visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.

The post BLIZZARD WARNING ISSUED FOR THE RED RIVER VALLEY UNTIL 9AM JANUARY 5 appeared first on KROX.

The Minnesota Department of Health has released the COVID numbers for today, January 4, and there were 16,204 newly reported cases and 36 deaths. Two deaths were reported in Northwest Minnesota. 1 in Polk County and 1 in Kittson County. Counties in northwest Minnesota reported the following cases – Polk County 12 cases with five probable, Pennington County had 21 cases with six probable, Kittson County had 9 with three probable. Roseau County 5 cases with two probable, Mahnomen County had 4 cases with two probable, and Marshall County had 3 cases with two probable, All the numbers provided by the Minnesota Department of Health are below –

Data is for cases that were tested and returned positive. At-home test results are not counted by MDH.

All data is preliminary and may change as cases are investigated. Many data points are collected through an online survey or during case interviews; however, not all cases are interviewed. Case interviews are focused on people under 18 years old, hospitalizations, deaths, and people with vaccine breakthrough or variants. Data presented below is for all cases, regardless of interview status.

Positive PCR test results are considered confirmed cases. Positive antigen test results are considered probable cases. All probable cases get the same public health follow up and recommendations as cases confirmed by PCR tests.

Testing

Minnesota Case Overview

Cases no longer needing isolation

Deaths

Hospitalizations

Case Demographics

Age

Gender

Race & Ethnicity

Residence

Cases by County of Residence

County of residence is confirmed during the case interview. At the time of this posting not all interviews have been completed.

As of 10/28/21, likely exposure and residence type are no longer collected for all cases and therefore no longer reported. Archived data can be found in the COVID-19 Weekly Report.

The post MINNESOTA REPORTS 16,204 NEW COVID CASES AND 36 DEATHS, POLK COUNTY HAS 17 NEW CASES AND 1 DEATH appeared first on KROX.