Month: September 2022

The Crookston Police Department is holding an online Public Vehicle Auction from Monday, October 3 to Friday, October 14, where they will be selling vehicles forfeited to the Department through the DWI court process. The Department has eight vehicles for sale that can be bid on through the State of Minnesota online auction website MINNBID.org.

Some of the vehicles the Department has for sale include a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Chevrolet Buick, that Police Chief Darin Selzler reported are still in good condition to be driven and used for other jobs. “They’re vehicles that people can use and drive again, Chief Darin Selzler explained. “We don’t really know their history and how they were obtained, but all of the vehicles drove when we received them, and most of them started and ran when we brought them out.” On the auction website, you can see pictures of the vehicles, a description of them, the mileage of the cars, and the car’s features. Each vehicle’s auction will be available within those ten days and have the closing dates of the auctions for each vehicle with a countdown to when bids will close. People will be able to bid for any of the vehicles online, and at the end of the auction for each vehicle, if you win the bid on the vehicle you wanted, you can go down to the Police Station to pay for the vehicle, and collect the vehicle’s keys, title, and other things needed for it, and then pick it up at 27032 273rd Street SW, which is located on the city’s impound lot, behind the Tri-County Regional Corrections Center south of the impound building and next to American Crystal Sugar.

Along with the cars, the Police Department is also auctioning off pieces of surplus property from the Crookston Public Works Department that they are not using anymore. “They had a bunch of surplus property this year that they wanted to sell,” Chief Selzler explained. “There’re about six very large generators, a water pump, an older motor grater, a garbage truck, a tar truck, and a three-quarter-ton pickup truck for sale. So, there’s quite a bit of property for sale out there this year.”

If you would like to take a closer look at any of the vehicles or city property for sale, you can go to the impound lot at any time to inspect any of the vehicles up for auction, or you can contact the Police Department for additional information, or to schedule a vehicle inspection. “The vehicles are sitting outside in the green space across from the Justice Center, so you’re welcome to drive out there anytime, walk around them, and look at them,” Chief Selzler explained. “If you want to get inside of them or start a vehicle and listen to them run, you can call and schedule an appointment, which is pretty flexible, during any of our daytime hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and we’ll meet you out there with the keys and let you look a little closer. Otherwise, they’re available for viewing any time.” All the money spent on the auctioned items will either go back to the city if they were one of the city’s surplus properties (generators, garbage truck, water pump, etc.) or towards the DWI enforcement division at the Crookston Police Department, mandated by State Statute, for new equipment and improvements.

The Crookston Police Department’s Public Vehicle Auction will begin on Monday, October 3, and will last until Friday, October 14. All auctions can be found and made on the State of Minnesota online auction website MINNBID.org on Monday. If you would like to inspect any of the cars and vehicles up for auction, the vehicles are located at 27032 273rd Street SW, behind the Polk County Justice Center, one block west and one block north of Ampride. If you wish to see the insides of any of the vehicles or how they operate, you can call the Crookston Police Department at 218-281-3111 to schedule a vehicle inspection or to learn any other additional information.

#td_uid_1_63364a8b9709f .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG-6100-e1664468661161-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_63364a8b9709f .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG-6099-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}

1 of 2

The post CROOKSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AUCTIONING VEHICLES AND OTHER SURPLUS PROPERTY WITH ONLINE PUBLIC VEHICLE AUCTION FROM OCTOBER 3 TO THE 14 appeared first on KROX.

Governor Tim Walz today announced that the Minnesota Office of Higher Education is launching Direct Admissions, a new program designed to promote college access. Driven by the belief that every student is “college material,” the program ensures that graduating high school students know they qualify for admission to a variety of Minnesota colleges and universities. The program also eliminates the application fee for participating colleges and universities.

“As a former teacher, I know the college admissions process can be overwhelming for students,” said Governor Tim Walz. “We are committed to removing barriers and making higher education more accessible for students in Minnesota, and this includes making sure students know all the opportunities and options available to them.”

“Ensuring students in Minnesota receive a world-class education means equipping our students with the resources and support they need to pursue higher education,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “I’m grateful to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for spearheading this program which expands opportunities and reduces equity gaps in college enrollment.”

Launching this fall, a class of 2023 seniors from over 40 selected Minnesota high schools will be notified of their college options in the state. Students create a personalized list from over 50 Minnesota participating colleges and universities and then are notified of admission based on their academic records through junior year and projected graduation date. Once notified, students then complete a free admissions application for each of the colleges and universities they are interested in attending. Participating colleges include a full range of community, technical, tribal, public, and private institutions. 

“We want Minnesota high school seniors to know they are college ready, and they have multiple options in our state,” said Office of Higher Education Commissioner Dennis Olson. “Our goal is to reduce anxiety around the traditional college admissions process and allow students to apply with confidence.”

Significant disparities in educational attainment exist for Minnesota’s Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. Direct Admissions have the potential to reduce equity gaps by providing important college-going information to high school students and eliminating the need for extensive college-going knowledge to navigate the complex college admissions process. The program aims to reduce self-selection bias and reduce equity gaps in college enrollment using three strategies:

• Connecting students, families, and schools with colleges and universities earlier, gives families time to consider their options and plan
• Easing the transition from high school to college
• Showing students that they have access to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree if they choose to further their education

Direct Admissions Minnesota is a partnership project between K-12 and higher education, led by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Funding was secured by the 2021 Minnesota Legislative session.

For more information, visit the Office of Higher Education website at www.ohe.mn.us/directadmissions.

The post MINNESOTA EXPANDS HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS appeared first on KROX.

The East Grand Forks Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week TM (FPW), October 9-15, 2022. This year’s FPW campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape TM”, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. “Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on an early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.

The East Grand Forks Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme. “It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different,” said Austin, Fire Prevention Officer. “Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!”

The East Grand Forks Fire Department wants to share these essential home fire escape planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

The East Grand Forks Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”, including an Open House on October 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Station 1. To learn more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in East Grand Forks, please contact the East Grand Forks Fire Department at 218-773-2403. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org.

The post EAST GRAND FORKS FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD OPEN HOUSE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK appeared first on KROX.

The Grand Forks Road Crews announced that the railroad crossings at 7th Ave. N. and 10th Ave. N. on the Mill Spur line will be closed starting Monday, October 3, 2022.

The closures are to allow Burlington Northern Santa Fe crews to make repairs at both of these crossings.

The closures are expected to be in place for five days, weather permitting.

The post GRAND FORKS RAILROAD CROSSINGS ON THE MILL SPUR LINE WILL BE CLOSED STARTING MONDAY appeared first on KROX.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Crookston FFA went to Ada, Minnesota, for the Minnesota FFA Region 1 Fall Rally. Crookston FFA had 25 members in attendance. Members went to sessions that explored careers, colleges, and life skills. They learned how to change a tire, fly a drone, and the basics of CPR. 10 members competed in the Best Informed Greenhand contest. Mykayla Garcia placed 10th overall out of 160 participants in the Best Informed Greenhand contest. The Crookston FFA Officer team competed in the Officer Demonstration Contest and is waiting for their scores. Overall, it was a good leadership building and life skill learning experience.   

Last week, on Saturday, September 24, 2022, Crookston FFA had five members participate in the Region 1 Trap Shoot, where Wyatt Wilkens tied for second place in Region 1 with a score of 46. 

Pictures of the FFA at the Fall Rally can be seen below-

#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fall-Rally-1-1-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fall-Rally-2-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fall-Rally-3-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item4 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fall-Rally-4-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item5 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fall-Rally-5-1-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item6 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fall-Rally-6-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item7 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Trap-1-80×60.jpeg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#td_uid_1_6335db9263597 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item8 {
background: url(https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.235/182.80d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Trap-2-80×60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}

1 of 8

The post CROOKSTON FFA ATTENDS MN REGION 1 FALL RALLY appeared first on KROX.

In June of 2021, the OtterTail Power Company began a complete inventory of its electric distribution system assets, which include telephone poles, meters, transformers, and other connected devices. The inventory consists of them taking photos of some assets and access to customer properties and their rights-of-way throughout their service area. This collection effort is important to their future technology advancements and asset replacements to prevent outages and help them respond to outages better.

OtterTail has contracted with Davey Resource Group (DRG), who may access people’s properties to perform the system inventory on OtterTail’s behalf over the next few weeks. OtterTail is asking the citizens of Crookston to accommodate DRG employees so they can properly access the system and help improve their services to the community. They will cover all the served distribution facilities, including more than 500 distribution substations serving 700+ distribution feeders and nearly 6,000 miles of line.

To learn more about this project, visit www.otpco.com/SystemInventory, or you can call OtterTail at 218-739-8200.

The post OTTERTAIL POWER COMPANY WILL HAVE DAVEY RESOURCE GROUP ACCESS CUSTOMER’S PROPERTIES FOR ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ASSETS INVENTORY appeared first on KROX.