Month: January 2023

The annual Knights of Columbus free throw contest is back again at the Crookston High School gymnasium this Sunday, January 8, for all boys and girls ages 9-14.

The 51-year-old competition is a free event for all children to participate in to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition while testing their basketball shooting skills against students across the region and even the state. The competition will have each competitor shoot fifteen consecutive shots and try to make as many as they can. A line judge will monitor each shooter to ensure the children don’t step over the line when they shoot, a person catching rebounds, and a counter of how many each contestant makes. “Everyone gets a chance to participate. It’s open to boys and girls ages 9 to 14. We use the men’s balls for the older boys and the women’s balls for the younger boys and girls and older girls,” Knights of Columbus member John Bjorgo explained. “The younger boys and girls that are ages 9-11, we put a piece of tape on the floor at the 12’ line instead of shooting from the regular 15’ free throw line. This way, the kids will develop the proper form of throwing the ball.”

The contest will separate the contestants into their age groups, and the first-place competitors of each group will win a certificate and medal and have the chance to advance to the district-level competition. “We start out with our local level, which is this Sunday, and then all of the first-place participants will go on to a district level. In our district, we have Crookston, Ada, and East Grand Forks. Us three are the ones that are running this competition for now,” John Bjorgo explained. “If they do get to be first-place contestants, we have them go onto our next level, which is a district level, and after that is a regional level, and after regional, you’ll end up at state, which is at St. Cloud.”
If, in any case, there is a tie for first place, the two competitors will shoot another five shots to determine who the winner will be. Bjorgo noted that if a first-place winner cannot attend the district level of the competition, the Knights of Columbus will allow the second-place contestant of that group to stand in for the first-place winner to represent Crookston.

Once the contest begins, the 9-11 age groups will begin their portion of the competition in the High School gym, and the rest of the age groups will begin once those age groups finish. Registration for the contest will be in the Crookston High School Commons from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and is free for all contestants to join and practice before the contest begins at 1:00 p.m. “We do it all right there at the gymnasium in the Commons area. We have the kids, and the parents help fill it all out so that everything is fairly legible, and we have good contact numbers to call them so that the first-place winners are able to make it to the next round.” This contest is sponsored by Crookston Knights of Columbus council 1216.

Stay tuned to KROX and kroxam.com for the results and pictures of the winners.

The post KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANNUAL FREE THROW CONTEST WILL BE THIS SUNDAY AT CROOKSTON HIGH SCHOOL appeared first on KROX.

The Northwest Regional Corrections Center reported the following arrests.

Hannah Rae Jordan, 30, of East Grand Forks, for DUI and Refusing to submit to a Chemical Test.

Summer Starr Agha, 43, of New Brighton, for 2nd-Degree DUI with Alcohol Concentration over .10 or more within two hours.

The post ARREST/FIRE REPORT-JANUARY 6, 2023 appeared first on KROX.

The post CROOKSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY TO LAUNCH “ART BY THE RED” CLUB ON MONDAY appeared first on KROX.

Senator Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) took the oath of office on Tuesday as the Minnesota Senate began the 93rd legislative session.   

“It’s an exciting day to be here to begin building relationships with each other, and to build Minnesota up to being a greater state,” Johnson told Senators in his floor remarks. “Today we’re turning over a new leaf to help Minnesotans, to be the voice of Minnesota, and to work together on behalf of Minnesota. I hope we can enjoy the ceremony of today because tomorrow, we get to work.”  

Senator Johnson was also officially voted in as the Minority Leader for the Senate Republican Caucus. The leadership role gives him ample opportunity to advocate not just for the residents of our district, but also for the entire state. With a $17.6 billion surplus, worker shortages, and families still struggling with inflationary costs, the legislature has many challenges ahead.   

“I am ready to bring forth ideas to get the surplus back to the people, address our business and workforce needs, and make sure families can afford to live in this great state, especially in Northwestern Minnesota, where we know many people and businesses can easily move over into North Dakota for lower cost of living and better jobs. We must regain our competitive edge if our part of the state wants to continue to thrive,” Johnson said. “That work is very important to me and our district this session.”  

This is Johnson’s third term in the Senate, having first been elected in 2016. He previously served as Deputy Majority Leader for the Senate Republicans from 2021-2022.

The post SENATOR MARK JOHNSON SWORN INTO SENATE, TAKES MINORITY LEADERSHIP ROLE appeared first on KROX.

The Triple ‘A’ Award – sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, honors high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, in fine arts, and on the athletic field. Students who are nominated must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better, participate in MSHSL-sponsored fine arts and athletic activities, and comply with the MSHSL’s Student Code of Conduct.

Crookston Public School District is proud to announce their nominations for this award. Thor Harbott and Halle Bruggeman have been selected to represent Crookston in the Triple ‘A’ Award this year.

Thor Harbott is the son of Corey and Stephanie Harbott. He has a 3.967 GPA. Thor is involved in band, orchestra, speech, soccer, hockey, track, and field. He plans to attend the Carlson School of Management for Finance.

Halle Bruggeman is the daughter of Chris and Stacey Bruggeman. She has a 4.0 GPA. Halle is involved in band, orchestra, one-act play, three-act play, tennis, and basketball. She plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering but is undecided at what college at this time.

Regional winners will be announced at the Triple ‘A’ Banquet in Mahnomen on February 1, 2023. The top two Triple ‘A’ Award candidates from each region, will be invited to a recognition banquet and will participate in an on-court ceremony during the Class AA Minnesota Boys’ State Basketball championship game in March. During the on-court ceremony, League officials will announce two state Award recipients – one girl and one boy from both Class A and Class AA schools. Each state award recipient will receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship.

Congratulations, Halle Bruggeman and Thor Harbott!

The post CHS ANNOUNCES 2022-23 TRIPLE ‘A’ AWARD WINNERS appeared first on KROX.