Month: February 2023

On Friday, February 3, 2023, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a garage fire at 18220 260th St SW, Gentilly. Deputies and Crookston Fire Department responded and discovered that the fire originated from a skid-steer that was parked in the garage. The garage was attached to a home on the property. The property owner, Duane Spear (82), was home at the time of the incident. Spear reported that an unknown good Samaritan stopped to help by pulling the burning skid-steer out of the garage with their pickup, preventing further damage to the garage and residence. The good Samaritan left before first responders arrived on the scene.

The garage and skid-steer had moderate damage as a result of the fire. The fire was caused by a mechanical issue with the skid-steer.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

Also assisting was Crookston Area Ambulance.

No further information will be released at this time.

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Governor Tim Walz today signed into law legislation establishing Juneteenth as a State holiday. Senate File 13 commemorates June 19 as the official end of slavery in the United States.

“Juneteenth is an important opportunity for communities across the state and nation to celebrate freedom, recognize the history and contributions of Black Americans, and recommit to building a more just and equitable society for everyone,” said Governor Walz. “Creating Juneteenth as a state holiday is a long overdue celebration of independence.”

“Juneteenth is a powerful celebration that encourages us to reflect on our shared history and celebrate the innumerable contributions of Black Americans in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “This holiday reminds us that freedom is not fully realized until all of us are truly free. It’s an opportunity to teach the truth of our shared history and recommit to doing everything in our power to deconstruct generations of systemic racism so that every Black Minnesotan can be afforded the freedom and justice that is long overdue. I have tremendous gratitude to all those who made the Juneteenth holiday a reality in our state.”

Juneteenth recognizes the historical pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1965, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been first publicly read in Texas by Union soldiers. The announcement came over two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Lee’s surrender in April 1865.

Governor Walz also ceremonially signed the CROWN Act into law today alongside bill authors, legislative leaders, and advocates.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages well owners, high-capacity water appropriators, and water suppliers to apply for reimbursement of costs associated with the resolution of well interferences that occurred during the 2021 drought.

As part of a relief package to address the impacts of the 2021 drought, the Minnesota Legislature provided funding to the DNR to reimburse people who paid for costs associated with restoring a water supply as a result of a well interference. A well interference happens when a high-capacity water user causes the water level in an aquifer to fall to a level that adversely affects the availability of water to shallower wells. Dry conditions in 2021 caused some high-capacity water appropriators to pump groundwater more frequently in some areas of the state, resulting in numerous well interferences.

The DNR received $300,000 from the 2022 legislature to reimburse eligible expenses for domestic well owners, high-capacity water appropriators and public and private water suppliers. Those who wish to apply to the DNR for reimbursement will need to provide copies of receipts for work performed. The DNR will review the applications and determine eligibility for reimbursement.

The well interference situation must have happened between May 1, 2021, and Dec. 30, 2021, to be eligible for reimbursement.

Minnesota Statute 103G,265 requires the DNR to manage water resources to ensure an adequate supply to meet long-range seasonal requirements for domestic, agricultural, fish and wildlife, recreational, power, navigation, and quality control purposes. The Water Appropriation Permit Program exists to balance competing management objectives that include both the development and protection of Minnesota’s water resources.

The application period is now open. Applications should be submitted by 4:30 p.m. May 1, 2023. If applications for reimbursement exceed the total funding available, the available funds will be allocated proportionately to all eligible applicants based on their receipts submitted.

For more information, including how to apply, visit the well interference resolution process page of the DNR website. 

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