Month: August 2023

A severe thunderstorm came through Crookston as the 20th annual Crookston Night 2 Unite began on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus. That was the bad news. The good news was they moved things inside until the weather passed and had a warm sunny evening after the storm passed and it turned out to be another successful event that even mother nature couldn’t stop! Ginetta Harris-Gariazzo took a bunch of pictures from the event, and they are below. 

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The Polk County Commissioners met Tuesday morning and approved several items on the agenda. 

GOVERNMENT CENTER UPGRADES
The commissioners heard from Polk County Facilities Director Richard Langlois about two proposed Government Center improvements. The first was the restoration of the retaining wall with a bid of $51,650 from Palmer Masonry. “Anybody that has looked closely would see the wall is really deteriorating quickly, just more so in the last couple of years,” said Langlois. “A lot of the mortar joints are opening up, and the actual mortar is falling on the ground, so in order to maintain the quality and longevity of the wall, it needs some attention.”

The second item was the replacement of the roof at the Government Center. Before getting quotes for the roof project, they have to get an architect to design the project and get specs. The commissioners approved Widseth as the architect/design proposal, and they will see the project through to completion. “You need somebody to do the design before you start it,” said Langlois. “Widseth is local, so let’s give them a try. It is called a design and spec plan, and they put it together before the roof project can go out to bid.”

WEST POLK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Nicole Berd, District Manager of the West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, requested an allocation of $43,120 from Polk County for the 2024 budget. The amount is the same as it received in 2023. “Every year, the soil and water conservation districts bring their proposed budgets to the county commissioners as the county allocates a certain amount of funding to the soil and water conservation districts for their work, for projects, and the programs they administer,” said Bernd. “With the funding request, I also included some projects that we are working on alongside the county and also with the One Watershed, One Plan so they are aware of monies coming back into the county for our economic base and state funding that has been brought in as well.”

Bernd said for every dollar Polk County spends, it receives $11.75 back per dollar for a solid return on investment. “With that allocation from the county, we go back and do calculations to show the return on investing in the soil and water conservation district. That includes all our project money, grant funding, and support we get from the area watershed districts,” said Bernd. “It is a very good return on investment. We have the ability to bring outside funding into the county to help the actual tax base and to help the residents in the county.”

SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Polk County Social Services Director Karen Warmack talked about a contract with the Department of Human Services for Mental Health Services. The contract would use American Rescue Plan Act funding in the form of a grant to support and strengthen the infrastructure of access to the availability of staff on the mobile crisis team. The contract obligation is $162,000, and Social Services will work with Alluma ($112,500) and Sanford ($49,500). The funds will be used to purchase IPADS and telemedicine technology to allow the delivery of services in rural areas. “When a family is in crisis, or they need extra support because of a mental health concern, they can access Ipad support through our crisis services through Alluma,” said Warmack. “I think it will be a new option for families to access support and services when they have a mental health issue that may lead to suicide ideation or some assistance through mental health.”
The contract started July 1, 2023 and will run through June 30, 2025.

Warmack’s request to reclassify the position of an Eligibility Worker to a Team Leader was accepted, and a replacement request for a Social Worker was also approved.

COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY 66 PATCHING
Polk County Highway Engineer Richard Sanders said the county received three quotes for bituminous overlay to fix areas of County Road 66, north of County Road 23. The road runs between Angus and Tabor. The low bid was from RJ Zavoral and Sons, Inc of East Grand Forks in the amount of $248.75 per ton, and they will need 250 tons for an estimated total of around $75,000. “We have some areas where the bituminous is getting really bad, so we are having a contractor come in and dig those out and do some bituminous patches for us,” said Sanders. 

The summer road projects have been going well throughout the county. “Anderson Brothers is finishing up our overlays by Fisher and East Grand Forks, and they just have the shouldering left to do on those,” said Sanders. “We had Gladen’s come in and do two county ditch restorations that we received FEMA money on from the 2022 floods, and those are complete. Davidson Construction is still working on our County Road 46 grading project between 102 and Trunk Highway 2, and I would expect that to get done around the 15th of September. Projects are going well, and hopefully, the summer continues the way it is, and we can finish everything up.”

CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS BY MAPLE LAKE
Debra Kolden and Kit Midgarden were each granted conditional use permits for hooking a new septic system to a new accessory structure at their locations near Maple Lake. The board gave unanimous approval.

The post POLK COUNTY LOOKING AT RESTORING RETAINING WALL AND REPLACE GOVERNMENT CENTER ROOF appeared first on KROX.

The American Legion Department of Minnesota recently held its 104th Department Convention at the Jackpot Junction in Morton. Attendees were Legionnaires, Auxiliary, Sons of Legion, and Riders.

The New Department Commander is Paul Hassing of Montgomery, and the New Department President is Sharon Cross of Bemidji Unit 14.

Crookston was represented by Margee Keller, Minnesota Department Historian, and Unit 20 Membership Chairperson; and Sharon Lanctot, Unit 20 President.
Jean Walker, NEC and Past President’s Parley Chairman of Warren; and Cheryl Grover, District 9 President of Bagley also attended.

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The Crookston School District’s major building projects are progressing through the summer months, and former Superintendent Dave Kuehn, who is overseeing the projects, gave the school board an update on Monday. He updated the board on the High School/Middle School remodel, Preschool Addition, and the Outdoor multi-use facility.

HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE SCHOOL REMODEL
The Crookston School High School/Middle School remodeling project continues to move forward, with noticeable progress being made.

The remodeling of the media center area is nearly complete. The walls are up and are taped and textured. During the next two weeks, they will paint the walls, the suspended ceiling will be put in place, and the carpeting of rooms and hallways should be finished. The district has been given a move-in date of Monday, August 21, for the spaces, with final inspections happening on August 17 and 18. The Week of August 21 will be a busy week in terms of moving items into the new classrooms.  When all is said and done, there will be six new classrooms for student use, two new office spaces (Special Ed), and a large open area/commons area for middle school students to access.

The new district office is ready and open for business, and some moving is still taking place. The only delay in the remodel project site is the installation of the cabinets that will go into the six new classrooms. Due to some changes that were made to the overall classroom space, the cabinet order needed to be changed, causing a minor delay in the making of these cabinets. The bases for the new cabinets will be built in August, with the actual cabinets being installed in mid-September. The installation will take place after school hours and/or on the weekend. The installation of the cabinets shouldn’t take more than a couple of days.

PRESCHOOL ADDITION AT HIGHLAND
The plumbing blueprints/specifications were approved by the State of Minnesota Friday, July 28.
The outer walls of the preschool addition are supposed to start going up this week. The majority of the July work (due to waiting for plumbing approval) has focused on the inside area on the east side of Highland, where the new addition will connect with the existing building.  At this time, the project is still on pace for the planned work scheduled to be done before the snow starts to fall.

OUTDOOR MULTI-USE COMPLEX-
Gehrtz Construction will serve as the district’s construction management company for the new outdoor multi-use project. Gehrtz Construction will assist the school district with going out for bids on the construction part of this project ($3.5 million), as well as assist the district with the management of the work that will take place. The District has locked in prices for the artificial turf, the track surfacing, the bleacher and the pressbox ($1.5 million). The plan is to work with Gehrtz and Zerr-Berg (architect firm) on getting requests for bids on the remaining components (dirt work, concrete work, electrical, fencing, etc.).  The request for bids will happen in either late August or early September with the goal of having a solid plan in place of what it will cost for this work and who will be doing the work by mid-September.

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The Crookston Community Pool will open with limited hours of operation on Wednesday.

Home Delivered Meals are being delivered by Christian Brothers Ford this week.

The Crookston Lions and Minakwa Golf Course Annual Youth Golf Tournament will be on August 7. Registration will be at 8:00 am, with a Shot Gun Start at 9:00 am. Ages 8 and under will golf four holes, and receive a participation medal. 9-10 years old golf 9 holes. 11-12 years old golf 9 holes. 13-14 years old golf 18 holes. 15-17 years old golf 18 holes. Prizes are awarded for Boys and Girls medalists, along with trophies and door prizes. The entry fee is $20 (lunch included). Park and Rec golfers aged eight and under are $10 (lunch included).

RiverView Health Auxiliary, in cooperation with Vitalant, is sponsoring a blood drive on today from 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the RiverView Conference Rooms 1-3. If you can donate and would like to make an appointment, please contact Carrie Bergquist at 218-281-9572 or cbergquist@riverviewhealth.org. You can also schedule your appointment online by visiting www.donors.vitalant.org.

The Golden Link will have Forrest LaPorte, CNP, speaking on “Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention” at 10:00 am today. There’s limited seating, so call 281-3072 to reserve your spot.

The Crookston Public Library will have Baby Bounce today from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. These are social and early literacy activities for infants through preschoolers and their caregivers.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have darts and an Aerie meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m.

Nite to Unite Neighbors Joining Neighbors will be held today from 4:30 to 7:30 pm on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Night Burger Night on Wednesday.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have an Auxiliary meeting on Wednesday starting at 7:00 pm.

RiverView Health will host a four-hour First Aid Class Thursday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the RiverView Home Care Building, 721 South Minnesota Street in Crookston. The cost of the class is $55. You must pay in advance to save your spot. To register or for more information, call 281-9536. No walk-ins will be accepted.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Thursday starting at 6:30 pm.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Friday starting at 6:30 pm. This is a $500 must-go jackpot.

There will be a Ride for Elliot fundraiser on Saturday, August 5, starting at IC Muggs in Crookston. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m., and kick stands up at 11:00 a.m. Stops include Gentilly, Fertile, and will end in Lengby with a free-will offering meal by Fozzies. The cost is $20 per bike, and they will have a 50/50 raffle. For more information, call 605-770-5191. The proceeds from the ride go to Elliot Thompson, the daughter of Jordan and Kayse Thompson. Elliot is two years old and was born with myelocytocele, a type of spina bifida, and they will have to make a trip to Philadelphia to see a specialist every six months to a year for treatment.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Saturday starting at 2:00 pm. This is a $400 must-go jackpot.

Minnesota Northern Railroad will be replacing the track on Polk County 9, just west of Highway 75 (the crossing by American Crystal Sugar). The road will be closed and detoured for three days starting August 7.

The Fisher American Legion will have a Legion and SAL meeting on Tuesday, August 8, at 7:00 pm.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Night Burger Night on Wednesday, August 9.

Crookston High School FFA will be having an alumni and supporter charter chapter informational meeting on August 10 in the Crookston High School commons at 6:00 pm. If your time in the blue jacket was memorable and you want to give back, or you have seen the benefits that FFA provides students, you’re invited to an information meeting. You do NOT have to be a past FFA member. FFA alumni and supporters lend education and financial assistance to their local FFA chapter.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Night Burger Night on Wednesday, August 16.

The Crookston Public Library will have a free Summer Concert featuring Kissing Company Thursday, August 17, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket for seating. Admission is free, thanks to Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Seri funding.

Summer Arts Safari and Crookston Community Theatre will present Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Kids on Friday, August 18, at 5:30 pm. and Saturday, August 19, at 11:00 am. at Highland Elementary School. Adults 13 years and older are $5, children 6 to 12 are $3, and kids under 5 are free. Grades 3 through 9 can register to take part in the play on Monday, August 14, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Highland Elementary School. The cost is $25 and includes a T-Shirt. Practice will be Monday through Friday, August 14-18, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bring your own lunch and water bottle.

The 19th Annual Crookston Blue Line Club 5-Person Golf Scramble will be on August 18. 8:00 am registration, 9:00 am. Shotgun Start. Team Sponsorship is $4; Individual Entry is $80.00. For more information and to register, contact Katie Fee at 218-470-0423 or crookstonhockey@gmail.cm.

The Central High School Class of 1963 will be celebrating their 60th reunion on Saturday, August 19, from 12:30 to 5:00 at the Irishman’s Shanty.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Night Burger Night on Wednesday, August 23.

The Wesley United Methodist Church will have Summer Salad Lunches on August 24, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. They offer a variety of salads, homemade desserts, and beverages. Dine-in or take-out is available for $12.00 per meal.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Night Burger Night on Wednesday, August 30.

DNR Hunter Safety Training for youth aged 11 and older will be on August 29 and 31, September 1, 5, 7, and 8. Field Day and Test will be Saturday, September 9. Classes are held at the Crookston Gun Club, 26251 240th St. S.W. in Crookston. To register, call Steve Videen at 218-289-2115 or email him at stevevideen@yahoo.com.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Grand Theatre will have a Classic Family Matinee and Video Club gaming every Wednesday at 1:00 pm Admission is free with a concession purchase or pay just $1.

A fundraising account has been established for David Meine, a Crookston native who suffers from Stage 3 Huntington’s disease. He recently became a double amputee and is confined to a wheelchair. Funds will be used to remodel their home to make it handicapped accessible. Stop by or mail a donation to American Federal Bank, 304 North Broadway, Crookston, MN. 56716 or call 218-281-3305. Reference “Benefit Account for David Meine.”

Twig and Branch Collection will be held on the second and fourth Mondays from June through October. Place the materials on your curbside. Branches must be cut into four-foot lengths and bundled by the crew to take them away. Annuities or tree trunks not cut to this length and bundled will be left for the owner to haul away. Twigs may be in boxes or bags. Individuals removing their diseased elm trees should call City Hall to schedule a pickup. Please note that leaves, grass, and other compostable material must be in the clear City of Crookston bags and will be collected on your regular garbage collection day.

The Crookston Care and Share are now accepting donations of Women’s, Men’s, and children’s clothing, toiletries, and other everyday items. Donations may be dropped off at the Care and Share Center at 220 East Third Street.

The Crookston Public Library’s Books & Brews Book Club meet on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 pm at Drafts Sports Bar and Grill. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages. Appetizers are provided by the Friends of the Crookston Public Library; participants are responsible for the cost of thein food and drinks. All are welcome.

The Crookston Public Library’s Reading by the Red Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 pm. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages.

The Golden Link is serving noon lunch Monday through Friday. The cost is $8. Veterans’ meals are half-price on the first Monday of the month. Call 281-3072 by 10:00 the day you plan to have lunch.

The Crookston Friends of the Library meet on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm.

The Crookston Library Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:15 pm.

The Grand Theatre will have free gaming or family movie Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. It’s free with a concession stand purchase per person or just $1 without a concession stand purchase.

The Cove Youth Center in Crookston is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Students and parents should call ahead to check the availability of the youth center at 218-470-0149.

The Crookston Care and Share Center’s Donation and New Hope Food Shelf will be open every Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, and every Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm click here for information on the Care and Share New Hope Food Shelf website. For more information or to donate, call 218-277-0000.

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