Month: November 2023

The Northwest Regional Correction Center reported the arrest of the following-

Carmen Anne Paillie, 49, of Grand Forks, for failure to appear in court while being convicted of a gross misdemeanor.

The post ARREST/FIRE REPORT-NOVEMBER 29 appeared first on KROX.

The Crookston Home-Delivered meals will be provided by Ag Country Farm Credit Services, Brost Chevrolet, the Crookston Public Library, and Valley Plains Equipment through Friday, December 1.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have a Men’s Cards group today starting at 8:00 a.m., followed by Cribbage at 10:00 a.m.

The Benedictine Villa Auxiliary will meet this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Summit Apartment on the third floor.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Burger Night tonight.

Crookston Parks and Recreation and the Crookston Wrestling Club are offering a Free Wrestling Clinic tonight starting at 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the CHS Wrestling room. This clinic is for Pre-K through grade 6

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Dart League tonight starting at 7:00 p.m., followed by UMC Swing Dance Lessons beginning at 8:00 p.m. Dance lessons are free for UMC students and $5 for others.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have SAIL on Thursday, November 30, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

All ages are invited to attend Crookston’s Winter Wonderland event on Thursday, November 30. It starts at 4:00 p.m. in Downtown Crookston, you can get your stockings filled at local businesses and see live reindeer beginning at 5:00 p.m. The lighting of the tree will take place at 6:45 p.m. by the Crookston Rotary. There will also be a free family Christmas movie showing at the Grand Theatre beginning at 7:00 p.m. Every event on this day is free.

Historic Crookston’s Winter Wonderland will be on Thursday, November 30. Santa’s Elves will be at Crookston Businesses from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bring your stockings and get them filled with treats, crafts, and gifts. There will be cookie decorating, Christmas cards, letters to Santa, ornament decorating, S’mores, hot cocoa, and more. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., there will be live reindeer at the Synergy Center parking lot, sponsored by Bremer Bank and American Crystal Sugar. The lighting of the tree will be 6:45 p.m. by the Crookston Rotary at the Main Street Courtyard. If you have questions, call or text Hallie at 289-4297 or Brian at 289-4831.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Thursday, November 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will serve baskets.

The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woods Society will host the inaugural Conservation Banquet on Friday, December 1, at the Crookston Eagles Club from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Proceeds will go toward the conservation of forest wildlife and support for the local chapter.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Friday, December 1, starting at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will not serve baskets due to the banquet.

Garden Valley Technologies Customer Appreciation Day will be Saturday, December 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Erskine

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Saturday, December 2, starting at 2:00 p.m.

Bygland Lutheran Church will have a Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner Bazaar and Bake Sale on Sunday, December 3, with serving from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Bygland Lutheran Church is located 8 miles south of East Grand Forks on Highway 220.

Bells of Praise’s 40^th Anniversary Celebration Concert will be held Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Crookston. Also performing: Area Women’s Chorus.

The Classic Noel Dinner and Concert will take place on Sunday, December 3, at CHS. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided by Irishman Shanty. Dinner and concert admission is $25, and concert admission (only) is $4 for adults and $3 for students.

The Community Christmas Food Basket Committee is once again helping those Crookston individuals and families who are in need this holiday season. They will be offering a gift card to Hugo’s to purchase food items through December 8. Individuals and families can call 218-289-9644 between 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 to register for a Hugo’s gift card. Only 1 gift card per family and address will be given. All gift cards will be mailed out before Christmas.

Wesley United Methodist Church in Crookston will have its Blue Christmas Service on Sunday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. There will be piano, guitar, and violin music selections. All are welcome. There will be a time of fellowship to follow.

The 2023 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop in Plummer at the Main Railway crossing on Central Avenue on December 14 at 6:00 p.m. with a performance by professional musicians at 6:15. The CPKC makes a donation at each stop and encourages attendees to donate cash or a non-perishable food donation if they are able.

Tri-Valley Transportation will provide bus transportation to the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train on Thursday, December 14, with stops in Mahnomen at 4:20 PM, Plummer at 6:00 PM, and Thief River Falls at 7:30 PM. The cost is $2 round-trip for riders in Mahnomen, Plummer, and Thief River Falls and $5 round-trip for riders from the other locations. Reserve your ride by Wednesday, December 13, at noon by calling Tri-Valley Transportation at 800-201-3432.

On Saturday, January 6, the Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association will be hosting a Snowshoe Lacing Workshop at the Rydell NWR Visitor Center. The one-day workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Class participants will learn how to lace their own pair of Ojibwa-style snowshoes. This is a fun, hands-on class. You’ll be able to work at your own pace with provided instructions and friendly presenters to assist you along the way. Snacks and lunch will be provided, courtesy of the Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association. Pre-registration is required, and class size is limited to 20 participants. The deadline for registration is December 15. For more information and to get a registration form, contact Bill Peterson at 218-280-1109 or bpeterso@umn.edu

The Care and Share in Crookston will have an Open Heart Open Doors Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, January 20 at the Crookston Eagles Hall. Social hour will be at 5:00, dinner of walleye or prime rib  at 6:00 and Silent Auction and games at 7:00. Cost is $50 per ticket, call the Care and Share at 218-281-2644 for ticket information.  Proceeds will go towards a cargo van.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

The RiverView Auxiliary is holding a Mitten Drive in the form of a Mitten Tree now through November 30. The Mitten Tree is located in front of the Limited Addition Gift Shop at RiverView Health. All are invited to “trim” the tree with donations of new children’s winter mittens, gloves, and hats. Please, no scarves. The mittens, gloves, and hats received will be distributed in early December to area schools and given to children who need them. RiverView Health Auxiliary thanks you for your support in warming hearts and hands this season through this important service project.

Cobblestone Hotel and Suites in Crookston will have a Mitten Tree in support of Crookston Family Services through December 30 in loving memory of Kim Samuelson of R.B.J.’s local restaurant. There will be hats, gloves, and scarves for all ages, one item per person.

As the Crookston Care and Share expands, its women’s dormitories are in need of twin bed frames, dressers, lamps, and end tables. Donate: call 218-281-2644.

The Crookston Squadron Civil Air Patrol meets every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Call 218-281-3954 for more information.

Highland Elementary School is looking for new or used winter gloves and snow pants in sizes 8, 9, and 10. If you are interested in donating or have any questions, call 218-281-5600.

Parents of children are invited to register their children for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program provides one book every month to your child from when you enroll until they turn five for FREE. The program is managed by Crookston Public School, and you can register at www.ImaginationLibrary.com.

The Crookston Care and Share is 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 or call 281-2644. The Donation Room is open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

RiverView Health Auxiliary will be holding a Mitten Drive in the form of a Mitten Tree through November 30.  The Mitten Tree will be located in front of the Limited Addition Gift Shop at RiverView Health.  The public is invited to “trim” the tree with their donations of new children’s winter mittens, gloves, or hats. Please, no scarves. The mittens, gloves, and hats received will be distributed in early December to the area schools and given to children who need them. RiverView Health Auxiliary thanks you for your support in warming hearts and hands this season through this important service project.

The Crookston Public Library’s Books & Brews Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m. 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 their 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 p.m. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages.

The Crookston Public Library will have StoryTime every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Golden Link is serving noon lunch Monday through Friday.  All are welcome to dine in between the hours of 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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

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

The Cove Youth Center in Crookston is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 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 p.m. and every Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more information or to donate, call 218-277-0000.

The post BULLETIN BOARD-NOVEMBER 29, 2023 appeared first on KROX.

The Crookston Ways and Means Committee met Monday night following the city council meeting. Further, they discussed grant distributions to local non-profit organizations and the adjusted 2024 proposed budget.

The meeting began with the Ways and Means Committee reviewing the request from the Golden Link Senior Center for a grant from the city in the amount of $110,000. In previous presentations from the Golden Link, it was explained that the city funding would go toward capital improvements toward the building, salaries, and travel expenses.

After review, the Ways and Means Committee agreed not to grant the total amount of $110,000; however, they decided to recommend a grant to Golden Link in the amount of $97,000. The committee also discussed that heading into 2025, they will set a cap on the amount of money they will award to non-profit organizations, which they cannot exceed. “This will be for everyone that will apply. They will know in advance the amount of money that the city anticipates,” said City Administrator Corky Reynolds, “They will know the exact amount of money (if any) the city will plan to award for grants.”

The local non-profit organizations that will receive grant funding from the city include-

The Golden Link Senior Center ($97,000), Scruffy Tails Humane Society ($20,000), Ox Cart Days Committee ($6,000), Tri-Valley Opportunity Council ($15,000), and the DCDP ($10,000). The total amount of grant funding to these organizations is in the amount of $148,000 which also increases the tax levy by approximately 5%.

“What has happened since the preliminary levy came out and was set at 65.09%, since that time, city administration, department heads, and council have all worked together to bring that down,” said Reynolds, “Because that number was set as if every department was going to get everything they wanted, and all department heads and administration knew that wasn’t going to happen.”

Since then, city administration department heads and council have been removing items not listed as (needs) that were initially budgeted for. The levy has now been reduced from 65.09% to 24.179%. However, the levy increase does not equate to individual property tax for homeowners.

Recently, homeowners received their preliminary tax increase on their homes in the mail, which showed an approximate 8% increase. After recent cuts to the grant distributions from the city and other cuts within departments, the increase in property tax now sits at 6.428%. “That’s the percentage that your tax will go up as a result of city action,” said Reynolds, “Also, understand that on your tax statement (located in the upper right-hand corner) is the market value of your home. Most people in Crookston have experienced an increase between 2023-24.”

Homeowners may have also noticed a reduction in homestead exclusion on their tax statements. This ultimately affects the amount the value of the homes that are being taxed.

The committee also reviewed the addition of bringing in a marketing/event coordinator to the city of Crookston. This position has budgeted $60,000 for salary and approximately $23,000 in benefits, and the committee believes that whoever fills this position can eventually help the city gain revenue.

“From my understanding, this may not have been a position that we’ve had in the past,” said Council member Morgan Hibma, “But I believe a reason to bringing a marketing and event coordinator to Crookston would be to help bring revenue into the city through different events and to help get out the word about what is going on in the community, and also coming up with different events about what we can do for both our community members and outside our community.”

The city has also allocated $70,000 for whoever is hired in this role to fund the marketing events and advertisements. The city can use funding out of its unrestricted fund balance. 

The post CROOKSTON WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE RECIEVE THE ADJUSTED LEVY INCREASE SET AT 24% appeared first on KROX.

Residents of the City of Crookston recently received their preliminary tax estimate statements for the 2024 tax year, indicating a potential City tax increase of 29.73% based on the initial levy submitted by the City to Polk County. This estimate, subject to change based on property value fluctuations, was presented on September 25, 2023.

Since that date, the Crookston City Council and City administration have diligently reviewed the proposed 2024 City budget. The result of these efforts is a substantial reduction from the initial projected City tax increase of 29.73%, with the final City tax expected to be significantly lower than the preliminary estimate. The comprehensive review of the City budget has carefully distinguished between essential needs, such as parks, roads, water systems, sewer facilities, and potential wants.

The City Council and department heads are committed to maintaining vital City infrastructure while eliminating non-essential expenditures, recognizing the importance of balancing City needs with the financial impact on taxpayers. This ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility will be further discussed during the Truth in Taxation Hearing scheduled for December 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Residents can be assured that the City Council and City administration will continue their efforts to minimize any City tax increase, striving to preserve and enhance essential City services for the benefit of the citizens of Crookston.

“Our commitment to fiscal responsibility shines through as we announce a noteworthy decrease in the estimated property tax increase, underscoring our dedication to the financial well-being of our community.” Says City Administrator Corky Reynolds.

The post CROOKSTON RESIDENTS RECEIVE PRELIMINARY TAX ESTIAMTE STATEMENTS FOR 2024 appeared first on KROX.

Everybody is welcome to join the Historic Crookston’s Winter Wonderland on Thursday, November 30.

The afternoon will be filled with family entertainment starting at 4:00 p.m. You can supply your stockings while visiting local businesses in downtown Crookston. There will be treats, crafts, and gifts that will serve as stocking stuffers. “Santa’s Elves are all going to be down at the Crookston businesses helping him fill the stockings,” said event Coordinator Brian Schumacher, “We’re encouraging people to come out with their Christmas stockings and go to all of the participating businesses, and they will be there to fill them with treats and little gifts.”

There will also be cookie decorating, Christmas card making, letters to Santa, Ornament decorating, and S’mores making beginning at 4:00 p.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. Also encouraged are all ages to dress up in their favorite winter and Christmas attire during the evening.

Beginning at 5:00 p.m., you will have the opportunity to see live reindeer in action. Bremer Bank and American Crystal Sugar are sponsors for this event. This event will take place at the Synergy Center parking lot and will go on until 7:00 p.m.

The Crookston Rotary will sponsor the annual lighting of the Christmas tree, and will take place at the Main Street Courtyard. This will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m.

However, the fun does not end after the lighting of the Christmas tree. Grand Theatre will have a free showing for individuals and families beginning at 7:00 p.m., where they will screen a family winter/Christmas movie, and every child will be provided free popcorn and beverages. Every event listed for the Winter Wonderland schedule is free of charge.

“This event is something to encourage all of the residents and people in town to get together and enjoy fun festivities,” said Schumacher, “We have the chance to gather and meet new people, so this will be a lot of fun and it’s something to do for sure.”

 

 

The post THE CROOKSTON WINTER WONDERLAND EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 appeared first on KROX.