Month: November 2023

Polk County Sheriff’s Office K9 Jax will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Jax’s vest is sponsored by Mark and Joan Lee of McIntosh and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love – Trained to Serve – Loyal Always.” Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom-fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,350 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

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The Crookston Parks and Recreation Board met in the City Hall conference room on Monday.

WINTER ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION NUMBERS DOWN
The meeting began with updates on the winter recreation programs and the enrollment for each program. The board received updates on programs that have already started, such as youth hockey, figure skating, and wrestling, as well as other programs that will start shortly.

There are currently 327 participants in this year’s winter activities, which is down from 365 last year. “We did lose some seniors, so that affects our figure skating stuff,” said Administrative Assistant Andrea Prudhomme. “We are getting more (enrollment) with our basic class, which is nice, but the figure skating club themselves are trying to get. But overall, I think there has been a lower number of activities involved with the whole community and just the amount of kids that aren’t getting involved.”

The enrollment for each winter rec program includes-
Figure Skating – 98
Hockey – 83
Learn to Skate – 46
Mini Mites – 37
Wrestling – 24
Swimming lessons -19
Women’s Volleyball League – 9 teams

NEW HOCKEY SUPPLY VENDING MACHINE AT CSC
The board was also informed about the recently installed vending machine in the Crookston Sports Center (CSC). This Hockey Equipment Vending Machine dispenses equipment such as tape, hockey sticks, and other accessories. It also includes figure skating equipment. The machine is located upstairs in the event rink at the CSC.

THE POOL GETS SECURITY CAMERAS
Solberg notified the board about the new POS system and six new cameras being installed at the Crookston Community Pool.  The cameras were installed because of reports that some employees felt unsafe while working their respective shifts. “This will make it easier for us to make sure that everything is accounted for,” said Prudhomme. “This is all online, and it’s what we use down at city hall. We’ll be training the workers within the next week or so, and hopefully, they can start using it right away.”

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Polk County Family Resource Center Grand Opening in East Grand Forks took place on Tuesday, November 14, from 3-6 pm at their new location in the Senior High Center, located at 1505 Central Avenue Northwest in East Grand Forks. The Chamber of Commerce members were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as well as Senator Johnson; Karla Anderson, City Finance Director; and Bryan Hackbart, Superintendent of the East Grand Forks School District. Representing Polk County Social Services were: Karen Warmack, Director; Chuck Whiting, Polk County Administrator; and Victoria Ramirez, Family Resources Coordinator.  Maureen Hams, the Tri-Valley Community Services Director, was present on behalf of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council. Tri-Valley is working in collaboration with Polk County Social Services to get Family Resource Centers established throughout Polk County. Activities during the open house included free food and educational flyers and brochures from area businesses, carnival-type games with prizes, balloon twister, Jeffrey Salveson, face painting by Polk County Social Services Staff, and several door prizes.

The East Grand Forks Family Resource Center is the second Polk County Family Resource Center to be established, as there was one started at the Library in Crookston earlier this year. The East Grand Forks School District made the East Grand Forks location possible by providing the space in the Senior High Center.  They encourage everyone to stop and check it out.  There is a play area for children and families, a parent lounge area, an area with tables for the older students or for community meetings and/or parent trainings, and last but not least, a coffee nook for parents to be able to network with others.  The space also includes two private office areas that families can visit with staff regarding their needs.

Family Resource Centers offer free services to children and families in the form of parenting support, community events, and family activities such as Play and Learns and other child development activities. These resource centers will be driven by a parent committee to inform the staff of the needs in the community so that the Centers can work to meet those needs. It is their hope that parents will find these centers a good place to network with each other and find support from both staff and other parents. Many community partners like those who were present for the Grand Opening (Riverview Clinic, The Village, Aluma, The East Grand Forks Schools, Tri-Valley, Polk County Public Health, Polk County Social Services, NDSU Extension, The Lotus Center Peer Recovery Support Services, New Hope Center for Immigrants, New American Integration Center, Area Special Education Cooperative (ASEC), Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and Options), will have a presence at the Resource Center either through informational brochures and educational materials available at the centers and/or through a physical presence of staff available to answers questions families may have regarding their services.  Family Resource Center staff plan to assist families in accessing the services available within the community.

If you missed the Grand Opening event, please stop by and join us for our Play and Learn on November 30^th from 4-5 pm. Please visit the website for more information and current calendar of events and activities: www.co.polk.mn.us/frc.

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