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Lester Wilkens and Keith Keller presented a check for $500 to the Golden Link Senior Center as a donation to their Senior Meals. This is the first half of the Crookston Masonic Lodge. There will be another $500 in donations going their way as well.
The post CROOKSTON MASONIC LODGE MAKES GENEROUS DONATION TO THE GOLDEN LINK SENIOR CENTER appeared first on KROX.
The Crookston National Honor Society worked with Thrivent Financial to sponsor a hygiene drive for Crookston High School. Students packed little bags filled with essential items like shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm, lotion, cough drops, bandaids, and laundry detergent.
The project was to ensure that the hygiene closet at the high school was full in case students needed the items. Thrivent sponsored $250 worth of hygiene products.
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Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who was the first woman to serve on the High Court, was honored by President Biden and other political figures at her funeral on Tuesday. O’Connor passed away in Phoenix on Dec. 1 at the age of 93.
O’Connor was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate unanimously, becoming the first woman justice in the court’s 191-year history (four women now sit on the Supreme Court). At her funeral, O’Connor was described as a ‘trailblazing jurist who served as a role model for millions by breaking down gender barriers for women across the legal profession,’ who served on the Supreme Court for more than two decades. President Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts were among those who eulogized the late O’Connor, and all nine sitting justices, as well as retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, attended Tuesday’s services at the National Cathedral in Washington.
Said Biden: “One need not agree with all her decisions in order to recognize that her principles were deeply held and of the highest order, and that her desire for civility was genuine and her trust in the capacity of human institutions to make life better is what this world was abiding. And how she embodied such attributes under such pressure and scrutiny helped empower generations of women in every part of American life … It was a person for all seasons who we saw in that hearing, and the Americans and the world would see through her extraordinary service as a justice and, as I might add, as a citizen,” while adding that O’Connor “broke down the barriers in the legal and political world, and the nation’s consciousness. May God bless Sandra Day O’Connor, an American pioneer.”
Roberts served briefly on the court with O’Connor following his appointment in 2005; he was originally selected to replace O’Connor on the bench, but eventually succeeded Chief Justice William Rehnquist following his death in 2005. Said Roberts of O’Connor: “That distance is a measure of time, but it’s also a measure of Justice O’Connor’s life and work. In nearly a quarter century on the court, she was a strong, influential, and iconic jurist. Her leadership shaped the legal profession, making it obvious that judges are both women and men. The time when women were not on the bench seemed so far away because Justice O’Connor was so good when she was on the bench.”
O’Connor retired from the Supreme Court in 2006 at the age of 75 to take care of her husband following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama in 2009. O’Connor died of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness.
Editorial credit: Rob Crandall / Shutterstock.com
Fresh Express bagged spinach is being recalled in seven states due to a potential health risk. The recall was initiated after the Florida Department of Agriculture tested a “randomly selected” package of spinach as part of its routine sampling activities and received a positive result for the bacteria. According to the FDA, Listeria is an organism which can cause serious or fatal infections in children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems.
The affected items include: 8-ounce prepackaged Fresh Express bags with th product code G332 and now expired use-by date of Dec. 15; and 9-ounce prepackaged bags under the Publix brand name with product code G332 and a now expired use-by date of Dec. 14.
The recalled spinach was sold to store in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. People who have already purchased the spinach are urged to not consume it, and throw it away. As of press time, no illness have been reported in connection to the Fresh Express recall.
Editorial credit: The Toidi / Shutterstock.com
HBO revealed the Season 2 trailer for House of the Dragon, sharing on X with the caption: ‘SUMMER 2024. #HOTDS2‘
In the trailer, fans see a glimpse of Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) delivering an ominous warning, on the heels of King Viserys Targaryen’s death: “There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin. And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.”
The Season 2 trailer cones shortly after HBO dropped show’s first dueling posters featuring Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) with “blood for blood” and “fire to fire” overlayed on the apocalyptic posters. In addition, The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year that fans will meet five new dragons, and additional actors have been added: Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Simon Russell Beale (as Ser Simon Strong), Freddie Fox (as Ser Gwayne Hightower), Gayle Rankin (as Alys Rivers) and Abubakar Salim (as Alyn of Hull) have also joined ensemble cast.
Season 2 of House of the Dragon premieres summer 2024 on Max; take a look at the trailer – here.
Editorial credit: Rokas Tenys / Shutterstock.com
Demi Lovato is engaged to her boyfriend, Jordan ‘Jute$’ Lutes, after more than a year together. Lutes, 26, proposed to Lovato, 31, on Saturday, December 16, with a pear-shaped diamond solitaire ring. After the proposal, Lutes surprised Lovato with an engagement party at Los Angeles’ Craig’s, where her close friends and family were waiting. People was first to report the news.
Lovato showed off her engagement ring in a photo of her and Lutes, posting on Instagram with the caption: “I’m still speechless 
last night was the best night of my life and I can’t believe I get to marry the love of my life @jutesmusic. My love, I’m beyond excited to marry you.. every day I’ve spent with you has been a dream come true and I can’t wait to love and cherish you forever. Here’s to the rest of our lives. I love you baby 
”
Us exclusively revealed in August 2022 that the singer was “really happy” in a “healthy relationship” with a musician. Later that month, Lovato was linked to Lutes after they were spotted holding hands on a dinner date in New York City. “They were snuggling and sneaking kisses throughout their meal,” an insider told Us at the time.
Lovato and Lutes – professionally as Jute$ — confirmed their relationship when they celebrated Demi’s 30th birthday in August 2022, two years after she called off her previous engagement with Max Ehrich. Prior to her failed engagement to Ehrich, Lovato dated Wilmer Valderrama from 2010 to 2016.
Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com
The Golden Link Senior Center will have Men’s Cards today starting at 8:00 a.m., followed by Cribbage at 10:00 a.m.
The Christmas at the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites in Crookston will take place this afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join them for fun, cookies, and hot chocolate. There will also be a drawing for the raffle of the motorcycle fundraiser. A holiday backdrop will be in the meeting room for pictures with Santa.
The Crookston Eagles Club will host Dart League tonight starting at 7:00 p.m.
The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Night Burger Night tonight.
The Golden Link Senior Center will have SAIL on Thursday, December 21, starting at 2:30 p.m.
The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Thursday, December 21, starting at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will serve baskets.
The Golden Link Senior Center will be closed on Friday, December 22.
The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Friday, December 22, starting at 6:30 p.m. This is a $500 must-go jackpot, and the kitchen will serve baskets.
The Crookston Eagles Club will have the Johnny Holm Band on Saturday, December 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission requires a $10 cover charge, and you must be 21 or over to attend.
The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Saturday, December 23, starting at 2:00 p.m. This is a $400 must-go jackpot.
Happy holidays from RiverView Health! All clinics will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1. As a reminder the Emergency Department is always open. Have a safe holiday season!
Crookston City Hall will be closed on Monday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.
The Crookston Eagles Club will be closed on Monday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.
The Golden Link Senior Center will be closed on Monday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.
The Fisher American Legion will be closed on Monday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.
The Polk County Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas Holiday.
Garbage collection for Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day) will be collected on Tuesday, December 26.
The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Burger Night on Wednesday, December 27.
The Polk County Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, January 1, in observance of New Year’s.
On Saturday, January 6, the Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association will host 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 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 Salvation Army Bell Ringing has begun and runs through Christmas Eve. Individuals and organizations interested in ringing the bell can register online at www.registertoring.com. Shifts are available seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. outside of Walmart in Crookston. For more info, email Cody Kill at codykill@usc.salvationarmy.org or Garett Bengtson at garett.bengtson@gmail.com or call 701-741-2329.
This holiday season, you can sponsor a bell in loving memory or honor of a special veteran or soldier through December 31. The cost to sponsor is $1, and the bell will be hung on a tree displayed at the Main Street Courtyard in downtown Crookston for the month of December. Sponsor a bell by stopping at Scott’s True Value in Crookston or contact Kim Ringdahl at 218-281-7762, Jamie Cassavant at 218-289-0865, or Pam DeLage at 218-415-1615.
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.
The Benedictine Living Community Crookston Auxiliary is accepting donations for their Light Up A Life Display. Your gift of $5 will light up a bulb in memory of a friend, loved one, or someone living whom you wish to honor. Please make checks payable to Benedictine Auxiliary, 516 Walsh, Crookston, MN. 56716. Donations will go towards the Benedictine Auxiliary Living Community in Crookston. The Light Up A Life Display will be lit from dusk to dawn until January 5. Please join them at the entrance of the Villa for the lighting on December 17 at 5:00 p.m. for cocoa and cookies.
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 for FREE from when you enroll until they turn five. Crookston Public School manages the program, 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 Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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.
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The Polk County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday at the Polk County Government Center and set the final levy heading into 2024.
POLK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADOPT 2024 FINAL LEVY
Polk County Commissioner Chuck Whiting gave his final presentation to the board and reported there was no change from the previous presentation. “There have been no changes since the public hearing last week,” said Whiting, “We had a number of people here for that mostly to discuss their assessed valuations, but that’s pretty normal. I thought we had a good turnout for that and a good discussion.”
The levy has been set at a 2.5% percent increase heading into 2024, which equates to an approximate increase of $672,443 in the total budget. The county is expected to see expenditures total just shy of $75 million dollars in 2024, and the net levy is set at $27.5 million.
The levy also shows the revenue breakdown for the county heading into 2024, which includes 37% of revenue coming via property taxes in the amount of $27.5 million and the roads and bridges projects to be responsible for 24% of the $17.6 million dollar payment.
“In 2024, we will be going into an election year and also a contract negotiation year,” said Whiting, “We still have projects to finish off, today we approved the bids to put a new roof on the Government Center. Also staff turnover is something we’re watching closely. Seeing if people are aging out and making sure we’re staying competitive in our workforce. So there will be a lot of issues for us to deal with in 2024.”
The commissioners also reviewed the wage grid heading into the new year for the County Administrator, Department heads, Non-Union and social services personnel. The majority of the Polk County employees are union workers and are collectively bargained, and don’t have to be revisited to another two years in terms of the wage grid.
“For all of the non-union employees and the salary people, we had the resolution that explains how they’re going to get paid,” said Whiting, “It’s the same wage grid, same COLA increases, and the same pay increases. It’s all the same.” After reviewing the wage grid and finding virtually no change, the commissioners approved the grid for the 2024 year.
The commissioners also approved the salary to be paid to them in 2024. The commissioners each will have an annual salary of $35,343, which equates to a monthly salary of $2,945.25. The final item the board approved was the scheduled meeting dates in 2024, which will remain during the first, third, and fourth Tuesdays of each month, as well as the scheduled times for Social Services meetings, which will take place on the third Tuesday of every month beginning at 9:30 a.m.
To view the full budget presentation (which shows the overview of the budget), click the images below.
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The Polk County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday at the Polk County Government Center.
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT
The board first heard from Polk County Sheriff James Tadman, who gave the monthly report and statistics from November. The monthly statistics included 2,170 calls to the dispatch center, 623 of which were emergency and 1,547 were non-emergency.
Tadman also reviewed the November service calls for the Sheriff’s office. We listed the top 10 frequency calls below-
Civil Process-148
Traffic Stops- 130
School Patrol- 85
Inmate Transports- 25
Assisting other agencies- 23
Public Assist- 18
Motor Assist- 15
Animal Complaints- 15
Property Damage- 13
Suspicious Activity- 13
The board approved two contracts that Tadman presented to the board. The first contract was regarding the State of Minnesota Snowmobile Safety Enforcement grant. Each year, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office prioritizes snowmobile safety, providing training for those taking snowmobile training or employees working with the DNR. The board approved the acceptance of this grant, where the Sheriff’s office will receive $5,890 over the next two years for snowmobile safety.
The last contract was regarding the State of Minnesota Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement grant program. “This is the same thing; they give a two-year grant, and with more trails coming up in different counties, it’s segmented by how many miles you have in your county,” said Tadman, “They also give extra money to go out and do enforcement for that.” The Sheriff’s Office is expected to receive $9,860 in grant funding allocated toward off-highway vehicle enforcement over the next two years.
PLANNING AND ZONING
The board heard from Jacob Snyder of Planning and Zoning and reviewed the application from Ronald Gagner, who is looking for a conditional use permit for a new septic system for a new accessory structure. Snyder explained that Ronald Gagner is looking to build the septic system in his shed, an accessory structure.
“To have a shed within a septic system in our shoreland district is through the conditional use process,” said Snyder, “That is what Mr. Gagner was applying for today was to have a shop/shed (also an accessory structure) into a septic system. Our ordinance requires a conditional use permit because we have a no guest house clause.” Snyder said the lot is not large enough to hold a guest house. Therefore, the applicant must abide by the ordinance in place. The board ultimately approved to award Ronald Gagner the conditional use permit.
The commissioners also approved the 2023 Polk County Aquatic Invasive Species Program review and the 2024 program plan.
“Polk County, how we combat aquatic invasive species is through an AIS task force,” said Snyder, “That task force is made up of different representatives like the sheriff’s office, highway department, our improvement districts, and the board of commissioners have a representative (Joan Lee) who is also on the task force as well.” The program receives allocated money from the Minnesota DNR based on the county’s access sites in a given year, which helps the cost of inspections.
FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
The commissioners met with Polk County Facilities Director Richard Langlois, who recommended approval of awarding the bid for the re-roofing project of the Government Center. The board ultimately approved the award of Equity Builders out of Rosemount, Minnesota, to take on the project in the amount of $440,000. This project is estimated to be finished by late June 2024.
PUBLIC HEALTH
The board lastly met with Polk County Health Director Sarah Reese, who was searching for approval of the Blue Plus first amendment to MOA. “For the last several years, we have been working with Blue Plus to host a dental health innovation coordinator,” said Reese, “Alex Orvick has a Polk County Public House Office in Grand Forks and has a six-county area, and the work he does is to work with dental providers, and work with families that are needing timely access to dental services.” The board approved the amendment, which extends the current agreement with Blue Plus for one more year, effective until December 24, 2024.
Reese also informed the board that the Public Health Department has agreements with specific departments at the University of North Dakota but is searching for a Master Clinical Affiliation Agreement with the nursing department. This would allow nursing students at UND to serve their clinical hours in Polk County if they chose to do so. The board ultimately approved this request.
The final item the board approved was the advertisement and hiring of a public health nurse within the Polk County Health Department due to a recent resignation.
The consent agenda included the approval of minutes from the December 12 Polk County Board meeting. It also included the approval of bills and disbursements in the amount of $21,546.31.
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The Crookston City Council will have a special meeting on Wednesday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.
The agenda will include the resolutions regarding adopting the five-year capital improvement plan through 2028 and the property tax levy for taxes payable in 2024. It will also include the explanation regarding adopting the 2024 budget. The agenda will include resolutions regarding the earned sick and safe time policy for the City of Crookston and maintaining a facility related to the Highway 2 corridor improvements. The council will also look to approve resolutions regarding the MnDOT Transportation Grant for the City of Crookston and establish the City’s committed fund balances. The final item on the agenda will be the resolution regarding the decertification of the tax increment financing district of the City of Crookston.
The consent agenda will include the approval of minutes from the Truth in Taxation and the council meeting from December 11. It will also include the approval of bills and disbursements in the amount of $126,252.68. The final item on the consent agenda will be the resolution adopting the 2024 calendar for the city council and Ways and Means Committee meetings.
To view the full agenda packet, click here.
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