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5 charged with trying to bribe juror with $120K in Minnesota Feeding Our Future fraud trial

Mature FBI agent on black background^ back view

Five people have been indicted for their alleged roles in the $120,000 bribery attempt of a juror in Minnesota during the Feeding Our Future fraud trial earlier this month. Federal prosecutors said that authorities found on confiscated devices a “chilling” plan to give a juror more than $120,000 and specific instructions on how to convince other jurors to vote to acquit.

The alleged bribery attempt was reported as the six-week trial in Minneapolis, which began on April 22, was wrapping up against seven people charged in connection with an alleged $250 million fraud scheme through the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future.  The defendants were among 70 people charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota in the massive fraud scheme.

During the trial, a juror was dismissed after reporting that a woman dropped a bag of cash at her home and offered her more money if she would vote to acquit seven people charged with stealing more than $40 million from a program meant to feed children during the pandemic. The overall scheme is estimated to have diverted $250 million in federal funds in what officials call the “largest pandemic fraud in the United States.”

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said that the unidentified juror was targeted because she was the youngest and a person of color, and called the bribery attempt a “chilling attack on our justice system,” and said it was fortunate that “juror 52 could not be bought.”

Luger said at a news conference that the five charged — Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Said Shafii Farah, Abdulkarim Shafii Farah and Ladan Mohamed Ali — found the juror’s information online, including her home address. Three of the people charged were defendants in the federal fraud trial that ended in June, while the other two were recruited. One of them had been acquitted of all the crimes he had faced. The five people were charged Wednesday with multiple crimes related to bribing a juror. Abdiaziz Shafii Farah faces an additional charge of obstruction of justice for deleting his phone.

Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, and Said Shafii Farah devised a “blueprint” instructing the juror to convince the rest of the panel to vote to acquit all of the defendants because prosecutors were racist. The instruction manual said, according to Luger: “We are immigrants. They don’t respect or care about us. You alone can end this case.” Luger said they had “studied the juror, followed her, and determined that she would succumb to their scheme…. and “thought carefully about what they wanted the juror to say to the rest of the jury, and their hopes were to inflame the jury.”

Editorial credit: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com

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SPORTS FEEVER – June 27, 2024

SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com

*** With Independence Day next Thursday, I will have a minimal column next week unless something happens.******

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!!  The Minnesota State High School League blackout period is coming up.  I hope and pray that they do the same from Christmas to New Years. We will see, but with hockey and basketball coaches thinking you need to play 25 to 26 games during the regular season it will probably never change. Any way,

The Summer Coaching Waiver No-Contact Period for 2024 is Saturday, June 29, through Friday, July 5. 

As per Bylaw 208.4:

During the no-contact period, salaried and non-salaried coaches MAY NOT:

  1. Have any contact with members of their high school program,
  2. Travel with members of their high school program,
  3. Supervise members of their high school program in an open gym, strength and conditioning program of any sport-specific training session, or
  4. Schedule any activity, including leadership or team-building programs.

Please contact the Activities Director at your school for more information or with questions. 

— — —

The search for a new Crookston Pirate Girls Hockey coach is still ongoing. They have had ONE application, and that person took the Mandan Girls Hockey Head Coaching Job. He was from Bismarck, North Dakota so that made more sense for him to stay home.
Only one application so far and that person took another job.
Activities Director Nate Lubarski continues to work hard at finding somebody and has talked to several people, but so far no luck as the time committment seems to be the biggest obstacle for most, so there is a possibility of a co-head coach or whatever it takes to fill the position at least for one year.

Yes, a girls hockey coach is extremely hard to find, especially after being named Section 8A Coach of the Year and leading the team to a Section Championship game where they lost to eventual state champion Warroad by one goal.  So…..people in their right mind aren’t knocking down the door to deal with whatever happened to Coach Meyer, whether it is wrong or right.

— — —

Grandmas Marathon was held last weekend and several people from Crookston competed.

Katie Davidson (a CHS alum now living in Minneapolis) finished with a time of 3:29:15, good for 357th place out of 3,137 women. This time is also Boston Marathon qualifying.

Half Marathon competitors from Crookston-
Coral Brekken
Jana Brekken
Forrest Laporte
Katie Lariviere
Jack Ricord
Missy Ricord
Tom Staehnke
Leasa Welter (now living in Moorhead)
Jochum Wiersma
Jennifer Wiersma-Acker

William A. Irvin 5K participants –
Katie Lariviere

— — —

Crookston Pirate Girls Hockey’s, Brynley Coleman will compete for the Concordia College Track and Field team in the upcoming school year. The Hatton, North Dakota product finished fifth place at the North Dakota State Track meet in the pole vault with a vault of 9’6. Her season best was 10’9. She also competed in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles, the 200 meters and the 4×100 and 4×200 relay.

— — —

The Minnesota State High School League State Clay Target competition was held last week and several area teams and individuals competed.

TEAM Results –
1. Prior Lake – 480
5. Bemidji – 475
8. Thief River Falls – 473
14. BGMR – 470
16. Park Rapids – 467

Individual Results –
1. Ross Huper (Alden-Conger) – 100
1. Lance Kiersey (Monticello) – 100
3. Eric Bittman (Bemidji) – 99
11. Eric Eischens (Park Rapids) – 98
19. Peter Forgit (Fertile-Beltrami) – 97
30. Henry Finney (Kittson Co. Central) – 96
20. Guillford Finney (Kittson Co. Central) – 96
37. Tate Dale (Roseau) – 95
37. Hunter Bozovsky (Park Rapids) – 95
37. Avery Kapaun (Park Rapids) – 95
55. Andrew Higgins (Lake of the Woods) – 94
66. Ethan Omdahl (TRF) – 92
90. Wyatt Wilkens (Crokston) – 72

— — —

Vintage Minnesota Hockey has compiled a list of Minnesotan’s that have won the Stanley Cup. I include it because of the first name and birthplace, but also several players have compete in Crookston.
(HTTPS://WWW.VINTAGEMNHOCKEY.COM)

YEAR NHL TEAM PLAYER BIRTHPLACE
1907 Kenora Thistles   *Roxy Beaudro   Red Lake Falls (see bottom of the list)
1934 Chicago Blackhawks   Leroy Goldsworthy   Two Harbors
1934 Chicago Blackhawks   Doc Romnes   White Bear Lake
1938 Chicago Blackhawks   Cully Dahlstrom   Minneapolis
1938 Chicago Blackhawks   Virgil Johnson   Minneapolis
1938 Chicago Blackhawks   Mike Karakas   Eveleth
1938 Chicago Blackhawks   Doc Romnes   White Bear Lake
1939 Boston Bruins   Frank Brimsek   Eveleth
1941 Boston Bruins   Frank Brimsek   Eveleth
1977 Montreal Canadiens   Mike Polich   Hibbing
1980 New York Islanders   Dave Langevin   St. Paul
1981 New York Islanders   Dave Langevin   St. Paul
1982 New York Islanders   Dave Langevin   St. Paul
1983 New York Islanders   Dave Langevin   St. Paul
1984 Edmonton Oilers   Don Jackson   Bloomington
1985 Edmonton Oilers   Don Jackson   Bloomington
1986 Montreal Canadiens   Tom Kurvers   Minneapolis
1986 Montreal Canadiens    David Maley   Edina
1989 Calgary Flames   Joel Otto   Elk River
1993 Montreal Canadiens   Sean Hill   Duluth
1995 New Jersey Devils   Neal Broten   Roseau
1995 New Jersey Devils   Tom Chorske   Minneapolis
1995 New Jersey Devils   Chris McAlpine   Roseville
1995 New Jersey Devils   Mike Peluso   Coleraine
1999 Dallas Stars Jamie Langenbrunner Cloquet
1999 Dallas Stars   Derek Plante   Cloquet
2001 Colorado Avalanche   Dan Hinote   Elk River
2001 Colorado Avalanche   Shjon Podein   Rochester
2003 New Jersey Devils   Jamie Langenbrunner   Cloquet
2004 Tampa Bay Lightning   Ben Clymer   Bloomington
2006 Carolina Hurricanes   Matt Cullen   Virginia
2006 Carolina Hurricanes   Bret Hedican   North St. Paul
2007 Anaheim Ducks   Ryan Carter   White Bear Lake
2007 Anaheim Ducks   Joe Motzko   Bemidji
2009 Pittsburgh Penguins   Alex Goligoski   Grand Rapids
2010 Chicago Blackhawks   Dustin Byfuglien   Roseau
2013 Chicago Blackhawks   Nick Leddy   Eden Prairie
2016 Pittsburgh Penguins   Matt Cullen   Virginia
2017 Pittsburgh Penguins   Matt Cullen   Virginia
2018 Washington Capitals   Travis Boyd   Edina
2018 Washington Capitals   Shane Gersich   Chaska
2018 Washington Capitals   Matt Niskanen   Virginia
2020 Tampa Bay Lightning   Ryan McDonagh   St. Paul
2021 Tampa Bay Lightning   Ryan McDonagh   St. Paul
2022 Colorado Avalanche   Eric Johnson   Bloomington
2024 Florida Panthers   Kyle Okposo   St. Paul

* Roxy Beaudro, born in Red Lake Falls, MN in 1884, moved to Rat Portage (Kenora) around 1890 and was the 1st American born & Minnesota player – along with teammate Si Griffis of Onaga, Kansas – to capture the Stanley Cup in January of 1907.

— — —

Joe Mauer was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul from 1998 to 2001, and ranks as one of Minnesota’s most celebrated athletes of all time. He is one of 11 inductees in the 2024 class of the NFHS National High School Hall of Fame.

In football, he led Cretin-Derham Hall to two consecutive Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) championship games, winning the Prep Bowl title in his junior year in 1999. In those two seasons as the team’s quarterback, Mauer threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 73 touchdowns.

In basketball, as the team’s starting small forward, he was a triple threat as a scorer, rebounder and playmaker. He finished his career with more than 1,000 points and averaged more than 20 points a game as a senior.

However, it was baseball where Mauer shined most brightly. In 222 at-bats during his high school career, he batted .567 with 43 home runs and 170 runs batted in and, remarkably, he struck out only one time! As a senior, he led Cretin-Derham Hall to the MSHSL Class AA state championship while batting .605 and hitting a home run in seven consecutive games.
Mauer was the USA Today National Player of the Year in both football and baseball – an unbelievable feat. He was a Parade All-American in football and two-time all-state in basketball. He was the youngest player ever selected to the U.S. Junior National Baseball team as a 16-year-old, and he later became the No. 1 ranked high school catcher in the nation in the 2001 graduating class.

Although he gave a verbal commitment to play football at Florida State University, the Minnesota Twins selected Mauer as the first overall pick of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft, and the rest is history. Mauer played 15 years with the Twins and had a stellar career, which led to his selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year. He will be inducted this summer in Cooperstown. As one of the sport’s all-time top catchers, Mauer won three batting titles (most ever by a catcher), was named to six all-star teams, won five Silver Slugger and three Gold Glove awards, and was selected American League Most Valuable Player in 2009. He led the Twins to four playoff appearances.

Mauer and his wife, Maddie, are active in the community and work diligently to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. They are active supporters who assist individuals with disabilities at Gillette Children’s Hospital and Healthcare in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota.

— — —

I came across a well-done and interesting video about Caitlin Clark. It is a must-watch –

The Truth Behind The Caitlin Clark Conspiracy

Load more

— — —

The Crookston High School Summer Weight Room will be open at the following times for CHS student-athletes.
(Grade Levels are based on the grade you will be in next school year)
6:30 am – 8:00 am (Monday – Friday) – Grades 10th-12th
8:00 am – 9:30 am (Monday – Friday) – Grades 10th- 12th
10:00 am – 11:00 am (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday) – Grades 7th- 9th

— — —

The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team is holding a Development Camp for grades 3-8 July 17-19 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The cost of the camp is $100. It will run from 1-3 p.m. If you are interested in registering for the camp please visit mensbasketball.umcsportscamps.com. For any questions please contact Assistant Coach Tim Lubke at lubke008@umn.edu.

Campers will receive instruction from the Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball staff. The camp will help with skill development for kids going into grades 3-8. It is catered to both boys and girls interested in participating.

— — —

— — —

Learn more and register: z.umn.edu/soccercamp24
— — —

JOKES

A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed, “What’s with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!” 

The doctor chimed in, “I don’t know, but I’ve never seen such inept golf!” 

The priest said, “Here comes the green-keeper. Let’s have a word with him.” 

He said, “Hello George, what’s wrong with that group ahead of us? They’re rather slow, aren’t they?” 

The green-keeper replied, “Oh, yes. That’s a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime.” 

The group fell silent for a moment. 

The priest said, “That’s so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight.” 

The doctor said, “Good idea. I’m going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there’s anything he can do for them.” 

The engineer said, “Why can’t they play at night?”

—

Little Johnny was sitting in class doing math problems when his teacher picked him to answer a question, “Johnny, if there were five birds sitting on a fence and you shot one with your gun, how many would be left?” “None,” replied Johnny, “cause the rest would fly away.”

“Well, the answer is four,” said the teacher, “but I like the way you’re thinking.” Little Johnny says, “I have a question for you. If there were three women eating ice cream cones in a shop, one was licking her cone, the second was biting her cone and the third was sucking her cone, which one is married?”

“Well,” said the teacher nervously, “I guess the one sucking the cone.” “No,” said Little Johnny, “the one with the wedding ring on her finger, but I like the way you’re thinking.”

— —

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said to him, “I’ll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut, then we will talk about it.”

A month later the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said, “Son, I’m real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you’ve studied your Bible diligently, but you didn’t get your hair cut!”

The young man waited a moment and replied, “You know Dad, I’ve been thinking about that. You know Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair.” His father replied, “Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went!”

— — —

How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST. Email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com

Emilee Tate is a freshman playing Softball at Northland Community and Technical College.

Halle Bruggeman is a freshman on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Tennis team.

Grace Fischer is a freshman on the Concordia College (Moorhead) Women’s Golf team.

Ethan Boll is a Freshman on the University of North Dakota Football team.

Breanna Kressin is a Sophomore on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.

Emma Osborn is a Sophomore playing basketball at Northland Technical and Community College in Thief River Falls.

Jacey Larson is a Sophomore playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.

Aleah Bienek is a Sophomore playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.

Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND..

Kaleb Thingelstad is a junior playing golf at Kansas Wesleyan.

Joslynn Leach is a sophomore playing golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. The Cobbers wrapped up the Fall season.

Brady Butt is a Junior playing football at the University of Jamestown.

Ty Hamre is playing football at Bemidji State University.

Aleece Durbin is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Womens Track and Field team.

Elizabeth Erdman is a coach for the Moorhead Red Dragon swim team.

Crookston School District Coaches

Emilee Tate is the Pirate 7th grade volleyball coach. 
Todd Miner is a Pirate Football assistant coach.
Ben Parkin is the head Pirate Baseball Coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach and assistant girls golf coach
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach

Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc

Tim Desrosier is an Assistant Coach for Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball

Pat Wolfe is the head wrestling coach for Fosston/Bagley.

Austin Sommerfeld is an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.

Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida.

Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown.

Josh Edlund is the head football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.

Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park

Jeff Olson is the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.

Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.

Katy (Westrom) Horgen is the Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.

Matt Harris is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.

Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming.

Mike Hastings is the Wisconsin Badgers Men’s head Hockey coach.

Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.

Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football, volleyball, and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for Bison media relations.

Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College.

Chris Myrold is the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.

Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis

Ben Andringa is serving our country in the Army and is now a Ranger.

Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy.

Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.

Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and a grad of West Point and currently serving in the U.S. Army.

Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.

Philip Kujawa class of 2004, from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.

Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome

That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments, and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com.

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Nicholas Galitzine to play He-Man in new live-action ‘Masters of the Universe’

Nicholas Galitzine attends the Amazon MGM Studios 'The Idea Of You' New York premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York on April 29^ 2024

Nicholas Galitzine has been cast as He-Man in the live-action Masters movie from Mattel and Amazon MGM Studios, directed by Travis Knight. Knight will direct from a screenplay by Chris Butler, with Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner and Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing.

Masters centers on Price Adam of Eternia who, thanks to his Power Sword, turns into He-Man and is embued with superhuman strength and abilities, which he uses to defend his native planet and Castle Grayskull. Mattel’s Masters of the Universe brand was first introduced in 1982 via a line of action figures and later, in 1983, became the beloved animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

Galitzine recently starred in the Amazon MGM rom-com The Idea of You with Anne Hathaway as well as the young adult adaptation of Red, White, & Royal Blue. He was also recently featured in the Showtime series Mary & George.   

Julie Rapaport, head of film production and development at Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement: “We’re thrilled to bring the beloved Masters of the Universe to life and couldn’t be more excited to announce the immensely talented Nicholas Galitzine as our He-Man. Joining forces with director Travis Knight, Mattel, and Escape Artists, this reintroduction of the character and his universe will be an epic film that will delight audiences from here to Eternia.”

No plot details or additional casting have been announced yet. Amazon MGM’s Masters will have its worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2026.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Will Smith to debut new song during performance at 2024 BET Awards

Will Smith at the premiere for "Emancipation" at the Regency Village Theatre.LOS ANGELES^ CA. November 30^ 2022

BET announced that Oscar-winner and four-time GRAMMY winner Will Smith will take the stage to debut a new, original song during a live performance at the 2024 BET Awards. Smith’s most recent studio album, Lost and Found, came out in 2005; he last performed live at Coachella 2024 in April when he made a surprise cameo during J Balvin’s set.

Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, said in a press release announcing the performance: “From his start as a rapper to The Fresh Prince to being a box office king as one of the Bad Boys, Will Smith is truly a global icon, and we are honored to welcome him back to grace the BET Awards stage. We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.” 

Taraji P. Henson will be back to host the annual awards show for the third time on Sunday, June 30 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Smith will be joining a star-studded list of live performers including Lauryn Hill, YG Marley, Ice Spice, Tyla, GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey and Victoria Monét.

The show this year will pay special tribute to Usher, 45, who will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award.  Previous Lifetime Achievement BET Award recipients include Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, New Edition and Busta Rhymes.

The 2024 BET Awards will air live on BET Sunday, June 30, at 8 p.m. ET/ PT.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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BULLETIN BOARD JUNE 27, 2024

Trinity W.E.L.C.A will do home-delivered meals today and tomorrow.

REGISTER NOW to join Ray Archuleta, “The Soil Guy,” on The Soil is Alive on HWY 75 5-STOP tour down Minnesota’s western border.  The “Crookston Stop” is July 9, 2024. To register, go to https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/event/ray-archuleta-in-crookston-mn/

The Crookston Public Library will have Storytime on this morning from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Today, the Golden Link Senior Center will hold Smear at 1:00 p.m. and a SAIL class at 2:30 p.m. 

The Wesley United Methodist Church will hold Summer Salad Luncheons on Thursdays, today, June 27, July 25, and August 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 701 Eickhof Blvd in Crookston. For $12.00, they offer a variety of salads, homemade desserts, and beverages for dine-in or take-out. 

Our Savior’s Youth group is holding a Fundraising Sale at 235 Houston Ave today from 3-7 p.m., tomorrow, June 28, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, June 29, from 8 a.m. to noon. Free will donation, with all proceeds going towards sending our youth group to the LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July of 2025. A variety of baked goods and cold drinks will also be available for purchase.

Tonight, at 6:30 p.m., the Crookston Eagles Club will hold Bar Bingo with a progressive jackpot while the kitchen serves baskets.

The Red Lake County Fair will be in Oklee from today through Sunday. It will offer agricultural and educational events, various competitions, and fun for the whole family.

All Red Lake County seniors are invited to Senior Day at the fair on Friday, June 28, at noon at the Oklee Community Hall.  There will be a free lunch, entertainment by the Woodpicks, Bingo games, and a $100 drawing to be held following Bingo.  You must be present to win.

On Friday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m., the Crookston Eagles Club will host Bar Bingo with a $500 must-go jackpot.

On Saturday, June 29, at 2:00 p.m., the Crookston Eagles Club will host Bar Bingo with a $400 must-go jackpot. 

Fisher Landing Day is Saturday, June 29, in Fisher. Kiddy Run at 9:00 a.m., 5K Run at 9:30 $25 entry fee, Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Fisher BIO Girls at Fisher American Legion from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. $5 per person $20 Family Max., Medallion Hunt starts at 10:30 with clues posted on the Fire Hall entrance and Facebook, Bounce Houses, hair tinsel, tattoos, gems, and Ohana Shaved Ice at 11:00 a.m. Bingo at 1:00. Tractor Beams Band will play at 4:00 p.m. Food Truck opens at 4:00, and Corn Hole Tournament at 4:00 outside of the Fisher Legion. Text 218-201-0352 to pre-register, must be 18 and older to register. Entries will close the day of at 3:15. $25 per person/30 teams.  The top 4 teams will pay out.  A Street Dance with Party Revolutions DJ and cash bar at 8:30 p.m.  There’s free admission to everything except for the bag tourney, breakfast, 5k, and Bingo.  For more information, call Mayor Emily Tinkham at 218-791-0308 or Mike Theis at 218-280-1396.

Cathedral School to host community-wide Freezies at the Splash Park from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 30.

Sign up now for the Minakwa Golf Course 4th of July Triple Event. It’s two-person teams with a Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Register and pay by July 1 for a discount of $10 per person. The cost for members is $60, and for non-members, it’s $70. The price includes brunch and dinner. Call 218-281-1773 or stop inside the clubhouse to register.  

Trinity W.E.L.C. will provide home-delivered meals from July 1-5, with an exception for the Fourth of July. 

Crookston Public Schools will host a Negotiations Committee Meeting with the Paraprofessional Union on Monday, July 1, at 11:00 a.m. in the District Office Conference Room at Crookston High School.

The Crookston Rotary is sponsoring a 2-day blood drive on Tuesday, July 2, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, July 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 701 Eickhof Blvd, Crookston MN. For an appointment, please contact Krista at 218-281-6887 or call Vitalant at 877-258-4825.  You can also go online to Vitalant.org and schedule an appointment.

The Crookston Public Library will have Baby Bounce on Tuesday, July 2, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.  Join them for songs, stories, and action poems for infants through  preschoolers and their caregivers

The Golden Link Senior Center will sell Rootbeer & Orange Soda Ice Cream Floats on Tuesday, July 2, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for only $2.50. 

The Crookston Community Pool will be closed from July 4 through July 6.

Join fellow Pokemon enthusiasts at the Crookston Public Library on Friday, July 5, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. to trade and battle with Pokemon cards.

The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team is hosting remote camps July 8-10 at the Bloomington Jefferson High School Activity Center in Bloomington, Minn. The Golden Eagles will host a Youth Skills Camp for students going into grades 4-8 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Minnesota Crookston will host an Elite Camp for students going into grades 8-12 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The camps will feature skills and drills, as well as competitions such as 1 on 1 and 5 on 5 will be conducted. The cost is $106 for registration, which includes a camp basketball and any awards won. Players must bring their own basketball sneakers and water and wear appropriate clothing for basketball. Water, Gatorade, and select snacks will be available for purchase. If you are interested in participating in the camp, please visit womensbasketball.umcsportscamps.com/register.cfm. If you have any further questions, please reach out to Head Coach Natalie Moynihan at nmoyniha@umn.edu

Register now to join Ray Archuleta, “The Soil Guy,” on his 5-Stop Soil Health Tour July 8-12. He will stop at Grygla, Crookston, Hawley, Johnson, and Canby. Each stop will feature demos, rainfall simulations, and soil health assessments.  Hear real examples of farmers who successfully manage risk while building soil health and increasing their ROI.  For more information on each location, visit https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/events/2024-07/

The Crookston Classic Cars Club will provide home-delivered meals from July 8- 12.

Sisters in Spirit will provide home-delivered meals from July 8-12.

Crookston Public Schools will hold a Policy Committee Meeting on Tuesday, July 9, at 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Conference Room at the Administrative Offices. 

REGISTER NOW to join Ray Archuleta, “The Soil Guy,” on The Soil is Alive on HWY 75 5-STOP tour down Minnesota’s western border.  The “Crookston Stop” is July 9, 2024. To register, go to https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/event/ray-archuleta-in-crookston-mn/

Join the Crookston Public Library for a free screening of the 2009 film Space Buddies!” on Wednesday, July 10, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Grand Theatre. Participants will be responsible for their own concessions charges. The film is rated G and has a one-hour and 24-minute run time.

The Polk County Fair will be from July 10 through July 14 in Fertile.

The Crookston Public Library will have Storytime on Thursday, July 11, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Fin and Fit Crookston will host a creative afternoon of sidewalk chalk drawing at the pool on Thursdays, July 11, July 18, and July 25, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. during open swim. All ages are welcome.

RiverView Health will be offering a CPR class on Thursday, July 11, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the RiverView Home Care Building, 721 South Minnesota Street in Crookston. The cost is $55 for those needing certification, and for those not needing certification, the class is free. To register, call 218-281-9536. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Cathedral Women, Baptist Church Members, and Ken Study Club will provide home-delivered meals from July 15 through July 19.

The Golden Link Senior Center will be closed on Tuesday, July 16, and Friday, July 19, for an electrical system update. 

CHS Ag Services will have an Ag Waste Collection of old or unused herbicides or pesticides on Tuesday, July 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CHS Ag Services is located at 3035 Hwy 75 S in Crookston.

The Crookston Public Library will have Baby Bounce on Tuesday, July 16, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.  Join them for songs, stories, and action poems for infants through preschoolers and their caregivers.

The Northwest Research and Outreach Center’s Crop and Soils Day will be Wednesday, July 17, at their maintenance/farm operations building. Morning registration and CEU Signup will be at 7:30 a.m. Loading buses for the small grain tours will start at 8:00 a.m. A complimentary lunch will follow the morning tours. The afternoon Sugarbeet program tour registration and CEU  signup will be at 12:15 p.m. Simultaneous tours will start at 12:45. For more information, call 218-281-8610 or email mbenoit@umn.edu 

Join the Crookston Public Library for an exploration experience with the University of Minnesota’s Natural History Museum and the Bell Museum Exploradome Traveling Planetarium on Wednesday, July 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Crookston High School.

The Crookston Figure Skating Club will have a Splash Pad Party on July 17 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Highland Park. Come enjoy some summer fun and grill out, and be sure to bring a swimsuit, towel, and maybe some sunscreen. Reach out to Katie with any questions at KEngelstad@crookston.mn.us

The Crookston Public Library will have Storytime on Thursday, July 18, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

The Crookston Public Library will hold a free outdoor concert featuring the Gentlemen Dreadnought band on Thursday, July 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating. These family-friendly events are made possible thanks to funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. 

The Crookston Youth Basketball Association is offering a free camp for all incoming K-6 grade current and future basketball players July 22-24 at the Crookston High School. K-2 grade will be from noon to 1:30 p.m., and 3 -6 grade will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Eagles Auxiliary will provide home-delivered meals July 22-26.

Join the Reading by the Red Club for engaging conversation over tea and cookies in the River Room at the Crookston Public Library on Tuesday, July 23, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This month, they are discussing “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett.

Join award-winning cartoonist Rick Stromoski, live-streamed at the Crookston Public Library, for an In-Person Outer Space Drawing Class and Watch Party on Wednesday, July 24, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Marshall County Fair will be from July 24 through July 28 in Warren.

The Crookston Public Library will have Storytime on Thursday, July 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Eagles Auxiliary will provide home-delivered meals from July 29 through August 2.

Crookston Public Schools will host a Negotiations Committee Meeting with the Instructional Assistants on Monday, July 29, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will take place at the District Administrative Office located at Crookston High School.

RiverView Health will host a four-hour First Aid Class on Thursday, August 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 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.

Nite to Unite will be Tuesday, August 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus. 

The United Way of Crookston will host a Golf Tournament at Minakwa Golf Course on Friday, August 9, beginning with a breakfast and registration at 8:00 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. 

The  Crookston Public Library will have a free outdoor concert featuring the Uptown band on Thursday, August 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating. These family-friendly events are made possible thanks to funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The Eat United Summer Food Service Program, a collaboration between Crookston Public Schools and The United Way of Crookston, offers free meals to children aged 18 and younger during the summer. Meals, including options like hot dogs, chicken strips, and cheeseburgers, are served with fruit, vegetables, and milk at the Ray Ecklund Park Complex from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays starting June 10, running through August 1, with the exception of June 19 and July 1 – 4. Children must be present to receive a meal, which must be consumed on-site. Adults cannot consume their child’s meal but can purchase their own for $5.00. For inquiries, contact Emily Scheresky, Food Service Director, at 218-281-5313 ext. 7 or emilyscheresky@isd593.org. This program is sponsored by the USDA, Crookston Public Schools, and The United Way of Crookston, ensuring equal access to nutritious meals for all children.

Every Wednesday in June, Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor will have a fundraiser for the Fin & Fit Crookston. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., indulge in Happy Joe’s supper pizza buffet, and a portion of the proceeds will support Fin & Fit Crookston. Afterward, head over to the Crookston Community Pool for Open Swim from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Beginning June 7 through August 30, the Tri-Valley Administrative Office building will be closed to the public at noon on Fridays. The agency will be open and operating within its regular business hours and Tri-Valley programs and staff can still be reached through email and by phone at 800-584-7020 or 218-281-5832. Tri-Valley’s regular operating hours are 8:00 a.m. – to 4:30 p.m. (M-F). Those in need of further assistance or who have questions can also email trivalleymail@tvoc.org.

City Hall will be working summer hours from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  

Twig and Branch Collection will be held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, running from May through October. Place the materials on your curbside. Branches must be cut in four-foot lengths and bundled in order for the crews to take them away. Any branches 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 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. 

Explore outer space and read to win great prizes with the Summer Library Experience, 3,2,1 Blast Off, at the Crookston Library. Pick up a reading log and join them for fun events running through July 31. 

Crookston Community Pool Hours Monday through Friday are Lap Swim from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.  Aqua Aerobics from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and Lap and Open Swim from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, there will be Open Swim Lights Out from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There’s Open Swim on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The pool is closed on Sunday.  Open swim, Aqua Aerobics, and Lap Swim are $5 per person for each one. There is a $36-a-month Aqua and Lap Membership. A single summer swim pass is $100, while a family summer swim pass costs $250. For more information, call 218-281-1242.

DNR Hunter Safety Traning for ages 11 and older will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays beginning August 20. The classes will be held at the Crookston Gun Club. To register, contact Youth Activities Coordinator Steve Videen at 218-289-2115 or by email at stevevideen@yahoo.com

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.

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 for 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.

Polk County Family Resource Center  Spring activities are on the fourth Monday of the month from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Crookston Public Library. Plant flowers and veggies and take home your own mini pot. All supplies and snacks are provided.

Polk County Public Health and ECFE will host a Newborn Baby Talk event for parents with babies newborn to 12 weeks every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Crookston Public Library. There will be 2-12 week sessions. January 9-March 26, and April 2-June 18. A public health nurse, parent educator, and lactation specialist will be available to answer questions about your newborn and provide support and information on your journey of parenting. A facilitated discussion will cover feeding, attachment, sleep, development, family changes, and returning to work. You can have your baby weighed too.

Every Tuesday (except for Federal Holidays), The Crookston Public Library will host New Born Baby Talk from 9:30 am. to 11:00 a.m. This is for parents with babies 0-12 weeks old. A public health nurse, parent educator, and lactation specialist will be available to answer questions about your newborn and provide support and information on your new journey of parenting.

The Crookston Public Library’s Books & Brews Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:00 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 6:00 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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FERTILE OUT-HITS CROOKSTON AMERICAN LEGION FOR A 12-4 VICTORY

The Crookston American Legion Post 20 Baseball team committed 10 errors while Fertile pounded out 11 hits on their way to a 12-4 victory in a game played at Jim Karn Field in Crookston.

FIRST INNING
Fertile got things going right away. The leadoff batter, Bryer Strem, reached on an error and advanced to second base on a passed ball. Steven Sather singled to score a run for a 1-0 lead. The next batter grounded out before Preston Hanson was hit by a pitch. Kolby Hemmah grounded out, but another run scored for a 2-0 lead. Teegyn Johnson followed with a single through the left side of the infield to score a run for a 3-0 lead.
Crookston’s Lucas Miller led off the bottom of the inning with a walk and scored when Matt Contreras ripped a line drive over the right fielder’s head, and the ball rolled all the way to the fence. The next Crookston batter struck out, but the ball hit the dirt, and the Fertile catcher had to throw to first base to get the out, and Contreras came into score to bring Crookston within a 3-2 deficit. 

SECOND INNING
Crookston pitcher Parker Kelly struck out all three batters he faced for a 1-2-3 inning.
Fertile pitcher Kolby Hemmah settled in and struck out the first batter he faced in the inning. The second Crookston batter flew out before the third batter struck out and they were retired in 1-2-3 fashion. 

THIRD INNING
Crookston’s Kelly continued to throw strikes and let his defense help him out with a lineout and a groundout before recording a strikeout for the third out.
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion for the second inning in a row as all three batters flew out. One to left field, another to center field, and another to right field, and Fertile led 3-2 after three innings.

FOURTH INNING
Fertile’s leadoff batter grounded out before Johnson walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. The next batter hit a line drive to the shortstop, and the ball hit the baserunner, but it wasn’t called an out, so the Fertile runner, not knowing what to do, was thrown out at third base. The batter that reached on a fielder’s choice was caught stealing for the third out of the inning.
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion as Hemmah retired 10 batters in a row.

FIFTH INNING
Fertile’s Drew Gullickson led off the inning with a line drive to center field for a single. After a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, Steven Sather doubled to score a run for a 4-2 lead.
Crookston responded in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back one-out singles by Isaiah Donarski and Cody Demarais. The next batter grounded into a double play, and Fertile got out of the jam with a 4-2 lead.

SIXTH INNING
Fertile’s Preston Hanson led off with a single to left field. The next batter lined out before Johnson hit a hard ground ball up the middle, and the Crookston shortstop misplayed the ball, and a run scored to give Fertile a 5-2 lead.
Crookston tried to get things going in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back walks to Contreras and Blake Melsa with one out. The next batter popped out before Contreras scored on a wild pitch to get within a 5-3 deficit. The next batter popped out.

SEVENTH INNING
Fertile started the inning with an out before Strem singled, advanced to second on an error on the left fielder, and moved to third on a throwing error on the left fielder. Steven Sather singled to score a run for a 6-3 lead, Hanson singled to score two more runs, and Hemmah singled to score another run for a 9-3 lead. Johnson walked, and Tarek Siegle was hit by a pitch before a run scored on a ground out. Sorenson singled to score a run, and another run scored on an error for a 12-3 lead.
Crookston needed nine runs to tie the game and 10 to win the game in the bottom of the inning. The first batter popped out before Donarski walked. Cody Demarais laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Donarski over to second base. Tanner Giese doubled over the left fielder’s head to score a run, and Crookston trailed 12-4. 

Crookston drops to 7-5 on the year and will travel to Fosston for a double-header on Thursday starting at 6:00 PM. KROX will have both games on the radio.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Fertile 3 0 0 0 1 1 7 12 11 0
Crookston 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 4 10

 

Pitching IP H R ER BB SO
Parker Kelly – Crox 6.1 9 10 4 1 5
Isaiah Donrski – Crox 0.2 2 2 2 2 0
Kolby Hemmah – FB 7.0 4 4 3 4 5


Crookston leaders
Matt Contreras – 1 for 2, 2 runs, rbi, walk
Isaiah Donarski – 1 for 2, run, walk
Cody Demarais – 1 for 2
Tanner Giese – 1 for 3, rbi

Fertile-Beltrami leaders –
Steven Sather – 4 for 5, 3 rbi, 2 runs
Preston Hanson – 2 for 3, 3 runs, rbi
Bryer Strem, Kolby Hemmah, Teegyn Johnson, and Drew Gullickson with one hit apiece.

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Myrna J. Larson – OBIT

Myrna J. Larson, 88, of Ada, Minnesota, passed away on June 23, 2024, at her home.

Myrna Joy (Ruch) Larson was born November 17, 1935, in Page, ND, to Harold and Bertha (Conner) Ruch. She moved with her family to rural Ada, attending school in Lockhart. Her family later moved into Ada, and she graduated from Ada High School in 1953.

Myrna married Glenn Larson on November 16, 1955, in Webster, South Dakota. Together they made their home and raised six children on the farm south of Ada.

Myrna has worked since she was a young woman, starting as a carry-out girl at the Red Owl grocery store. She ran the Teen Center in the 1970s, waitressed at Chi Chi’s Café and the Red Carpet Supper Club, drove the Tri-Valley bus for 27 years, and most importantly, raised her family and was a supportive farm wife.

Myrna and Glenn shared their love of sports, watching countless games of the Ada Vikings/AB Cougars, Minnesota Vikings, and Minnesota Twins. Myrna enjoyed bowling and softball with her daughters for many years. She was a 4-H member and leader, active in the Methodist and Faith United churches, and a member of the VFW and Legion auxiliaries. She loved sweets, enjoyed coffee with friends, an ice cream treat while driving around town, going to the NC Fair and the races, Class of ’53 reunions, loved her dogs and bird-watching, sitting on her deck watching the farming activity and traffic on Highway 9, celebrating her Irish heritage, visiting with Lars and guys in his shop, supporting her community, and especially loving her grandkids and following their activities.

Myrna is survived by her children, Susan (Don) Merkens of Ada, Margaret Larson of Fargo, Paul Larson of Ada, Elizabeth (David) Heitman of Dilworth, Sally Gullekson of Perley, and Jeanna (Ron) Lakeman of Ada; grandchildren, Paul Merkens, Anna (Cliff) Newby, Amy Ambuehl, Caitlin (Andrew Sandland) Larson, Maggie (Austin Schielke) Larson, Andrew Steen, Amanda (Cory) Carlsrud, Bryce (Bianca Giron) Heitman, William Heitman, Evgenia Gullekson, Maria (Kayla Mashburn) Gullekson, Radmila (Collin) Olson, Benjamin Lakeman, and Emily Lakeman; eighteen great-grandchildren; brother, Monte (Judy) Ruch; sister-in-law, Jan Ruch; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; parents, Harold and Bertha Ruch; in-laws, Selmer and Anna Larson; siblings, Renee Hovden, Ron Ruch, and Mike Ruch; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mabel Ruch, Earl Hovden, Loren Krogstad, Graydon and Ann Larson, and Lyla Larson; and son-in-law, Merle Gullekson.

Celebration of Life Service: 6:00 PM, Sunday, June 30, 2024 at SonRise Evangelical Free Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: 4:00 PM until the time of the service on Sunday at SonRise Evangelical Free Church, Ada.

Inurnment: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com

Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes Ada & Halstad, Minnesota

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Jason “Jase” Peter Larson – OBIT

Jason “Jase” Peter Larson, 67, Fargo, ND died in Vibra Hospital on June 20, 2024 from complications of a fall in December 2023. Born on August 30, 1956, in Ada, MN, he was the eldest son of Graydon and Ann (Gordon) Larson.

Jase spent his formative years growing up on a farm south of Ada where he learned the values of hard work and honest living. He carried these lessons throughout his life. As a youth in addition to helping on the farm, he was active in basketball, 4-H, and FFA. Jase attended Ada Public Schools, graduating in 1974. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Moorhead State University in 1986.

Jase was married to Debra Steen from 1984-1990 and from this union their son, Peter Andrew, was born. In 2004 he met his current wife, Barbara (nee Lammi) at the Fargo Blues Fest.

Jase was a smart, hardworking, loyal man with many talents. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Throughout his adult life he had the ability to reinvent himself as the need arose whether it be as a self-employed painter, landscaper, truck driver, or warehouse manager. He brought his work ethic and stalwartness to whatever task he took on.

A voracious reader, world traveler, and lover of sports and music with a great sense of humor, Jase’s most endearing quality was his love of family. Left behind to mourn him are his wife, Barbara; son, Peter (Jenna); grandsons, Porter and Hayes; brother, Sam (Pam); sister, Mary Stevenson (Scott); along with several nieces and nephews, extended family members and a large circle of friends. Jase is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

A very special thank you to Sanford Medical Center’s emergency room staff, the tireless attention from the nurses and respiratory personnel in the ICU, and the entire medical team at Vibra Hospital. Your compassionate care and kindness toward Jase will always be close to our hearts.

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 AM, Monday, July 15, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Inurnment: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com

Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes
Ada & Halstad, Minnesota

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Ramon Arthur (Art) Desautels – OBIT

Ramon Arthur (Art) Desautels, age 89, of Mesa, AZ, passed away on June 21st, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born February 6, 1935, in Michigan, ND, to Ernest and Rosalia (Fink) Desautels, Art arrived as the 10th of 11 children. He attended school in Michigan, participated in Boy Scouts and later high school basketball, baseball, and football, and graduated with the class of 1953. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and became a proud member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and a life-long UND Fighting Sioux sports fan. He also was a member of the North Dakota Army National Guard.

In his sophomore year at UND, Art met Jean Mae Wavra, and the two were married on September 1, 1959, at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks. The first 10 years of Art and Jean’s marriage were spent in Grand Forks, where Art worked as a land surveyor and draftsman for Richmond Engineering. In the summer of 1970, the family moved to Crookston, MN where he was employed as a Civil Engineer and Vice President with Widseth, Smith, Nolting Engineering for 35 years before retiring in 2004. Professionally, Art was a member of the ND Land Surveyors Association, the ND Land Surveyors Registration and MN Engineers Association. After retirement, Art and Jean became snowbirds in Mesa, AZ and eventually moved there full time.

As a parishioner with Jean at St. Michael’s, he joined the St. Michael’s Men’s Club and was a parish Boy Scout Troop Advisor. During their marriage, Art and Jean were involved in Marriage Encounter, Cursillo, and were members of the Crookston Diocese Family Life Commission. They also participated in the Charismatic Renewal, becoming prayer group leaders in Crookston and Grand Forks for many years. In 1978 Art and Jean with five other Crookston couples saw a need to offer food and fellowship to those in the community who were alone at Thanksgiving. This became a tradition, and the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner continues to this day serving over 500 people last year.

In Crookston, Art participated in several faith-based activities and committees including, the Crookston Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Crookston Week of Prayer Team and the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Team. He actively sought out opportunities to share his faith with those who had little, spending Sunday afternoons for years at Tri-County Community Corrections center, listening to the stories of the incarcerated and tending to the spiritual needs of so many.

Never one to pass up a good pun, Art enjoyed word puzzles and a competitive game of Scrabble. Most notably, he loved a spirited game of Whist, spending hours over the years playing with family and friends, passing on the love of the game to his grandchildren.

Art loved his wife, Jean and his children with his whole heart, often telling them so through word and letter, asking God’s blessing on each with a hug or sign of the cross on their forehead.

His family will remember his ever-constant mantra, “Don’t worry about the things you can’t control. Trust in the Lord.”

Art is survived by his loving wife and life partner of 65 years, Jean, Mesa, AZ; and his children: Denise (Dan) Sheridan, Burnsville, MN; Sheila (Kevin) Bosh, Grand Forks, ND; Monica (Shaugnessy) Reynolds, Poway, CA; Annette Hague, Centennial, CO; Robert (Deanne) Desautels, Mesa, AZ; Rachel (Carl) Erickson, Orlando, FL; Timothy (Patty) Desautels, Williston, ND; Sarah Desautels, San Diego, CA; and 20 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sister Annette Farrell of Eau Claire, WI, brother Earnest (Judy) Desautels of Milwaukee, WI, and sister-in-law Doris (Fred) Desautels of Fargo, ND.

Art was preceded in death by sisters Jean, Barbara, Rita, Bernadine, and Reine; and brothers Hermann, Dick, and Fred.

In lieu of flowers, the family has designated Care and Share of Crookston for memorial contributions. https://www.givemn.org/organization/Care-And-Share

Visitation: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Monday, July 1, 2024, with prayer service at 7:00 pm. Norman Funeral Home, 2950 S. Washington St., Grand Forks, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 524 5th Ave. N, Grand Forks, ND.

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Trump gag order partially lifted in hush money case ahead of presidential debate

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the press before closing arguments at his civil fraud trial at State Supreme Court in New York on January 11^ 2024

On Tuesday, NY Judge Juan Merchan partially lifted former President Donald Trump’s gag order in his New York hush money trial, following the former president’s conviction last month on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The move comes two days before the former president faces off against President Joe Biden in the first of two debates, with the revised terms of the gag order allowing Trump to speak freely about witnesses and jurors in the case.

Merchan wrote Tuesday: “Circumstances have now changed. The trial portion of these proceedings ended when the verdict was rendered, and the jury discharged.” Trump is allowed to speak about witnesses, the jury and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, but is still restricted from speaking about lawyers and staff for the District Attorney’s office and the court, as well as any family members until he is sentenced on July 11. Merchan wrote: “Until sentence is imposed, all individuals covered by Paragraph (b) must continue to perform their lawful duties free from threats, intimidation, harassment and harm.” Although he struck the portion of the gag order pertaining to jurors, Merchan wrote that it would be his “strong preference” to extend those protections because there remains “ample evidence to justify continued concern for the jurors.” An earlier prohibition on releasing personal information about jurors will remain in effect.

Trump’s campaign spokesman blasted the judge for failing to lift the entire gag order and promised Trump’s legal team “will immediately challenge” the order. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement: “this is another unlawful decision by a highly conflicted judge, which is blatantly un-American as it gags President Trump, the leading candidate in the 2024 presidential election during the upcoming presidential debate on Thursday.”

Merchan first imposed the gag order in March; before and during the trial, Merchan fined Trump $1,000 for each of 10 violations and warned the former president he could face jail time if the violations continued. On May 30, Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump, who denied an affair, pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts and has vowed to appeal the verdict.

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