March, 2025 | Krox AM

March 26, 2025

Crookston Ambassadors visit with Rejuv’ Salon Suites talented staff

The Crookston Ambassadors stopped to visit, honor, and congratulate the talented women of Rejuv’ Salon Suites, previously Rejuv’ Salon & Spa. Instantly you walk in and get the feeling of warmth, comfort, and cleanliness. The quad brings over 45 years of combined experience and each brings a unique talent and contribution to the success to Rejuv’ Salon Suites. They focus on Paul Mitchell products and use those same products that they sell. The group work together to ensure you are looking your best for those important milestones in your life such as prom and your wedding day. Ambassadors had the opportunity to learn about each gal and their accomplishments. Let us introduce them.

First, we have Katelyn Magsam, co-owner/Cosmetologist. Katelyn instantly spreads cheer and laughter which is contagious. She attended cosmetology school at Josef’s School of Hair in 2017. She moved up to the community 10 years ago from southern Minnesota, Kasson, near Rochester. Katelyn offers lived in colors, balayage, cuts (women/men/ kids), hair tinsel, hair extensions, body waxing / facial waxing, and updo’s. She has an online booking website to schedule appointments Katelyn-at-Rejuv. Otherwise, you can find her on social media/Google for contact information. Her business hours typically are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. When Katelyn is not in the salon, she enjoys playing volleyball and softball, going to the lake, and shopping. Katelyn, her husband Cody, and their daughter, Sutton, reside in Crookston, and love their neighbors, Lisa and Bob Magsam, who happen to be her in-laws.

Next, we had the pleasure of meeting Morgan LaPorte, co-owner/Hairstylist. Morgan has been a staple at Rejuv’ Salon Suites for over 12 years. She grew up in Crookston and attended Crookston High School. She then attended The Salon Professional Academy in Fargo and graduated in September of 2013. Morgan knew this was her calling and the career path she wanted to pursue ever since she was a young gal going to the then named Rejuv’ Salon & Spa, herself. She enjoys doing cuts, colors, updo’s, waxing, and styles! Morgan, along with her husband, Forrest, and two beautiful daughters live in Crookston. To learn more about Morgan, click here. Morgan at Rejuv.

Moving along to the wonderful and captivating, Tessa Brouse, co-owner. Tessa grew up in Crookston and has been in the hair business for 17 years. She went to expand her love and passion for cosmetology at Josef’s School of Hair Design, graduating in 2008. She started her career at Rejuv’ Salon and Spa and after seven years, she ventured off to start her own business in Grand Forks and returning back to Crookston in 2015 to work at Hair Gallery on 2nd. She then found herself back home at Rejuv’ Salon Suites in 2019. She offers cuts, colors, updo’s and facial waxing. Tessa has three beautiful daughters, Jaden 19, Cecilia 13, and Emma 11, that keep her very busy with their activities and sports. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time at the lake and playing disc golf. To schedule an appointment, you can call/text Tessa at Rejuv, 218-289-2510 or visit Tessa at Rejuv to learn more.

Finally, we introduce the lovely Amber Engebretson, co-owner/Esthetician. Amber grew up in Crookston, and her love and passion for skincare and beauty treatments is evident just being in her presence. Her specialties are facials, lash lifts and tints, facial waxing, and brow tinting. Her talents don’t end in the salon, she also offers photography and is known to WOW Crookston and the surrounding community with her skills. You can find Amber on social media at Amber Joy Images and Esthetics by Amberjoy Outside of work Amber has a love for animals and nature.

Hours of Rejuv’ Salon Suites are by appointment only. You can reach out to each of them individually; they are located at 2015 Sahlstrom Drive, Suite 4.

If you would like to join our Ambassador Team or share an event, please call or text CarrieBergquist at 218-289-1823. Activities and responsibilities include gathering to recognize, honor, and congratulate innovative businesses in Crookston.

Pictured from left to right are Amber Engebretson, Morgan LaPorte, Tessa Brouse, and Katelyn Magsam.

Pictured here to congratulate and celebrate the Rejuv’ Salon Suites crew left to right are BobbieTorkelson (H&R Block), Lindsey Erdman (Benedictine Living Community in Crookston), Tracy Kuchan (LeBlanc Realty), Lydia Stephens (Bremer Bank), Bishop Lee Moronez Jensen (The Jeweler), Adam Schiller (Trilogy Ag Group), and Randy Schoenborn (RiverView Health).

The post Crookston Ambassadors visit with Rejuv’ Salon Suites talented staff first appeared on KROX.

March 26, 2025

Chris Bates visits former student Jake Olson’s classroom

Chris Bates, former Crookston Teacher/Coach/Superintendent, paid a visit recently to a Delano 5th Grade classroom taught by 98′ Crookston grad, Jake Olson. Jake was in Mr. Bates’ Algebra class back in 1994 and references him in his math class today. Chris spoke to the class about his interesting path from England to Crookston as a foreign exchange student, to a bus driver and teacher, and back to Crookston as the Superintendent.

The post Chris Bates visits former student Jake Olson’s classroom first appeared on KROX.

March 26, 2025

Crookston Middle School Knowlege Bowl finishes the season strong

Congratulations to the Crookston Middle School Knowledge Bowl team on an awesome season finale meet in Thief River Falls on Monday, March 21. There were 31 teams competing. All 3 teams did well and Crookston Blue took home 2nd place! Congratulations to all of the participants and Coach Sue Wagner on a great season!!

Crookston Blue finishing in 2^nd place: Ella Capistran, Lily Olmstead, Eva Gosse and Grayson Howland.

Front Row (L-R) – Ella Capistran, Lily Olmstead, Eva Gosse Back Row (L-R) – Grayson Howland, Coach Sue Wagner

Front Row (L-R) Emily Visconti, Harrison Cameron, Cora Jackson, Lily Olmstead, Ella Capistran

Back Row (L-R) Grayson Howland, Evan Boucher, Marshall Hanson, Nevayah Bruce, Molly Workman, Anna Heldstab, Eva Gosse, Coach Sue Wagner (Not pictured – Lilli Bridgeford, Peri Jackson)

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March 26, 2025

Orphie S. Vraa – OBIT

Orphie S. Vraa of Crookston, MN, died March 24, 2025 at the age of 97. She was born in Froid, MT on October 26, 1927, the daughter of Gilbert and Alma (Wold) Vraa. The family farmed in Montana on land that was homesteaded by her father shortly after World War I. She attended grade school in Brockton, Montana until 1939 when her father sold the homestead and purchased a farm south of McIntosh, Minnesota. She attended school in McIntosh where she graduated from high school in 1945.

The family moved to Crookston, Minnesota following her father’s retirement in 1945 where she worked at the Grill Cafe for a short time before moving to Sacramento, California. There she worked for Stan’s Restaurant from 1947 until 1949. She returned to Crookston where she was employed by the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for eleven years. Following that, she transferred to Minneapolis where she worked for the US West Telephone Company for 39 1/2 years, retiring in 1990. Following her retirement she stayed in the Minneapolis area until October of 2005 when she moved back to Crookston to be closer to her family. She has been a lifelong member of the American Legion and VFW Auxilliaries and the telephone company “Pioneers.”

Orphie is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Corma (Russell) Norby, Ione Ostgarden, Mae Varin; brother, Tilman Vraa; sister-in-law, Ruby Vraa; brothers-in-law, Russell Norby, Orville Ostgarden and Nap Varin; nephews, Dennis and Darryl Norby, Duane Ostgarden, and Jeffrey Engen.

Orphie is survived by her sister, Rosie (Dennis) Engen of Grand Forks, ND and several nieces and nephews.

Her family will honor her life with a funeral service on Saturday March 29, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home with visitation beginning one hour prior.

Burial will be in Skatvold Cemetery in Climax, Minnesota.

The post Orphie S. Vraa – OBIT first appeared on KROX.

March 26, 2025

Grace Marie (Braun) Hoven – OBIT

Grace Marie (Braun) Hoven, 86, of Ada, MN was welcomed into Heaven on March 22, 2025 from her home after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by family and friends. Grace was born on June 25, 1938, the daughter of proud parents Gottlob & Jennie (Tenbos) Braun.

Grace attended Gary High School, graduating in 1956. Following graduation she attended 1 year of college. Later while working in Ada as a bank teller, she met Duane Hoven, the love of her life. Duane & Grace were married on July 15, 1961 at the Methodist Church. Together, they were blessed with three daughters and a son, Jennie, Judy, Kristi and Rodney.

Grace was very active in church and community, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, participating in Bible studies, leading the women’s group, singing in the choir, the Gideon’s ministries, garden club, ladies aid and delivering food with Meals on Wheels, just to name a few.

Grace accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 12. She embraced her faith, making God the center of her life and family. Her days began and ended with reading the Bible, giving thanks and prayer.

Some of Grace’s passions in life were spending countless hours with her flowers which won her many ribbons at the county fair, spoiling her kitties (Rascal & Punkin), taking many family vacations, welcoming people into her home for competitive card games, good conversations and laughs. You would enter as a guest but leave feeling like a friend or family member… but of course not before being fed yummy treats and/or snacks! But above all, and most important of all, Grace’s passion was to tell everyone about Jesus! Whether it be a friend, family member, acquaintance, waitress at a restaurant or doctor at a hospital. Grace loved Jesus, her family and others with much passion and joy!

Grace is survived by her loving husband, Duane of 63 years; children, Jennie Hoven, Judy (Wayne) Smith, Kristi (Dennis) Strom and Rodney (Sonya) Hoven; she adored and was adored by her 3 grandchildren, Amanda, Alex & Anna; 2 step-grandsons, Jason & Ryan Smith; 2 great step-grandsons, Roscoe & Scout Smith; sister-in-law, Arleen Ambuehl; several nieces & nephews; as well as many others who called her Mom and Grandma. She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister; and in-laws.

She will be missed by the multitude of birds she fed, a family of deer, many stray kitties (if any of them are yours, please come get them) and of course her family.

Funeral Service: 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at SonRise Evangelical Free Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Friday, March 28, 2025 at SonRise Evangelical Free Church, Ada, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 PM.

Interment: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.

The post Grace Marie (Braun) Hoven – OBIT first appeared on KROX.

March 26, 2025

White House denies classified information was shared in group Signal chat

Senate Intelligence committee holds a hearing to examine the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard^ to be Director of National Intelligence. Washington DC - January 30^ 2025

Two of the Trump administration’s top intelligence officials have denied that classified information was shared in an encrypted group chat, which were being discussed when editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic had been mistakenly added to the conversation.

During a previously-scheduled oversight hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee with FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe in attendance, Democrats grilled Gabbard and Ratcliffe about the security break, in which The Atlantic’s Goldberg was accidentally included in an 18-member group chat on the commercially available Signal app about U.S. military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. Gabbard and Ratcliffe were in the group chat, per Goldberg. Patel declined to say if the FBI had begun an investigation.

Gabbard and Ratcliffe asserted there was no classified information included in the message chain, with Ratcliffe also stating he believed national security adviser Waltz intended the chat to be “a mechanism for coordinating between senior level officials, but not a substitute for using high side or classified communications for anything that would be classified.”

The White House also continued to downplay the security breach, as Democrats called for the resignation of the national security adviser, Michael Waltz (who set up the group chat) and the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, who reportedly shared classified war plans in it. President Trump defended Waltz, saying in an interview with NBC News that the national security adviser had “learned a lesson, and is a good man” and suggested a staff member was to blame for including a journalist in the secret group chat.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday no classified material was sent to the group chat, and that that “no ‘war plans’ were discussed.” Leavitt said: “The White House Counsel’s Office has provided guidance on a number of different platforms for President Trump’s top officials to communicate as safely and efficiently as possible.”

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, the vice chairman of the panel, slammed the incident as “sloppy” and said others would have been fired for the same conduct, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for an investigation, saying in a statement that the use of a non-classified text app “is completely outrageous and shocks the conscience. If House Republicans are truly serious about keeping America safe, and not simply being sycophants and enablers, they must join Democrats in a swift, serious and substantive investigation into this unacceptable and irresponsible national security breach.”

Editorial credit: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com

March 26, 2025

White House announces Russia and Ukraine have agreed to Black Sea ceasefire

Moskva russian guards missile flagship cruiser of russian navy in Black Sea^ lead ship of Project 1164 Atlant. SEVASTOPOL^ UKRAINE^ 27 JULY^ 2008

The White House announced on Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea and to implement a ban on attacks on energy facilities by both countries.

Russia and Ukraine agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea,” the Trump administration said in two separate statements, after U.S. officials held separate bilateral talks with Ukrainian and Russian delegations this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, both statements said that Russia and Ukraine would stop striking each other’s energy facilities; The agreements, if implemented, could mark a major step toward a wider deal to end their three-year-long war.

One of the statements spoke about the talks with the Kremlin said the U.S. would help to “restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.” In the second statement, the White House said the U.S. and Ukraine had agreed that America “remains committed to helping achieve the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.”

Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview (per Reuters) that the Kremlin could not trust Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and it would only sign a Black Sea deal if Washington issued an “order” to him to respect it: “We will need clear guarantees. And given the sad experience of agreements with just Kyiv, the guarantees can only be the result of an order from Washington to Zelenskyy and his team to do one thing and not the other.”

The Kremlin said in a statement published by the Russian state-run news agency TASS: “In accordance with the agreement between the presidents of the Russian Federation and the United States, the Russian and American sides agreed to ensure the implementation of the ‘Black Sea Initiative,’ which includes ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, the non-use of force and the prevention of the use of commercial vessels for military purposes while organizing appropriate control measures through the inspection of such vessels.”

Zelenskyy said it was his country’s understanding that the Black Sea agreement was in effect immediately, but said in news conference he had “questions about how all this will be implemented,” and that there was “no faith in the Russians here, but I believe that we will be constructive.” Zelenskyy also noted that the statements did not specify any actions to be taken if Russia violates the terms of the agreement, adding that Ukraine would appeal directly to the Trump administration for more weapons and more sanctions against Russia in such a case.

Editorial credit: Harmony Video Production / Shutterstock.com

March 26, 2025

See Seth Rogan in trailer for ‘The Studio’ on Apple TV+

Seth Rogan attends the screening of 50/50 at The 55th BFI London Film Festival at Vue West End^ London. 13/10/2011

Apple TV+ is previewing its new 10-episode half-hour comedy series The Studio, premiering today, March 26. Two episodes will be released upon its premiere, with one episode dropping every Wednesday through May 21 to follow.

Seth Rogen co-created the show and stars as Matt Remick, the new head of the fictional film studio Continental. Per Deadline, Rogen’s character desperately wants to keep the future of movies alive. Says Rogen’s Matt: “Being the head of Continental is the only job I’ve ever wanted. “I’m honored, obviously, to be one of the people that gets to choose, you know, which movies get made and which ones don’t. I got into all this, because, you know I love movies, but now I have this fear that my job is to ruin them.”

In addition to Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders also star, with Bryan Cranston guest starring.

See the trailer for The Studio – HERE.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

March 26, 2025

Blackpink’s Jisoo to star in Netflix rom-com ‘Boyfriend on Demand’

Photocard of girl group singer Kim Ji Soo or Jisoo of Blackpink. photocard of Jisoo blackpink isolated on blue background.

K-pop star JISOO, member of BLACKPINK, has signed on to star in Netflix’s ‘Boyfriend on Demand’. The romantic-drama series shared the following synopsis: “an overworked young Korean woman who seeks escape in a virtual reality dating program, where she meets the boyfriends of her dreams.”

Jisoo will play exhausted webtoon producer Mi-rae, “who longs for a second chance at love, but has grown accustomed to a nonexistent dating life due to her hectic schedule. When Mi-rae receives a mysterious “Monthly Boyfriend” device by chance, she decides to give it a try, entering a virtual reality world where she encounters unrealistically perfect boyfriends, awakening her dormant desires for romance. He’s capable and competent at work, but Mi-rae feels uneasy around him. Despite his indifferent and cold demeanor, he’s a character with surprising secrets, sure to stir emotions in Mi-rae.”

Singer/actor Seo In-guk will star opposite Jisoo as Park Kyeong-nam, Mi-rae’s colleague and rival webtoon producer. Boyfriend on Demand is directed by Kim Jung-sik, known for the hit web series Work Later, Drink Now and No Gain No Love.

Editorial credit: shofiphoto / Shutterstock.com

March 26, 2025

Crookston Pirate Boys and Girls Track open season, Ashlyn Bailey breaks school record in the 200

The Crookston Pirate Boys and Girls track and field teams opened up the 2025 season at the Heart Of Lakes meet at Concordia College in Moorhead. Crookston Girls finished ninth out of 13 scoring teams with 24 points, while Perham won the meet easily with 144.5 points. The Pirate Boys team finished 11th out of 12 scoring teams, and East Grand Forks won the meet with 132 points.

Girls Teams	Boys Teams
1. Perham – 144.5	1. East Grand Forks – 132
2. Park Rapids – 76	2. Perham – 118.5
3. Park Christian – 67	3. Park Christian – 70
4. Barnesville – 57.5	4. Park Rapids – 65
5. Wadena-Deer Creek – 47	5. Staples-Motley – 58
6. East Grand Forks – 43	6. Wadena-Deer Creek – 40
7. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton – 39	7. Breckenridge – 39.5
8. Pelican Rapids – 27	8. Pelican Rapids – 27
9. Crookston – 24	9. Barnesville – 15
10. Hillcrest Lutheran – 15	10. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton – 6
11. Staples-Motley – 14	11. Crookston – 6
11. Breckenridge – 14	12. Hillcrest Lutheran – 6
13. New York Mills – 10

GIRLS –
The Pirate girls were led by Ashlyn Bailey, as the junior had a tremendous first meet of the season. She won the 200 meters (out of 63 runners) with a time of 27.36, which set a new indoor school record, besting Shana Wilkens and Breanna Kressin’s time of 27.55. Earlier in the meet, Bailey won the 55 meters (out of 65 runners!) with an impressive time of 7.67, which was only three-tenths of a second off the school indoor record. Crookston scored 24 points in the meet, with Bailey accounting for 20 points!
Chloe Boll finished sixth place in the pole vault with a vault of eight feet to score the other four team points. The other top 10 finish for Crookston was Aubrey Bartrum in the 55 hurdles with a time of 11.02 for 10th place.

BOYS –
The Pirate Boys were led by Aaron Gosse, who finished fifth place (out of 60 runners!) in the 200 meters with a solid time of 25.40. Gosse was also part of the 11th-place 4×200 Relay team, along with Erik Pruneda, Cade Wisk, and Miles Corneillie, which turned in a time of 1:50.52. There were 18 teams competing in the 4×200 relay.

Pirate (top 13 placers)	Event	Time/result	Place
Ashlyn Bailey	200 meters	27.36	1st
Ashlyn Bailey	55 meters	7.67	1st
Aaron Gosse	200 meters	25.40	5th
Chloe Boll	Pole Vault	8-00	6th
Aubrey Bartrum	55 hurdles	11.02	10th
Chloe Boll, Grace Boll, Nora Groven, Aubrey Bartrum	4×200 Relay	2:03.25	10th
Aaron Gosse, Erik Pruneda, Cade Wisk, Miles Corneillie	4×200 Relay	1:50.52	11th
Madi Abrams	High Jump	4-04	12th
Nora Groven	Pole Vault	6-00	13th
Chloe Boll	200 meters	30.23	13th
Cade Wisk, Miles Corneillie, Erik Pruneda, Kahnen Hansen	4×400 Relay	4:18.23	13th