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Crookston City Council approves slaughterhouses in the industrial park, approves Paid Leave Program funding as required by the state

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The Crookston City Council met on Monday evening and approved paying half of the Minnesota Paid Leave Program costs, with employees covering the other half. The council also unanimously approved an amendment to an ordinance that allows slaughterhouses in the Heavy Industrial zone. The meeting recap is below.

MINNESOTA PAID LEAVE POLICY –
The State of Minnesota has enacted the Minnesota Paid Leave Program that will begin on January 1, 2026.  The Minnesota Paid Leave Program is a state administered insurance program overseen by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Most Minnesota workers who earn at least $3,900 in wages in 2025 will be covered under the program. Eligible employees may receive up to 12 weeks of medical leave and up to 12 weeks of family leave within a benefit year, not to exceed a combined 20 weeks.
The Minnesota Paid Leave Program premium rate is 0.88 percent of employee wages, split equally between the employer and the employee, requiring the City of Crookston to contribute 0.44 percent and deduct 0.44 percent from each employee’s wages.
The council gave unanimous approval, as the reason for the vote was that the employees are paying half. “It’s a program that’s mandatory by state statute. And what that looks like tonight is that it costs 0.88% of each employee’s wages, up to a certain amount. So, how they figured that out is 0.88% of each $100 of each employee’s wages. And per statute, the city is required to cover half, and then the employees are required to cover half,” said Interim City Administrator Darin Selzler. “So again, you break that down, the city would be paying 0.44%, and the employee would be paying 0.44%. So, it was a resolution to inform the council of the cost that the city will incur, and again, with the deduction of wages from the employees.“

ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ALLOWS SLAUGHTERHOUSES IN THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE
After several public hearings and meetings, the council approved amendments to Ordinance Chapter 152.65.B and Chapter 152.65.E, allowing slaughterhouses in the Heavy Industrial Zone. “In a prior council meeting, it was decided to table that resolution to take it under more consideration. We came back at a ways and means, which had some real good discussion on that. I think at that ways and means, there was a consensus among council to bring it back to the council for a final vote, which we did tonight,” said Selzler. “So it was just the resolution allowing slaughterhouses in the heavy industrial zone, and it passed unanimously tonight.”
The move is to allow B & E Meats to expand and offer meat processing of beef and pork.

CITY OFFICES TO CLOSE AT NOON ON CHRISTMAS EVE
The council unanimously approved closing the City offices at Noon on Christmas Eve to allow employees to spend more time with their families and friends.

CONSENT AGENDA –
The council approved a three-year contract with Crookston Municipal Airport Manager Lowell Miller for the period of 2026-2028. He will receive a three percent increase and will be paid $20,062 in 2026, $20,664 in 2027, and $21,284 in 2028.
The council approved bills and disbursements totaling $807,282.71, as well as Amendment No. 1 to the non-commercial hangar lot lease at the airport.

The next Crookston City Council meeting will be on Monday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m.

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20 Crookston High School Students tour the Ralph Englestad and learn more about the Daktronics software

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20 kids from Crookston High School’s Daktronics class, taught by Tim Moe, visited the Ralph Engelstad Arena Monday morning. They got a tour of both the Ralph and the Betty arenas. The kids also had a behind-the-scenes look at the Daktronics software and video boards, courtesy of Chad Hopman, the producer of those shows. The students toured the production studio, press box, broadcast areas, suites, weight room, and a close-up view of practice from the Zamboni area. Pictures from the trip are below. 

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Lake Agassiz Regional Libraries announce Food for Fines progam throughout December

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Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is pleased to announce the return of its “Food for Fines” program, offered region-wide, including the Crookston Public Library, throughout the month of December. This popular library amnesty initiative provides customers with a simple, meaningful way to clear late fees while giving back to their communities.
During the entire month, patrons may bring their overdue items along with a non-perishable and unexpired food items to any LARL location. For each donated item, $2 in late fees will be waived from their account. 

“Food for Fines is a wonderful opportunity for customers to reduce or eliminate late fees while supporting local food shelves during a time of high need,” said Liz Lynch, Executive Director.  “Libraries are community-centered spaces, and this program allows us to connect generosity with access.”

All donations collected through the program will be distributed to local food shelves and community organizations throughout the LARL service area. The program applies to late fees only and does not cover lost or damaged materials.

For more information or to locate the nearest LARL location, please visit larl.org.

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ARREST/FIRE REPORT December 1, 2025

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The Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston reported the arrest of the following –

Janine Ann Mahoney, 44 of Crookston, for DUI, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance

Isaac Manuel Lopez, 42 of Crookston, for theft, diverting corporate property

Michael Matthew Kilde, 27 of Crookston, for DUI, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance

Matthew Jeremy Hall, 36 of Grand Forks, for DUI, operating a motor vehcle under the influence of a controlled substance

Crookston Fire Calls

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ARREST/FIRE REPORT December 1, 2025

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The Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston reported the arrest of the following –

Janine Ann Mahoney, 44 of Crookston, for DUI, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance

Isaac Manuel Lopez, 42 of Crookston, for theft, diverting corporate property

Michael Matthew Kilde, 27 of Crookston, for DUI, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance

Matthew Jeremy Hall, 36 of Grand Forks, for DUI, operating a motor vehcle under the influence of a controlled substance

Crookston Fire Calls

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Crookston School Board asks residents to fill out Superintendent search survey and offers the public a chance to to listen in on a Q &A with the MSBA

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The School Board of Crookston Public Schools is conducting a search for a new superintendent. The School Board contracted with the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to guide and provide assistance throughout the process. 

The School Board met on November 18, 2025, to plan the search. An important part of the search process is gathering input for the Board to consider as it moves forward in selecting the new superintendent, and here are two ways you can engage in the search process:

1. SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SURVEY
An anonymous public survey is now available for all interested parties to fill out between November 25 – December 16, 2025.  Click here to complete the Crookston Public Schools Superintendent Search Survey. Hard copies of the survey are also available at the district office in Crookston. Please return any completed surveys to the same location by December 16 so they can be included with the online survey results.

Following the survey deadline of December 16, MSBA will summarize and provide an overview of the responses for presentation to the School Board.

2. VIRTUAL QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION WITH MSBA
To ensure all constituents in the district have access to accurate information regarding search processes and expectations, MSBA will host a virtual Q & A with MSBA at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, December 10. Click here to join the Zoom session at that time. All interested individuals are invited to attend the live session; however, to accommodate busy schedules as well as ensure access to search information, the session will also be recorded and made available on the district website for the remainder of the search.

Questions about the search process can be submitted anonymously in advance by clicking here:Submit Questions About the Search Here. The deadline for submittal of advance questions is Wednesday, December 10, at noon. Questions may also be submitted during the session using the chat box.

We hope you can join MSBA for this overview of the upcoming search process. If you are unable to join us live, please visit the district website to watch the recording at a later date. Contact Lee Warne, MSBA Executive Search Team, at 507-828-2468 with any questions. Thank you for your interest and participation in the superintendent search process!

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Crookston Pirate Girls Basketball hosts Red Lake County Central – on KROX Radio and TV

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The Crookston Pirate Girls Basketball team hosts the Red Lake County Central Mustangs at the Crookston High School gym.
Crookston is 0-1 on the year after a loss to Sacred Heart. Red Lake County Central is 2-0 on the year after victories over Goodridge/Grygla and Mahnomen/Waubun.
The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. and KROX Radio and TV will have the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.

FIRST HALF –

SECOND HALF –

  1st  2nd  Final
Red Lake County Central
Crookston
For Crookston Points Rebounds Assists/Steals/Blocks
Grace Boll
Chloe Boll
Halle Nicholas
Brooklyn Waldal
For Red Lake County Central Points

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Suspect still at large in shooting at California banquet hall that killed 4, wounded 10

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Authorities say a family celebration at a banquet hall in Stockton, California turned deadly Saturday evening when gunfire left four people dead and ten others wounded. The shooting took place shortly before 6 p.m. along the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.  Stockton, a city of roughly 320,000 residents, is located about 45 miles south of Sacramento.

Spokesperson Heather Brent said guests had gathered for a family event when shots were fired, describing the attack as “unfathomable.” Officials confirmed that both children and adults were among the victims, though specific ages and conditions were not immediately released. Several of the wounded were taken to nearby hospitals, and one medical facility briefly went into precautionary lockdown following the incident.

While investigators have not identified a suspect, Brent said early evidence suggests the attack “may be a targeted incident,” adding, “Our No. 1 priority right now is identifying the suspect in this incident.” It remains unclear whether the gunfire came from inside or outside the venue, and no arrests had been made as of Sunday morning. Sstate and federal authorities remained on the scenes alongside investigators, with the surrounding area still closed off while evidence teams continued processing the site.

Local officials expressed grief and frustration at the violence, with Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee stating on social media that the shooting occurred “at a child’s birthday party,” though Brent would only confirm that it was a family gathering. “It’s unfathomable that there were young children that were harmed,” she said.

Mayor Christina Fugazi, speaking at the scene, emphasized the shock of such violence occurring just days after Thanksgiving. “Families should be together instead of at the hospital standing next to their loved one praying that they survive,” she said. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas added that “Tragedy of this nature is unthinkable,” and urged the public to come forward with any information.

Multiple agencies — including the FBI, ATF, and Stockton police — are assisting with the investigation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the governor had been briefed on the “horrific shooting,” and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with law enforcement as the case unfolds.

Authorities are asking anyone with video, information, or eyewitness accounts to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. A local nonprofit, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, announced it is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Editorial credit: Ksanawo/ Shutterstock.com

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Homeland Security Sec’y Norm says suspect in National Guard shooting “likely radicalized’ in U.S.

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said this weekend that investigators believe Rahmanullah Lakanwal — the Afghan national charged in last week’s ambush of two National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C. — was likely radicalized after he came to the United States. Lakanwal, 29, allegedly opened fire near the White House, killing one guard and critically wounding another; federal prosecutors have charged Lakanwal with first-degree murder. Noem made the claim during multiple interviews on Sunday, including NBC News’ “Meet the Press” as federal prosecutors moved forward with murder charges in the case.

Noem told interviewers she believes Lakanwal “was brought into the country by the Biden administration through Operation Allies Welcome. And then, maybe vetted after that, but not done well, based on what the guidelines were put forward by President Biden,” and added, “And now, since he’s been here, we believe he could have been radicalized in his home community and in his home state.” She repeatedly argued that the vetting framework used when he arrived required revision, and said pending cases would be reexamined under the current administration’s standards.

Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April 2025; he previously worked with U.S. forces in an agency-backed Afghan partner forces — described in reporting as a “zero unit” — that worked alongside American troops in Kandahar before the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Many members of those units were evacuated to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome and later faced legal, economic and mental-health challenges while resettling.

The Trump administration, which approved Lakanwal’s asylum application in April after earlier vetting steps, has responded to the attack by pausing asylum decisions and ordering expanded reviews of visa and green-card cases from countries it deems “of concern.” Noem and other officials have said they will reexamine pending cases under new screening standards and pursue removals where appropriate.

Those assertions about inadequate vetting have been disputed by former officials and independent analysts. ABC News and other outlets report that Afghans evacuated under Operation Allies Welcome underwent multiple checks — including biographic and biometric screening — at overseas processing sites and were subject to additional reviews once in the U.S. A senior official told ABC that the suspect “was clean on all checks” when reviewed by the National Counterterrorism Center at one point. Experts caution, too, that the vetting process is not predictive of future violent acts. “Let’s be clear on what the vetting system is and it isn’t,” one counterterrorism official noted.

Noem has said investigators are probing Lakanwal’s contacts and local ties to determine where possible radicalization occurred. “We do believe it was through connections in his home community and state, and we’re going to continue to talk to those who interacted with him,” she said.

Advocates for Afghan partners said sweeping measures risk harming people who worked with U.S. forces and who face legal uncertainty, joblessness and mental-health strains after evacuation. A representative for former Afghan “zero unit” members warned that treating these allies like “pariahs” will worsen an already fragile situation; one former commander wrote, “Without your help, we are trapped,” and cited suicides and despair within the community tied to delayed immigration assistance.

Editorial credit: Daniel Hernandez-Salazar / Shutterstock.com