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SATURDAY -  MAY 10, 2008

MN/DOT URGES FARMERS TO USE SAFE PRACTICES WHEN PLANTING, MOWING CROPS IN RIGHT OF WAY

ST. PAUL, Minn.—The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges farmers to use caution when planting crops near highway rights of way and to get needed permits to mow hay and other crops in highway medians or on roadsides.
Mn/DOT officials advise that planting crops within rights of way is illegal because as crops grow higher and fuller, they can block motorists’ vision and create other safety problems.
State laws prohibit plowing, tilling and planting in rights of way including driving lanes, shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections.
The department also advises that mowing and haying on rights of way are allowed only after obtaining a permit. Officials said requests for permits are coming sooner and in higher numbers during previous years.
A $100 deposit is required when applying for a permit. The deposit will be returned if the work completed meets permit requirements.
Permits for locations where mowing is allowed are distributed on a first-come, first served basis. 
Mn/DOT prohibits mowing in wildflower areas as well as those harboring noxious weeds such as leafy spurge which spread rapidly when cut.
“The goal of these restrictions is to ensure safety and to protect roadside environments,” said Steve Lund, Mn/DOT’s state maintenance engineer.
 “Inspectors can, for example, require that landowners replace crops on state rights of way with permanent, non-crop vegetation that won’t restrict motorists’ vision, cause erosion or affect proper drainage at their own expense,” Lund said.
Lund said inspectors can help farmers select suitable vegetation, locate right of way markers and provide more information about allowable practices.  “Our roadway regulation inspectors are knowledgeable and willing to help landowners adopt practices that enhance safety and the environment,” Lund said.
 

CROOKSTON SCHOOL BOARD HAS REGULAR MEETING ON MONDAY

The Crookston School Board meets on Monday, May 12 at 4:30 PM in the Orchestra/Choir room of the Crookston High School.  
The Feature program will be a presentation on the Reading First Program.
Personnel items include resignation letters from High school math teacher Mary Axtell, Chad Hitchen as 9^th grade football coach and Treasurette Dance Line Coach Kelsey Lawrence.  An employment agreement with Ken Stromberg, as the Crookston Pool Director will be considered along with creating a half time fourth grade teaching position for next fall.  
The main agenda includes  discussion of the needs for kindergarten and first grade sections for next fall. 
Student Assurance Services will be considered as the carrier for student insurance for 2008-2009.
The board will accept a $10,000 donation from Martha Larson, MD for the Larsen Achievement Award. 
Superintendent Wayne Gilman and other Administrators will report on activities of the district to the board. 
The meeting is open to the public.


CROOKSTON STUDENTS TAKING SPRING FIELD TRIPS

Spring Field Trips at Highland School in Crookston are the highlight of spring for the students as the sixth graders get to have an annual overnight stay at Itasca State Park, with many activities planned and the teachers doing the cooking. Sixth grader Brian Sanchez  said, “It was great even though it rained at night, the night hike was fun and we got to go to the watch tower. There was ice on the lake and the water was 35 degrees but we still got to walk over the headwaters.”  Another sixth grader, Mickalya Walters talked about her experience at the State Park, “It was fun, with the night hike being scary and I worried about wild animals. I fell three times at the headwaters and got really wet and cold, the teachers were good cooks and the food was yummy.”  Lily Caillier thought the experience was cool and said, “I liked going up on the tower, but it was freaky as it was very shaky and going across the headwaters was cold and my feet felt numb, I saw all the trees, lakes, bird and the people look so tiny from the tower.”    

Meanwhile, the fifth graders from the Highland School took a field trip to the Grand Rapids, MN Logging Camp with a stop in Bemidji.  Fifth grader Ben Dorman liked the stop in Bemidji, “We saw the statue of Paul Bunyan in Bemidji and the Logging Camp in Grand Rapids where they cut down trees and make homes for people.”   Classmate Patrick Brault said, “My favorite part was the  3D movie that popped out at you and the Paul Bunyan Museum where we saw his fingernail clippings which were the size of a persons hand.”  Danny Davidson also thought the 3D movie was neat, “My favorite part was the 3D movie on the fire in Cloquet in the early 1900’s, and the logging camp had different jobs and I got to be the foreman, which was the boss.”
The Grand Rapids Logging camp depicts the times of the 1900’s in Northern Minnesota.

FRIDAY - MAY 9,  2008

LOCALLY PRODUCED BIODIESEL TESTED AT UMC 

Paul Aakre, assistant professor of Agriculture and program manager of Ag Systems Management, began performance testing of Biodiesel on Monday.  Aakre is shown with the U of M, Crookston’s John Deere 4700 utility tractor used to power a PTO dynometer.
Five recordings were taken, two with #2 diesel fuel and three with B50 biodiesel.  The biodiesel was manufactured by UROP student Jade Estling.  This winter, Estling and Aakre pressed about 800 gallons of canola oil (SVO) from canola seed raised on the Craig Lee farm near Wannaska, Minnesota.
Horsepower and torque tests were very close with the two fuels.  The B50 (50 % canola oil) blend yielded about 2% less than straight #2 diesel.
With the current high commodity price on canola seed, the fuel does not compete with regular diesel fuel.


Paul Aakre conducting biodiesel test at UMC - Picture submitted by UMC

CROOKSTON SCHOOL BOARD HAS REGULAR MEETING ON MONDAY

The Crookston School Board meets on Monday, May 12 at 4:30 PM in the Orchestra/Choir room of the Crookston High School.  
The Feature program will be a presentation on the Reading First Program.
Personnel items include resignation letters from High school math teacher Mary Axtell, Chad Hitchen as 9^th grade football coach and Treasurette Dance Line Coach Kelsey Lawrence.  An employment agreement with Ken Stromberg, as the Crookston Pool Director will be considered along with creating a half time fourth grade teaching position for next fall.  
The main agenda includes  discussion of the needs for kindergarten and first grade sections for next fall. 
Student Assurance Services will be considered as the carrier for student insurance for 2008-2009.
The board will accept a $10,000 donation from Martha Larson, MD for the Larsen Achievement Award. 
Superintendent Wayne Gilman and other Administrators will report on activities of the district to the board. 
The meeting is open to the public.


CROOKSTON STUDENTS TAKING SPRING FIELD TRIPS

Spring Field Trips at Highland School in Crookston are the highlight of spring for the students as the sixth graders get to have an annual overnight stay at Itasca State Park, with many activities planned and the teachers doing the cooking. Sixth grader Brian Sanchez  said, “It was great even though it rained at night, the night hike was fun and we got to go to the watch tower. There was ice on the lake and the water was 35 degrees but we still got to walk over the headwaters.”  Another sixth grader, Mickalya Walters talked about her experience at the State Park, “It was fun, with the night hike being scary and I worried about wild animals. I fell three times at the headwaters and got really wet and cold, the teachers were good cooks and the food was yummy.”  Lily Caillier thought the experience was cool and said, “I liked going up on the tower, but it was freaky as it was very shaky and going across the headwaters was cold and my feet felt numb, I saw all the trees, lakes, bird and the people look so tiny from the tower.”    

Meanwhile, the fifth graders from the Highland School took a field trip to the Grand Rapids, MN Logging Camp with a stop in Bemidji.  Fifth grader Ben Dorman liked the stop in Bemidji, “We saw the statue of Paul Bunyan in Bemidji and the Logging Camp in Grand Rapids where they cut down trees and make homes for people.”   Classmate Patrick Brault said, “My favorite part was the  3D movie that popped out at you and the Paul Bunyan Museum where we saw his fingernail clippings which were the size of a persons hand.”  Danny Davidson also thought the 3D movie was neat, “My favorite part was the 3D movie on the fire in Cloquet in the early 1900’s, and the logging camp had different jobs and I got to be the foreman, which was the boss.”
The Grand Rapids Logging camp depicts the times of the 1900’s in Northern Minnesota.

CONGRESSMAN COLIN PETERSON RELEASES HIGHLIGHTS OF FOOD, CONSERVATION AND ENERGY ACT

Congressman Collin Peterson today announced an agreement on the conference report for the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. This farm bill will make historic investments in our food and farm economy.
The bill will expand food security programs, protect our vital natural resources, promote healthier foods and local food networks, and reform commodity and biofuel programs to reflect the priorities of the nation.
Final language will be available next week.  Initial details include the following:

Ensuring Food Security
• Nutrition programs increased by $10.361 billion with appropriate benefit increases that are indexed to the cost of living
• Vital assistance to food banks increased by $1.25 billion
• New funding boosts organic agriculture, fruit and vegetable programs, and local food networks
• Country-of-origin labeling for meat and produce made mandatory

Promoting Homegrown Renewable Energy |
• Provides $1.1 billion to fund programs what will help the renewable energy industry invest in new technologies that use a variety of sources beyond feed grains.
• Corn ethanol tax credit reduced and redirected to incentives for cellulosic ethanol
• Creates a loan guarantee program and a program to encourage and develop production of dedicated energy crops
• Bioenergy research increased and renewable energy programs expanded

Reforming Farm Programs
• Farm program safety net extended and modernized, with an updated adjusted gross income means test for commodity programs
• Farm and conservation program transparency increased, with direct attribution of payments and the ending of practices that result in multiple payment eligibility
• Crop insurance reformed to prevent windfall reimbursements to crop insurance companies
• Budgeted standing disaster assistance program for crops stricken by catastrophic natural disasters such as drought and flood

Protecting the Environment
• Conservation program spending increased by $6.6 billion
• Doubles funding for Farm and Ranchland Protection Program to protect agricultural lands from urban and suburban development pressure
• Increases funding for Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program to enhance and protect our natural resources
• Continues funding for Grassland Reserve and Wetlands Reserve programs
• Creates an Open Fields Program to encourage public access to private land for hunting and fishing as well as a Chesapeake Bay program to help restore and protect the Bay watershed

Strengthening International Food Aid
• Provides $60 million to purchase food overseas to feed people in need on top of the existing Food for Peace international aid program, along with an evaluation of this change and its effect on U.S. response times
• Reauthorizes the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program for infant, child, and school nutrition programs in underdeveloped countries and provides an infusion of $84 million in additional funding

THURSDAY - MAY 8,  2008

During a recent Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) Alumni Association Board meeting, a gift of $75,000 was unanimously approved to support a new state-of-the-art business conference room at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
“We are excited to have the support of Northwest School of Agriculture alumni as we continue to offer our business students an exceptional student experience,” explains Sue Brorson, Ph.D., head of the Business Department. “The Northwest School has given us a great legacy and this gift will continue that legacy and help our students achieve dreams. We are deeply grateful for their support.”
The new business conference room, to be located in 116 Dowell Hall, is planned for completion by fall semester 2008. It will serve as a focal point for the Business Department and provide students with many of the amenities they will use in their future roles as leaders in business and entrepreneurship.
"Our sincere appreciation is extended to the NWSA board, President Charles Holmquist and the alumni of the Northwest School. This is another step forward in private support for the U of M, Crookston and its students,” said Corby Kemmer, director of development & alumni relations.
A gift from another donor of $50,000 will also be initiated to provide the needed funding for this conference room, and others are encouraged to make gifts as support is still needed to complete the project. For more information, contact Kemmer at 218-281-8434 (ckemmer@umn.edu).

U of M, Crookston business students flank Sue Brorson, Ph.D., professor and head of the Business Department, and Corby Kemmer, Director of Development & Alumni Relations holding a check from the NWSA Alumni Association Board in support of the Business Department conference room. (Picture submitted by UMC)

ANOTHER CELL PHONE TOWER ERECTED IN CROOKSTON

A second cell phone tower was erected by the Crookston Police Department Wednesday.  The crews fought the winds gusts over 30 miles per hour.  

WEDNESDAY -  MAY 7, 2008

CITY OF CROOKSTON LOOKS TO POLK COUNTY FOR HELP WITH WINTER SHOWS BUILDING

The City of Crookston made a request to the Polk County Board of Commissioners at the Commissioner's meeting today in Crookston. The City is asking Polk County to consider working on and providing funding to a possible future development of the Red River Valley Winter Shows site that on Highway 2 as you come into Crookston from the west. The City of Crookston and the Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) are asking that Polk County consider possible future financial assistance to remove the asbestos associated with the facility and then demolish or redevelop the old Red River Valley Winter Shows building and the site it's on.  The city has a low bid of $413,00 for removing the asbestos and for the demolition was $652,890.  There would also have to be storm water installation which is estimated to be about $1 million and with engineering and other contingencies it could cost over $2.1 million.
The commissioners took no action at the meeting, but agreed to set up a committee of Commissioners, City Officials and Winter Shows people to work on possible solutions. One of the commissioners, Warren Affeldt of near Fosston, wasn't too excited about the idea, as he doesn't think the City of Crookston has been to cooperative in the past projects between the two. Affeldt is perturbed with the city of Crookston and their Mayor Dave Genereux who chastised the commissioners last year in a letter that stated the county should control the levies and that the city had cut their levies back.  “This did not sit very well and that he (Genereux) overstepped his bounds," said Affeldt, "and now they come along and when the shoe fits, they are asking us to participate in some development using county funds in Crookston. There is no urgency as far as the county goes to spend any kind of dollars or make a commitment to the Winter Shows. The people in charge own it and are paying their taxes and if it goes tax forfeit so be it, as I don’t think it is prudent to spend tax dollars on something that may not happen.”
CHEDA Director Dan Johanneck said they wanted to sit down with the county to introduce them to the realities of the property that something has to be done in the future, "We presented them three options, the first of demolishing the building and putting up an arena facility, but this is no longer an option. Second would be to demolish the building and clean it up and have commercial lots on the property or the third option could be a potential of tax forfeiture and then City and County could be stuck with over a $1 million."
The current owners of the Red River Valley Winter Shows building have been making their tax obligations for the property and Don Strickler (pictured left with Roger Odegaard), the Winter Shows chairman say's they have been looking a possibilities for the building, "We are currently debt free and it's cash flowing with our current renters, which we are thankful for, but we know we could have a situation in the future of what to do, so we are being pro-active to find a solution, before the 11th hour." Polk County Commissioner chair, Bill Montague of Crookston said he would appoint a committee to study the options, "We are going to form a committee with everyone and get together and  find out what direction we want to go and that we are all on the same page, whether we want to look at demo or abating asbestos, or if we try to contain the asbestos inside the building and utilize it as it is or what direction we want to go and I think the committee can do this in a short meeting. It is time to do something as the taxes are paid and there is no debt, so we need to do something with the building so this is a start.”

MAYOR GENEREUX'S RESPONSE

Crookston Mayor Dave Genereux responded to the comments from Polk County Commissioner Warren Affeldt and said, “Last October, when the council was talking about taxes and we were holding the line and the county was going up, so we sent them a letter basically asking them to prioritize some of their spending needs and hold the taxes down, otherwise we hold them down to zero and the county goes up the citizens are paying more, so we sent the letter to the county board only.” Genereux added, “We are just proactively thinking of a way to deal with the Winter Shows site and if nothing gets done it will eventually go back to the county. They have a lot of priorities this might be one and might not so they need to take a look at it seriously.”


Other Polk County News from the Commissioner's meeting on Tuesday:

The Polk County Commissioners approved over $5.6 million in road, bridge and box culverts construction for the summer. Construction has already begin on the road north of McIntosh. Contracts were approved with Knife River Materials of Bemidji, Redstone Construction of Mora and  R.J. Zavoral and Sons of East Grand Forks for the work.  Bids all came in under the engineer’s estimation.

Fisher School Superintendent Randy Bruer and Fosston Superintendent Dale Salberg (pictured below) came to the county commissioners meeting to say thank you and present a certification for their support of the school social work program with a $60,000 contribution through the Polk County Collaborative.

       Dale Salberg, Bill Montague and Randy Bruer

Board chairman Bill Montague recently met with the city of Crookston to discuss progress on the Wayne Hotel renovation. “The Wayne Hotel is progressing slowly, slower than I like to see," said Montague, "but everything is a go. They have gotten the USDA grant which is a big part of the formula and they are applying for tax credits in June and will hear if they get the credits in the fall.  I think Jodi and Jana from JJ’s Body Shop, who have the building next door, have some concerns as the building continues to deteriorate with pigeons, open windows and they are frustrated with the length of time it is taking.”

The Commissioners also approved the hiring of Josh Johnston as the Polk County Planning and Zoning Director to replace Dan Johanneck who resigned to become the Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority director.  Johnston, a native of Warren, currently works in the Twin Cities. 

Scott Waller was given approval for an auto repair and salvage yard in Gentilly Township.  

Polk County Public Health Director Sherri Altepeter was given approval to hire a new Jail Nurse, as Rodney Wawryk has resigned to take a job in Grand Forks where he lives.

There are only a few lose ends to wrap up on the new  Polk County Jail and Justice Center building project and the cost is staying under budget Polk County Administrator Jack Schmalenberg told the Commissioners. “We had put together a split even though it is in one facility, because we needed to  account for the bonding funds and the funds from the general fund to be used for the construction of the justice center," said Schmalenberg, "because at the end of April the expenditures for the Jail side was $17.8 million and for the Justice side at $6.4 million. We have some end of the contract things that need to be paid, like for furniture and kitchen materials.” 
The budget was $25.6 million for the project so it appears that the entire project will come in under budget.

CROOKSTON CHURCH BURGALIZED

The Crookston Police responded to a call from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1214 University Avenue in Crookston on Tuesday morning about 8:20 AM with a report of a burglary. Crookston Police Chief Tim Motherway said, “On arrival the officer was met by staff of St. Paul’s Lutheran and the scene was secured and investigated. It was found that entry was gained through the church’s business office and the only apparent damage was to the door of the business office. It’s still being determined what is missing and the case still remains under active investigation."
 

CROOKSTON RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FIND OUT ABOUT HOSPICE

Hospice of the Red River Valley hosted Crookston residents and businesses at a breakfast on Tuesday morning at Irishman’s Shanty in Crookston to provide information about Hospice and what it has to offer the community during a difficult time.  Sue Omdalen, development officer for Hospice of the Red River Valley said, “Hospice is a compassionate end of life care, and we work with patients that have been faced with a terminal illness and we want to make sure they get the care they deserve at that time of their life. So it is a six month diagnosis of a terminal illness and then they qualify for hospice care under Medicare guidelines.”  
Services provided by Hospice include nursing, social work, chaplains, volunteers and bereavement  services for the family after the death.
Omdalen said, “We are always looking for volunteers with many tasks for them, office work,  just getting out and spreading the word about Hospice. Most volunteers sit with patients to read or hold hands and do anything to help the patient.”  Anyone interested can contact Mike Wallin at the office in Grand Forks at 701-772-3172 to get some training to be placed as a volunteer. Omdalen said, “We want the public to understand how Hospice works and how they are paid through insurance, which is never enough to meet the daily costs, so we are raising money through a program called Gift of Light, which is part of a challenge grant through the  Otto Bremer Foundation which will match any money we raise, so we are excited to raise money to match which will help Hospice for the year.”

ANOTHER FATAL ACCIDENT REPORTED IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA 

The Minnesota Highway Patrol reported a fatality happening at 1 a.m. on May 6 south of Angus on Highway 75. Garrett Torgerson, 21 of Warren was north bound on Highway 75, driving a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. He went into the northbound shoulder and over corrected, crossing both lanes and going into the west ditch striking the embankment. He was ejected from the vehicle and the car caught on fire. Torgerson was dead at the scene.



TUESDAY - MAY 6,  2008

7TH ANNUAL ARTS AND ACADEMICS BANQUET HELD AT CROOKSTON HIGH SCHOOL

The Crookston High School Auditorium was the site of the 7th Annual Fine Arts and Academics Recognition and Hall of Fame Recognition sponsored by the Pirate Fine Art Boosters, Crookston Kiwanis and the Crookston Rotary.  Many awards were handed out and Merle Miller and Carol Montague (both are CHS graduates) were inducted into the Crookston High School Hall of Fame to join Jim Myrold and Harlen Stahlecker who were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the athletics banquet two weeks ago. 
Merle Miller, long time orchestra teacher, said, “I started the fall of 1958 one day a week. T.W. Thorson and I loaded our cars  with various string instruments like a cello, bass and viola, we went to three grade schools one day a week. Students who wanted to play the violin had to get their own and the others got the instruments one day a week.” Miller retired in 1990 with a six year period off.  Miller said, “It is unbelievable to get this award, as so many people have done so much, and I guess I did what I loved to do and hopefully did a good job.”  Miller was accompanied by her husband Ken and a daughter, Janna.   

Carol Montague has been playing piano/organ for the choirs and musical contests at Crookston High School since 1991 starting with music teacher Jim Kent with 5^th and 6^th graders.  Montague also provides music in the community and said, “I was organist at the Presbyterian Church in Crookston for over 30 years and played for the high school musicals and accompanied my husband Bill for funerals, weddings and other events. We both graduated from Crookston High School and when I look at the Hall of Fame and see all the professionals I feel very special and honored and very humble to get this award.”   Carol and her husband Bill were accompanied by son Pat and daughter Paula.  

The evening ended with the presentation of the outstanding supporter for the arts and academics award to Beth Carlson, long time director for drama presentations at Crookston High School.

The Crookston Kiwanis also awarded the Crookston Music Department a 1,200 dollar check from their French Toast breakfast fundraiser a couple weeks ago.  It was also announced that Freshman Max Wolpert has been selected to participate in the All State Orchestra next year.  All the award and scholarship winners are pictured and listed below.

2008 Hall of Fame inductees- Merle Miller and Carol Montague

      Merle Miller and husband Ken and daughter Janna

                 Carol Montague and husband Bill

Senior Academic Awards - (Those that are graduating Summa Cum Laude)

Andrew Anderson, Kim Anderson, Maria Argueta, Luke Biermaier, Rachel Buchmeier, Anna Cymbaluk, Taylor Davis, Sydney Epema, Naomi Fagerlund, Seth Kalin, Danielle Persson, Sam Plooster, Mike Schoeneberger, Taylor Terpstra, Kamille Wahlin, Matt Wavra, Marlee Wheelhouse and Sam Wolpert.

                        The Senior Academic Award Winners
Back row- Epema, Wahlin, Cymbaluk, Biermaier, Wolpert, Kalin and Wavra
Front - Davis, Schoeneberger, Persson, Wheelhouse, R. Buchmeier and Fagerlund
Not pictured/present - Andrew and Kim Anderson, Argueta, Plooster and Terpstra

Above and Beyond Awards-
Megan Maki, Rachel Buchmeier, Alisyn Buchmeier, Taylor Davis, Samantha Bacon, Sam Wolpert, Mike Schoeneberger, Naomi Fagerlund, Heidi Steinbrink, Kamille Wahlin, Cheriese Benoit, Dillon Kaste, Sydney Epema, Katie Edlund and Anna Cymbaluk.

                                    Above and Beyond Award winners
Back row - Steinbrink, Schoeneberger, Kaste, Wolpert, Bacon, Wahlin
Front - R. Buchmeier, Davis, Fagerlund, Cymbaluk, Edlund, Maki, A. Buchmeier
Not pictured/present - Cheries Benoit, Sydney Epema

Senior Music Award-
Stephanie Bjorgo, Britttny Boetcher, Alisyn Buchmeier, Rachel Buchmeier, Taylor Davis, Katie Edlund, Sydney Epema, Naomi Fagerlund, Stephanie Genereux, Brittney Jahn, Dillon Kaste, Megan Maki, Birgetta Martin, Mike Schoeneberger, Allison Schumacher, Hannah Solheim, Heidi Steinbrink and Sam Wolpert.

                               Senior Music Award Winners
Back row- Kaste, Wolpert
Middle - Bjorgo, Genereux, Epema, Jahn, Davis, Fagerlund, Schumacher, Maki
Front - Boetcher, Edlund, Schoeneberger, R. Buchmeier, A. Buchmeier, Steinbrink
Not pictured/present - Martin, Solheim

T.W. Thorson Awards - (Awarded to Seniors) -
Sydney Epema, Alisyn Buchmeier, Megan Maki, Heidi Steinbrink, Rachel Buchmeier.

John P. Sousa Award - Dillon Kaste

Mary Hussey Award - (Top female music students) - Noami Fagerlund, Katie Edlund

Ronald Carey Award - (Top Musician) - Taylor Davis

Outstanding Thespian Award - Megan Maki

Rotary Awards-
   Essay Winners - 1st place - Katie Edlund   2nd place (tie) - Luke Biermaier and Anna Cymbaluk
   Scholarship Recipients - Molly Simmons, Katie Edlund, Mike Schoenebeger and Naomi Fagerlund
   RYLA Recipients - Elizabeth Carlson, Hallie Martin, Sara Doda, Evan Meyer
   RYLA Alternates - Karly Koenig, Erin O'Connell, Mercedes Paverude, Danielle Wavra

Crookston Education Foundation District 593 Scholarship - Anna Cymbaluk and Luke Biermaier

Outstanding Supporter of the Arts and Academics - Beth Carlson

Dr. Russel and Inez Sather Scholarships - (With the money this year, they have given over 100,000 dollars in scholarships since 1987)
Luke Biermaier, Molly Simmons, Mike Schoeneberger

Pirate Fine Arts Booster Scholarships- Amber Schleicher, Naomi Fagerlund, Kaylie Mykelseth

Band Directors award - (For going above and beyond in band) - Mike Schoeneberger

Outstanding Leadership in Speech Award - Katie Edlund


FOR MORE PICTURES OF THE AWARDS CLICK HERE

RIVERVIEW HEALTH TO HOST WOMEN'S FEST MAY 12

RiverView Health is hosting “Women’s Fest” on Monday, May 12^th from 3-7 PM at the main RiverView campus in Crookston. The event, being held on National Women’s Check-up Day, will feature four health educational presentations, several health screening opportunities, an acupuncture demonstration and a tour of the new breast health programs offered in RiverView’s radiology department, including the new digital mammography service. Throughout the event, guests can register for the My New View program, and to qualify for several door prizes including five free dexa scan exams and five free digital mammograms. Free hors devours and beverages will be served.
Educational presentations will include cardiac rehab nurses Joan Morlan and Laurie Steer speaking on heart healthy living at 3:15 PM, Dr. Colin Fennell on osteoporosis at 4:15 PM, Dr. Jerald Reinhardt on pre-pregnancy planning at 5:15 PM and Dr. Debra Bell on nutrition and female health at 6:15 PM. Information on breast health and tours of the RiverView Radiology Department will be going on throughout the event, as will demonstrations of acupuncture by Janet Burger, RiverView acupuncturist. Screenings being offered include skin cancer checks by Dr. Ngozi Okoro, Cancer Center of North Dakota oncologist, and cholesterol, blood sugar (diabetes), and blood pressure screenings.
“Women’s Fest” is the kick-off event for RiverView’s new health promotion program entitled My New View-A Health Connection for Women. This free membership program will collect information from females of all ages regarding their unique health interests, personal health concerns and history, as well as their personal demographic information. Based on information collected from My New View membership, RiverView will help women gets answers to their health and wellness questions and meet their individual medical needs. My New View will provide features that take advantage of the convenience of the Internet, but will also offer opportunities for those less technology- savvy.
Women completing a My New View membership application, either on the Internet or on paper, will be asked to share basic information such as name and address, as well as a brief inventory of health interests and concerns. This data will begin to create a basis for identifying needs for health information and education and for medical resource development for women.
To sign up for My New View or to find more information on “Women’s Fest”, go to RiverView Health’s website at www.riverviewhealth.org and click on My New View or call 218-281-9405.

CHS FCA PLUS WRAPS UP FIRST SCHOOL YEAR OF ACTIVITIES

Crookston’s FCA Plus wrapped up their first school year of activities on Saturday night at the Highland Complex where the 7-12 graders took part in softball, frolf, tennis, kickball, horseshoes and tug of war. The kids also did a community service project to start off the evening before playing games. Ten law enforcement officers from Polk County Sheriff's Office and Crookston Police Department participated in the games and had shirts made (Wild Hogs) and split up to team up with the kids during the games. The evening wrapped up with a speaker, food and bonfire.

       The kids and the law enforcement officers play a game of kickball on a softball diamond

Some of the kids playing Frolf - Pictures by Dave Emanuel of Wildfire Photography

MONDAY - MAY 5,  2008

PEDESTRIAN SIGNS GO UP IN TWO AREAS OF CROOKSTON 

Crookston Police Chief Tim Motherway has informed KROX that the city has put up new pedestrian cross walk signs that are on the center lanes in two places, two signs on 4^th Street and Broadway and two more on 4^th Street and Main Street. Motherway said, “These signs are there to remind drivers that when pedestrians step off the curb and into the cross walk, the pedestrian has the right of way and the driver is supposed to yield them the right of way, that means you should stop and let them cross, the signs are to remind drivers of that action and today they have caused some confusion and drivers have stopped which is required only when pedestrians are trying to walk in the crosswalk.” Motherway added, “ Crookston is unique with one way three lane streets and this is difficult for pedestrians to cross the streets when cars are not stopping, so the signs are to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way in the crosswalks and to make it safer for them in downtown Crookston.”

The traffic signs are up by the Golden Link and Advanced Tire and have caused over a handful of near accidents/collisions of cars during
the time that these pictures were taken.  Several cars slammed on brakes others stopped and the cars behind had to slam their brakes.  Drivers
can go through unless their is a pedestrian IN the crosswalk.

CROOKSTON SCHOOL BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE WORKING ON BUDGET

DR. KENNETH WRIGHT ACCEPTS MILITARY ORDERS WILL LEAVE JUNE 1

CLIMAX-SHELLY STUDENTS FINISH 1ST AND 2ND AT REGIONAL ENVIRONTHON

The Climax Shelly School district senior Envirothon team took first place at the regional competition and also received the oral presentation award. Team members are Audra Larson, Betsy Thoreson, Jessica Voeller, Dylan Nesvig and Jacob Vigness. The Climax Shelly sophomore envirothon team took second place in the competition. Team members are Evan Carlson, Rachel Grove, Beth Cakebread, Brittany Tronnes and Ethan Grove. Both teams will move on to state competition on Wednesday, May 14^th.

SUNDAY - MAY 4, 2008

HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FINISH 2ND AT REGIONAL MATH MASTERS MEET

Danny Davidson, Ben Dorman, Patrick Brault, Ryan Porter, Seth Derosier and Madison Crane finished second out of 28 teams at the Regional Math Masters of Minnesota Challenge in Bemidji on Friday.  There were 140 students along with the 28 teams competing.  The Crookston team was coached by Larry Anderson and LuAnn Siekas.
Crookston's Danny Davidson finished second place overall in the individual rounds and finished first in the five minute fact drills.  
Ryan Porter placed 20th individual round and was 13th in the fact drill.
Patrick Brault placed 21st and took 6th in the fact drill. 
Seth Desrosier took 17th in the fact drill. 

RED LAKE FALLS MAN KILLED IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER

Levi Aaron Seeger, 27, of Red Lake Falls died early Friday after the pickup he was driving rolled into a ditch a quarter mile west of Red Lake Falls.  Seeger, who was driving a 1995 Chevy pickup, was westbound on 200th Street Southwest when his vehicle lost control, sliding into the ditch on the North side of the road and rolled landing on its roof.  Shortly after 6:30 a.m. Friday the Red Lake County Sheriff's office received a call that there was a vehicle overturned in the ditch.  Seeger's body was discovered after a tow truck was called to the scene of the accident to remove the vehicle.  It wasn't until the vehicle was pulled upright that the authorities realized the driver was still inside.  Seeger was pronounced dead at the scene and was the only person in the vehicle.  The accident remains under investigation.

CROOKSTON WOMAN INJURED IN ONE CARE ROLL OVER NEAR BROOKS

Mary Katherine Wilder, 29, of Crookston, was injured in a one car roll over on Highway 59, south of Brooks.  Wilder suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to RiverView Hospital in Crookston for observation.  Wilder's 2000 Chevy Impala was totaled.  Alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash and criminal charges against Wilder are pending.  The accident remains under investigation.
 

SATURDAY - MAY 3,  2008

LIEDER SPEAKS ON LEGISLATIVE SESSION

State Representative Bernie Lieder (DFL-Crookston) talked to KROX RADIO on Friday morning during the KROX Valley Talk program.  There seems to be some politics going on in St. Paul these days as the end of the regular session of the legislature comes to a close May 19th.  Earlier this session, the Governor line-item vetoed $70 million from the bonding bill for light rail between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The addition of this segment of light rail is important to the both cities, as it would tie in with the Hiawatha light rail already in operation. The legislature immediately recognized the veto as a bargaining chip the Governor is using to press the House and Senate to include money to establish a State Park at Lake Vermillion in the budget bill. The property is now for sale by a steel manufacturer, and developers are eager to buy the property on the pristine lake.  Representative Lieder said that money would probably have been included in the bonding portion of this legislative session, except for two thing, "First, there has been no purchase price established for the property and, second, the governor wants to put $30 million into development right away.  "The state is short of money for the parks that we're operating now, and the legislature feels we should just buy it and develop it in the future", Lieder said.  The governor, who has supported the light rail leg between the Twin Cities in the past, now risks losing Federal money if the legislature doesn’t include state funding for the project for his signature.
In other transportation news, Pawlenty says he's looking forward to signing into law a compromise deal to compensate victims of the interstate 35W bridge collapse. The governor says the deal reached overnight by house and senate negotiators provides relief and support to the victims and family members of those hurt by the collapse. An attorney for many of the victims says the deal would allow the victims to get up to $400,000 each. There’s a supplemental fund of $12.6 million to pay the bills for the most seriously injured. Representative Lieder says once a victim agrees to the settlement, they would not be able to hold the state liable for any further damages, but, they would still have the right to sue others such as contractors or others who are judged liable in the tragedy.  It is expected both houses of the legislature will approve the bill on Monday, then it would go to Pawlenty’s desk.
Election season is well underway. When asked by Frank Fee whether he planned to run this Fall, Lieder said that he thought it unwise to announce any intentions he has until after the legislative session.  As far as this session goes…things are moving forward at a fairly quick pace, despite the “politicking” according to Lieder.  "It's actually been moving faster, but it's been more political, it's kind of terrible".  "If (democrats in the House) had four more people, then we wouldn't have the trouble with the Governor", Lieder said.  The trouble Lieder refers to is a democratic effort to reform property tax law to allow a reduction in taxes for lower-income property owners. The governor has said that the move would amount to a property tax increase to those owners who make more than $200, 000 per year.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK RECOGNITION AT TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL IN CROOKSTON

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council in Crookston recognizes the importance of volunteers and they had a celebration during National Volunteer Recognition week during a celebration at the Tri-Valley Transportation Center. Volunteers fill a big need according to Deanna Patenaude, Retired Senior Volunteer Program Director. “I don’t think that a lot of people think there are volunteers like at the nursing homes, hospitals, museums, the library and so many different places that could not function without them. Anyone interested in volunteering can give us a call at 281-8288 and we will match them up with a position they can enjoy, even snow birds can find volunteer work when they are home and we can arrange any type of schedule.” 
Several volunteers at the celebration talked about their rewarding experiences in the community, like Edna Bendickson who said, “I’m volunteering at the bus service at Tri-Valley and I like the leaders , meeting all the people and I worked at the hospital and clinic also.”   
Donna  Smulan works as a volunteer too, “I volunteer three mornings a week at Crookston High School and greet the kids with a shake of the hand or head and smile and it is rewarding for me as some kids come to school without seeing their parents, as they go to work, so it is nice to greet them and it is fun.”
Elaine Krogstad is a retired teacher in the Crookston School District, “I participate in Readers Theatre at the school and also at RiverView Nursing Center, it is fun to  find things the residents are interested and watch their reactions.  I volunteer at the library which is a pleasant place to volunteer, it is great.”

Some of the volunteers and Tri-Valley workers enjoy coffee and cake

FRIDAY - MAY 2,  2008


DOCTOR KANTEN HONORED BY RIVERVIEW AND CROOKSTON

The Minnesota Family Physician of the Year, Doctor Erik Kanten was honored on Thursday with receptions at the RiverView Fertile Clinic and the RiverView Family Clinic in Crookston.  He has served families in the Crookston area for 20 years and said, “Family practice even at the beginning of medical school was always what I wanted to go into, as I wanted the full spectrum from babies to geriatrics and take care of the full family,  dealing with the whole family makes it special from the grandparents to the newborns. A couple of years ago we had four generations at the birth and it was neat. Now in Crookston some of my first deliveries  are old enough to have kids of their own, so it is a fun time.”
Dr. Kanten serves as medical director for RiverView Care Center, Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home, Red Lake Falls EMS and University of Minnesota, Crookston and a volunteer at Crookston High School and UMC sporting events to provide medical support to injured athletes.   Dr. Kanten  received the Minnesota Family Physician of the Year award from a field of 27 Minnesota physicians and is now up for the family physician of the year in the nation.

Dr. Erik Kanten (right) greets Sandy and Marlin Johnson at the reception

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