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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 9th 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 9th 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
CHS SENIOR SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS GIVE PRESENTATIONS
All Seniors in Social Studies classes at Crookston High School presented
information on the forms of abuse in society this week.
Teachers are Vicki Huck and Dave Davidson. Huck said, “The purpose is to raise
awareness because we want them to know that abuse happens not just in the news,
but in Polk County, as we use Polk County Statistics from 2007 and Minnesota
Statistics and they learn about child, elder, sibling and spousal abuse as it
gets real for them and prevent them from abuse, it appears to work and they
remember it from their senior year.” Senior Ryan Erickson was dressed in a
suit and tie and said “ I learned a lot that I did not know about abuse and
that it can take place anywhere, even Crookston, It made me think about it a lot
and I will carry it with me.” Senior Trevor Staehnke said, “I always knew
about abuse but not the facts and I found out a lot and I will take it with me
and teach others and I will stop it if I see it happening.”
The power point presentations were judged by the teachers and other students in
the class for content and performance.

Trevor Staenke and
Ryan Erickson
CROOKSTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DONATE BLOOD
United Blood Services was in Crookston this week for a blood drive at Trinity
Lutheran Church and on Wednesday they drew blood from students at Crookston High
School. Vera Wixo of United Blood Services said , “More and more people need
blood for services in the hospital and Crookston is a great place as people are
terrific about donating blood so we can pick up units here that we might not get
in other areas.”
Senior Mike Schoenberger gave for the second time and said, “It went well and
I’m ready to go back to class and learn. I like doing this as it is fun.”
Senior Cody Holtman was giving for the first time and “It didn’t hurt at
all, just a little burn and no pain and feels good to help others and then I
like the cookies and orange juice.” Derek Kimble said he was a little scared
but he relaxed even if he doesn’t like needles and blood but it was a good
cause.

John Andringa gives blood in
the CHS gymnasium
UMC'S HAROUNA MAIGA AWARDED TEACHERS FELLOW AWARD
Associate Professor Harouna Maiga, Ph.D., has been awarded the North American
Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Teacher Fellow Award. Maiga teaches
animal science in the Agriculture Department at the University of Minnesota,
Crookston. He will be recognized during the 54th Annual NACTA
Conference at Utah State University campus, Logan, Utah, to be held June 10-13,
2008.
Harouna Maiga
“My department and this campus are proud of the achievements of Dr. Maiga,”
said Ron Del Vecchio, Ph.D., head of the Agriculture Department. “He is a
remarkable colleague who carries out his role with professionalism and focus and
our students benefit greatly under his guidance. He is conscientious and
provides a positive learning environment that encourages students to excel.”
Maiga teaches classes related to animal nutrition, animal systems management,
livestock facilities and reproduction. He also serves as a faculty advisor to
the Crookston campus Dairy Club. “Dr. Maiga incorporates other related
disciplines into his lectures,” Del Vecchio explains. “He blends aspects of
such subjects as physiology, genetics and biochemistry into the classroom
discussion. It is important for students to understand the interrelationships
among disciplines.”
One of the central purposes of NACTA is to recognize individuals whose efforts
represent the very best in agricultural higher education. To qualify for the
Teacher Fellow award a NACTA member must have been on a full-time appointment
involving at least 25% teaching for a minimum of 5 of the past 7 years. Criteria
for selection includes an instructor's teaching philosophy; evaluations
submitted by current students, alumni, administrative officers, and peers; a
self-evaluation along with the instructor’s availability to students, teaching
innovations and departmental/institutional activity.
NORTHWEST SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE GIVES 75,000 DOLLARS TO UMC (Updated)
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.
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 5th and 6th 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 12th
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
FISHERS LANDING TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTER WILL OPEN MAY 9
In celebration of National Tourism Week Fisher’s Landing Travel Information
Center on Highway 2 will be opening May 9th for the season. Our staff
this year will be Jeannine Windels, Gary Paulson, Sharon Bergsgaard, Sharon
Olson and Carolyn Schenck. Everyone is welcome to come out this weekend and
enjoy our Minnesota cookies and complimentary refreshments while gathering
information to “Explore Minnesota” this summer.
In Crookston, top attractions for visitors include the Polk County Historical
Museum, the Glacial Ridge and Rydell National Wildlife Refuges, UMC floral and
butterfly gardens, Veterans Memorial Walkway, and unique shopping.
Vacations and getaways benefit the travelers who take them, of course, but
tourism also benefits the communities these travelers visit, including
Crookston.
This year’s National Tourism Week activities will take place May 10 - 18, and
will be themed “Discover Great Traditions.” The theme is a collective
effort to promote the power of travel through customized events in communities
nationwide. The goal is to enhance the country’s economy, security and
perception, and recognize the cultural and social benefits created by travel and
tourism.
Tourism is a key sector of Minnesota economy, comparable to agriculture in its
contribution to the gross state product.
Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality industry accounts for more than 242,000
full and part-time jobs and more than $3.4 billion in wages. The industry is
projected to add more than 41,000 jobs between 2004 and 2014, a growth rate of
17.5%. Only professional and business services, and education and health
services have higher projected job growth.
Travelers in Minnesota spend more than $32 million per day. These dollars
circulate widely into Minnesota’s local and state economies, supporting
businesses and amenities that add to Minnesotans quality of life. Every $1
invested in state tourism marketing returns an estimated $4.60 in state and
local taxes, $20.40 in wages and $53 in gross sales.
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 4th Street and Broadway and two more on 4th 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
The Finance Committee of the Crookston School Board has been meeting to study the budget for the school year of 2008-2009 and the costs are constantly changing. Superintendent Wayne Gilman said, “Our fixed costs have risen at least three percent or more and some of the things like fuel prices even our costs for food service are even escalating. There is a one percent funding formula for next year which is a kicker as it doesn’t keep up with inflationary costs so it no surprise that we are going to have some lean times in education and now we have to figure out how to deal with it. We don’t have any unrequested leaves right now proposed, we probably could have done things to tighten it up but we are going to work within our means and avoid some reductions and there are some non tenured situations that people could be non renewed now and tighten some other budgets that will help us, the real concern will be next year and we are still compliant with our ten percent fund balance policy but it is the trend of deficit spending that could lead us into financial troubles,” said Gilman. Work will continue on a school district budget which is over $17,000,000.
DR. KENNETH WRIGHT ACCEPTS MILITARY ORDERS WILL LEAVE JUNE 1
Dr. Kenneth Wright, a family practice physician located at RiverView
Clinic-Red Lake Falls, has announced that he is accepting military orders and
will be leaving the area on June 1, 2008. “I have made a decision to accept a
new military assignment and will be relocating the end of May,” stated Wright.
He has continued to be active in the Air Force reserves since his arrival at
RiverView Health in October of 2006 and has been participating in monthly
military exercises. “I knew this was a possibility for me when I came to Red
Lake Falls,” added Wright. As Wright is unsure of the length of his new
assignment, RiverView Health will replace him in Red Lake Falls immediately. “This
will assure RiverView’s uninterrupted commitment to service to the Red Lake
Falls area,” stated Deb Boardman, President/CEO of RiverView Health. She
added, “Without any idea of how long Dr. Wright will be gone, the decision to
find a new provider immediately made the best sense.” Dr. Wright has been
practicing at RiverView’s Red Lake Falls clinic, along with physician
assistant Karen Lesetmoe, since his arrival in 2006.
As of June 1, family nurse practitioner Kevin Ballard, currently an employee of
the MeritCare Clinic in Thief River Falls, will become RiverView’s full time
medical provider in Red Lake Falls. Kevin is a graduate of Wright State
University in Dayton, Ohio, with a Masters in Nursing and he received his Family
Nurse Practice certificate in 1995 from Arizona State University. He served in
the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 2000. He has advanced nursing experience in
primary care, orthopaedics and neurosurgery. He worked as an Orthopaedic
Assistant in the RiverView Orthopaedic Clinic prior to joining MeritCare. Prior
to that, Ballard was employed at Altru Health Systems, both in Crookston and
Grand Forks. “I am looking forward to this opportunity to build a primary care
practice in Red Lake Falls,” said Ballard, “I live in this area and see this
as a long term commitment to this community. I’m glad to be back with
RiverView.” With Ballard’s addition to the Red Lake Falls’ clinic,
Lesetmoe will be reassigned within RiverView Clinics.
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 14th.
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
Current Obituaries Have Moved to their own page-
CLICK HERE FOR THE OBIT PAGE
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