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TUESDAY - MAY 13, 2008

CROOKSTON POLICE CALLED TO HIGHLAND SCHOOL MONDAY AFTERNOON

The Crookston Police Department was called to Highland School in Crookston at 1:57 p.m. Monday on a report of a student with a gun in his possession. The student was removed from class without incident and police officers subsequently found an unloaded black BB pistol in his possession. At this time there is no indication of any threatening intent on the part of the student. There was also no indication that the other students and teachers were ever in danger at any time. Three squad cars quickly responded to the school, along with the drug task force officer who arrived in his personal vehicle. Officer Gene Wisness, and Detective Paul Biermaier and the drug task force officer were at the school along with two other officers.
The incident is currently under investigation.

Two of the squad cars in front of Highland school, the other car had just left

CROOKSTON SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY OF CROOKSTON MEET

The City of Crookston and the Crookston school board met on Monday evening to discuss joint interests for the city and the school district.
The main topic of discussion was the ice arena complex to be built that will replace the present arenas for the flood control project. This was the first time most of the school board members had seen or heard the full extent of the project and want to be represented on the advisory committee studying the facility. Crookston School Board member Keith Bakken asked if the third sheet was for the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) and is concerned about school enrollment supporting the arena. Bakken said, “ As regards to declining enrollment, our income, or funds available keep going down and we have to keep that in mind in making decisions like this. Sometimes I wonder if our district will be able to support all the sports we do have, as we won’t have the kids to fill out the teams. Sports keep students in the district, but people aren’t having kids like they used to so it is a concern.”   School Board member Glenn Olsen was also at the meeting, “Now that the legislature has agreed to the bonding and now we are talking about the general items and we need to get down to specifics regarding the lease, and what is going to be in the arena, like rinks and locker rooms, what the high school needs, varsity and junior varsity teams, boys and girls. We are a key part and need to be involved in the discussions so it will be favorable to the city, school and taxpayers.”
Crookston City Administrator Aaron Parrish said many of the accommodations in the new facility would be for the benefit of the high school hockey teams, like locker rooms and seating.
The school will be represented on the advisory committee and will also get involved n the financing concerns to get a complete picture of the project. The advisory committee is expected to meet by the end of May or early June, according to Parrish as they hope to break ground this fall. "We will have kind of two areas where we will be involved in with the school district and other partners," said Parrish, "one is the arena advisory committee, which is like the umbrella group that will be evaluating the arena project, making recommendations to the City Council and the school will have some good representation on this committee and they are looking at who that would be. We also have a sub group of district staff, city staff and board members and council members to work through the terms and conditions of a lease. As we are going into a new facility, we are looking at all our operations and certainly a lease with one of our main tenants will be one of the things we will be taking a look at."

Ken Stromberg, Crookston Community Swimming Pool manager, explained to the joint committee last night, the needs at the pool which include re-doing the pool bottom, sandblasting the lockers, water softener, pool water heater replacement and programs for the summer.

CROOKSTON SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES ANOTHER SECTION FOR FOURTH GRADE

The Crookston School Board had their regular school board meeting on Monday afternoon and they approved hiring a half-time fourth grade teacher after approving four full sections for the fourth grade class next school year. "We had 3.5 sections and we had class size reductions money that helped fund that position," said Crookston School Superintendent Wayne Gilman, "We now have enough students in fourth grade and just enough that we need to have four full sections, which the board approved."
As far as the kindergarten classes for next year, "We are sorting those numbers out right now," said Gilman, "The numbers are not where we want them right now. We would like them around the one hundred mark, but I think it's in the 80's right now. It's not where we want them, so we talked about moving a kindergarten teacher up to first grade to handle the five sections we will have in first grade."

The School Board also finalized and approved a contract for the Crookston Community Swimming Pool Director, Ken Stromberg. It was a long time coming according to Gilman, "Since the joint powers dissolved and the school district took over the pool, we hadn't really resolved a contract with Ken Stromberg. We looked at similar contracts in the school district and took a big step to a fair and reasonable contract, which the board also approved today."

The Board accepted the resignations of a High School Math teacher, Mary Axtell, who is moving to Iowa. Chad Hitchen has resigned his position as ninth grade football coach and the board also accepted the resignation of Kelsey Lawrence as the Treasurettes Dance Line coach.

The School Board, after a discussion with all the parties involved, agreed that the memorial at the former high school (old junior high) will be moved to the current High School this summer.

The school district accepted a donation of $10,000 from Dr. Martha Larsen for the Larsen Achievement Award which is a continuing gift. "I'm not sure of all the background on the generous gifts," said Gilman, "but we have a fund set up where the school district acts as the fiscal host and the money is put into a CD, which draws interest and a scholarship committee presents a scholarship to a student at Crookston High School that is in the top 10% academic percentile and has done community or selfless service."

TUITION GOING UP AT UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAMPUSES, BUT HOW MUCH DEPENDS ON THE LEGISLATURE/GOVERNOR

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents met at the end of last week and a topic of discussion was tuition for the coming year. University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Chancellor Dr. Charles Casey said, “It is complicated, but the bottom line is that President Bruininks outlined two different scenarios, one was a seven and a half percent increase, which depends on the decision of the governor and the legislature, this relates to about a $500 increase in tuition and fees at UMC in Crookston and another $250 in room and board, so a little under $800 total cost for 2008-2009 school year. Part of that is for a family with an income of $150,000 or less which covers the majority of our students.   "We have a number of students who take advantage of the Founders Free Tuition (See Below) those are Minnesota residents who are Pell eligible so there is some Federal money, if they have an income of $50,000 or less they may qualify for free tuition so a lot of different situations on tuition", Casey said.
Casey said if the legislature or Governor don’t come to an agreement or agree on the governor’s $27 million cut, that would probably result in about a nine percent increase in tuition across the University of Minnesota including Crookston. "So it depends on the legislature and the family status and this means sitting down with each individual student and going through the numbers.”
In other business, the Regents were asked to approve a degree program in criminal justice for UMC, which the Regents did, “We are working on approval for a new residential hall, which we are trying to move ahead a little faster and we keep working on the six year plan which extends out a long way.”
Casey said that work on renovating the biology lab at UMC has begun with asbestos removal, a new business room will be started on soon and work in the residents halls has started with painting and routine maintenance. Casey said, “We have students coming in today (Monday) for registration and also on Thursday and Friday as recruiting is constant. The nine month faculty members are done on Friday, May 16 and we are interviewing candidates for a couple of jobs so it is very busy right now.”

Background on Founders Free Tuition:

The U of M Founder’s Free Tuition program is for news students to the U of M system who are Minnesota residents and Pell Grant eligible. The program will benefit a majority of students from families with an annual income less than $50,000. These are the students who most typically qualify for a federal Pell grant. Pell-eligibility, not income level, is the defining criterion for eligibility for the Founders Free Tuition Program. For more details, visits http://onestop.umcrookston.edu/financial_aid/scholarships/foundersscholarship.htm.

MORE NEWS FROM THE UMC CAMPUS

A controlled burn was recently conducted at the U of M, Crookston Nature Nook. Fire removes accumulated dead plant material so sunlight can warm the blackened soil surface. Within a few days after fire, native plants begin to sprout from growing points below the soil. Laura Bell, Tom Feiro, and student, Jamie Mills conducted the controlled burn.

        The controlled burn at the UMC nature nook.

Also, Jeff Wilson, Erick Elgin, and Dan Svedarsky traveled to Lengby, Minn., and collected bog vegetation for the Bog Garden in the Boreal Forest microcosm of Nature Nook. Already, the birds like it.

Bog vegetation is placed in Boreal Forest area of Nature Nook.
                 (Both pictures submitted by UMC)

RIVERVIEW REHAB SERVICES TO HOST FAMILY FUN NIGHT MAY 20

RiverView Rehab Services will host a Family Fun Night on Tuesday, May 20^th from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. in celebration of Better Hearing and Speech Month. The event will include free speech-language and hearing screenings for kids, story time with a favorite story-book character, and free refreshments. There will also be presentations by RiverView Rehab Services staff. The presentations will begin at 6:00 p.m. with “Introduction to Baby Signs”, followed by “Infant Carriers, Sippy Cups, and Other Equipment – Use Only in Moderation” at 7:00 p.m., and “Clumsy Kids – Simple Solutions for Early Motor Skill Problems” at 7:15 p.m.
In addition to the Family Fun Night activities, RiverView Rehab Services will also be holding a Scholastic book fair in the Heritage Hallway on Tuesday May 20^th from 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 21^st from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Proceeds from the book fair will help provide books for the RiverView for Kids therapy library.
Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month each May to raise public awareness of speech and language disorders that affect 14 million Americans.
Speech and language disorders can take many forms and can limit academic achievement, social adjustment, and career advancement. An individual may be born with a speech or language disorder, or it may be caused by accidental injury or illness.
"Fortunately, most people with speech and language problems can be helped," said Marie Johnstad, RiverView Speech-Language Coordinator. Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them live more independently."
Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who treat all types of speech, language, and related disorders. They hold at least a master' s degree, are licensed by the state of Minnesota, and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech-language pathologists work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific and credentialing association for more than 127,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
For more information about Better Speech and Hearing Month, or to schedule a free speech-language and hearing screening for a child, call the RiverView Speech Language Pathology Department at 218-281-9438.

SPORTS DIETICIAN TO SPEAK AT CROOKSTON RUNNING CLUB MEETING

Becky Westereng, a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, will be giving a presentation to the Crookston Running Club on Thursday, May 22 at 7 PM at the Crookston Golden Links Senior Center.
Westereng, also a registered dietitian, works for Altru Health System. She advises high school, college and adult athletes and coaches throughout the region on their diets. She is also an instructor for Sports Nutrition through UND’s Continuing Education Program.
Westereng will be discussing diets for runners and athletes as they train. She will also cover sports drinks and what works for proper hydration.
The Crookston Running Club invites all area athletes to this meeting to learn more about proper diets and other activities of the club. For more information call Tim Dufault at 281-1880 or Jana Brekken at 281-1065.

UMC CONTINGENCY VISIT PRESIDENT BRUINKINKS' RESIDENCE

University of Minnesota-Crookston First Lady Barbara Muesing, First Lady of the University of Minnesota Susan Hagstrom, and former U of M, Crookston First Lady Mary Beth Sargeant hosted an event for nearly 70 guests at Eastcliff, the official residence of the President of the University of Minnesota on Wednesday, May 7. Guests from Crookston and around the state celebrated accomplishments of U of M, Crookston women, students, faculty and staff. Stories from women were shared by U of M, Crookston Alumni Association President Kari Torkelson, O.D., ex. '91, Amber Meyer, a resort and spa major and member of the women's volleyball team from Paxton, Neb. and Mary Pulkrabek whose father, Bruce Beresford, taught at the Northwest School of Agriculture and UMC.

UMC First Lady Barbara Muesing, First Lady of the U of M
Susan Hagstrom, and former UMC First Lady Mary Beth Sargeant
(Picture submitted by UMC)

CATHEDRAL FIRST AND THIRD GRADERS WELCOME HOME FLAT STANELY'S

1st and 3rd Grade Buddies welcomed home their "Flat Stanelys" after they made their way across the United States. The students read through journals that told stories about where their Flat Stanely visited and learned about different places in the United States.

The Cathedral 1st and 3rd graders and the Flat Stanely's
(Picture submitted by Laurie Erickson)

MONDAY - MAY 12, 2008

RIVERVIEW HEALTH TO OFFER CPR COURSE MAY 29

On Thursday, May 29, RiverView Health in Crookston is offering a Instructor CPR Course as a part of its American Heart Association (AHA) Community Training Center. The course is being held from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM in the Classroom at RiverView. If you are interested in becoming a CPR Instructor, you must have a current Healthcare card. The cost of the class is $ 125.00.
Contracted Community Training Centers (CTCs) and their sites are the only facilities permitted to offer AHA courses to the public and professionals through their affiliated instructors and programs. The American Heart Association is not responsible for any fees charged for this course.
For more information or to register for this class or information on other courses offered through the CTC, contact RiverView at 218-281-9405 or 1-800-743-6551 extension 405.

CROOKSTON CITY COUNCIL TO MEET ON TUESDAY FOR REGULAR MEETING

The Crookston City Council will have a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the Crookston City Hall in the Council Chambers. The public is encouraged to attend and the complete agenda can be seen by clicking here.

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION HANDS OUT GRANTS TO AREA ORGANIZATIONS

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation with offices in Bemidji, has given out grants totaling $370,165 between January to March, 2008. Receiving grants in the KROX area were Tri Valley Opportunity Council with $25,000 for support of a family mentoring program as part of the our Children Succeed Initiative. University of Minnesota Crookston received $500 for the home grown economy conference and the Crookston Early Childhood Initiative Fund received $600. District 593 Education Foundation was granted $4,043 and the Frances Drivold Special Education Endowment received $3,500. The Eat Polk County Fair scholarship fund received $1,500.

CATHEDRAL SCHOOL THIRD GRADERS LEARN CARPENTRY AND THE PAST

The 3rd Grade Class at Cathedral School got a mini lesson in carpentry. Tim and Brenda Froeber supplied the materials and did the teaching. The students were pretty excited about their new creations.

    The Cathedral School 3rd graders and their step stools

The 3rd Grade Class at Cathedral enjoyed dressing up 50's and 60's style. They just completed a unit in Social looking back at the past: life styles, technology, and entertainment.

     The 3rd graders are all smiles with their Happy Joes Pizza
                 (Pictures submitted by Coke Thompson)

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

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 54^th 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. (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

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 9^th 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 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.

Current Obituaries Have Moved to their own page- CLICK HERE FOR THE OBIT PAGE

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