September 1, 2010
Key Teeters
A report that could revolutionize – as well as reinforce - retail and economic attitudes in Thief River Falls.
Next week the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Jobs Incorporated, will release a comprehensive study of retail and economic factors in the Community.
Chamber Executive Director, Ben Anderson, says the report – compiled by the University of Minnesota – will be released in a presentation by U of M Economist, Art Nash.
The presentation is scheduled next Wednesday at City Hall, the Historic Soo Line Depot, beginning at 7pm.
The cost of the study – between 6 and 7 hundred dollars – was split by the Chamber and Jobs Inc.
The report will reveal how the community stacks up – at least from a retail and economic stand-point – to other communities of similar size in the Minnesota – identifying retail strengths and needs and how to focus on the future.
August 30, 2010
Key Teeters
A Marshall County Woman died yesterday in a tragic accident in Red Lake County.
According to the Red Lake County Sheriff's Department, 34 year old Traci Ann Olson, of Newfolden, died at the scene of the accident, on Red Lake County Road #2, in River Township.
Deputy Brad Johnson says the fatality was reported as a one vehicle accident Sunday just before 1pm. Johnson says deputies responded along with the Red Lake Falls Fire Department and Ambulance Service. Johnson says they found the Olson vehicle rolled in the County Road Ditch.
August 26, 2010
Key Teeters
A bright spot in the struggle for Pennington County Commissioners to make up for more than a half million dollars in lost State Aid. County Auditor, Ken Olson, says they've heard from their provider and there will be no increase in health insurance costs next year.
The County Board has been meeting with Department Heads struggling to hold the line on expenses. Still to come, however, a presentation next Tuesday by the Pennington County Sheriff's Department and the fate of the popular Sentenced to Serve Program.
Meanwhile, Commissioners this week commended the creative efforts of some Department Heads with approval of a 6 month trial proposed by County Engineer Mike Flaagen and County Attorney Alan Rogalla to share a single part time worker between the two departments.
August 24, 2010
(By Key Teeters)
The Red Lake County Sheriff's Department has released the names two men who died in a tragic drowning Sunday near Red Lake Falls.
Sheriff Mitch Bernstein identifies the victims as Darrin Austin, 28, of East Grand Forks and Michael Glover, 24, of Grand Forks. Sheriff Bernstein says the two drown while tubing with a group of friends on the Red Lake River. Both apparently got out of their tubes to retrieve some garbage from a shallow area near the County Road #13 Bridge and were unable to make it back to shore, through deeper water, to the river bank.
Bernstein says strong currents and unpredictable water depth make it dangerous for any but "experienced swimmers" to attempt the river without the protection of their flotation tube.
Although autopsy's have been ordered, no foul play is suspected.
August 24, 2010
Mechanical failure effecting a 1992 Honda Accord is being blamed for an accident
with injuries and significant property damage Sunday in Pennington County .
According to the Pennington County Sheriff's Department, the driver of the vehicle, Lindsy Torkelson, 17, of Thief River Falls - reported the steering wheel on the vehicle "locked up", causing her to lose control, sending the car into a rural yard, striking several objects including a sign - utility box and light pole as the vehicle continued across a county road into the field beyond before finally coming to rest in the ditch.
Deputies say there were 2 passengers in the car, 18 year old Kendra Engen, 18, Brian Torkelson, 20. Injuries are unknown at this time. Lindsy Torkelson was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, reported Sunday Evening just before 6pm on 140th Avenue Northeast of Thief River Falls. The vehicle was totaled.
August 24, 2010
The Minnesota State Fair Open's Thursday and a survey of this years fair favorite foods shows everything from traditional to exotic to downright questionable. Deep fried bacon cheddar mashed potatoes on a stick, cheese pizza topped with sliced corn dogs, rainbow trout on a stick and deep fried cheeseburger sliders. For dessert - deep fried strawberry shortcake covered in strawberries and ice cream! The Fair runs through September 6th at the Historic Fair Grounds in St. Paul.
(by Key Teeters)
After a quick trip to Northwestern Minnesota earlier this week, Commissioner Dan McElroy, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Developoment, was back at the state capital in St. Paul, to release the latest unemployment figures across the state.
Unemployment remained unchanged in July, at 6.8%, significantly below the National Average .. An increase of jobs in the private sector was off set by a loss of government jobs across the board .
For individual counties, the latest available results in June show some of the best and worst numbers right here in the listening area. Roseau County the best, posting 5.4% actually a slight increase over May, with consistently dismal numbers in Clearwater County, where more than 12% of the Labor Force is out of work. Unemployment in Polk County was 5.7%, Kittson County 7.2%, Red Lake and Marshall Counties both posting 7.6%, with dramatic improvement in Pennington County, 6.6% in June with unemployment improving from nearly 9% in May.
September 2, 2010
Key Teeters
Sentenced to Serve, a three county program headquartered at the Sheriff's Department in Thief River Falls, matching inmates with time to work off - to projects that need to be done.
The popular program has been under a financial cloud since the state withdrew significant funding earlier this year, however, in a presentation this week to the Pennington County Board, Sheriff Mike Hruby said he would like to maintain the program, and plans to meet with partners Kittson and Marshall Counties to try to come up with the financial resources to get the job done.
Pennington County Commissioners have made up the funding difference through the end of the year and took no action Tuesday following a budget presentation that also included the Sheriff's Department as well as funding for the County Jail in 2 thousand 11.
Commissioners have until mid-month to finalize the County Budget and set the 2 thousand 11 Tax Levy .
August 27, 2010
Key Teeters
1 million strong ...
Arctic Cat set a manufacturing milestone yesterday, rolling its 1 millionth snowmobile off the assembly line, an event that also marked the company's rebirth in 1983.
Chris Twomey, Chairman and CEO, commended his work force and the community Thursday, saying "its all about the people."
The Company remains one of the most respected and recognized in the industry and one of the regions largest employers with a workforce of 1200.
This week the Company also announced an agreement with TCF Commercial Finance of Canada to provide inventory floor plan financing for Arctic Cat's strong line of Canadian Snowmobile and ATV Dealers.
Lee Richards
August 25, 2010
The Thief River Falls Board of Education heard some good news during this week’s regular meeting. Curriculum Director, Sara Olson, told board members that Challenger Elementary School made Adequate Yearly Progress for 2009-2010.
Olson said test results show a near 10% growth in Reading, 11% growth in Math and a 15.5% upswing in Science. Principal Pat Marolt says he attributes the hard work put forth by students, having a vision and good teachers. Marolt says they will look at the data, make goals from that data and move forward with high quality instruction.
Lincoln High School also made AYP but Principal Shane Zutz says, while the graphs on good scores looks good, there is still a lot of work to do.
Adequate Yearly Progress is one of the standards required by Federal No Child Left Behind Regulations.
August 24, 2010
(By Key Teeters)
No confirmed cases locally .. That is the word from Anita Cardinal, County Health Officer and Director of the Inter-County Nursing Service in Thief River Falls...as health officials continue to work with a salmonella outbreak tied to a growing recall of hundreds of thousands of eggs from two Iowa farms.
Cardinal says a simple way to protect against Salmonella is to make sure eggs are cooked through and through, that means firmly scrambled or hard boiled instead of sunny side up - raw cookie batter is also a no/no and use only pasteurized eggs in recipes, like home-made Egg Nog, Mayonnaise and Caesar Dressing, that require raw egg .
Numerous brands are tied to the recall, but it is the product code on the carton that listeners should be most concerned with; P-1026, P-1413,P-1946, P-1720 and P-1942 followed by a 3 digit number ranging from 136 to 229. For example, P-1946-225 - Any egg cartons with a suspect code should be returned for a full refund.
(by Key Teeters)
More evidence this week that a school in the listening area was indeed "mislabled" when it landed on a list of lowest performing schools in Minnesota .
In fact, Greenbush/Middle River High School could be the envy of several other districts in the state, making Yearly Adequate Progress under Federal No Child Left Behind regulations.
Greenbush is one of seven schools on the "black list" of 34 that made AYP Standards and that has some groups, including the state association of secondary principals, wondering out loud if the right indicators were used to form the lowest performing list in the first place. State educators responsible for implementing school improvements have been quick to say designation on the list has prompted many schools to implement immediate improvements, already showing up in testing this year.
(by Key Teeters)
The head of the State Department of Employment and Economic Development, Dan McElroy, met with business and government leaders this week in Thief River Falls .
In an appearance before the Thief River Falls City Council, McElroy complimented the progressive business and employment climate that prevails in Thief River Falls - even suggesting there is too harsh a view of progress downtown, where local officials are far from satisfied . McElroy told councilmen downtowns are "a little like gardens - never quite finished."
In other business Tuesday, the City Council awarded bids for a new Multi-Purpose Hanger, Terminal Improvements and required FAA Safety Equipment at the Thief River Falls Regional Airport, as well as an Operating Agreement with Airport Commissioners handing off operations the first of the year.
(by Key Teeters)
The Department of Natural Resources says the situation continues to improve, with no signs of bovine tuberculosis in the most recent testing on wild deer in Northwestern Minnesota.
450 deer were harvested and tested during an eradication effort earlier this year with none showing positive for the illness, which can also affect domestic cattle. Meanwhile, the man who led the fight against the illness in Minnesota is moving on. Ag Commissioner Gene Hugoson says the man who has directed the Bovine TB Management effort, Joe Martin, has taken a new position with the State Cattlemen's Organization . Hugoson says the state is making great progress in returning cattle producers to TB Free Status.
Click on the Card for more on the BCA Cold Case playing cards!
(by Key Teeters)
The federal government has levied fines of nearly $2.5 million against Enbridge Energy, in an incident connected to the deaths of two workers near Clearbrook in 2007.
The Department of Transportation announced this week that the Houston based company was negligent in the November incident that claimed 2 lives in a fire and explosion on the Lakehead System, that also spilled 15,000 gallons of crude. The source of the tragedy, a spray of high pressure oil ignited by an outdoor heater as crews were attempting pipeline repairs.
The $2.4 million fine is for violations of federal pipeline safety regulations and follows an investigation that shows Enbridge failed to conduct maintenance and repairs safely, clear work areas from possible sources of ignition or properly train workers.
August 18, 2010
(by Key Teeters)
Filings for public office closed on Tuesday, August 17th. In Thief River Falls and Warren a contest for mayor along with an 11th hour candidate for Thief River Falls 3rd Ward.
Tuesday afternoon, Dean Swanson, filed for the 3rd Ward where Alderman Odette Bendickson has decided not to seek re-election. Tuesday Joseph Haj, also filed for the Ward #5 position, where Alderman Emery Lee is also seeking re-election. Also yesterday, a third candidate in the contest for Alderman At Large, where Dennis Seaverson, filed to face off along with Jerald Brown, against incumbent Elvera Cullen. Alderman Glen Kajewski has filed for re-election in Ward #1 and Mayor Steven Nordhagen will face a challenge, from Jerry Unrah, who filed for mayor just minutes before the close of business at 5pm.
For the Thief River Falls Board of Education, 5 candidates have filed for 4 open seats, including incumbents Shannon Boen, Jon Lindgren and Mike Spears along with new-comers Tammie BlackLance and Kevin Ballard. Noticeably absent from the list, the current Chair of the School Board, incumbent Barb Kalinoski.
In the City of Warren, former Council President and Appointed Mayor, Deb Myrfield faces a challenge from Linda Short. 2nd Ward Alderman, Rodger Haugvedt has filed for re-election. In Ward #1 Incumbent Dave Conley has filed along with Cam Fanfulik and John Golden with a special election for the third Ward #1 seat where Appointed Councilmen John Rehder has filed for the remainder of the term vacated earlier by Dave Maurstad. Also a special election in Ward #2 where Jarod Peterson, appointed to fill the seat vacated by President Myrfield, will run for the remainder of the term.
August 13, 2010
What has happened to the BMX Bike track in Thief River Falls? The track, once part of the Thief River Falls Skate Park near Franklin Middle School, was removed this summer after complaints over unsightliness and low use.
Laine Larson, Superintendent of Schools, said it was decided to eliminate the course and look for other uses. Larson says the recreation complex includes an adjacent ball diamond, miniature golf and a skate park. Larson said Tuesday - with the track area cleared, one possibility may be to expand the Skate Park.
(by Key Teeters)
Results from the August 10th Primary Election...
Pennington County District #3, where incumbent Charles Naplin is not seeking re-election, Neil Peterson and Ray Ulrich were the top vote getters. Both will see their name on the November election Ballot. There were 4 in the Primary Contest; Peterson with 209 votes, Ulrich with 125 votes, David Erickson with 62 and Terry BlackLance with 19.
In the Marshall County Auditor/Treasurer Contest; Incumbent Scott Peters and Challenger Shelly Staebler will face off in November. The count yesterday, Peters 1091, Staebler 664, Dave Conely 299.
In Senate District #1A; voters have selected Russell Walker as the Republican Candidate in November. He will square off against Incumbent DFLer LeRoy Stumpf. The count yesterday - Walker 2391, Roger Schmitz 1692. For Governor; Mark Dayton and running mate Yvonne Solon edged out the endorsed candidate for the DFL spot on the ballot. Dayton just over 171,000 - Margaret Anderson Kelliher 169,000.
In the 7th District U.S. Congressional race, Republicans have chosen Lee Byberg to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson in November.
In Clearwater County; Duane Hayes and Sid Michel will face of for the District #1 spot on the County Board. Incumbent county Attorney, Jeanine Brand will face challenger Richard Mollin. In Mahnomen County, Incumbent Sheriff Doug Krier will face a challenge from Brad Athmann, who was the top vote getter in yesterday’s Primary Election. In Roseau County, Glenda Phillipe will challenge Scott Johnson for the District #1 seat on the County Board. Martie Monsrud and John Huss were the top vote getters in the County Auditor’s Race and Steven Gust and Curtis Hauger in the race for County Sheriff.