May 2022

Crookston police officer Loren Edevold works with Crookston High School seniors Hayden Winjum and Jazmine Doyea during the self defense class (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Claire Oman practices self defense moves with Emma Osborn while instructor Cathy LaJesse monitors (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Crookston police officer Loren Edevold demonstrates a move at the self defense class (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Mallorie Sundeen and Aleah Bienek work with Cathy LaJesse at the self defense class (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Crookston police officer Don Rasicot performs a pretend neck grab on Cathy LaJesse during the self defense class at the high school (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Clara Meyer and Olivia Huck perform a move during self defense class at the high school with Linda Morgan there for assistance (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Crookston Public Schools employees Tina Mason and Dawn Brusoe perform a self defense move as police officer Don Rasicot advises (Photo by Jess Bengtson) .

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council has announced their 2022 artists and advocate of the year which include Ross Hier of Crookston, LaVonne Forsberg of Thief River Falls and Philip McKenzie of Thief River Falls. Hier was named the Northwest Artist of the Year and received a $500 cash award, Forsberg was named the Northwest Minnesota Star Artist of the Year and received a $5,000 cash award, and McKenzie was named the Arts Advocate of the Year and received a $500 cash award.

Jared Davidson has joined United Valley Bank in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as its Market President. Davidson will be responsible for overseeing all daily procedures and practices regarding financial services offered to customers in the Grand Forks market and surrounding area. He brings more than 25 years of banking and finance experience, including Retail Banking, Residential Real Estate Lending, Treasury Management, and Commercial and Agribusiness lending.

If ever you’ve had the pleasure of observing dancing sharp-tailed grouse, then surely you’ve enjoyed one of Nature’s finest shows. Indeed, each spring across parts of northern Minnesota an avian dance is performed by a very special, native species of bird.

University of Minnesota Extension will be offering Youth Tractor and Farm Safety Certification at six locations across the state in 2022. The youth tractor and farm safety certification program provides youth 14 years and older the opportunity to learn about safe equipment operation and general farm safety.