September 2022

Child Care Aware Northwest annual Regional Grants are available September 1 through September 25, 2022. Programs that are eligible for this grant include any program that is actively providing early learning services to children ranging in age from birth to school-age and is currently licensed with the Minnesota Department of Human Services or Tribal Government OR legally license-exempt, which include certified centers.

St. Paul, MN – 4-H youth from across Minnesota again showcased their learning at the 2022 “Great Minnesota Get Together” at the Minnesota State Fair. Polk County 4-H Program had 9 youth participate in the livestock encampment held August 25-28 and then 11 youth participate in the general encampment held September 1-3rd.

MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA (September 14, 2022) – The BCTGM Union employees of American Crystal Sugar Company voted yesterday to ratify a new four-year collective bargainingagreement. Representatives of the union and American Crystal reached a tentative agreementlast week, which was presented to the full membership for a vote on Tuesday. “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with our employees,” said Lisa Borgen, Vice President of Administration at American Crystal. “The new agreement increases wages by 17% over four years, enhances vacation and time-off, increases the pension payout, adds a new vision insurance plan, and brings other positive benefits to our employees.” Today’s agreement includes wage increases of 8%, 3%, 3%, and 3% over the term of the contract. It also calls for immediate accrual of vacation time, new policies for temporary employment, and a $1,000 retention bonus. “We are a key economic driver in the Red River Valley, and the agreement helps us secure prosperity for our employees and shareholders that live and work in several communities across the valley,” said Borgen.Pre-pile beet harvest is underway, and full beet harvest is set to begin on October 1, 2022. Factory operations are fully underway at Moorhead, Crookston, and East Grand Forks in Minnesota, and Hillsboro and Drayton in North Dakota. All locations are processing sugarbeets for the 2022-23 campaign. Borgen added, “Reaching an agreement with our employees to ensure steady operations for the next four years is very satisfying for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

Grand Forks, ND – The Altru Family YMCA Annual Hoot N’ Howl Halloween Bash is scheduled for Sunday, October 30, between 6:00 and 8:00 pm, at the YMCA - 215 N 7th Street - downtown Grand Forks. The annual event features carnival games, treats and prizes, cupcake walk, costume contest, and our legendary haunted house.

Bar hours: Monday- Friday 3 pm - Close Saturday 1 pm - Close Monday: 5:30-7 pm $8 Burger Baskets Wednesday: 5:30 Meet & Greet with Fraternal Order of Eagles Grand Worthy President Rick Powell. 6:30 Pot roast dinner- free to all current members, $15 for guests Thursday: 6:30 Bar BINGOkitchen will serve baskets

St. Paul, MN: Minnesota livestock product processors seeking to start up, modernize, or expand their businesses are encouraged to apply for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant program.