News

Dear Readers and Community Members, Today, we are announcing a reduction in print frequency for the Crookston Times. Currently a two day per week newspaper, as of the week of January 16th, we will be delivering one paper per week on Wednesdays.

If you build it, they will come. That certainly was the case Wednesday as local media met with Ag Innovation Campus officials to tour the facility, which is in the final stretch of Phase 1 of the construction project off Highway 75 in Crookston.

Polk County has completed an updated draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and is now seeking public feedback. Like all Minnesota counties, Polk County is vulnerable to a variety of potential natural disasters, such as tornadoes, windstorms, severe winter storms, flooding, drought, and extreme temperatures, which threaten the loss of life and property in the county. Planning for natural disasters minimizes the impact of these events that can cause vast economic loss and personal hardship.

USDA Rural Development has funding available for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) was one of six states to receive the New Horizon Award, presented during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 104th Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Hospice of the Red River Valley announces its 2023 grief support group and grief class offerings. Support groups will be a mix of online and in-person sessions with classes being all in-person. Our grief support groups and classes offer attendees a safe, supportive environment for sharing their grief and learning from others who have experienced a loss through death.

Warren, Minnesota – There is a lot to do when you become eligible for Medicare and it can seem overwhelming. Minnesota’s Senior LinkAge Line offers a class giving you answers. The Senior LinkAge Line Medicare 101 class is for people new to Medicare and would like to learn about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. Topics include a comprehensive introduction to Medicare including what Medicare covers, supplemental insurance and Part D prescription coverage. During class, you will find out how to get the most from your benefits and how to research your Medicare plan options using the Medicare. gov site. Space is limited, to attend please register online at www. dancingskyaaa.org or call Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433.

pecialiSt Polk County Social Services is looking to fill an Office Support Specialist position in our Crookston office. This exciting career supports the daily functions of the agency by helping customers at the window, answer phones, enter data into state systems and much more. Polk County offers a highly competitive benefits package including affordable healthcare plans through BCBS with attractive low-cost family healthcare plans, dental, vision, life, long-term and shortterm disability coverage; flexible spending accounts; PERA retirement with contributions made by the County, vacation and sick leave, and access to many other health and wellness programs. Individuals interested in the position must be Minnesota Merit System eligible. Must have a valid Minnesota driver’s license. To view qualifications and take the Office Support Specialist exam go online at http://agency. governmentjobs.com/mnmeritsystem/default.cfm (click on Exams Open for Application). Starting wage for this position is $19.12 per hour. For more information about the position, please contact Betty Solie at 218-470-8406 or email betty.solie@co.polk. mn.us. Deadline to apply is January 30, 2023. You must complete the exam within (3) three days of the closing date, or by no later than midnight, February 2, 2023.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will conduct aerial elk surveys beginning the second week of January. DNR staff will survey the Kittson County and Grygla elk herds in northwestern Minnesota and the border elk herd in both Minnesota and Manitoba.