Kittson County’s DAV van use more than doubled since 2024
By Anna Jauhola
Three volunteers drove more than 20,000 miles in 2024 to get Kittson County veterans to their medical appointments.
During the regular commission meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, Veterans Service Officer John Hamre presented information on the use of the DAV Van. In March 2023, the van arrived at the courthouse where it was stored. In the 10 months it was used in 2023, volunteers drove it 9,881 miles over 309 hours.
Shawn Anderson, Hallock, has been the lead driver and point of contact for Kittson County since the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 41 purchased the van for use here.
“As you can see, last year the amount of hours and miles versus this year has increased exponentially,” Hamre said.
In 2024, drivers put on 20,741 over 583.5 hours. Many of these trips are to the VA Hospital in Fargo. Seeing that incredible growth is encouraging and has spurred Hamre and two other veterans service officers in neighboring counties to begin visiting different groups to spread the word. Not only do the VSOs want to make sure veterans know they can use this service, completely free of charge, but they are also recruiting drivers.
“We’re good right here. We’ve got three drivers,” Hamre said. “But Middle River, Roseau, those areas are hurting for people.”
Anybody can drive the van provided by the DAV Chapter 41. The chapter takes care of its operation, volunteers are only needed to drive.
Anyone who wants to help, or veterans who need a ride to medical appointments, can contact Hamre at 218-843-2198; Shawn Anderson at 218-843-5069; Jim Butler in Salol at 218-689-7447; or Jim Larson in Newfolden at 218-416-0678.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a quote of $36,347 from C.L. Linfoot for new heating and ventilation in the mechanic’s area for the Hallock highway department shop. Engineer Arthur Kukowski said they budgeted $37,000 for the project.
• Approved a quote for $34,137 from C.L. Linfoot for new heating and ventilation in the survey vehicle and sign shop garage, which is where they conduct lab samples of things like gravel. Assistant Engineer Keith Klegstad said the heater in that area went out Tuesday morning, Feb. 4, and was original the building’s construction in 1987. With this project, Kukowski said they would move the installation of an overhead garage door to the 2026 budget.
• Approved purchasing a rake attachment for a motor grader from Maertens Welding and Machine Co. in Glenfield, N.D., for $7,792.96. They budgeted for the actual cost of the rake at $7,500, so the shipping of $292.96 put this purchase slightly over budget.
• Approved purchasing a packer for the new motor grader that will arrive this year from RDO Equipment, at a cost of $44,734. They budgeted $44,000 for this equipment.
• Approved the annual agreement with Tri-County Emergency Medical Service to furnish ambulance services to Arveson, Deerwood, Davis, Pelan, Norway, Jupiter and Springbrook townships, and the cities of Donaldson, Halma and Karlstad, as well as one-sixth of Tegner township. The county pays Tri-County EMS $8,562 per year for this service.
• Approved the highway department’s request to advertise for bids to replace an overhead door on the Humboldt Highway Shop as it is becoming a safety hazard. The Northcote facility is on hold for now, so the Humboldt shop needs to be accessible.
• Heard from Admini-strator Aimee Sugden on preliminary effects on counties if the governor’s budget is passed as is. Mostly the budget could affect social services programs to the tune of an estimated $285,000, due to proposed cuts to Medicaid waivers at the state level. Sugden said they will continue to monitor the Legislature’s movements and advocate for Kittson County through local legislators.
The next regular board meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the courthouse.
