Area News
County budget discussions begin, showing big increases
By Anna Jauhola Kittson County Commissioners started reviewing budget numbers for 2025 during a workshop on Monday, Aug. 12. Along with County Administrator Aimee Sugden and CFO Shirley Swenson, the board went through several department’s budgets. This is by no means a full picture of the county’s 2025 budget, but a snapshot of what the…
Read MoreNew filter shows promise in treating Mar-Kit landfill leachate
By Anna Jauhola In the last 30 years, Mar-Kit Landfill has led the way in improving how this type of facility operates in Minnesota. Yet again, landfill staff and board members have made the decision to be the first in the state to make its leachate safer by implementing a biological breakdown system. “I’ve…
Read MoreCommission continues to juggle staffing, technology
By Anna Jauhola Kittson County commissioners approved two hires, one resignation and a severance package during the regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Wayne Jacobson, veterans service officer, gave his letter of resignation during the meeting – not effective until Dec. 1. He has been in the position since 2018 He said he felt he’s…
Read MoreKittson County ‘Garden of Eden’ for crops this year
By Anna Jauhola Despite a long string of rain during planting season, crops in Kittson County are in great condition and on track for a timely harvest. Wheat, soybeans, corn and sugar beets are all doing well across the county, with small exceptions where too much rain fell during certain periods. “There were some pockets…
Read MoreSjostrand: ‘It’s all playing in the dirt’
Hallock man practices unique gardening with continual curiosity By Anna Jauhola Just as Mother Nature finds a way, Ron Sjostrand does the same with his garden. The Kittson County native moved back to Hallock nearly two years ago after he spent his working life working with plants in one way or another. Between designing the…
Read MoreTechnology outage had biggest effect on hospital, county operations
By Anna Jauhola A week after a global technology outage, Holly Knutson was still dealing with the aftermath at Kittson Healthcare in Hallock. “We started seeing an issue Thursday evening with our nursing home software,” she said, referring to July 18. “It’s a cloud-based application with Microsoft.” By Friday morning, Knutson, chief information officer, said…
Read MoreKennedy City Council gets heated over June 12 illegal building burn
By Margie Holmgren Several apologies were offered at the Kennedy City Council meeting on Monday, July 15. The apologies stemmed from an unauthorized burn by Kennedy business owner and fireman, Todd Truedson. The fire was set to a building just east of his business, Todd’s Electric, on Wednesday, June 12. He had recently purchased the…
Read MoreBronson dam project bid accepted, state gives the intent to award
By Anna Jauhola Pending a final contract, the state of Minnesota has given an intent to award Ames Construction, of Burnsville, Minn., the dam reconstruction project at Lake Bronson State Park. Ames Construction gave the low bid of $28,492,398.28 and received a score of 500 out of 500 points for the price proposal. Ames also…
Read MoreLancaster accepts city clerk’s retirement notice
By Anna Jauhola The City of Lancaster will soon be on the hunt for a new clerk/treasurer. During its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 10, the council approved Carol Johnson’s retirement notice and several items included in her proposed succession plan. “I just want to thank you for being good council people. I truly do…
Read MoreCouncil addresses concerns, holds off on development agreement for SE addition
By Anna Jauhola The Hallock City Council addressed a letter from one contractor and tabled a decision for another during their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 2. Rodney Bakken, who owns Bakken Construction, attended the council meeting after sending them a letter regarding housing and development within Hallock. With a lack of housing, Bakken said…
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