Area News
USPS recommends new prices to start in July
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect July 13. The new rates include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 73 cents to 78 cents. The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of…
Read MoreLeaders call for emergency funding, reform to save Minn. Ambulance services
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Ambulance Association (MAA), joined by state lawmakers and EMS leaders from across the state, held a press conference Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol to highlight the growing crisis in Minnesota’s emergency medical services (EMS) system and urge immediate legislative action. EMS providers warned that outdated funding models, critically…
Read MoreCounty starts clock on the bonding process
By Anna Jauhola The Kittson County Commissioners have preliminarily approved issuing general obligation bonds for up to $7 million for courthouse renovations. During the Wednesday, April 2 public hearing, the commissioners passed the resolution, which specifies the county is following a capital improvement plan. “All that really does is start a timer for the bonding…
Read MoreStreet project bid just over $5M, city proposes 50/50 assessment split
By Anna Jauhola An official bid and a change in cost sharing has provided some Hallock residents with better news about special assessments tied to a proposed street project. About 30 people attended a public hearing on Wednesday, March 26, where the city council and Moore Engineering presented the new figures. The low project bid…
Read MoreKittson Healthcare is a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital
HALLOCK – Kittson Healthcare is honored to announce that it has been recognized as one of the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. This prestigious designation highlights outstanding performance in quality and patient care among critical access hospitals across the nation. The Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, widely…
Read MoreKennedy City audit shows healthy financial position
By Margie Holmgren, Editor Marit Martell, auditor with Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC, informed the Kennedy City Council of their healthy financial position at their March 17 meeting. Martell went over the audited financials for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024. Kennedy was the first city to have their audit finalized. “Honestly, overall, the financial…
Read MoreCourthouse project is sole focus of county bonding
By Anna Jauhola With the focus solely on renovating the Kittson County Courthouse, officials presented a new plan with a lower cost during an unofficial public hearing on Thursday, March 20. Seven people from the public attended the hearing, which included the commission, county administration, Johnson Controls and a bond representative. Originally the project included…
Read MoreKittson County feedlot program thriving
By Anna Jauhola When thinking of feedlots, a long line of cows at troughs comes to mind. However, the definition of a feedlot in Minnesota statute can vary and Kittson County’s registered feedlots look much different than those in the rest of the state. Since the 1990s, producers in the county have had to register…
Read MoreLancaster applies for grant to fix senior apartments
By Anna Jauhola The Lancaster City Council approved submitting a final application for grant funding to rehabilitate the north wing of the senior living apartments in town. During a public hearing at the council meeting on Wednesday, March 12, John Wynne from Northwest Community Action outlined the process. “I’ve been working with the city for…
Read MoreKittson County Ambulance puts new rig into service
By Anna Jauhola After years of needing an upgrade, the Kittson County Ambulance Service has a brand new rig. Thanks to donations from the Kittson Memorial Foundation Christmas letter campaign, plus some federal grant dollars, the ambulance arrived in early February. Ambulance Manager Naomi Larson said she and the employees she oversees are so excited.…
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