Local News Tuesday, January 20, 2026

THE USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY HAS APPOINTED A STRATHCONA FARMER AS ONE OF FIVE INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE ON THE MINNESOTA USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY STATE COMMITTEE. JIM KUKOWSKI OWNS AND OPERATES A SEED FARM THAT INCLUDES A MINNESOTA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION APPROVED SEED CONDITIONING FACILITY THAT HAS SERVED AS A HOST SITE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SMALL GRAIN FIELD TRIALS SINCE 1995. THAT COMMITTEE WILL LOOK TO SUPPORT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S FARMERS FIRST COMMITMENT AND KEEP PRODUCERS INFORMED ABOUT CURRENT FSA PROGRAMS.

THE ROSEAU COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTY EXTENSION BOARD APPOINTMENT. THEY NEED TWO INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE ON THE ROSEAU COUNTY EXTENSION COMMITTEE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINNING FEBRUARY 23, 2026. PERSONS INTERESTED IN BEING APPOINTED SHOULD CONTACT THE ROSEAU COUNTY AUDITOR/RECORDER/TREASURER.

THE WARROAD SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TODAY IN THEIR REGULAR JANUARY MEETING.

DO YOU HAVE A SUMMER TRIP TO VEGAS BEGIN PLANNED? SOURCES SAY THAT ALLEGIANT AIRLINES SERVICE FROM GRAND FORKS TO VEGAS WILL BE SUSPENDED IN MAY. THEY SAY A PLAN HOPES TO BRING THAT ROUTE BACK FOR THE FALL. IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH A SYSTEM-WIDE ADJUSTMENT AND NOT WITH THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED MERGER OF ALLEGIANT AND SUN COUNTRY.

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MARK JOHNSON (R-EAST GRAND FORKS) RELEASED A STATEMENT RESPONDING TO A CHURCH SERVICE BEING DISRUPTED BY ANTI-ICE PROTESTORS YESTERDAY, SAYING IT IS “UNACCEPTABLE” AND “OUR NATION HOLDS DEAR THE COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND RESPECT FOR ALL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM… LET’S LOWER THE TONE; I’M PRAYING FOR ALL MINNESOTANS TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK TOWARDS SOLUTIONS FOR OUR STATE.”

THE FOUR SEASONS CENTER IN ROSEAU IS HOSTING A FIRST EVER VALENTINE’S GALA ON FEBRUARY 12. TICKETS ARE $50 FOR INDIVIDUALS AND WILL INCLUDE A CATERED DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE EVENING. DONNA WEIMELT VISITED WITH US LAST WEEK TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FACILITY, NOT ONLY FOR SENIORS, BUT FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY… (SOUND CLIP)

A WANNASKA LIONS FISHING DERBY AT HAYES LAKE STATE PARK WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 14 FROM 10A-3P. AN ENTRY FEE IS JUST $5, THEY HAVE PRIZE DRAWINGS AND FISHING PRIZES, AND YOUR BAIT IS PROVIDED.

JANUARY IS RADON ACTION MONTH, AND RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO HAVE THEIR HOMES TESTED FOR RADON, A NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE GAS THAT COMES FROM THE SOIL AND CAN BUILD UP IN HOMES. IT’S INVISIBLE, ODORLESS AND IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES AMONG NON SMOKERS.  IT CAN BE PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC IN THE WINTER MONTHS AND MINNESOTA HISTORICALLY HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY. FOR EXAMPLE, HOMES TESTED IN POLK COUNTY HAVE A 70% RATE OF HAVING LEVELS THAT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED ACTION LEVEL.

Last modified: 01/20/2026