LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS ALWAYS A BUSY ONE FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES AS PEOPLE LOOK TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AS SUMMER WINDS DOWN. THE MINNESOTA DNR IS URGING EVERYONE TO PRIORITIZE THEIR SAFETY. SO FAR IN 2025, 16 DEATHS HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH RIDERS OF SUCH VEHICLES. RECENT HISTORY WAS WORSE, AS THERE 30 DEATHS – A HISTORIC HIGH – IN 2024.
WORK ON HIGHWAY 11 IN ROSEAU CONTINUES WITH PAVING ON THE EAST PORTION OF THE PROJECT. THEY ARE TRYING TO KEEP ADDITIONAL WAYS TO GET ACROSS FROM THE SOUTH TO NORTH SIDE OPEN AS WORK CONTINUES. MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED TO USE CAUTION THROUGH THE ZONE.
ROUNDABOUT WORK CONTINUES IN WARROAD ALSO. THEY’VE BEEN WORKING ON CURB AND GUTTER ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THAT PROJECT AND CONCRETE BEING POURED FOR THE HIGHWAY 313 EXIT OUT OF THE ROUNDABOUT.
THE SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
IF YOU HAVE A REASON TO BE IN GRAND FORKS THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, THEY GOT WELCOME NEWS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK THAT THE COLUMBIA ROAD OVERPASS WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THAT ROAD HAS BEEN RE-OPENED. THAT WAS COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
THE FIRST CONFIRMED EQUINE DETECTION OF EST NILE VIRUS LED THE DEATH OF AN UNVACCINATED HORSE IN KITTSON COUNTY EARLIER THIS MONTH. SINCE THAT TIME, SIX OTHER HORSES HAVE TESTED POSITIVE AND FOUR OF THOSE ALSO DIED. ALL OF THOSE OTHER CASES WERE IN COUNTIES IN OTHER REGIONS OF THE STATE. THE VIRUS, TRANSMITTED BY MOSQUITOS, CANNOT BE TRANSMITTED FROM A HORSE TO A HUMAN IN ANY WAY, OR FROM A HORSE TO ANY OTHER ANIMAL.
STEPHANIE MICHELE NIPP, FROM MONTANA, PLEADED GUILTY TO FELONY THEFT BY SWINDLING IN JULY AND NOW HAS BEEN SENTENCED. SHE STOLE THAT FROM THE RED LAKE COUNTY CO-OP AND OWES RESTITUTION OF OVER $570,000. SHE IS BEING SENTENCED TO SUPERVISED PROBATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. THERE IS A 42-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE SHOULD SHE VIOLATE PROBATION. SHE HAD STOLEN THAT MONEY THROUGH EMAIL, PRETENDING TO BE A COMPANY THAT THE CO-OP HAD USED FOR A PROJECT, AND WAS SENT THE MONEY OWED TO THAT COMPANY.
THE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT CASE AGAINST A MIDDLE RIVER MAN HAS REACHED A CONCLUSION. 51-YEAR OLD CALVIN JOHN RYBAKOWSKI WILL SERVE FOUR YEARS FOR FELONY THIRD-DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT FOR ENGAGING IN ACTS WITH A MINOR USING COERCION. HE ORIGINALLY FACED A FIRST-DEGREE CHARGE AFTER BEING REPORTED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING AN 8-YEAR OLD GIRL. HE HAD BEEN ACCUSED IN ANOTHER CASE IN 2024, BUT IT WAS DISMISSED FOR BEING BEYOND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATION. HE WILL BE ON CONDITIONAL RELEASE FOR 10 YEARS AND WILL HAVE TO REGISTER AS AN OFFENDER.
THE COUNTRY CORN MAZE IN WARROAD OPENS FOR THE SEASON THIS WEEKEND. ALWAYS A POPULAR ATTRACTION FOR FAMILIES AND GROUPS, ART KRAHN TALKS ABOUT CREATING THE MAZE…
MINNESOTA’S BEAR HUNTING SEASON OPENS ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1. IN DNR CONSERVATION OFFICER REPORTS FRO THE WEEK, CHECKING BEAR BAITS WAS A FOCAL POINT. A FEW BAITING VIOLATIONS WERE REPORTED. THERE WAS ALSO AN INVESTIGATION INTO A DEAD BEAR FOUND ALONG A HIGHWAY NEAR BAGLEY. SIGNS POINTED TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BEAR WAS POACHED.
A REMINDER THAT ALL HALF-YEAR TAXES ARE DUE FOR MOBILE HOMES BY SEPTEMBER 2ND IN ROSEAU COUNTY. PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE AT THE ROSEAU COUNTY TREASURERS OFFICE OR NOW ONLINE AT THE ROSEAU COUNTY WEBSITE.
THE NORTHWEST ANGLE IS HOSTING THE BUOY BASH THIS WEEKEND, WITH EVENTS BOTH ON THE MAINLAND AND ON VARIOUS ISLAND RESORTS. THERE’S FOOD, FAMILY FUN, A FISHING DERBY, MUSIC, ARTS AND CRAFTS, A FARMERS MARKET AND MORE.
Memorial Service for Lois S. Losse of Roseau, MN will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 11:00AM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior at the funeral home.
Lois was 90.
A Memorial Service for Anthony A. Rothenberger will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 2:00PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Anthony passed away at the age of 56.
Last modified: 08/29/2025
