In a regular session last month, the Roseau county board approved transferring administration of floodplain and shoreland management programs from Environmental Services to the Roseau County Soil and Water Conservation District, effective January 1, 2026. The move includes a modest county appropriation to support the transition.
Commissioners described the shift as a logical alignment of responsibilities, placing environmental oversight with an agency already deeply involved in land and water conservation. The change aims to improve efficiency while maintaining compliance—proof that sometimes government reform looks less like sweeping change and more like putting the right tool in the right hands.
Anglers aren’t just targeting walleyes out on Lake of the Woods this season — saugers, jumbo perch, northern pike, tullibees, and the occasional sturgeon are all part of the mix for ice anglers this winter. Big fish stories, including trophies over 30 inches, are already being shared from the South Shore and wider lake areas
Safety remains the top priority as ice continues to form. Resorts and guides recommend staying on marked ice roads and trails, checking daily ice thickness updates, and working with professionals if possible. With stable cold temperatures forecasted, the ice season is just getting started and looks promising for weeks of productive fishing ahead.
The Roseau knights of Columbus will hold a Council level Free throw contest today. This event is for boys and girls ages 9 through 14, with your age being as of January 1st, 2025. This is a free event. Boys and girls ages 9,10,11 will use a girls ball and will shoot from a 12 foot line(3 feet in front of the normal free throw line.) Boys and girls ages 12,13,and 14 will shoot from the normal free throw line – 15 feet – for this age group boys will use the boys ball and girls will use the girls ball. The event will be held in the Roseau Elementary Gym starting with registration from 3:15-3:30pm, and the competition starting at 3:30 with completion by 5:00 pm. If you have any questions feel free to contact David Borowicz at 218-242-4054.
According to Friday’s Grand Forks Herald, Team USA’s Olympic hockey roster once again includes a deep connection to Warroad, Minnesota, as Brock Nelson has been named to his first Olympic team. Nelson carries on one of the most storied family legacies in American hockey — his grandfather Billy Christian and great uncle Roger Christian won gold at the 1960 Olympics, while his uncle Dave Christian was part of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team. Remarkably, the United States has never won Olympic gold in men’s hockey without a Christian family member on the roster, and now Nelson gets his chance on the sport’s biggest stage. At age 34, Nelson is still producing at an elite level, with 16 goals and 30 points this season for the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche.
The Olympic connection to Warroad runs deep, earning its nickname as Hockeytown USA. Warroad players have been fixtures in nearly every U.S. Olympic gold-medal effort, from the Christian family to Henry Boucha, T.J. Oshie, and Gigi Marvin, who helped lead the U.S. women to gold in 2018. Nelson will now join that tradition when the Winter Olympics begin February 11 in Milan, Italy, as Team USA opens pool play February 12 against Latvia. As history has shown, when Warroad bloodlines are part of the lineup, American hockey tends to shine brightest on the Olympic stage.
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Traveling Art Exhibit is currently on display at the Godel Public Library in Warren through early February, but Roseau is already on the schedule for later this year. The exhibit travels to libraries throughout northwest Minnesota, ensuring rural communities have direct access to original regional artwork.
The Roseau stop is set for August 5 through September 23 at the Roseau Public Library. During that time, residents will be able to view all 14 juried pieces, including student award winners and professionally recognized artists, without having to travel outside the community. Additional details about the exhibit can be found through the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says state parks and recreation areas across northwest Minnesota are open and ready for winter visitors. From snowshoeing and winter hiking to ice fishing and wildlife watching, the DNR says there are plenty of affordable ways for residents to enjoy the outdoors close to home.
DNR officials say winter is one of the best seasons to explore northern Minnesota parks due to quieter trails and scenic snowy landscapes. A state park vehicle permit is required and costs seven dollars per day or thirty-five dollars for the year, and visitors are encouraged to check park conditions online before heading out.
Safe Kids Grand Forks is expanding its water safety efforts through life jacket loaner boards funded by grants from the Sea Tow Foundation. These boards allow the public to borrow life jackets at no cost near public boating and water access points.
The organization is also seeking suggestions for future loaner board locations in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Community members can submit ideas by contacting Safe Kids Grand Forks at safekids@altru.org, calling 701-780-1489, or visiting safekidsgf.com.
The Roseau City Council meets in regular session tonight, and the Roseau county Commissioners meet tomorrow morning.
Last modified: 01/05/2026
