The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has allocated nearly $4 million in grants to 16 community and nonprofit organizations as part of their ongoing initiative to boost Minnesota’s workforce. The funds, distributed through Southeast Asian Economic Disparities Relief and Getting to Work programs, aim to eliminate obstacles hindering Minnesotan workers in securing well-paying jobs. Grant recipients must also offer workshops or counseling services covering topics such as financial literacy, credit counseling, budgeting for vehicle ownership, vehicle maintenance and repair training. Northwest Community Action in Badger is expected to receive $68,100 from these grants to provide financial literacy and budget training.
This week’s Roseau Time’s Region reported the Roseau County Board met in regular session. District 3 Commissioner Levi Novacek was elected as the 2024 chairperson of the Roseau County Board, marking a changing of the guard. Simultaneously, the Roseau Times-Region was named the official Roseau County Newspaper for 2024. The outgoing chairperson, Jack Swanson, reflected on the County Board’s recent accomplishments, emphasizing their successful reduction of the 2024 tax levy from a preliminary 7.5 percent increase to a final 3 percent increase. Despite a unanimous vote, Commissioner Glenda Phillipe expressed a preference for a 5 percent levy increase, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing financial deficits and uncertainties, including the impact of inflation and difficulties in recruiting and retaining employees in rural Minnesota.
Lake of the Woods County Board meets tomorrow at 9am at the County Government Center in Baudette.
On January 15, 2024, Minnesota’s Free Park Day offers fee-free access to all 75 state parks and recreation areas, including our Hayes Lake and Lake Bronson with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources waiving vehicle permit fees. Residents are encouraged to embrace winter activities like birding, hiking, and photography, with options for snow-related pursuits if weather permits. The initiative, one of four yearly free days, aims to diversify park visits beyond summer, promoting year-round exploration. Visitors should check park webpages for updates and use free maps available in the Avenza app or at ranger stations. Note that the entrance fee waiver excludes amenity and user fees for camping or equipment rentals. For more details, visit mndnr.gov/freeparkdays.
As a benefit for the Pennington County Humane Society and the Roseau County Food Shelf, the Roseau Eagle Aeries and Auxiliary will be sponsoring a Scotch Doubles Pool Tournament at Remedies Bar in Greenbush on Saturday January 27th. Registration starts at noon that day.
Lutheran Social Services is offering financial counseling services to Minnesotans facing a tougher personal financial situation from an expensive holiday shopping season. They are willing to help develop budgets, reduce credit card debt, and even improve your credit score. If holiday spending is causing you financial stress, they are asking people to visit their website lssfinancialcounseling.org or to call them at 888-5777-2227 for more information.
The Grand Forks Herald reported that Fargo is anticipating a significant temperature drop following an extraordinary 39-day streak of unseasonable warmth. The Fargo sensor recorded a departure from the usual January chill with temperatures consistently above the 30-year average. Of the last 66 days, a remarkable 62 have experienced above-average temperatures, highlighting a departure from the colder conditions seen in the region last December through April. This sudden weather shift has captured the attention of residents and meteorologists as the city readies for colder days ahead.
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Last modified: 01/08/2024
