Altru Health System in Grand Forks has announced temporary visitor restrictions as influenza A cases increase across the region. According to the health system, the safety of patients, staff, and the community remains a top priority as flu activity rises. Effective immediately, masks are required for all visitors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit and Cancer Center to help protect patients who are most vulnerable to severe respiratory illness. Altru is also asking the public to limit visits to only essential caregiving and to stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
Hospital officials say these precautions are aimed at slowing the spread of influenza and maintaining a safe care environment while they continue to monitor community illness trends. Updates and any changes to visitor guidelines will be posted on Altru’s official website and communication channels as they become available. The move comes amid a broader rise in flu cases reported in the state, prompting health leaders to stress the importance of preventive measures such as vaccination.
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.
Snowshoeing is a popular way to explore northwest Minnesota’s winter landscapes, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Once snow conditions allow, visitors can travel beyond traditional summer trails to access wooded areas and frozen wetlands that are otherwise hard to reach.
Several state parks in northern Minnesota offer snowshoe rentals for six dollars per day and host guided snowshoe hikes for beginners. The DNR encourages residents to check individual park websites for rental availability and scheduled programs before making plans.
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.
With temperatures dipping well below zero this winter in Roseau and northwest Minnesota, keeping the heat on can be a real challenge for many families. The Northwest Community Action, Inc. reminds residents that help is available through the Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, which helps eligible households pay a portion of their home heating bills. The program serves Roseau, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, and Marshall counties and can assist with heating fuels of all types, crisis intervention if your heat is threatened, and even furnace repairs or replacements for qualifying homeowners.
Officials say it’s important to apply early — even if your bill isn’t past due — since funds are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis through the heating season, which runs now through May 31st, 2026. Qualified applicants can receive a grant based on household size, income, and energy costs, with funds paid directly to your utility company. To apply, visit the Minnesota Energy Assistance application online or contact Northwest Community Action in Badger by phone at 218-528-3258 or toll-free at 800-568-5329 for details.
Last modified: 01/04/2026
