Local News Wednesday, January 21, 2026

The Greenbush–Middle River School Board will meet today. This will serve as their organizational meeting where they will elect board members to positions and make other official committee appointments and required actions.
The board will also move to accept the following donations:
$500.00 from Polaris to be put toward Hudl.

The following donations are all from the Arlys Graff Trust:
$7,000.00 for music instruments
$3,000.00 for FIRST Robotics
$5,000.00 for FCCLA for state and national competition
$4,000.00 for theater lights and sound equipment

The Roseau County Board approved calling for bids for three highway projects in 2026. Highway Engineer Ericka Halstensgard says the county plans to do mill and overlay work on County State Aid Highway Five, from the forest to Highway Eleven, and on CSAH Roads Seventy-Two and Seventy-Seven. Those roads are Center Street and the hospital road in the City of Roseau.

Continued investment in fire protection, including volunteer firefighter support, training, and equipment, will be a top priority in 2026 for those in the rural municipality of Piney. They have been successful in securing a grant from the Province of Manitoba for over $314,000, and that will be used for a new 3,000-gallon tanker. They also have an agreement with the province to participate in Alert MB, an emergency notification system. They noted that with increased wildfire activity and last year’s evacuations, it continues to be a learning process and communication is seeking to be improved.

There were small gatherings in Baudette last Friday regarding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). A small group gathered at Willy Walleye Park to protest such activities, while a small group gathered in support of ICE. The gatherings were peaceful without incident. iNewz.tv reporting on that news.

Roseau will be hosting a 12U girls state hockey tournament this March. They are holding a meeting for those who may be interested in helping with the planning and activities of the tournament tonight at the Rams Sports Center at 6:30. Jenni Lovgren notes that it is exciting, but there is plenty to be done. (Audio clip)

There is an evening of bingo on Saturday at the Wannaska Community Center, beginning at 5 PM, as a fundraiser for the Roseau Area Food Shelf.

Frost Fest activities in Thief River Falls this weekend are being postponed until next weekend due to the extreme cold.

Last modified: 01/24/2026