Local News Wednesday, May 27, 2026

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILL LAUNCH THE FIRST PHASE OF ITS MODERNIZED ELECTRONIC LICENSING SYSTEM ON JUNE 9 WITH THE FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSE MODULE, REPLACING A SYSTEM THAT HAS SERVED THE STATE FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. THE NEW ELS IS A MODERN AND SECURE SYSTEM THAT OFFERS MORE FLEXIBILITY THAN EVER — THREE WAYS TO BUY A LICENSE (MOBILE APP, ONLINE, OR IN-PERSON FROM A LICENSE AGENT) AND THREE WAYS TO CARRY IT (PAPER, PDF, OR STORED IN THE APP). AS THE DNR TRANSITIONS DATA TO THE NEW ELS, FISHING LICENSE SALES WILL BE PAUSED AND ANGLERS MAY FISH WITHOUT A LICENSE FROM 12 A.M. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, THROUGH 11:59 P.M. MONDAY, JUNE 8. ALL OTHER FISHING SEASON REGULATIONS AND BAG LIMITS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.

ACCORDING TO DNR CONSERVATION OFFICER REPORTS FROM THE WEEK, WATER TEMPERATURES ON LAKE OF THE WOODS ARE SLOW TO CLIMB THIS SPRING AND THE BITE HAS MOSTLY REMAINED SLOW. MOSTLY ONLY TYPCIAL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WERE TAKEN, WITH NUISANCE ANIMAL COMPLAINTS, AND ONE FAILURE TO REPORT HE KILLING OF A NUISANCE BEAR. SAFETY IS ALWAYS A TOP CONCERN. THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE FROM AN OFFICE IN THEIF RIVER FALLS OF A JUVENILE UNDER 9 YEARS OF AGE BEING IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF A WATERCRAFT.

TWO PEOPLE HAVE FILED FOR THREE SEATS ON THE ROSEAU COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS.  INCUMBENT COMMISSIONER DARYL WICKLUND HAS FILED FOR
RE-ELECTION IN DISTRICT FIVE, COVERING THE WESTERN END OF THE COUNTY.
LAURA PHILLIPE LARSON HAS FILED FOR THE DISTRICT ONE SEAT, CURRENTLY
HELD BY HER MOTHER, GLENDA PHILLIPE.  DISTRICT ONE INCLUDES THE CITY OF
WARROAD AND LAKE TOWNSHIP.  GLENDA HAS SAID SHE IS NOT SEEKING ANOTHER
TERM.  THERE HAVE BEEN NO FILINGS FOR THE DISTRICT THREE SEAT, CURRENTLY
HELD BY LEVI NOVACEK.  INCUMBENT SHERIFF STEVE GUST AND INCUMBENT COUNTY
ATTORNEY KRISTI KJOS HAVE FILED FOR RE-ELECTION.
THE FILING PERIOD GOES THROUGH NEXT TUESDAY.

THE ROSEAU COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE RELEASED OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON THE SEARCH FOR CHERYL JOHNSON OF GREENBUSH WHO WAS REPORTED MISSING IN THE BELTRAMI ISLAND STATE FOREST EARLIER THIS WEEK. IT STATED THAT THE 911 CALL CAME IN AT 3 AM ON MONDAY, AND THAT AFTER A SEARCH, SHE WAS LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 AM ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WINNER ROAD, A SHORT DISTANCE EAST OF WINNER SILO. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE WANTED TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE TO THE OTHER AGENCIES THAT ASSISTED INCLUDING THE ROSEAU COUNTY MOUNTED POSSEE, WARROAD FIRE DEPARTMENT, US BORDER PATROL, MINNESOTA FORESTRY AGENTS, AND DNR CONSERVATION OFFICES. ALSO TO THE ROSEAU COUNTY DRONE OPERATORS, MINNESOTA STATE PATROL AND THE DNR FORESTRY/BRAINERD HELICOPETER SERVICE.

IN SOME AREA SCHOOL BOARD NOTES, A CHANGE, OR SHOULD WE SAY A CHANGE BACK, IS COMING TO THE WARROAD DISTRCIT FOR NEXT YEAR. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS THEY HAVE HAD ONLY ONE PRICIPAL TO SERVE THE ENTIRE K-12 GRADE LEVELS. THEY HAVE DECIDED TO ADD A SECOND PRINCIPAL TO THE SCHOOL AND HAVE EXTENDED AN OFFER THAT WAS ACCEPTED TO DR. CATHERINE SCHULTZ.

LIFECARE MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON THAT THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON ROSEAU MANOR IS COMPLETE AND THE FACILITY IS FULLY OPEN. THAT HAS BEEN A TWO AND A HALF YEAR PROJECT. THE FRONT ENTRANCE IS NOW OPEN FOR VISITORS FROM 8A-8P WITH AN AFTER HOURS CALL BUTTON FOR VISITORS.

THE THIEF RIVER FALLS WOMAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMTPED MURDER HAS WAIVED HER RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. 35-YEAR OLD EDWINA MARIE STOUTENBURGH HAD PREVIOUSLY ENTERED NOT GUILTY PLEAS BY REASON OF MENTAL ILLNESS. THE ALSO DESIRED TO HAVE A STIPULATED EVIDENCE TRIAL, MEANING NO WITNESSES WILL TESTIFY AND JUDGE YON WILL REVIEW ALL EVIDENCE AGREED UPON BY BOTH SIDES AND WILL RULE ON THE CASE. TWO MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED WITH STOUTENBURGH. SHE IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A RULING WITHIN 30 DAYS. STOUTENBURGH IS ACCUSED OF ATTEMTTING TO SLIT HER CHILDS THROAT AS THEY SLEPT, WHILE HEARING VOICES TELLING HER TO DO SO.

MINNESOTA ENERGY RESOURCES HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A PERIOD IS OPEN TO APPLY FOR A REWARDING RESPONDERS GRANT, GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST LOCAL POLICE, FIRE AND EMS AGENCIES.THOSE AGENCIES CAN APPLY THROUGH JUNE 15. SINCE 2015, MINNESOTA ENERGY HAS SUPPLIED MORE THAN $117,000 TO SUPPORT THESE LIFE SAVING PROGRAMS.

AN NDSU EXTENSION CROPS ECONOMIST FRAYNE OLSON DOESN’T EXPECT FERTILIZER PRICES TO DROP ANY TIME SOON, AND HE EXPECTS A HIGH LEVEL OF VOLATILITY IN MARKETS THIS SUMMER DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS.

“WE’RE NOT GONNA SEE ANY KIND OF ADJUSTMENT IN FERTILIZER UNTIL AFTER THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ OPENS UP,” HE SAID. “AND EVEN THEN, IT’S GONNA TAKE MANY, MANY, MANY MONTHS FOR FERTILIZER TO ADJUST. ACCORDING TO OLSON, FARMERS SHOULD ‘MENTALLY’ PREPARE FOR HIGH FERTILIZER PRICES TO LAST INTO SPRING 2027.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ TODAY SIGNED HF 4138, TO AMEND THE STOP HARMS FROM ADDICTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA (SHASM) STATUTE AND ESTABLISH NEW PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN USING SOCIAL MEDIA, LIMITING ADDICTIVE PLATFORM FEATURES, STRENGTHENING PRIVACY SAFEGUARDS, AND INCREASING PARENTAL CONTROLS.

THE BILL REQUIRES SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO OBTAIN VERIFIABLE PARENTAL CONSENT BEFORE ALLOWING CHILDREN UNDER 16 TO CREATE OR MAINTAIN ACCOUNTS. THE BILL ALSO MANDATES THAT CHILD ACCOUNTS DEFAULT TO THE HIGHEST PRIVACY SETTINGS AND PROVIDES PARENTS WITH TOOLS TO MONITOR AND LIMIT THEIR CHILD’S USAGE.

TO ADDRESS GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME, THE LAW PROHIBITS PLATFORMS FROM USING ADDICTIVE DESIGN FEATURES, SUCH AS INFINITE SCROLL, AUTOPLAY VIDEO, AND PUSH NOTIFICATIONS, ON ACCOUNTS BELONGING TO CHILDREN, WITH ADDITIONAL BANS ON TARGETED PAID COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING TO CHILD USERS.

Last modified: 05/27/2026