De La Hunt Media - KK Radio Network

Press Release:
On September 28th at 8:51pm Hubbard County 911 Dispatcher #5245 answered a 911 call from a 13 year girl from rural Laporte. The caller reported being the passenger in a vehicle driven by her mother on Hwy 200 near Kabekona.

She told the dispatcher that her mother was not responding to her and she was worried about getting her mother to slow down. Hubbard County Dispatch quickly began sending Deputies and medical response units to the area in an effort to intercept this rolling medical call.

Dispatcher #5245 then began talking to the young passenger, giving her instructions in how to communicate with her mother and how to slow the vehicle down as the child was now forced to steer the vehicle.

The child was eventually able to get the vehicle stopped and medical staff began providing care to 54 year old Barbara Foss. Foss was transported to Sanford Hospital where she was treated for her medical emergency

Akeley Regional Community Center will be hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 23.

Serving from Noon to 1:30 PM

Menu: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Sweet Potatoes, Larry's Beans, Green Beans, Corn and lots of extras. Assorted pies for dessert. Beverages: Pop, Coffee and Milk.

No need to RSVP, just show up and let them cook for you at the Old Akeley School!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2023
United Way Allocates Funding to 7 Hubbard County Agencies

HUBBARD COUNTY - United Way of Bemidji Area’s Board of Directors recently approved the United Way’s Hubbard County Community Investment Cabinet’s recommendations for grant allocations to 7
non-profits serving residents who live in Hubbard County.

The Hubbard County Community Investment Cabinet is comprised of local volunteers who vet the grant requests, interview the agencies’ directors, tour their facilities, thoroughly review financials, and come
to a recommended consensus for the Board of Directors to review and approve.

The Community Investment Cabinet included Kathy Henry, Ben Koppelman, Bill Steen, Brian Hall, Connie Carmichael, Derek Ricke, and Brian Ophus.

Funded agencies include the Akeley Regional Community Center Emergency Shelter, Park Rapids Armory and Events Center, Support Within Reach, North Country Food Bank, Family Safety Network, Kinship of the Park Rapids Area, and Hubbard in Prevention Coalition.

100% of the funds raised through the Hubbard County Campaign for the Community is from the area’s community residents, businesses, and foundations.

To learn more about how you can get involved, visit
www.UnitedWayBemidji.org/hubbard-county or www.VolunteerHeartlandLakes.

Toys for Girls and Boys and Tiny Tots donation boxes are out. Drop off a new unwrapped toy at any of these businesses to help out:

Coborns, Cwikla Ace Hardware, Deblieck Tire and Auto, Hugos, Jake's Barber Shop, TruStar in Park Rapids and Nevis, Walgreens, Citizens National Bank, Walmart and here at De La Hunt Media.

Gifts are collected as long as the boxes are up.

If you have questions or are able to adopt a family, call Tanja at 218 255 6056.

November 14, 2023 - Initial speculation of a meteor sighting over Beltrami County proving to be unlikely.   

After receiving numerous reports of a large flash in the sky and subsequent large explosion sound that was seen and heard across much of southern Beltrami County and adjacent areas, steps to determine the source began.  Shortly after 6:40PM Monday, November 13, 2023 numerous reports were made to the Beltrami County Emergency Communications Center reporting the explosion.  Initially, law enforcement checked the area and didn’t find anything.  A resident in Nymore captured the flash and boom on a security camera.  With the widespread reports of seeing the flash and hearing the boom across the region, assumptions were made it was possibly a meteor and the video shared with the public.

Tuesday morning, additional video from the Bemidji Regional Airport was provided and showed an object appear to be streaking across the video frame.  This video was provided to an astronomer and a scientist from NASA.  They analyzed the video frame by frame and determined the object is too horizontal to indicate it was a meteor and additional data needed to be collected to further eliminate possible other interfering objects. 

It is undetermined if the two videos are related.
Through additional conversation, reviewing the initial video and applying mathematics to the timing of the flash and boom, it was calculated that the source of the flash and boom were less than a mile away.  Whether the source was stationary or mobile is also undetermined, but numerous witnesses reported seeing it over an area of approximately 50 miles and hearing the boom even a greater distance away.  The sound was loud enough to rattle windows, shake houses and set car alarms off.

“This has certainly been an interesting puzzle to try and solve, and we still don’t know exactly what it was. “ said Christopher Muller, Beltrami County Emergency Management Director and Public Information Officer.  “We appreciate the assistance we’ve received from federal agencies and science community in ruling out what it wasn’t and will continue to provide any subsequent information that is learned.”  He continued, “The fact this was seen and heard across such a large area is what is a mystery.  What was it?”

There have been no reports of any damage or objects identified that have made it to the ground.  Unless there is significant development or definitive determination there will be no further updates.
-Christopher Muller
Beltrami County Public Information Officer
Beltrami County Emergency Management Director

Law enforcement checked the area as well as power substations and didn't find anything out of the ordinary, there hasn't been any power outages reported.
It is possible this was some type of meteor.  We checked with the National Weather Service and they didn't receive any other inquiries about this.  No indication there is any concern to public safety.

Beltrami County Emergency Management was provided a video from a residence in Nymore that clearly shows a very bright white/blue flash over the sky. Moments later a single thunderous boom is heard. This boom rattled windows, shook houses and was heard across much of southern Beltrami County.

Based on all the details and now video, it is looking likely this was a meteor.  This video was captured at approximately 6:40PM 11/13/2023.

Click to see the video on Beltrami County Emergency Management facebook page

PARK RAPIDS, MN (NOV. 13, 2023) – The memory of David “Larry” Johnson, will be honored this holiday season during CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospice Care Light of Hope celebration.

For 36 years, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospice Care has been honored to provide compassionate end-of-life care for patients - no matter where they call home. As part of our commitment and dedication to serve through our ministry, we also play a pivotal role in supporting the patient’s family and caregivers throughout their hospice care journey.

As we enter this holiday season, we are grateful to partner with another one of our special families to share their hospice experience. This year we honor David “Larry” Johnson, a longtime resident with a “huge” sense of humor who knew everyone and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Larry’s first adventure was patriotic. He joined the US Army and served with distinction, receiving two Army Commendation Medals for heroism and, as a Sergeant, earned two medals in one day. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry when he returned home.

Back in Minnesota in the early 1970s, Larry vowed to serve and protect as a police officer with the Park Rapids Police Department and Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office. Larry retired as Sheriff in January 1999, but didn’t sit long. Boredom set in and he started a new adventure as a United Nations Peacekeeper, deploying to Bosnia-Herzegovina for 18 months. Larry was happy to fulfill his duties there and returned home eager to enjoy his many hobbies.

His love for his family and the outdoors were calling and many meaningful moments were spent riding on his ranger, golfing, hunting, telling stories with friends, and being with his best canine friend, Molly. His fun, competitive side showed when Larry sang to his plants during tomato growing wars with his daughter.

In January 2021, Larry was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He fought hard with a strong love of life and will to live. His aggressive treatments helped to tackle the cancer, but also took a toll on his heart.

Larry lived each day to the fullest before falling ill unexpectedly with congestive heart failure and passing away on September 25, 2022, with his daughter Jill and dog, Molly, by his side. Jill shared that Larry had gone out bow hunting in early September and how happy he was to be outdoors doing what brought him joy.

The word joy was shared by Larry over and over in his last days. JOY was the feeling Larry wanted to embrace before passing into a new chapter in his life. To him, it meant laughter, smiles, story sharing, and making memories with family and friends…

Larry cherished time with children Jill Christenson, JoLynn Johnson, and Buck Johnson along with eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Larry also enjoyed his visits from the hospice care team and was fond of the conversations and stories shared.

Jill and JoLynn expressed their appreciation for the comfort and guidance hospice provided during a time when they wished life would stand still.

“The care team was a lifesaver for us. They were all so wonderful, patient, welcoming and provided relief in a hard time. We felt comfortable asking questions and they took control when we needed their help the most,” said Jill.

“We were always kept in the loop, which gave us comfort during the times we couldn’t be with dad. We were more prepared and allowed dad to be at home, where he wanted to be,” said JoLynn. 

Light of Hope.

You can honor your friends and loved ones by supporting CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospice Care this holiday season. Your donation of $25 or more will help provide transformational care now and for years to come. Thank you for shining your light with others. To donate online go to chisjh.org/shine.

Community tree lighting.

Join us as we celebrate and remember loved ones during the Heartland Lakes Community Tree Lighting ceremony on November 24, 2023. Held in downtown Park Rapids, the ceremony will begin at 6pm. You can also join us virtually on our Facebook page or the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce website at parkrapids.com. 

We also invite you to place an unbreakable ornament on the memory tree, which will be located in Pioneer Park on Main Street, in honor or in memory of a loved one this holiday season.

Thank you for choosing us to care for your loved ones and for your continued support of CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospice Care. Our dedicated team is inspired by the strength of our patients and the families we support.

PARK RAPIDS, MN (November 13, 2023) – The sights, sounds and even tastes of Christmas will be on full display the Friday after Thanksgiving in beautiful downtown Park Rapids. CHI St. Joseph’s Health is proud to join the community in sharing the spirit of the season in our small town celebration.

Enjoy Christmas carol sing-alongs, Santa’s arrival, shopping among the carriage lights and seeing local talent in classic holiday play. It all culminates in a breathtaking moment with the lighting of the beautifully decorated Main Street tree. Mark your calendar now for these joyous holiday events.

Yuletide Sampler

Friday, Nov. 24, 5-6 pm

Enjoy hot cider, hot chocolate & treats

Participating businesses host this annual event as a way to thank the community for their support all year. It’s also an opportunity to start your holiday shopping.

The Light of Hope for Hospice Care Ceremony

During the Heartland Lakes Community Tree Lighting

Friday, Nov. 24 at 6 pm

A celebration of life and memories, this year’s Light of Hope event will honor the memory of David “Larry” Johnson. By giving a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one, you are helping to bring individualized care to hospice patients in our area. All donations are used locally. To donate online, please go to http://chisjh.org/shine.

You can also get your photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Bella Caffe after the immediately following the tree lighting on Friday, November 25th. These great programs are in partnership with the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Park Rapids Downtown Business Association.

“A Very Good Christmas Carol”

Friday, Nov. 24 at 7 pm

and Saturday, Nov. 25 at 3 pm

Free to the public and fun for all ages!

The Friday premier of this two-person version of the classic “Christmas Carol” will be performed immediately after the downtown tree lighting ceremony. A repeat performance will also happen the following afternoon.

Christmas comes but once a year. Be sure to come out and enjoy these delightful holiday events. The giant tree will continue to brighten Main Street and serve as a symbol of small town cheer and goodwill through New Year’s Day.

###

About CHI St. Joseph’s Health

CHI St. Joseph’s Health is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving communities in Hubbard, Becker, Cass and Wadena Counties since 1946. In recent years, CHI St. Joseph’s Health’s award-winning teams received several national honors including: The Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures in surgery: Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, HealthStrong; WomenCertified’s America’s Best Hospitals Women’s Choice Award in obstetrics; and the Studer Group Fire Starter Healthcare Organization of the Month among other national, regional and state recognitions.

About CommonSpirit Health
 CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. With its national office in Chicago and a team of over 150,000 employees and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, CommonSpirit operates 140 hospitals and more than 2,000 care sites across 21 states. In FY 2022, CommonSpirit had revenues of $34.4 billion and provided $4.9 billion in charity care, community benefit, and unreimbursed government programs. Learn more at www.commonspirit.org.

Able to donate? Monetary Donations can be dropped off at the church or mailed to:

Riverside United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 128 - 1005 N. Park

Park Rapids, MN 56470

Make checks payable to: RUMC  and put Thank Meal in the memo line.

Able to Volunteer your time? They need volunteers Wednesday to carve turkeys and to help with food prep. On Thanksgiving Day they need a lot of help at the church and to deliver meals.

They are also looking for donations of pie, jello or salad. Deliver to the church NO EARLIER than Wednesday.

Call 218 732 5205 to sign up to volunteer.

(Bemidji, MN) (October 31, 2023) – For the first time since 2021, there was a winner of the Paul Bunyan Communications Hockey Hot Shots Promotion during a Bemidji State University men’s home hockey game.

Corbin Myhrer of Guthrie made his shot at center ice during the 2nd period intermission at the Beavers game Saturday, October 28 against St. Thomas to win a 70” HD Smart TV.  Corbin is 12 years old, attends Bemidji Middle School, and is a Bemidji Youth Hockey player.

“I’ve seen the contest at other Beaver games I’ve gone to and was excited to get chosen to give it a try.  It’s harder than it looks but I just let it rip and it went right in!” said Myhrer.

“You would think if you play hockey the odds would be higher you can make the shot but that’s not the case.  We’ve had plenty of experienced hockey players through the years who missed, it’s a narrow target to hit from center ice.  Corbin’s shot looked good the whole way.  He sure has bragging rights among his youth hockey buddies for a while, not to mention a huge TV to enjoy!” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

You can see video of Corbin making the shot on the Paul Bunyan Communications YouTube page at https://youtu.be/M17J3WbSVX0

The Paul Bunyan Communications Hockey Hot Shots contest is held during an intermission at select Bemidji State University Men’s Hockey home games.Three contestants are selected at random to participate each night. All contestants receive a coupon for a free PBTV On Demand movie rental, any contestant hitting the board receives a Paul Bunyan Communications Bluetooth speaker, and a contestant who puts the puck in the net through the middle of the Hockey Hot Shots board wins up to a 70” HD Smart TV.

RUSNESS
On April 2, 1976, a fire engulfed the residence of Bernard Rusness, his wife, Peggy McKay, and their 8-year-old son, Brian, near Wolf Lake, MN. The body of Brian was recovered at the scene of the fire, but Bernard and Peggy’s remains were not identified after the fire. If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Becker County Sheriff’s Office at 218-847-2661.

EAGLESHIELD & MCQUILLAN
On October 5, 2014, at the age of 42, Melissa Eagleshield was visiting friends at a residence near Co. Rd. 126, near Island Lake. After family and friends did not hear from her the next day, she was reported missing to authorities.
On June 17, 1975, at the age of 71, Milda McQuillan left her residence on Round Lake in northern Becker County in route to visit friends on the west side of Bad Medicine Lake. Although her vehicle was located in a heavily wooded area west of Bad Medicine, McQuillan has been missing since that day.

There have been numerous searches for Eagleshield and McQuillan over the years, but neither have been located. If anyone has any information regarding Eagleshield or McQuillan’s disappearance, please contact the Becker County Sheriff’s Office at 218-847-2661, or your local law enforcement agency immediately.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with their families.

From Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation

A Bemidji man has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to hire a juvenile for sex. In November 2021, Eric Kolkin, age 42, used a social media platform to contact a Florida juvenile female and her mother and arranged to purchase the girl for sex, including providing bus fare to Minnesota. Turns out he was chatting with undercover investigators. Our agents and Bemidji investigators executed a search warrant at Kolkin’s home and made the arrest. Kolkin is currently in the Beltrami County Jail.

Hubbard County Jail Updates Planned

 Hubbard County is planning for some updates to the Jail and Law Enforcement Center that will provide safer working conditions for county staff and more secure intake services to the public.

When the county created its current Strategic Plan in 2021 several buildings were at the top of the list for repair, maintenance, or remodel to continue to provide the best possible services to the community. When the county developed a Capital Plan in 2023, the proposed Jail and Law Enforcement Center updates were on top of the list on the five-year project plan.

The county is working with the BKV Group out of Minneapolis to identify needs and determine the scope of the proposed project. The primary objectives of the project are to address space and flexibility issues, increase security and safety for staff and the public, provide better working conditions, and increase overall operational efficiency. Several areas in the Government Center are also scheduled to be remodeled within the scope of the same project. Space needs for the County Attorney’s office are on top of this list.

The Hubbard County Board will review a proposal for the next phases of design and architectural development in November. Design and Planning will take approximately one year with a proposed two year phased construction schedule to begin in 2025. The approximate cost of the improvements is estimated to be $7.2 to $8.6 million dollars in 2026 dollars. The timing of this project will be coordinated with the retirement of current debt service so that there will be no new tax impacts to county residents.

BAXTER, Minn. –  The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the traveling public, area residents and businesses to public meetings in both Nisswa and Baxter on Wednesday, Oct. 25, to provide feedback and learn more about an ongoing Highway 371 study of the area.

Two sessions will be held:

• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Dr., Baxter
• 5–7 p.m. at Nisswa City Hall, 5442 City Hall St., Nisswa

There will not be a formal presentation; attendees are encouraged to come and go at their leisure. The same information and materials will be available at both events.

Highway 371 between Nisswa and Baxter is a critical roadway for both the local community and the greater Brainerd Lakes region. The purpose of the study is to gain an understanding of transportation needs, identify potential future improvements, and determine how and when these improvements should be implemented. The study will include an analysis of traffic, safety, land use and demographics.

Visit the MnDOT Let's Talk Transportation project web page to learn more about the project and sign up for email updates at https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-371-nisswa-baxter-study.

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.

Northwestern deer report

Deer populations are mostly stable in northwestern Minnesota. While last winter was moderate to severe in some areas, especially around and north of Bemidji, the deer population fared well over the winter throughout most of the northwest part of the state.

Deer have been feeding on a bumper acorn crop this year. In low-lying areas, if dry conditions persist, hunters will have easier access to ditches and wetlands.

Many DPAs in northwestern Minnesota have two- or three-deer harvest limits, and in DPAs 111 and 203 hunters are only allowed to harvest bucks. Some DPAs have lower harvest limits because of concerns about the last two winters’ effect on local deer populations, and the lower deer limits will give deer populations a chance to grow in these areas.

Hunters should also know that CWD sampling will be mandatory during the opening weekend of the regular firearms deer hunting season in parts of three areas of the region, including the East Grand Forks-Crookston-Climax area in DPA 661, as well as the Bemidji area in DPA 684. This year, mandatory CWD sampling will also occur in northwest Minnesota’s elk range in parts of Kittson, Marshall and Roseau counties — although CWD has not been detected in these areas, the DNR is sampling there to assess the risk of disease in local deer and elk.

Deer hunting information is available on the Minnesota DNR’s deer hunting webpage.

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites residents and business owners to an open house on Thursday, Oct. 19 to learn more about a new corridor study on Highway 371 and Highway 34 in Walker.

The open house will be held 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Walker Fire Hall, 710 Elm Avenue. There will be no formal presentation and attendees are welcome to attend at their convenience. Participants can meet the project team and ask questions about the upcoming study. Individuals unable to attend the open house can give feedback via a short survey by visiting the project website https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-371-walker.

About the project

The study will identify transportation improvements that could be implemented on Highway 371 and Highway 34 in Walker when these corridors are reconstructed in 2029-2030.

To learn more about the project visit the study webpage where you can sign up for email updates, review information and submit comments and questions.

MnDOT and the City of Walker invite and encourage participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), email your request to ADArequest@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.

October 11, 2023 Press Release:

On October 8 th at 11:38am the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an individual that was missing near Lake Belle Taine in the Dorset area. A 70-year old man with Alzheimer’s had reportedly been missing from his rural Hubbard County residence for the past hour.

Deputies responded to the area and began collecting information from the family and searching the immediate area. Hubbard County dispatchers sent out an Everbridge emergency notification to people’s phones in a 2-mile radius of the residence providing a description of the missing person and asking people in the immediate area to report any sightings to the Sheriff’s Office.

After approximately an hour of searching, Deputies requested the assistance of a K9. Deputy Kritzeck arrived on scene with his K9 partner “Ace”and began their own search of the area. After 20-minutes of searching K9 “Ace” located the missing individual in a wooded area. The person was checked by staff from North Memorial Ambulance service and was then returned home to his family, unharmed.

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation and White Earth Nation are currently seeking the public’s feedback for a pedestrian safety and improvement study of Highway 113 between Highway 59 and Highway 71 within the White Earth tribal boundaries.

The public can share their experiences walking or biking along or across Highway 113 via an online survey on the study website. The survey will be open to the public until Oct. 27, 2023, and can be taken using a phone, tablet or computer.

MnDOT and White Earth Nation have partnered to study the existing pedestrian infrastructure on Highway 113, between Highway 59 and Highway 71 with the White Earth tribal boundaries. The purpose of the study is to identify existing issues and develop short-term and long-term solutions that can help improve safety for people who walk, bike or roll in this area. 

For more information about the study and to take the survey, please visit the study website at mndot.gov/d4/projects/hwy113elbowlake/

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.

Motorists will detour utilizing Highway 64 and Hubbard County Road 25

BEMIDJI, Minn. –  The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today the Highway 34 project in Akeley will be moving to the third stage of construction on October 5. Highway 34 will be closed from Graceson Avenue to Hillside Avenue during this stage. Motorists will detour utilizing Highway 64 and Hubbard County Road 25.

Crews on Highway 34 will be wrapping up construction for the season later this month, as weather allows. They will return in the spring to finish any remaining work, including Hulet Avenue to Hillside Avenue. Tree planting will also take place in 2024. 

The overall project on Highway 34 in Akeley included narrowing the road width, culvert replacement, boulevard spacing, sidewalks, lighting and other safety and pedestrian accessibility improvements. MnDOT appreciates the public’s patience, cooperation, and commitment to safety during this year’s construction.

Stage 3:

• Closed between Graceson Ave and Hillside Ave
• Detour: Hwy 64 and CR 25

Crews will work through late October, weather permitting. For more information as well as staging and detour maps, visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy34-akeley

Stay connected

• View detour maps and traffic impacts on the project website www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy34-akeley
• Join project staff at weekly construction update meetings. They will take place Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. at Akeley City Hall
• Sign up for construction update emails on the project website
• Join the Northwest Minnesota Facebook group for news, events and updates
• Follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest for news, events and updates
• For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store

Project benefits and cost

Benefits of the project include a safer road, smoother and longer lasting driving surface, as well as intersection and pedestrian improvements to enhance safety for all users.

Young Excavating is the contractor for the $3.6 million project. Construction is scheduled to be completed in late-October. Completion date could change due to weather and other unforeseeable circumstances.

RESTON, Va. — Low-level airplane flights are planned over a broad region in central Minnesota to image geology using airborne geophysical technology. The survey will be conducted from Oct 2023 to Nov 2024 for approximately 7 months, weather and wildfire restrictions permitting, with a hiatus during the winter months.

Flights will cover an area of more than 10,000 square miles (28,000 square kilometers) and will include areas within St Louis, Carlton, Aitkin, Itasca, Hubbard, Cass, Crow Wing, Wadena, Morrison, Stearns, and Kandiyohi.

The flights will be based out of Alexandria Airport (Chandler Field) as well as the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport and Grand Rapids-Itasca County Airport (Gordon Newstrom Field). The flights could shift with little warning to other parts of the survey area as necessitated by adverse flying conditions.  

The purpose of the survey is to provide images that expand the fundamental knowledge of geology the Cuyuna Iron Range, a region known for past production of iron and is also known to have unusually high concentrations of manganese.

The new geophysical data will be processed to develop high-resolution three-dimensional representations of bedrock composition and structure to depths more than 3,280 feet (1 kilometer) below the surface.  

The 3D models and maps are important for improving our understanding of critical mineral resource potential, water resources, groundwater pathways near legacy mining areas, parameters for infrastructure and land use planning, and potential risks of naturally occurring radon.  

The airplane will fly along pre-planned fight paths relatively low to the ground at more than 300 feet (100 meters) above the surface. The ground clearance will be increased to 1,000 feet (300+ meters) over populated areas and will comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Flights will follow north-south lines spaced about 650 feet (200 meters) apart and east-west lines about 3,280 feet (1 km) apart.  

The USGS is contracting NV5 Geospatial in association with EDCON-PRJ Inc., to collect the data.

A map of the survey area for the Minnesota Earth MRI airborne geophysical survey.

The survey will use a Cessna Grand Caravan C208B fixed-wing aircraft, equipped with an elongated “stinger” mounted to the underside of the cabin extending behind the airplane. Instruments in the stinger and inside the cabin will measure variations in the Earth’s magnetic field and natural low-level gamma energy created by different rock types.  

The scientific instruments on the airplane are completely passive with no emissions that pose a risk to humans, animals, or plant life. No photography or video data will be collected. The data collected will be made freely available to the public once complete. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. The company works with the FAA to ensure flights are safe and in accordance with U.S. law. The surveys will be conducted during daylight hours only.  

The survey fits into a broader effort by the USGS, the MGS and many other state geological surveys and other partners, including private companies, academics and State and Federal agencies to modernize our understanding of the Nations’ fundamental geologic framework and knowledge of mineral resources. This effort is known as the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, and it includes airborne geophysical surveys like this one, geochemical reconnaissance surveys, topographic mapping using LiDAR technology, hyperspectral surveys, and geologic mapping projects.  

More information can be found here. To learn more about how the USGS is investing the resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, visit our website. To learn more about USGS mineral-resource and commodity information, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter.

From a September 28, 2023 Press Release:

DETROIT LAKES, Minn.—By Friday, Sept. 29, Highway 34 between County Road 29 near Detroit Lakes and County Road 26/47 near Osage will reopen to all traffic, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The road has been closed to thru-traffic since July for road construction.

Through next week, motorists should be prepared to encounter potential lane closures, pilot cars and flagging operations on Highway 34 while crews complete remaining work. Drivers should use extreme caution in the work zone and slow down.

This year, MnDOT completed a 21-mile resurfacing project on Highway 34, from County Road 29 (four corners) to County Road 26/47 (old Highway 225). The project also included culvert replacements and bridge replacement over the Shell River, west of Osage. For more information, visit the project website at mndot.gov/d4/projects/hwy34.

MnDOT wants to thank area businesses, residents and visitors for their patience, cooperation and commitment to safety during construction.

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023
For Release: Immediately
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Contact: Marie Johnson – 218.846.3722 – marie.johnson@minnesota.edu
 

Free fall, spring CNA classes offered at M State
 

Minnesota State Community and Technical College will again be hosting free Certified Nursing Assistant courses as part of the Next Generation Nursing Assistant – Train, Test, Work initiative.
M State has previously hosted free CNA courses multiple times as a part of the Next Generation initiative, which offers resources and support to Minnesotans pursuing a CNA certification to work in a long-term or senior care facility in Minnesota. The initiative covers costs for tuition, fees and materials.
 

Nearly 208 students have already completed their CNA classes at M State as part of the initiative, and the college has been approved by the state to offer more such classes this fall and upcoming spring. The classes are coordinated by M State’s Workforce Development Solutions division, which specializes in the skills and technology training needed to meet regional workforce demands.
 

M State’s Moorhead, Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes campuses will host classes this fall, as follows:
• Moorhead, Sept. 26 – Oct. 26
• Fergus Falls, Sept. 26 – Oct. 26
• Detroit Lakes, Sept. 26 – Nov. 16
 

Dates are yet to be set for the spring classes. For more information, visit www.minnesota.edu/health or email BreAnna Tracy at Workforce Development Solutions, at breanna.tracy@minnesota.edu.

The Annual Meeting for Hubbard County Food Shelf, Inc., a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization, will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14th at Calvary Lutheran Church, 112 Park Ave. S. Park Rapids. Business meeting includes Secretary, Treasurer, Director reports, and election of officers. The public is invited to attend.

Motorists on Highway 71 will detour utilizing Hubbard County Roads 4 and 40

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced today the construction of the first phase of future extension of the Heartland State Trail between Park Rapids and the Itasca State Park. This project begins on August 28 and is expected to be complete September 23, weather permitting.

The tunnel project is under Highway 71 just south of Highway 200 near the Itasca State Park east entrance. Motorists traveling on Highway 71 will detour utilizing Hubbard County Roads 4 and 40.

The south entrance of Itasca State Park will remain open to motorists traveling on Highway 71 from the south. The east entrance of Itasca State Park will remain open to motorists traveling west on Highway 71/200 from Lake George.

Questions regarding the Heartland State Trail and the proposed construction can be directed to David Schotzko, MnDNR Parks and Trails Division, (218) 308-2367 or david.schotzko@state.mn.us .

A group of approximately 25 people gathered at the Armory Arts Center to discuss the possibility of a Community/Wellness Center. The attendees broke up into groups and wrote down things they felt the community was doing well, things the community would like to see and 3rd things that are problems/barriers.

Several talked about forming a small group to visit with other community centers to understand the financial stability and identifying stakeholders in the community for funding support. Ideas thrown out included if individuals would be willing to set up endowments that could help with continue funding.

This is just the start of planning and more meetings will be scheduled said, facilitator Donna Anderson.

If you tuned into KQ 101.9 FM this morning, you're not imagining things! We've switched to a Classic Hits format. A few weeks ago, we changed KAKK to a Fox Sports affiliate. Here's more info, as written in Radio Insight:

"De La Hunt Media has performed a double flip at its stations in Walker MN.

Classic Hits 1570 KAKK/93.7 K229DJ Walker has flipped to Sports utilizing Fox Sports Radio. KAKK is running the national lineup around the clock as well as carrying Minnesota Wild hockey.

Concurrently, Soft AC “KQ 102” 101.9 KQKK Walker has picked up the Classic Hits mantle as it is now branding as “101.9 The Arrow” positioned as “Leech Lakes’ Classic Hits”.

What do you think of our new sound? Love it? Hate it? Think we need to play more Foghat? We'd love to hear your thoughts at butch@delahuntmedia.com