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Prescribed Burn Operations Scheduled for Section of Chippewa National Forest

Chippewa National Forest fire crews plan to conduct a prescribed burn at the Cuba Hill Impoundment, starting as early as Thursday, April 27, weather and conditions permitting. The exact date(s) of operations are dependent on the weather.

The Cuba Hill Impoundment is located to the North and West of the intersection of Cuba Hill Rd (FR2133) and Forest Road 3772 or approximately 8 miles southeast of Cass Lake, MN. The 30 acre prescribed burn will help set the back brush encroachment that is slowly creeping into the historical grassy impoundment.

During prescribed fire operations, smoke may be visible to area residents and visitors or drift across roadways. If you encounter smoke on the roadway, slow down and turn on your lights. Drivers in teh area should drive with caution and be aware of fire crews and equipment.

If you have any questions regarding the prescribed burns, contact the Walker Ranger District at (218) 547-1044. For information about the Chippewa National Forest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/chippewa

Astera Health hosts high school summer internship program

WADENA, Minn. – April 13, 2023 – Astera Health is offering a high school summer internship program. High school students considering a future career in healthcare are strongly encouraged to explore this opportunity. The internship program is designed to give students the chance to observe the skillsets necessary to be successful in a medical facility.

The work schedule will consist of Tuesdays and Thursdays, for a six to seven-week period. The program will begin with a mandatory orientation on June 13. The program will conclude with a wrap-up session in July.

“We want Astera Health to be an instrumental part of the next generation of medical professionals. I’m proud to be a part of a program like this and I want our students to get a lot out of it,” said Jessica Gervenak, a human resources professional at Astera Health.

Area students who are between their junior and senior year of high school are eligible to apply. All interested students must submit an employment application, a letter of recommendation from a teacher (preferably a health occupations or science educator) and a cover letter by Friday, April 28, 2023. Due to the limited number of internships available, applicants will be required to schedule an interview between May 1 - 12. 

Applications can be submitted via the careers page on asterahealth.org.

ABOUT ASTERA HEALTH
Astera Health is a private, not-for-profit health care system based in Wadena, Minnesota. It offers care services such as primary health, surgery, cancer care, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics, orthopedics and rehabilitation. Astera Health operates a hospital and medical clinic in Wadena, and serves the counties of Wadena, Todd and Otter Tail through five satellite clinics and two physical therapy clinics in Bertha, Henning, Ottertail, Sebeka and Verndale. Visit asterahealth.org.

MnDOT to host May 2 public open house for Hwy 34 resurfacing project

DETROIT LAKES, Minn.—The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public to an open house on Tuesday, May 2, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., to learn more about the upcoming resurfacing project on Highway 34 between County Road 29 and County Road 47 near Osage. The open house will be held at the MnDOT Headquarters, 1000 U.S. Highway 10 in Detroit Lakes. 

Residents, business owners, and area visitors and commuters are encouraged to attend. There will be no formal presentation. Please stop in whenever it is convenient. Project staff will be available to provide information about the upcoming construction schedule.

Construction on Highway 34 is currently scheduled to begin in mid-May, and will address pavement concerns, culvert replacements and a bridge replacement at the Shell River. For more information about the project, visit mndot.gov/d4/projects/hwy34.

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate in this event, such as an ASL or spoken language interpreter, or need documents in an alternate format, such as braille or large print, please contact Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 or email ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us as soon as possible.

Staples - Traffic Stop Results in Arrest, Drugs Seized.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023
 
STAPLES, MN – TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN ARREST, DRUGS SEIZED
Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on March 28th, 2023, at 3:09 PM a Cass County Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on Minnesota State Highway 64 in Ansel Township, rural Staples, MN for speeding.
 
During the investigation, an individual was removed from the vehicle and a search was conducted and three individually wrapped baggies of white powder were located. Through the deputies’ training and experience, he believed it to be cocaine or fentanyl. The substance was later weighed and field-tested positive for fentanyl, containing 194 grams with an estimated street value of approximately 19,400 dollars.
 
The male, Noel Cortez, age 21, of Cass Lake, MN was arrested and transported to the Cass County Detention Center with formal charges pending.
 
Sheriff Welk reports that during the first quarter of 2023 Drug Investigations have been very active in Cass County; including the seizure of 7 firearms, as well as the seizure of 743 grams of methamphetamine, 1.25 grams of cocaine, 28 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, 48 grams of fentanyl, and 85 gabapentin pills.
 
A stolen truck and a stolen dump trailer were also recovered. A total of $35,548 in US currency was seized and is pending forfeiture. 23 Probable cause arrests were made and 7 warrant arrests were completed.
 
Sheriff Welk reports that most of these investigations start with a tip from the public. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office encourages you to report suspected drug or other crime-related information to the Sheriff’s Office.
 
You can request to speak to the Investigation staff and you can remain anonymous. You can also report tips and information online through Crime Stoppers of MN through their website portal at: http://crimestoppersmn.org.

Top Ranked AC/DC Tribute Band "Back in Black" is Wednesday Night Headliner at Lakes Jam in 2023

BRAINERD, MINNESOTA – AC/DC tribute band Back in Black has been announced as the headliner on Wednesday, June 21st for Lakes Jam this summer. Their performance will take place on the Bud Light Main Stage at 9pm, which is sponsored by Lakes Jam Partner Viking Coca Cola. Wednesday night passes are available now at LakesJam.com. 

Back in Black formed in late 2000 to recreate the excitement and high energy of an AC/DC live concert. In 2013, they were featured on AXS TV's "World's Greatest Tribute Bands" and has been named a Top 10 Best AC/DC tribute band of all time by ProTributeBands.com. Lead singer and co-founder Darren Caperna does an almost-pitch perfect rendition of Brian Johnson's unique sound.

They have toured major arenas and theaters across the country for hundreds of thousands of people and have headlined the world's largest Tribute Festival, Jack FM's Throwback, in Dallas, Texas for six years in a row. 

Rounding out the 2023 Lakes Jam rock lineup is Soul Asylum performing before rock headliner Skillet on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Country headliners include HARDY, whose performance is scheduled for Friday, June 23rd at 10pm, and Dustin Lynch on the Bud Light Main Stage Saturday, June 24th at 10pm.

Visit LakesJam.com for more up to date announcements on the hottest country and rock festival lineup of the summer. 

Lakes Jam is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this upcoming year with 4 stages and nearly 30 rock and country artists. Jammers will also have access to outdoor entertainment including watercross, drifting, lawn mower racing, poker tournaments, mud trucks and a bean bag tourney / costume contest. Campers can bring their ATVs, UTVs and golf carts with the required ATV pass for transportation around the 600-acre Brainerd International Raceway grounds.

Campground reservations are open and 1-day, 3-day and VIP passes are on sale and available at www.LakesJam.com.

Group Meets to Discuss Possibility of a Community Center

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.

Midwest Country Music Organization Award-Winning Artist Jake Nelson to Perform at Lakes Jam in 2023

BRAINERD, MINNESOTA – On-the-rise Minnesotan country singer/songwriter Jake Nelson has been added to the Lakes Jam lineup. He will perform on Friday, June 23rd from 4pm to 1am on the 2nd Stage. The 2nd Stage artists play in between the Bud Light Main Stage performances, so the music never ends! General admission and VIP passes are available now at LakesJam.com.

Jake Nelson's start in music began with influences from genres including country, rock, and R&B. These varieties of music have broadened his creative horizons as a writer and performer.

He won the Midwest Country Music Organization Award for Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year in 2018 for "You Are Not Alone."

Jake Nelson has shared national stages with bands including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rodney Atkins, Dylan Scott, Craig Morgan, and more.

Rounding out the 2023 Lakes Jam lineup, rock band Soul Asylum is performing before rock headliner Skillet on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Other country headliners include HARDY, whose performance is scheduled for Friday, June 23rd at 10pm, and Dustin Lynch on the Bud Light Main Stage Saturday, June 24th at 10pm.

Visit LakesJam.com for more up to date announcements on the hottest country and rock festival lineup of the summer. 

Lakes Jam is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this upcoming year with 4 stages and nearly 30 rock and country artists. Jammers will also have access to outdoor entertainment including watercross, drifting, lawn mower racing, poker tournaments, mud trucks and a bean bag tourney / costume contest. Campers can bring their ATVs, UTVs and golf carts with the required ATV pass for transportation around the 600-acre Brainerd International Raceway grounds.

Campground reservations are open and 1-day, 3-day and VIP passes are on sale and available at www.LakesJam.com.

Jammers get the chance to win passes, experiences, merch, and more by following Lakes Jam on social media or attending Pre-Jam parties! 

Broadband Line Extension Program Funds Available in Hubbard County

February 14, 2023 Press Release

Broadband Line Extension Program Funds Available

Funds are available for properties in Hubbard County that are unserved or underserved with wired broadband service. Individuals are encouraged to apply through the MN Department of Employment
and Economic Development for grants to offset the cost of extending service to their home or business location.

The State Legislature has allocated $15 million to this program and the maximum grant for a property is $25,000. The application window is currently open with the first grant awards announced in May 2023.
In the 2022 Legislative Session, the Office of Broadband Development (OBD) was directed to create a new program, the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program.

The purpose of the program is to award grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations. An unserved
location is a location that does not have a wired broadband service of at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload.

The statute provides that each person should enter their own address where service is not available. The form also has a signature box for the person completing the form affirming the information provided.
Therefore, you should have each person in your area that is unserved enter their own address.

Broadband providers can then decide how to respond in the reverse auction to serve multiple addresses under this program or possibly submit a Border-to-Border Broadband grant application to build out the
area under a larger project.

Access the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program here.

https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/extension/

MnDOT seeks feedback on new vision for Hwy 2 in Cass Lake

BEMIDJI, Minn. – In a partnership with the City of Cass Lake and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on three design options developed to form a new vision for Highway 2 in Cass Lake.

A steering committee made up of community leaders and local stakeholders has helped to define the community’s design priorities, and support the development of three design alternatives:

  • Two-lane highway with linear park area on each side
  • Two-lane highway with linear park area on the south side
  • Four-lane highway with pedestrian/bicycle bridge

“There’s no single solution that doesn’t also have its shortcomings,” said Jon Mason, planning director with MnDOT. “It’s important to hear from all of the highway’s users so we can find areas of compromise and develop a preferred alternative that has the support of both the community and MnDOT.”

“To help guide these planning efforts and make the highway safer for all users, we need to hear from everyone. Residents, business owners, commuters, bicyclists, and pedestrians,” said Mike Chosa, communications director with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. “Community input is a critical piece of this study.”

To learn more about the three alternatives and share your feedback, visit the website at https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-2-cass-lake-corridor-study. Along with learning the details, you can share your feedback on each option by taking a short survey or adding them directly to an interactive comments map. The period to receive comments and input will be open through Sunday, February 19.

Information from the study will be used by MnDOT, with the help of the steering committee and community leaders, to evaluate potential solutions and make recommendations on a future vision for the Highway 2 corridor in Cass Lake.

Questions or comments can be directed to Jon Mason, MnDOT planning director, at jon.mason@state.mn.us, 218-407-1917 or Mike Chosa, Leech Lake Band communications director, at mike.chosa@llojibwe.net, 218-513-9215, or visit https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-2-cass-lake-corridor-study.

De La Hunt Media in the News: We Double Flipped!

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

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