By Jon Michael – R & J Broadcasting | June 26,2025
Warroad, MINN. This week, KQ92 & KRWB sat down with Debbie Aune to talk about an artist reception being held for herself and Betsy Saurdiff this week at Warroad River Place.
Aune let us know what visitors to the this event could expect to see at this artist reception:
When asked about the time and place, Aune explained that this reception would be held on Friday the 27th, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
Aune also informed KQ92 & KRWB that she would be hosting a class at River Place in July on the 16th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. More details can be found at River Place’s website on their event page.
This weekend, dozens of people from across Northwest Minnesota, including over a dozen Warroad residents will be departing from Ada Minnesota for a Mission Trip to Jamaica. Trip leader Terry Steen tells us more about what they will be doing on the mission trip, and who’s going.
While one of their tasks is building homes, Steen says the relationships they build is one of the most important things they do on the trip.
Steen says another thing that keeps bringing them back every year is the faith of the Jamaican people.
Steen asks that you pray for those going on the mission trip, and for those they will be serving in Jamaica.
By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting | June 25, 2025
WARROAD, Minn. – KQ92 FM & KRWB AM caught up with Warroad Chamber of Commerce President Steve Hagen, to discuss logistics of the upcoming July 4th festivities in Warroad.
We asked Hagen about local businesses that would be open during the 4th of July weekend, and how residents and visitors could stay updated if they wanted to do some shopping or exploring between events:
Regarding traffic and construction, Hagen let us know about the coordinated effort between the Warroad Chamber of Commerce and Warroad Women of Today, to direct people and traffic most effectively to their destinations:
KQ92 FM & KRWB AM will continue to follow and report on updates on this event. For more information on the Warroad Chamber of Commerce, their website is visitwarroad.com.
By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting | June 25, 2025
WARROAD, Minn. – On Monday, June 23, 2025 KQ92 FM and KRWB AM attended the City of Warroad’s second City Council meeting in June. After the pledge of allegiance and approval of the agenda, Warroad City Council members (Dean Dorholt, Joe Olafson, Kevin Thompson, Michelle Vandal) and Warroad Mayor Tom Goldsmith heard resident concerns regarding residential flooding along Steenerson Street NE on June 3, 2025.
While the City of Warroad’s insurance company had been in contact with affected homeowners, residents asked for solutions regarding future mitigation measures. “We’re going to continue to look at what other options there are,” Mayor Goldsmith reassured them. The City informed residents that they would also continue to work on solutions for improved communication, and thanked the concerned residents for attending the meeting and engaging with the City to help resolve their issues.
Next on the docket, the City recognized the resignation of long-serving City EMT volunteer and paramedic, Tom Bukowiec. Bukowiec’s resignation became effective June 23, 2025 after serving in his role as an EMT for the City of Warroad since 1997. Mayor Goldsmith shared information on filling this role, as well providing thanks and more details on Bukowiec’s service:
Following this, Sarah Carling of Warroad Community Development updated the City Council on grants won from Minnesota’s SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Partnership) program, as well as requesting approval to move forward with brush clearing on Government Island.
The cost of burning and treating brush on Government Island would be absorbed by grant funding obtained by Warroad Community Development, and will pave the way for further development of the structure, improving and extending recreation at a later date. The City Council unanimously voted to approve this process.
From there, City Administrator Kathy Lovelace introduced and explained the details of a new online payment system for utilities that the City of Warroad would begin to implement, with a transitional period estimated to last three months.
This new system would allow City of Warroad residents to continue to pay their bills online using a credit card or ACH payments, with the possibility of extending payment options for other services provided by the city (something the old system did not allow). Further details regarding this new payment system will be communicated to residents via mail and online as the system rolls out. Mayor Goldsmith spoke more on the matter:
MNDOT representative Cole Nelson was in attendance at the meeting with updates regarding Highway 11 construction. Nelson informed the City that the traffic lights located on either side of the Highway 11 bridge had been adjusted to alleviate traffic at rush hour times, with 22 second intervals being allotted for traffic to pass. Nelson also assured those in attendance that the Warroad River remained open to boat traffic under the bridge. MNDOT will continue to monitor traffic and make adjustments in this area as needed.
Regarding construction on the planned roundabout at the intersection of Highway 11 and Minnesota State Highway 313, Nelson estimated that construction would complete on Highway 11’s South lane on the week of June 30, 2025 and switch to the North lane.
We asked Goldsmith about what kind of considerations commuters should expect to make with the upcoming holiday weekend and events, due to the ongoing construction:
KQ92 and KRWB will continue to follow Warroad City Council meetings. For more updates regarding Highway 11 construction in Warroad, information can be found at MNDOT’s website.
By Jon Michael – R & J Broadcasting | June 25, 2025
Roseau, MINN. – Area Watershed Managers are wrapping up two days of meetings hosted by the Roseau River Watershed. Tracy Halstensgard talked about Roseau hosting this years Summer Tour.
Halstensgard talked about some of the projects that are going on in the area.
Here is the full interview with Tracy Halstensgard
The Red River Retention Authority in collaboration with the Red River Watershed Management Board is currently seeking federal funds for a trio of projects, across Northwest Minnesota. Brian Fuder of the Red River Retention Authority (RRRA) tells us more about what they’re seeking for funding, and how it would be used.
Congressional funding is something the RRRA hasn’t received before, but Fuder says the need for it is higher than ever, as the State of Minnesota is currently dealing with budgeting shortfalls.
The Minnesota Legislative Session came to an end after a special session a few weeks back, and one item that came from it was the Bonding Bill. Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB) Director Rob Sip says the RRWMB was one of many organizations to receive funding through the Bonding Bill.
Sip says the RRWMB was also happy to see some legislation targeting permit reform come out of the session.
However, Sip says the RRWMB was not able to receive funding for the International Water Institute’s Riverwatch program, and he tells us what that means for the program next school year.
By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | June 24, 2025
Baudette, MINN. – Lake of the Woods County Fair Board met Wednesday night to discuss final details of the fair before the beginning of the County Fair next week. KQ92 and KRWB News spoke with JP Sweet, President of County Fair Board to discuss more details of the new attractions in 2025.
We also asked Sweet about what he expects attendance to look like this year.
Sweet spoke on why the community looks forward to this so much every year and why its so fun for new and familiar faces.
Lake of the Woods County Fair begins Wednesday June 25th.
Watershed Organizations from across the State of Minnesota will be meeting in Roseau this Tuesday and Wednesday for the Annual Minnesota Watersheds meeting. Red River Watershed Management Board Director Rob Sip will be one of the many in attendance, and he tells us more about the meeting.
KRJB 106.5 FM will be broadcasting interviews from the event throughout the day on Tuesday.
Northwest Angle, MINN – During last week’s Lake of the Woods County board meeting, Joe Laurin, project coordinator of the Northwest Angle’s Northerly Park provided an update on the progress
Northerly Park comprises 160 acres of land owned by the county which includes Jim’s Corner which is an unstaffed U.S./Canada Border checkpoint. Laurin told KQ92 and KRWB what the tourists and locals can expect the park to offer.
Laurin explains that the financing for the estimated $2.5 million dollar project will come in the form of a three prong approach.
Laurin said the target date of completion for the project is three years.
