2026 was a record breaking year of planting trees in Northern Minnesota for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.

The global environmental nonprofit planted 3.2 million trees in just seven weeks this spring. Making it was the largest planting season in the organization’s history.

Seedlings were planted across 5,586 acres of public land across the Bemidji, Hibbing, Leech Lake, and North Shore areas.

Since 2005, The Nature Conservancy has planted more than 16 million trees across northern Minnesota.

The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota partnered with the Superior and Chippewa National Forests, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

You can learn more about The Nature Conservancy and volunteering opportunities by visiting their website www.nature.org.

The Minnesota Department of Health is asking people who used ASAP Wildlife Services MN to contact the state over concerns that some animals may not have been properly tested for rabies.

Anyone who had a bat or other wild mammal submitted for rabies testing through the business since September 1st, 2025, should call MDH at 651-201-5368. Health officials say they need to confirm whether testing was performed and determine if rabies prevention shots are needed.

For more information about rabies and how to protect yourself, visit the Minnesota Department of Health website at health.state.mn.us.

The Roseau County Highway Department is alerting drivers to road construction near Warroad.

County State Aid Highway 13, north of Warroad between Highway 313 and Springsteel Resort, will be under construction starting Wednesday, September 9th. The road will remain open to one lane of traffic.

CSAH 12, east of Warroad between Highway 11 and Kirkwood Drive, will be closed to all traffic Wednesday and Thursday.

The work will allow Canadian National Railway to complete repairs to a railroad crossing. Drivers are urged to plan for an alternate route.

Northwest Community Action is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 Energy Assistance Program, which begins October 1st. Online applications became available September 1st, and households approved for assistance last heating season will receive a new application by mail in September.

The federally funded program helps eligible households pay a portion of heating costs, and can provide crisis assistance and help with furnace repairs or replacement. The program serves East Marshall, Kittson, Lake of the Woods and Roseau counties.

Applications must be received or postmarked by May 31st, 2027. For applications and more resources, visit nwcaa.org or mn.gov/home.

Construction is getting underway on Lil Chompers Child Care in Greenbush, a project aimed at expanding child care options for families in the community.

The Greenbush Child Care Task Force says there’s plenty happening behind the scenes, with more project details expected to be shared at its next board meeting.

That meeting is September 16th at 6 p.m. at the Greenbush Community Center.

Organizers say they’ll provide an update on construction, what’s next for the project, upcoming dates and ways for the community to stay involved.

For more info, visit the Greenbush Child Care Task Force Facebook page.

Motorists using Highway 11 in Warroad should expect significant delays Thursday and Friday as crews deliver beams for the ongoing Warroad River Bridge replacement.

Project manager Cole Nelson says each beam delivery could require traffic to be stopped for ten minutes or more while a crane moves the beam from the trailer onto the bridge. Officials are urging drivers to find an alternate route if possible.

MnDOT says the bridge project is continuing through 2026, with single-lane traffic and temporary signals expected during construction. For updates and current traffic conditions, visit MnDOT.gov or 511 Minnesota.