The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a new online course to help farmers and landowners learn more about combining livestock grazing with solar energy production.

The self-paced course, called Introduction to Solar Grazing, covers the basics of grazing livestock at solar facilities, including site safety, managing vegetation around solar panels, and how those operations differ from traditional pastures.

Solar grazing is becoming a growing option for farmers looking to diversify their income while keeping agricultural land in production.

The course opens November 1st and offers continuous enrollment, meaning participants can complete the material at their own pace from anywhere.

To learn more or sign up, visit z.umn.edu/introsolargrazing.

CHI Lakewood Health has a new President running the show. Carrie Claybundy, a nurse of 26 years and previous Vice President of CHI Lakewood Health is taking over the role and she credits the CHI team for her taking the spot.

Claybundy, who was also the Director of Nursing at Lakewood from 2008 to 2015, is looking to make sure that everyone in their community gets the help they need, no matter their circumstances.

CHI Lakewood Health is also receiving a boost in funding through the Rural Health Transformation Grant Funds. Claybundy shared what CHI could get from the funds.

As President Claybundy hopes to be a mentor for women and men pursuing roles in healthcare and leadership positions.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

WARROAD, Minn — Warroad RiverPlace is inviting community members ages 16 and older to join its community choir for the third annual A RiverPlace Christmas concert on December 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. No previous singing experience is necessary, and singers of all skill levels are welcome. Music Director Jeff Galle talks more about what people can expect from this year’s Christmas concert.

Rehearsals will take place Sundays in November at 5 p.m., beginning November 1, at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad, located at 1301 Nelson Street Northwest.

Galle also talks about the types of voices the choir is looking for and why community members are encouraged to get involved.

The concerts will be held at Warroad RiverPlace at 103 State Avenue in Warroad. For more information, please contact Choir Director Jeff Galle at galle473@gmail.com or call 218-986-0001.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

BAUDETTE, Minn — Baudette will welcome community leaders and representatives from around the region later this month as it hosts the Small Cities Meeting on October 29th and 30th. The event brings people together to discuss issues facing smaller communities and share ideas on how to address local needs and support future growth.

For communities throughout Lake of the Woods and Roseau counties, events like this offer an opportunity to connect with leaders from neighboring towns, exchange experiences and learn how other rural Minnesota communities are handling challenges involving services, infrastructure and community development. Baudette Mayor Dylan Hancharyk says the gathering is an important opportunity for local involvement and collaboration.

The meeting takes place in Baudette on October 29th and 30th, bringing the region’s small-community leaders together for discussion and collaboration.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

GREENBUSH, Minn — Greenbush-Middle River School District is asking community members to share their thoughts on the future of education in the district through an upcoming listening session and survey.

The session is scheduled for next Wednesday, October 28th, at 6 p.m. in the Greenbush-Middle River School Library. The district is working with ICS to gather feedback from students, families, staff and community members to help identify educational needs and priorities.

GMR School Principal Jamie Lunsetter explains more about the survey and why taking part is important.

The feedback gathered will help develop a report outlining community ideas, goals and strategies to guide the district’s long-range planning. The session is expected to last about an hour, and attendees are encouraged to bring their cell phones to participate in an activity answering open-ended questions as Greenbush-Middle River schools plan for the future.

ROSEAU, Minn — LifeCare Medical Center has announced Shannon Carlson as its next President and Chief Executive Officer.

Carlson was selected following a nationwide search that included 103 candidates. A board-appointed search committee narrowed the field to 2 finalists before the full Board of Directors unanimously selected Carlson for the position.

The board says Carlson’s 29 years of experience with LifeCare, knowledge of the organization and commitment to the community make him well prepared to lead the medical center into the future.

During his career with LifeCare, Carlson has helped lead several major projects, including skilled nursing facility renovations in Roseau and Greenbush, the acquisition of LifeCare Senior Living and the development of Warroad Wellness. 

The board says its goal throughout the search was to find a leader who could build on LifeCare’s existing foundation and support its long-term financial success while meeting the changing health care needs of area communities.

It’s not unusual to see a few spilled sugar beets along the road during harvest season.  But the North Dakota Highway Patrol found an entire road full of spilled beets earlier this week.  

The North Dakota Highway Patrol posted a photo on Facebook showing a road covered with sugar beets.  It was on County Road 10 near Casselton near the Tharaldson Ethanol Plant. The photo is attached to this story.  Fortunately for the Highway Patrol, a nearby farmer with a tractor helped clear the road and that road was cleared in about five minutes.  

If you have information on who it was that dropped the sugar beets, call the North Dakota Highway Patrol at 701-328-2447. And this serves as a reminder to all those who haul sugar beets to make sure those beets stay in your truck.

(Photo Courtesy: North Dakota Highway Patrol)

The White Earth Nation is moving forward with plans for a proposed development east of Moorhead, outlining its updated approach to the Clay County Board of Commissioners.

Tribal leaders say they are now pursuing an 80-acre federal Fee-to-Trust application as part of a larger parcel of land. The revised plan follows discussions with federal officials and feedback from local communities.

The Nation is preparing the paperwork for a formal application, with submission targeted for early 2027. The process will include environmental reviews, consultations with government agencies and other federal approvals.

White Earth Nation leaders say they want to work with Clay County, the City of Moorhead and other local stakeholders to address concerns involving public safety and infrastructure.

The Nation says it will continue providing updates to tribal citizens and surrounding communities as the federal review process moves forward.

Minnesota Republicans are urging Governor Tim Walz to allow red-dyed diesel fuel on state highways, arguing it could help lower fuel costs for farmers, truckers and other drivers during harvest season.

In a letter to Walz, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach and other Republicans say the savings could reach about 60 dollars per fill-up. Red-dyed diesel is normally reserved for off-road equipment and is exempt from highway fuel taxes.

Walz has declined to follow the federal authorization, while the state says federal action does not override Minnesota’s fuel-tax laws. State officials have also noted that changes to those taxes would require legislative action.

Critics of expanding red-dyed diesel use say the savings may be limited and could reduce revenue for road and bridge maintenance, which relies on fuel taxes. The federal policy also does not address the underlying diesel supply shortages driving prices higher.

Both sides say lowering fuel costs is important, but they disagree over whether expanding red-dyed diesel use is the best way to provide relief.