By Graham Scher – November 6th

Roseau, Minn – Roseau City Council met in regular session Monday at the Roseau Public Library. Mayor Dan Fabian presided over the meeting as Gary Slater, agricultural community spray services owner, addressed the council regarding the airport runway being refurbished. Fabian expressed that Roseau is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and MnDOT Aviation on the project but Slater had his concerns.

Fabian talked about the Council’s decision to do what they can to help out those affected by the airport refurbishment and the challenges the city is facing.

More on the topic will be discussed at upcoming special meetings. That was Roseau Mayor Dan Fabian.

The Minnesota Canola Council invites farmers to attend the 2025 Canola Symposium, which will be on Thursday December 4th, at the Roseau Community Center. The event is free to Minnesota and North Dakota farmers and university personnel.

President of the Minnesota Canola Council Beth Nelson, said they have a great line-up of speakers on tap for the Symposium to help farmers enhance their ability to grow canola efficiently and profitably. They’ve planned a large variety of educational sessions covering everything from agronomics to economics to help prepare Minnesota canola farmers for a successful 2026.

Nelson went onto say that in 2025, canola acres in Minnesota increased another 4% to 113,000, so the Minnesota Canola Council is very optimistic the trend will continue moving forward. With the information that will be provided at the Canola Symposium, it will be helping farmers utilize the tools they need to continue growing acres here in Northern Minnesota and to be even more successful in the coming year.

Following the afternoon’s educational sessions, participants will get their holiday season off to a great start with the opportunity to win great prizes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and engage with industry partners. Participants can register online at mncanola.org. To request a registration form or for more information, contact the Minnesota Canola Council.

Construction on the Highway 11 bridge in Warroad is wrapping up this week. MnDOT project coordinator Cole Nelson tells us that the bridge is expected to be open by the end of this week on Friday November 7th.

Nelson also explains what is going back to normal with the intersection at Lake Street and Highway 11.

You can see the full project details at mndot.gov.

One thing to keep in mind this winter is driving safely while the cold weather and snow are on the roads and highways. MnDOT wants to share steering wheel tips and safety reminders while operating a vehicle this winter. 

One small habit that can have major safety implications behind the steering wheel is where to put your hands on the wheel. Whether you’ve been driving for 50 years or 5 months, safe steering wheel techniques are critical to maintaining control in an emergency and ensuring your safety in the event of an airbag deployment.

• Give Yourself Space: Make sure to give yourself space of at least 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel. If the airbag deploys, that space is what keeps you safe.
• Best Hand Positions: Avoid the traditional 10 and 2 o’clock position with your hands. Keeping your hands slightly lower to help reduce the risk of injury if the airbag deploys. Aim for: 9 and 3 o’clock or 8 and 4 o’clock

Making simple adjustments to steering habits will enhance your overall safety on the road.

The Referendum vote came and went Tuesday and Badger School had 3 questions on the ballot this year. Badger Superintendent Dan Carpenter spoke about the first question that passed for Badger School News and the reaction to the vote passing.

Carpenter also shared his thoughts on the final questions that didn’t pass after 57% voted NO on approval of school building bonds.

Carpenter also spoke on the voters decision to not pass the building bonds for school expansion.

Badger School superintendent Dan Carpenter.

Here are the results.

Badger School 676 Question 1 regarding approval of school building bonds passed with a vote of 64% YES, 36% NO

Question 2 calling for approval of a new school district referendum revenue authorization was passed by 55% YES 45 % NO

Question 3 approval of school building bonds went down in defeat 57% NO 43% YES

Lake of the Woods School 390 Questions for approval of the bond issue and capital project levy authorization passed 58% YES 42% NO

Jerem Haack running unopposed for special election for school board member for district 6 received 94% of the vote to be elected.

Warroad School District 690 capital project levy authorization for technology failed 64% NO 36% YES

Roseau School District 682 school district revenmue increase of $1000 per student passed 56% YES 44% NO

After a busy fall, and summer season, programming at Itasca State Park will be taking a break for the month of November. Itasca State Park Naturalist Sandra Lichter provides further detail about the opportunities for people to do some deer hunting in the park.

Lichter says since the park is still open to visitors, there’s also plenty of recreational activities to take part in, and she shares some of the activities she recommends this time of year.

More information about park facilities and services can be seen on the Itasca State Park webpage on the Minnesota DNR website.

November is carbon monoxide awareness month, and homeowners are reminded to take the necessary steps in keeping themselves safe from this silent killer. Carma Hansen of Safe Kids Grand Forks explains what Carbon Monoxide is

Hansen also told us about why carbon monoxide can be so deadly if people are not careful. 

More from Carma Hansen coming up later this week with ways that you can protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you detect carbon monoxide in your home or are feeling the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately call 911.

The 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session is set to begin in two months, and one item that is expected to be at the forefront this year is a bonding bill. Red River Watershed Management Board Executive Director Rob Sip says they will be pushing hard for a bonding bill

Sip also spoke on the message the RRWMB will have for St Paul.

More info can be found on the Red River Watershed Management Board’s website at rrwmb.us.

By Graham Scher – November 4th

Roseau, Minn – Last week, the NAE 4-HYDP Conference took place in Atlanta. Sandi Weiland, one of Roseau’s Extension Educators, was recognized and received the Meritorious Service Award. 

Sandi’s passion and dedication to help young people and positive youth development have continued to impact the lives of many 4-H members in Roseau county and surrounding areas and she was recognized because of it.

Hard work, leadership, and passion are the most impactful qualities for 4-H. Congratulations to Sandi Weiland of Roseau county on being awarded the Meritorious Service Award.