By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting | December 1, 2025
Baudette, MINN. – KQ92 & KRWB radio sat down with Lake of the Woods District School Superintendent Scott Fitzsimonds to discuss the referendum vote that passed in November. The school district approved both a $5 million dollar bond referendum and a capital levy project for technology and updates.
Fitzsimonds wanted to say a special thank you to the community and those involved in making this happen:
The superintendent also let listeners in on a possible timeline for the project to begin:
Regarding the capital project levy, Fitzsimonds stated that plans could begin as early as this spring:
We’ll continue to follow this and other area school stories at KQ92 and KRWB radio.
By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting | November 3, 2025
Baudette, MINN. – KQ92 and KRWB sat down with Lake of the Woods School Superintendent Scott Fitzsimonds about the upcoming referendum vote. When asked about what priorities the referendum and vote would seek to address, Fitzsimonds replied:
Fitzsimonds also shared what voters could expect to see in terms of impact on their taxes from this vote:
Besides voting, community members can help the school and its kids meet their needs in other ways:
Early voting can be done Monday, Nov. 3 from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Lake of the Woods Government Center on 206 8th Ave SE Baudette, MN. Regular voting starts Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more detailed information on the referendum, visit lakeofthewoodsschool.org.
By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting | October 22, 2025
KQ92 and KRWB sat down with Warroad School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Yates to discuss the upcoming referendum vote on November 4th.
Dr. Yates summarized what the vote would seek to address:
Yates also discussed what voters should look for on their ballots, reiterating the primary issues their vote would help mitigate:
Warroad’s Superintendent also explained what taxpayers could expect in terms of impact of their votes:
Yates commented that interested parties can find more information on the school’s website, and to contact himself or the school with more questions:
KQ92 and KRWB will continue to follow and provide updates on Warroad School District’s upcoming referendum vote on November 4. For more information, visit https://www.warroad.k12.mn.us/
By Jon Michael Grussing – Warroad, MN After a three month search process with applicants from across the nation, The Warroad RiverPlace Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Samantha Thibert-Harrill at Executive Director, succeeding John Davis, Director Emeritus, who will retire at the end of the year. Thibert-Harrill was a guest on “Community Conversation” earlier this week and talked about how she went from Director of Events & Operations to Interim Executive Director to now Executive Director.
She also says that there will be a search to fill the now-vacant position of Director of Events & Operations.
Warroad RiverPlace is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.
By Jon Michael Grussing – Warroad, MN This week continues Fire Prevention Safety Week. Recently Warroad Fire Chief Damian McMillin was on “Community Conversation” and talked about what his department has done and is going to be doing this week.
He also talked about the dangers of lithium ion batteries, that are in so many technology devices that we use today, and what to do if they cause a fire.
That’s Warroad Fire Chief Damian McMillin. KQ92/KRWB will continue to follow events and happening with the Fire Department .
Fall is an ideal time for homeowners and cabin owners to complete Firewise projects to reduce the risk of damage from wildfires. Firewise is a national program that teaches people how to prevent catastrophic loss by making properties less vulnerable to fire.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers guidance through its Firewise program, including a free homeowner’s kit that features a do-it-yourself assessment to identify areas of concern. Research shows most structures burn in wildfires due to traveling embers rather than direct flames. Removing flammable materials around homes , like wood piles, dry leaves, or roof and gutter debris, can greatly reduce the risk of ignition.
Firewise projects include clearing gutters, pruning branches near roofs and chimneys, installing metal screens to block sparks, ensuring visible house numbers, and maintaining driveways wide enough for emergency vehicles. Additional steps, such as removing brush, thinning trees, and keeping lawns green, help slow fire spread. Property owners can work individually or with neighbors to build a Firewise community. More information and resources are available on the Minnesota DNR Firewise webpage at mndnr.gov/firewise.
By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting | Wednesday October 1, 2025
Roseau, MINN. – KQ92 and KRWB sat down with retiring 9th Judicial District Court Judge Donna K. Dixon on Oct. 1, 2025 to discuss her career and 24 year tenure in Roseau County. Judge Dixon was appointed to her seat in 2001, then was elected into full terms by the people of Roseau County from 2004 until now.
Dixon commented on her longevity in her position:
Judge Dixon attended Washburn University in Kansas, and served for some time as an assistant counsel and prosecutor. She explained what led her and her family to make their way to Roseau County:
Dixon also shared some of her family history with us, noting inspiration from her grandfather that led to her career in law. Dixon’s grandfather served as a state legislator, and a World War I Veteran’s National Commander:
The Judge also commented on the things she really enjoyed about her job during her tenure and what she was looking forward to in retirement:
We asked Judge Dixon if she had any words of wisdom or advice for any individuals aspiring to serve their communities in a similar capacity to what she has been doing for the past two decades, and she had this to say:
Dixon closed the interview with words of praise for her successor, Michael Grover, and gratitude to the communities:
Judge Donna K. Dixon officially entered retirement on Friday Oct. 3, 2025. Her successor, as appointed by Gov. Tim Walz, Michael Grover was sworn in on Wednesday Oct. 15, 2025.
Minnesota’s fall turkey hunting season offers hunters a new challenge and another way to enjoy the outdoors. The season runs from Saturday, October 4, through Sunday, November 2.
Hunters may take one turkey of either sex during the season and can use a crossbow, bow, or shotgun while afield. Fall turkey licenses are available online at the Minnesota DNR website, by phone at 888-665-4236, or in person wherever DNR licenses are sold.
Additional information about fall turkey hunting, including tips and regulations, is available on the Minnesota DNR website, along with a recorded DNR outdoor skills webinar.
Hunters can participate in an early antlerless-only deer season from Thursday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 19. The season increases opportunities for hunters in deer permit areas where deer populations are above population goals. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers this opportunity to hunters to manage local deer herds. Before participating, hunters are encouraged to review important information about bag limits, blaze orange requirements and other regulations on the Minnesota DNR early antlerless-only season webpage.
Ontario Provincial Police reported on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 three individuals were arrested for Controlled Drugs and Substances and Criminal Code offenses. At approximately 1:45 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by three individuals. During the stop, one passenger was found to have provided a false identity and was subsequently arrested for obstructing police.
A further investigation and search of the vehicle revealed a backpack containing a large quantity of suspected cocaine, along with various drug paraphernalia. As a result, three individuals, 38-year-old Andrew VanHeyst of Fort Frances, 27-year-old Adrianna Copenace of Couchiching First Nation, and 27-year-old Elizabeth Boshkaykin of Seine River First Nation were charged with multiple drug offenses. All have been released from custody and all are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Nov. 3, 2025.
