Author: Joe Lancello

Local Radio

Joan Lee Chosen Polk County Commission Chair

There’s a new Polk County Commission chair.  Mark Holy stepped down as chairman recently because of health concerns, while remaining on the Commission.  Commissioner Joan Lee tells us about the new County Commission chair. Lee says the County Commission has been working on a budget for the new fiscal year.   The Polk County Board will…
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August 12, 2025 0

Shelly Grain Elevator Fire Update

SHELLY, MN—Here’s an update to a story R&J News has been following.  Firefighters remain on the scene where the Shelly Grain Elevator was destroyed by a fire early this morning.  Norman County Public Information Officer Liz Brainard has the latest information. US Highway 75 has been closed through Shelly since this morning.  Brainard was asked…
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August 8, 2025 0

Steele County Storm Damage

SHARON, ND—There have been many reports of storm-related damage in Steele County.  Steele County Sheriff Wayne Beckman says most of the damage was in Sharon, where there were toppled bins and roofs peeled off buildings, as well as downed trees and power lines.  There’s no word when power will be restored in Sharon.  Meanwhile, in…
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August 8, 2025 0

Shelly Grain Elevator Fire

SHELLY, MN—The Shelly Grain Elevator was destroyed by a fire early Friday morning.  Firefighters from across the region were called to the scene at 5:16am.  Crews from Shelly, Ada, Hillsboro, Twin Valley, Fertile, Fisher, Gary, Perley, Hendrum, Halstad, Moorhead, Grandin, Borup, Beltrami, Buxton, Waubun, Climax and rural East Grand Forks responded to the fire.  Norman…
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August 8, 2025 0

Mahnomen Waubun Lions Fly-In Breakfast

MAHNOMEN, MN—The Mahnomen Waubun Lions Club will hold its annual Fly-In Breakfast Event this coming Sunday.  Mahnomen County Sheriff Josh Guenther says it will be from 8am to 1pm at the Mahnomen County Airport. And since it’s a fly-in, Guenther says you’ll be able to fly in a plane. Once again, the Mahnomen Waubun Lions…
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August 8, 2025 0

Stormy Weather Possible

The Red River Valley could be in store for some severe weather tonight.  Norman County Emergency Management Director Garry Johanson fills us in. That’s the first scenario;  here’s the second. Johanson also tells R&J News utility companies around the region are concerned about power outages overnight.  And meteorologists believe a derecho is possible in the…
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August 7, 2025 0

World Breastfeeding Week

August is National Breastfeeding Month and this week is World Breastfeeding Week.  Amanda Dingeldein, the wellness coordinator for Polk County WIC, talks about the benefits of breastfeeding—to both child and mother. To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, Mama’s Milk Connection, a monthly lactation support group, is holding a Party at the Playground Thursday from 530 to…
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August 6, 2025 0

Brett Rypien Competing For Place On Vikings Roster

A great deal of attention has been placed on Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy playing in Saturday’s preseason opener against Houston.  But there’s another quarterback who wants to get on the field Saturday: Brett Rypien, who’s fighting for a place on the Vikings 53-man roster.  Rypien is a seven year veteran who has moved around a…
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August 6, 2025 0

Space Pirates Coming To Fosston

FOSSTON, MN—The Aurora Center for the Arts in Fosston will be putting on a musical this week.  Kirby Vossler, the musical’s director, tells us about “Space Pirates.” Vossler tells us how to get tickets. Space Pirates will be performed Thursday and Friday nights at 7 and Saturday afternoon at 3 at the Aurora Center for…
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August 6, 2025 0

Grassland CRP Deadline Approaching

Time is running out for farmers to enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program, or CRP.  Crystal Dibley, county executive director for Mahnomen and Becker Counties, talks about the CRP program. Dibley tells us how to sign up for the Grassland CRP program. There’s also more information on Grassland CRP at: http://fsa.usda.gov


August 6, 2025 0