2019 Year in Review...

September 4, 2019

Brooks is ready to celebrate Saturday, September 7th with the 48th annual Blast To Brooks.

The Red Lake County Commissioners approved the 5-year road construction plan.

North Star Credit Union was honored for the Spartan Pride Financial Education Sessions that were taught at the Nashwauk-Keewatin High School.

Red Lake County Environmental services accepted up to 20 car & pickup tires per household at the Red Lake County landfill located on the west side of Red Lake Falls. 

Red Lake County opened the 2019 season with a 50-0 win in Red Lake on August 29th.

The junior varsity Rebels started the 2019 season with an exciting overtime game with Fertile-Beltrami.

The Labor Day weekend had many things to experience in our area. There was the 100th Anniversary of Cozy Bar (Congratulations) The International Ploughing Contest, and the Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag. All of these events were well attended. 

The Red Lake County Central High School Shop Building was getting a facelift. The old cracked windows were being removed last week and now have been boarded up. When asked what the plan was, there will be new windows going in, but they will be smaller. A new door will be installed also. There are many buildings in Oklee that have been updated this summer with new fronts and more.

September 11, 2019

This past weekend, the City of Brooks held their 48th Annual Blast To Brooks celebration. Brooks had many activities planned and the crowds were there to participate. The day started with the opening prayer service and a bake sale at St. Joseph’s Church in the basement. There was also a Plate Lunch at St. Joseph’s Church starting at 11 a.m. They also had their raffle for 100 prizes.

Grand Marshall’s for the Brooks Parade were Bryan and Eldora Paradis.

There was a retirement party for Galen Clow, who was given a big send-off as a celebration for his 21 years of service to the Goodridge and Grygla School Districts as Superintendent. He also was the Superintendent for Oklee’s School District from 1995 - 1998.

The 7th-9th grade football players went to Ulen on September 5th. The Rebels started their young season with a couple of losses to the Titans of NCE-UH. The stronger and quicker Titans took advantage of the Rebels early and often in the 8th/9th grade game. NCE-UH took a 30-0 lead into the break and went on to win 42-6.

It is a cloudy cool day, and rain is predicted sometime today. The City of Brooks got lucky over the weekend. Blast To Brooks went off with a bang and no rain.

Tom & Bec Willett recently hosted a Willett 1st Cousin Family reunion. 95 children, grand children and greatgrand children of Marcella Toulouse, Andrew Willett, Connie Driscoll, Monica Fallon, Delores Carlson, Marietta Johanneck, Rita LeMere and Joe Willett were in attendance. Besides MN, cousins came from Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, Vermont, North Dakota, and Manitoba.

September 18, 2019

In the past few weeks you may have noticed that the Marv Bronken Park across the street from RLCC School - Oklee has been torn apart and now rebuilt into a new enticing park for children.

New Staff at Red Lake County Central were: a new librarian at the High School - Becky Eskeli. A new music teacher for Jr. & Sr. High Choir, Jr. & Sr. High Band and Pep Band - Ray Johanneck. New kitchen help will be Phyllis Martell. Two new paraprofessionals Tracy Lee and Theresa Rona Cook. Krista Bernstein is also a paraprofessional that works with career-college readiness for English. 

Red Lake County Central Mustangs varsity won the game against Win-E-Mac on Sept. 5 in three matches of 25-22, 25-22 and 25-19.

The Cross Country team had a meet in Roseau on Sept. 5. Boys varsity finished 4th out of 7 teams and Junior High placed 3rd out of 7. Senior Olivia Bulger placed 9th in women’s varsity and seventh grade Azazel Chapman placed 7th in Jr High.

This has been a rainy few days. Yesterday my gauge showed over one inch of rain and later it was still raining. It is either dry or wet this year.

September 25, 2019

Pickleball ruled the day in Oklee on Saturday, September 14th as pickleball players participated in an international 13 team round robin tournament! The tournament featured participants from Saskatchewan, East Grand Forks, Manitoba, Crookston, Fargo, Thief River Falls, Oklee, St. Hilaire, Bemidji, Bagley, Mentor and Plummer. This tournament, sponsored by Papa Murphy’s in Thief River Falls and organized by Dave and Shari Olson, showcased Oklee's new pickleball courts and the hospitality of the Oklee community.

Red Lake County Board Chairman, Ron Weiss, recognizing employees at the September 10th board meeting for their years of service with Red Lake County. Employees were: Jean Plante, received an engraved watch for 30 years, Janitor; Kelly Rogalla- 5 years, Crime Victim Advocate; Joyce Paquin- 20 years, Recorder;  Mason Johnson- 5 years, Dispatcher & Deputy; Brett Anderson- 5 years, Deputy; Jeff Spiering- 5 years, Heavy Equipment Operator; Steve Rhode- 5 years, Landfill Operator; and Brad Johnson- 20 years, Chief Deputy/Investigator.

RLCC Student Senate members gathered at the Oklee Area Veterans’ Memorial on Patriot’s Day, September 11, to assist in lowering the American flag, the Minnesota State flag and the POW/MIA flag to half mast. The Student Senate, under the direction of Mr. Randy Huie, advisor, has recently taken on the responsibility throughout the school year of lowering the flag to half staff on days designated by Presidential or Governor proclamations.

The Class of 1969 and 1970 had their class reunion Friday and Saturday, 13th & 14th. Friday night they enjoyed supper at the Legion. They toured the school and later toured Tri River Museum. It the evening they had supper at the Brooks Community Hall. Some of those that came were: Marty Fallon’s, Jim Fisher, Ron Arnold’s. Jim & Debbie DuChamp, Barb Wichterman, Diane Delage Westlake. 

Noticed that there were a few additions to the Omar Sundrud park sign Oklee has added a dump tank in the park and the charge for dumping will be $5.00. Camping fees are $10.00 a night for an RV and $5.00 a night for a tent. There are weekly rates available. Go to Oklee Clerk's office to pay your camping or dumping fees, You can also mail in fees.