RRV Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at UMC

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The annual community-wide Red River Valley Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be held at the University of Minnesota Crookston on Monday, January 15, 2018. The day’s events commence at 10:30 a.m. with a Unity Walk beginning at the Crookston Inn and ending on campus at the Kiehle Auditorium with a celebration program. Everyone is invited to join the walk and the celebration and lunch that follow.

The celebration program includes speeches, performances, and the announcement of the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Award. The award is a special honor that was first presented in 2013. It recognizes a Red River Valley native or resident who has actively impacted their community by promoting diversity, multiculturalism, equality, and human rights through demonstrated leadership, service, and advocacy on behalf of underrepresented populations and diverse individuals.

A free lunch social follows the celebration program in Brown Dining Room.

The Red River Valley Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Crookston Office of Diversity and Multicultural Programs, Crookston campus academic departments, and student clubs in collaboration with regional community partners.

For more information, contact Lorna Hollowell, U of M Crookston director of Diversity and Multicultural Programs at lhollowe@umn.eduor 218-281-8580.

The University of Minnesota Crookston now delivers 34 bachelor's degree programs, 22 minors, and 40 areas of emphasis on campus as well as 14 degree programs entirely online.  These degrees are offered in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from more than 20 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

DNR seeks comments on EAW for Star of The North Walking Trail

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released and is accepting comments on an environmental assessment worksheet for a proposed hunter walking trail in Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties. 

The DNR is proposing construction and designation of the Star of the North Walking Trail. The project would link about 29.5 miles of existing routes with 27.5 miles of new trail development to create a 57-mile loop system of signed and maintained natural surface walking trail corridor.

Hunter walking trails provide comparatively easy access to grouse and woodcock areas in Minnesota’s primary grouse range. These trails wind their way through wildlife management areas, connecting with some state forests and other public hunting lands.

The agency will take comments during a 30-day public review period from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31.

A copy of the EAW is available online on the Star of the North Walking Trail page.  A hard copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5115.

The EAW is available for public review at:

• DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.
• DNR Northwest Region Headquarters, 2115 Birchmont Beach Rd. NE, Bemidji, MN 56601.
• Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, 2nd Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall.
• Roseau Public Library, 121 Center Street, Suite 100, Roseau, MN  56751.
• Warroad City Library, 202 North Main Ave., Warroad, MN  56763.
• Williams Public Library, 250 Main St., Williams, MN  56686.
• Bemidji Public Library, 509 America Ave. NW, Bemidji, MN  56601.

The EAW notice was published in the Jan. 1 EQB Monitor. Written comments must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, to the attention of Cynthia Novak-Krebs EAW project manager, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Ecological and Water Resources Division, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025. 

Electronic or email comments may be sent to environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us with “Star of the North Trail EAW” in the subject line.  If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-296-1811. Names and addresses will be published as part of the EAW record.

Pedestrian crashes, fatalities increase in fall months

ST. PAUL, Minn. – More hours of darkness this time of year increase the number of pedestrian crashes and fatalities, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. As the days get shorter and the nights longer, motorists and pedestrians should use caution when driving and walking.

So far this year, 26 pedestrians were killed. In 2016, preliminary numbers show 60 pedestrians were killed and 1,204 were injured compared to 41 deaths and 904 injuries in 2015.

“Pedestrians are more difficult to see when the sun rises later and sets earlier, increasing the risk of crashes,” said Jay Hietpas, MnDOT state traffic engineer. “Motorists and pedestrians are equally at fault when we look at the crash data. That means that both groups need to know and obey the laws.”

The crosswalk law includes these highlights:

·         Motorists should stop for crossing pedestrians at marked crosswalks and at all intersections without crosswalks or stop lights.

·         Pedestrians should obey traffic signs and signals at all intersections that have them.

·         Vehicles stopped for pedestrians can proceed once the pedestrian has completely crossed the lane in front of the stopped vehicle.

·         Pedestrians shouldn’t enter a crosswalk if a vehicle is approaching and it is impossible for the driver to stop. There is no defined distance that a pedestrian should abide by before entering the crosswalk; common sense should be used.

·         When a vehicle is stopped at an intersection to allow pedestrians to cross, drivers of other vehicles approaching from the rear should not pass the stopped vehicle.

For the full crosswalk law, go to: www.mndot.gov/sharetheroad/ped/crosswalklaw.html.

About one-third of pedestrian crashes happen during the weekday rush hour driving time, defined as 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. One out of every four pedestrian fatal crashes occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.