Karlstad City Council meets with focus on ongoing airport project
Krista Pietruszewski
nsnreporter@wiktel.com
The Karlstad City Council met Monday evening, Nov. 3, for its regular meeting to discuss various municipal matters, with a significant focus on the ongoing airport project. The meeting covered a range of topics, including financial updates, and infrastructure improvements. All Council Members were present for the meeting. Airport Project Update Angela Holm of Bollig Engineering provided a comprehensive update on the Karlstad airport construction. Despite delays caused by heavy rainfall, the project is progressing. The contractor, R.J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc., plans to continue work until the weather becomes too cold, with a break scheduled for hunting season. A change order was presented, requesting an extension to complete the work by next spring and an additional $18,000 for extra soil covering drainage pipes. The council approved the change order and the contractor’s application for payment, ensuring the project remains on track. Holm also highlighted recent efforts to secure additional funding, including presentations to the State House bonding tour and a visit from Chair Franzen of the Capital Investment Committee. These efforts aim to secure state funding for the airport, with the goal of minimizing the city’s financial burden. Other Council Matters The council discussed other various issues, including the approval of a new paid leave program starting in January 2026 and adjustments to the cemetery fee amounts for cremation burials. Currently there is no charge but will be $50. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss the matter of claims from LeVander, Gillen & Miller P.A. Attorneys at Law, who represent Troy Peterson of Karlstad, following the recommendation of the city attorney, Jeff Hane. Under Minnesota Statutes 13D.05 subdivision 1(b). The next Karlstad City Council meeting will be December 1, 2025, at 6 PM at the City Office
When the Community turns blaze orange
Samantha Alme
samantha.tribunepaper@gmail.com
When November rolls around in northwest Minnesota, there’s a certain buzz in the air that has nothing to do with snowplows or early Christmas lights. It’s deer season — and around here, that’s practically a holiday. By sunrise on opening morning, the backroads hum with trucks headed toward hunting land, coffee cups steaming in the cupholders, and the smell of fresh donuts lingering from the gas station stop. Stories are told, predictions are made, and across the countryside, blaze orange flickers between the trees like the heartbeat of tradition. For many in Roseau County, deer hunting isn’t just a sport — it’s a way of life that ties generations together. Grandparents pass down favorite spots, parents teach safety and patience, and kids learn to sit still and listen to the woods breathe. Whether you come home with a trophy buck or simply good memories, every hunter knows the magic of a quiet morning in a deer stand, waiting for the frost to lift. Back in town, local businesses feel the rhythm of the season too. Café counters fill with hunters swapping stories, and freezers make room for venison sausage and jerky. It’s a season that blends family, food, and friendship — a reminder that even as life changes, northwest Minnesota still celebrates the traditions that bring people together. So here’s to full thermoses, frosty mornings, and the bright orange glow that signals another Minnesota deer season — one more reason Roseau County feels like home.