Polk County Board of Commissioners Appoints Youth Advisory Board Members
Polk County Public Health is welcoming new youth leadership following action by the Polk County Board of Commissioners on December 2, 2025. Director Sarah Reese presented a list of recommended students to serve a two-year term on the Youth Advisory Board (YAB). Commissioners approved all recommended students: • Julia Aker – East Grand Forks • Skylar Benson – Fertile-Beltrami • Emily Reitmeier – Fisher • Kinley Korynta – Fisher • Makenzie Quirk – Fisher • Clara Kolden – Win-E-Mac • Abigail Seed – Fosston • Lauren Erickson – Sacred Heart • Leah Johanneck – Crookston The YAB, established in 2018, provides a vehicle for youth people in Polk County to become involved in governmental public health services, merging civic engagement and leadership development for high school students. By engaging youth in our agencies policies, practices, and procedures, we bring new energy, information, and knowledge into our mission-based work. “Our Youth Advisory Board is a fantastic partnership between students and our public health department. They help guide our work by sharing what’s happening in their schools and communities, while also learning more about what public health is and does. Many students even discover a passion for public health as a potential career path. It’s exciting to have representation from Polk County schools and to see these young leaders take initiative, sharing their knowledge and experiences to make our programs stronger. Hearing from youth is essential to engaging the community and doing our work effectively.” – Taylor Lang, Wellness Coordinator, Polk County Public Health. For more information about the PCPH YAB contact Taylor Lang, Polk County Public Health Wellness Coordinator at 218-521-7781 or taylor.lang@polkcountymn.gov
On Thin Ice: Winsted Man Rescued from Lake of the Woods
On December 4, 2025, at approximately 1:12 p.m., the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man stranded on the ice with his portable fish house on Lake of the Woods. Phillip Donnay, of Winsted, Minnesota, reported being surrounded by approximately 400 feet of open water and standing on thin ice. Emergency responders from the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office, Baudette Fire/Rescue Squad, and Lake of the Woods Ambulance were dispatched to the Graceton Beach Access. Utilizing the Sheriff’s Office airboat, deputies and fire/rescue personnel conducted a successful ice rescue at Fred’s Beds Access. Despite the hazardous conditions, the rescue was completed without injury. The Sheriff’s Office reminds all outdoor enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution when venturing onto early-season ice. Ice conditions can vary greatly and change rapidly with weather and wind.
Low-Key Kittson County Commissioners Meeting
Krista Pietruszewskinsnreporter@wiktel.com
The Kittson County Commissioners held their regular meeting on December 2, where various committee reports were presented. T. Gillie of District 2 had a nice update on the latest Extension Office meeting about the successful 4-H program in Kittson County. There were 76 youth who participated in 847 4-H projects in 2025. Also, around 50 volunteers in KC helped with these projects. D. Jones of District 4 attended the AMC-Natural Resource Committee meeting via Zoom. He highlighted discussions that were had on elk herds in the Kittson County area, deer season success rates, and licenses bought in the state. Jones also had an update on the Lake Bronson Dam project. The concrete that they have poured will be it for the year. March is the scheduled time for construction to continue. In other business, the Commissioners went through the approval of bills, meals, and per diems, and the decision to give employees half a day off on Christmas Eve. The next meeting is scheduled for December 16, at 5 PM, with a Truth and Taxation meeting to follow at 6 PM.