Doug Clark Honored for 45 years on Deerwood Township Board
Krista Pietruszewski
nsnreporter@wiktel.com
Deerwood Township had much to celebrate and reminisce about on Saturday, January 10. There was a party to recognize 45 years of service for Doug Clark and 15 years of service for the late Gary Johnson. Both were supervisors presiding over the Deerwood Township Board of Kittson County, in the State of Minnesota. Clark admitted he will miss the meetings on the third Thursday of every month. He also smiled and said, “I can still come to the meetings if I want.” He said it has been rewarding to be a part of the changes within the township. Clark stated that he is proud that his son is now on the board of Deerwood. Son, Brandon Clark, is in his first term. With pride beaming from both, Brandon presented his dad with the appreciation plaque. As the saying goes for townships, “He’ll be on it forever.” The Clark name probably has the promise of being in the minutes for another 45 years. The current board members described Clark as fun, fair, and a team player. He did his job well and was committed to his position. It was the consensus of all that he would be missed on the board and is well respected for the time and effort he put in. His last meeting was on December 16, 2024. Rightfully so- he made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Paula Johnson was at the celebration to receive the plaque in her late husband’s honor. It was a heartfelt moment as her nephew, Ryan Johnson, handed the plaque to her. R. Johnson was appointed after Gary’s passing. Gary’s last meeting was on August 19, 2024. He passed on October 8, 2024. Johnson was described as a community-first type of supervisor. “He was the main liaison for community members. He could always be found in town, at the shop.” Said Chairman Scott Fossell. All the board members said he was great to have as a supervisor because he had integrity, was fun, and he literally knew everyone. Coffee and doughnuts were served to all in attendance, which included the Johnson family, the Clark family, and a few neighbors. Photos were taken, and memories were shared. It was a great afternoon to come together as a community and show appreciation for those who give time in the grassroots government of the area
East Grand Forks could get third cannabis shop
Brenda Halvorson - Exponent Reporter
East Grand Forks could get a third cannabis retail dispensary if plans by the White Earth Nation are achieved. The city council was informed of the possibility at the Jan. 13 work session. Reid Huttunen, city administrator, reported that the city’s community development office has received an application for a demolition and renovation building permit. The proposed use is for a cannabis retail dispensary to be owned and operated by the White Earth Nation at 926 Central Ave. NW, the former Burger King building. The city has an ordinance capping the number of cannabis retail locations at two, one in the downtown commercial district and one in the highway commercial district. Two applicants were accepted in August, allowing those businesses to continue the process at the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) that will make them eligible to submit a local cannabis site registration application. The White Earth Nation was not one of those businesses, but it can establish a retail store in East Grand Forks due to a compact reached with the state last May. That agreement allows the White Earth Band to conduct cannabis operations off the tribal land for up to eight locations without a local jurisdiction retail registration. The band currently operates two dispensaries off tribal land, one in Moorhead and one in St Cloud. Non-cannabis-specific local ordinances must be followed. Those include zoning, land use, statutory setback regulations and hours of operation. In addition, the band’s location has to abide by the buffer zones set in the city ordinance relating to schools, parks, play areas where children congregate, residential treatment facilities and day care centers. “We don’t feel as though we have any sound reasoning or grounds to protest the tribal compact,” Huttunen said, but added there are some questions that require clarification from the state OCM. One of those questions has to do with the collection of sales tax, and Huttunen said the research has given conflicting information. Documentation from the OCM states that cannabis operations are subject to sales and use taxes, but the tribal compact says it is not. The assessment and payment of property taxes is another question. Ben Pokrzywinski asked about changing the city ordinance to allow one dispensary instead of two. He noted that with the tribal dispensary, the city would still have two locations, in case one of the two currently approved went out of business. He was told that, theoretically, it is possible but probably premature to consider at this time. Dale Helms asked about the location of childcare centers and if one were to open within the buffer zone. Huttunen said once the dispensaries are established, a care center could be located within the buffer zone because it would know that the cannabis business was there, and it would be their choice.
Strathcona farmer appointed to USDA FSA state Committee
For Jim Kukowski, a little patience goes a long way. Nearly a year after he was first nominated to serve on the Minnesota USDA Farm Service Agency state committee, the Strathcona farmer was formally appointed on Jan. 14, 2026, by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to serve on the five-member committee. Kukowski said he was grateful to be nominated last year by members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation. “I appreciate Reps. Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber for their support,” Kukowski said. “It’s a great honor to be able to represent our farmers and especially be an advocate for producers here in northern Minnesota.” Kukowski has enjoyed a lengthy career in agriculture leadership at the local, state and national levels. Kukowski previously served on the FSA state committee during the first Trump administration, is Roseau County’s FSA chair and has been a member of the National Resources Conservation Service Tech Advisory Group since 2003. Kukowski has been a director with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) for over 10 years and currently sits on MSGA’s Governing Board. He has also represented Minnesota on the American Soybean Association since 2018. “Jim’s years of experience are going to pay dividends, and we’re proud that he’s going to be a voice not just for soybean farmers, but Minnesota agriculture,” MSGA President Darin Johnson said. “There won’t need to be any on-the-job-training for Jim in this role.” Members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders and keeping producers informed about current FSA programs. “Last time I was on the committee, it was the most rewarding experience of my career – besides representing Minnesota Soybean,” Kukowski said. “By serving with FSA, you can really make a difference and help farmers, and I look forward to continue doing that again on the State Committee.” Kukowski owns and operates a seed farm that includes a Minnesota Crop Improvement Association-approved seed conditioning facility that has served as a host site for the University of Minnesota Small Grain Field Trials since 1995. He began a land development business in 1974 and has remained active in agricultural innovation and seed improvement for over four decades. He’ll be joined on the state committee by Charles Radman, Jason May, Pamela Uhlenkamp and Scott Winslow. In May 2025, Kurt Blomgren was appointed to serve as FSA’s Minnesota state executive director. “These individuals, selected by Secretary Rollins in partnership with key stakeholders in each state, are held in high regard in the agriculture industry and are entrusted to ensure FSA programs are delivered in a manner consistent with federal farm policy and in the best interest of all agricultural producers in their state,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam.