Articles written by Dan Reed
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County spends to evaluate justice program
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners approved $20,000 for an evaluation of the Restorative Justice program, currently used as a tool for some offenders under the jurisdiction of the local District Court system. This is one of several steps the...
Budget increases reflect inflation pressures
Carlton County officials blamed a national inflation rate of more than 8 percent this year for putting pressure on the county’s upcoming 2023 budget. On Tuesday, the Committee of the Whole forwarded a preliminary 6.9-percent levy increase for...
Justice center breaks ground
After workers spent the past few weeks clearing the site of the future justice center, Carlton County commissioners and other dignitaries gathered for a traditional groundbreaking ceremony Monday...
County to close its only youth shelter this fall
The only local youth shelter will be closing its doors this fall. Located in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Cloquet, the Carlton Youth Shelter, run by Lutheran Social Services, will close by Oct. 1 and the county will utilize a different LSS shelter...
It's county fair time
Editor's note: Find the fair schedule below this story. This weekend people from the greater Carlton County area will gather in Barnum to celebrate the 131st Carlton County fair. Last year saw a... Full story
Board approves final sales tax ballot question
The final wording for a ballot resolution related to funding a new $66.8 million justice center was approved by the Carlton County Board of Commissioners last week. Auditor/treasurer Kevin DeVriendt encouraged the action to make sure there was...
Reporter named grand marshal for Ma & Pa Kettle Days
Kettle River will be transformed Saturday, Aug. 13 as the small town celebrates the 38th year of the Ma & Pa Kettle Days celebration. Exhibitors and vendors will line both sidewalks "fair style,"... Full story
Broadband and next year's budget dominate board talks
Carlton County commissioners gave their support for a $400,000 broadband internet grant during their meeting Monday, July 25. The board instructed economic development director Mary Finnegan to write a letter of support for the Border-to-Border grant...
Maximum cost for justice center $66.8 million
The Carlton County board of commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to accept the guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the new justice center at just over $66.8 million, nearly double early estimates. County coordinator Dennis Genereau s...
County closes in on justice center costs
After eight years of research and planning, Carlton County officials should know the maximum cost of a new justice center following a special meeting set for Thursday, July 21, after this issue of the Pine Knot News went to press. County coordinator...
Jail project charges along in bonding limbo
With bonding money from the state in limbo after the legislature failed to reach an agreement on an omnibus bonding bill, the Carlton County board of commissioners is counting on voter approval of the half-percent sales tax in the November election....
Elk farm stirs moratorium debate
A public meeting Monday regarding captive deer, elk and moose farms yielded two surprises: news of a new elk farm in the county and a state agency’s refusal to give county officials any information regarding the new business. The Minnesota Board...
County probation aims to reduce 'super-utilizers'
As a member of the Arrowhead Regional Corrections agency, Carlton County pays 11 percent of that operating budget to handle 100 percent of Carlton County’s client probation needs. With the advent of the soon-to-be-built justice center, a Carlton...
Carlton County: Public health nurse receives national 'Never Quit' award
Carlton County's Jenny Barta has never worked harder than she has during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the public health nurse met the challenge head-on. "This is what I was called for, this is what I...
County weighs benefits of leased vehicles
Carlton County coordinator Dennis Genereau gave a pitch for three new leased pickups for the property management department during Monday’s meeting, sparking a discussion by the Carlton County Board of Commissioners about replacing all...
Justice Center bids coming in June
After years of planning by the Carlton County board of commissioners and county administration, major bid packages for the county’s justice center are scheduled to be released June 10, closing June 30. A guaranteed maximum price for the justice...
Animal disease stirs debate
Chronic wasting disease is spreading in deer farms and, to a lesser extent, among wild deer in Minnesota and across the country. While there has been no CWD documented in Carlton County, a positive... Full story
Board looks ahead to 2023 budget, revenues
Carlton County commissioners got a taste of some of the challenges they will face in crafting a budget for 2023 at Tuesday’s board meeting. “Fuel costs are at $4 and rising,” said county coordinator Dennis Genereau. “The rise of gas and fuel...
Commissioners hold boundaries
Following a hearing and a presentation of a redistricting proposal by a high school student, the Carlton County board of commissioners voted 4-1 to make no changes to the boundaries of the five commissioner districts. Commissioner Mark Thell voted...
2 brothers, dispatch are EMS award winners
Volunteers from the Mahtowa Fire Department and the dispatch supervisor at the Carlton County Sheriff's Office were recognized at this year's Carlton County EMS Council awards. EMS Council chairman... Full story
Esko student pitches county redistricting plan
The only person to propose a plan at Tuesday's county redistricting hearing was an Esko High School student. He was also the only person to get his plan in on time. Senior Nathan Barta explained his...
County Board: Overhaul of road agreements proposed
After a lapse of around 40 years, the Carlton County highway maintenance department is proposing a new, written agreement with those Carlton County townships that use the county to grade and plow...
Board approves bond round for justice center
Carlton County officials didn't waste any time with the latest round of financing for the new justice center. The call for a sale of $27.5 million in bonds took only 12 days from presentation to...
Concrete plans made with justice center
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners continued to advance the combined justice center project, voting on the first construction contract and finalizing the administrative contracts during their meeting Tuesday morning. The board awarded Taracon...
County expands search for jail funding
Carlton County commissioners are hoping the state will come through with close to 10 times the amount of bonding money previously allocated for the new justice center/jail during the new legislative session, as lawmakers decide what to do with a...
