Ribbon cut on new Boys and Girl’s Club playground Wednesday

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – As the clouds parted from the morning rain, the sun began to gleam off the bright white and reflective surfaces of Detroit Lakes’ latest and, arguably, greatest playground at the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes.

And just as local leaders and stakeholders gathered outside the perimeter fence Wednesday afternoon to cut the ribbon on the $730,000 zone of fun, the excitement of the Club’s afterschool kids began to take hold with many discussing what they were going to play on first.

One suggested the swings. Another shouted, the monkey bars. And a third child, ever so calmly and coolly, said he wanted to play on that “masterpiece,” and pointed to a covered merry-go-round that can be spun from the inside.

During the Oct. 4 ribbon cutting ceremony, Pat Petermann, executive director of the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes, said he was so happy many of the Club stakeholders and playground backers were able to attend. Adding, the new playground is an addition not just for the Club, but for all of the lakes area.

“We are blessed today to have representatives of people who helped build it, who donated, the city of Detroit Lakes, and many other businesses and grants to our area and our region to get this done,” said Petermann. “This project is not only important to the Boys and Girl’s Club, but to the community of Detroit Lakes and the surrounding area and visitors to our community.”

Ron Zeman, alderman first ward, who represents Detroit Lakes residents north of Highway 10, said the new playground is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together for a common cause and praised the city, businesses and other organizations that gave their time and money to help with the project.

“It’s for all the kids on the north side, but it’s for the kids throughout town, everybody is welcome to come here,” said Zeman. “It shows what a team effort is with everybody pitching in from corporate businesses, to service clubs, to the city of Detroit Lakes, it really worked out well to have this park … so kids, you’ve got a park here on the north side. Come up and use it all the time and we’ve got a beautiful basketball court here, just come up and use it. We’re very happy to have this park here on the north side.”

Tami Skinner, director of operations for the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes, said the playground upgrade has been years in the making.

“From the start of the building … when we were dreaming up this beautiful building, we knew exactly where we wanted the playground to be,” said Skinner. “I think it’s better than what I could’ve imagined. We were looking through catalogs for months. We’re looking at color swatches and seeing it all put together was one thing, but seeing it with kids on it, it was just amazing.”

She also said the equipment was laid out to focus on balance and agility, which can be fun ways to keep kids active. She added, with the bouncy rubber mat and open spaces, they plan on taking some of their classes outside for activities, or even just utilizing their drop everything and read time under the playground’s built-in awnings.

“Part of our priority outcome is to build healthy lifestyles and so we really looked at this playground to build balance, strength and agility,” she said. “We tried to make it unique in that way, so there are lots of wobbly objects, lots of climbing objects … we also specifically kept some open space, so we can bring our own games out here. Sometimes just bringing the inside, outdoors to give them more fresh air.”

The new playground with be opened seven days a week and those interested in checking out the new equipment can stop by the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes, off Highway 34, and experience it first-hand.

Ogema woman injured in Highway 59 crash on Wednesday

An Ogema woman was injured in two-vehicle crash on Highway 59 in Becker County Wednesday afternoon.

On Oct. 4 at 12:45 p.m., a 2015 GMC Sierra, driven by 62-year-old Renee Diane Peterson of Ogema, was southbound on Highway 59 when it collided with a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 28-year-old Jeffrey Thomas Kersting of Mahnomen, who was also southbound near the 360th Street intersection, south of Ogema.

Peterson suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the crash and was transported to Essentia Health St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes for treatment.

Kersting reported no injuries at the scene.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision and law enforcement believes alcohol did not factor into the incident.

Police release more details of alleged rape of 11-year-old Bemidji girl

Police are releasing more information about the alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl in Bemidji.

Early on the morning of Sept. 23, officers were called to the hospital in Bemidji where a girl said she had been tied up at a house and raped by multiple men. The girl said there were two other girls at the house who told her the same things happened to them.

During a search of the house, police identified one of the other females who turned out to be an adult. That woman did not report being assaulted, and told investigators she wasn’t aware of a third victim.

Police are still working to determine if there actually was a third victim.

A total of 13 suspects were identified at the house and 11 of them were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents.

The 13th suspect, 22-year-old Oscar Luna of Texas, was arrested and has been charged with 1st degree sexual conduct.

Police said the incident appears to be isolated and their investigation is ongoing.

Story by Ryan Janke / KFGO

Two injured in Highway 10 crash Thursday morning

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 10 in Wadena on Thursday morning.

On Oct. 5 at 6:57 a.m., a 2014 Ford Escape, driven by 54-year-old Julie Lynn Cole Denny of Hewitt, was eastbound on Highway 10 and attempted to turn north onto Shady Lane Drive when it was struck by an eastbound 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by 29-year-old John Alvin Johnson of Frazee.

Airbags deployed in both vehicles during the collision.

Both Denny and Johnson suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the crash and were transported to Astera Health in Wadena for treatment.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision and law enforcement believes alcohol did not factor into the incident.

Sen. Kupec pushes focus to childcare needs

In a recent interview, Minnesota state Senator Rob Kupec said one of the next major legislative focuses is going to be on childcare.

The Moorhead lawmaker says as much of the nation prepares to go over what’s being called a “daycare cliff,” but Minnesota is well poised to meet the ongoing challenges.

Kupec said part of the challenge comes from COVID relief funds which are set to expire.

He added childcare is one of the biggest workforce issues in the state and – for working parents – daycare is vital, but expensive. It is something he said lawmakers tried addressing in last year’s legislative session, but will keep at it.

Kupec said: “In Clay County, the average cost is about $16,000 a year to have somebody in preschool and childcare ahead of that. So, what we’re doing in Minnesota is we’re going to cover up to what we’re calling the ‘75th percentile’ of that. So, you should be able to afford basically three out of four childcare centers in your area. And the state is going to help you cover that cost.”

Kupec said the work may be done on the spending side of things. The next challenge is finding ways to adequately staff daycare centers.

Story by Ryan Janke / KFGO