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   WALKER—Sheriff Bryan Welk presented a Life Saving award to Debra Arro at the regular commissioner’s board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

   According to a letter Sheriff Welk received from Lieutenant Robin Johnson with the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, Arro was sitting on her deck on Lake Winnebigoshish when a young boy, whom was swimming with his brothers, began struggling to stay above the water. Arro then ran into the water and rescued the boy and brought him to shore. Johnson mentioned he was at his cabin and heard commotion so he drove his side-by-side to the lake, and saw Arro carrying the young boy from the water. The boy was breathing and had a pulse, but had consumed some lake water. While they waited for an ambulance to arrive they kept the boy wrapped in a blanket and monitored his breathing and pulse. Shortly after the incident a deputy arrived and approximately 20 minutes later the Ambulance showed up. The youth was taken to a nearby hospital and stayed overnight for observation. 

   Johnson stated in his letter, his belief is Arro saved the young boys life with her quick actions. Therefore, Sheriff Welk nominated and awarded Arro with the Life Saving Award.

   Adam Maleski of Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District presented an update regarding the Pine River Watershed. Maleski stated that the Pine River Comprehensive Watershed Plan is a resource-based plan that recognizes the roll of watershed partners to influence future watershed conditions and identifies specific activities that achieve common goals.

   A few of the accomplishments to date are development of 28 Forest Stewardship plans for 3,101 acres and three forest improvement projects; installation of 16 near-shore projects on developed lots; identified 423 culverts within the watershed on township and county roads, with noting 22 culverts need attention; reduced the amount of phosphorus and sediment per year flowing into the Pine River and Whitefish Chain of Lakes and hosted two smart salting training to service providers and property owners. Maleski also mentioned $169,055 has been spent with private consultants and $177,120 has gone to landowners as a cost share, with $118,090 in landowner contributions as a match.

Pictured L to R: Lieutenant Robin Johnson of the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff – Bryan Welk, Debra Arro, Roger Arro. Photo Submitted.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Appointed Commissioners Jeff Peterson and Rick Haaland to a committee of the board to bring recommendations to the board for the appointment of the Chief Financial Officer due to the resignation of the current Chief Financial Officer.

   • Appointed Commissioners Neal Gaalswyk  and Bob Kangas to a committee of the board to bring recommendations to the board on the appointment of the County Recorder due to the retirement of the current County Recorder.

   • Approved a Supplemental Project Agreement to the Master Stewardship Agreement with the Chippewa National Forest to provide funding to Cass County for maintaining road vegetation, which is actually the responsibility of Chippewa National Forest.

   • Approved the final payment for the County State Aid Highway 204 project with the County’s portion consisting in the amount of $983,028.14.

   • Approved the final payment for bituminous crack sealing for County State Aid Highways 1, 18, 20, 23, 24, 29, 58, 75 and 78 in the amount of $280,430.

   • Award a contract for the Cass County Highway Department and Health, Human Veterans Services parking lot paving projects to Anderson Brothers Construction Company in the amount of $545,451.49.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 at Crooked Lake Township, Outing and commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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