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   WALKER — Sheriff Bryan Welk presented various awards to staff and first responders for heroic acts performed last December during the regular board meeting on Tuesday, July 1. Sheriff Welk shared on Dec.  9, 2024 a 911 call was received reporting a male had fallen through the ice on Blackwater Lake. Deputy Ryan Huston was first on scene along with Logan Gross of the Longville Fire Department and Adam Hicok of the North Country First Response out of Longville.

Sheriff Bryan Welk presented awards to four individuals for their livesaving actions on Dec. 9, 2024 on the frozen waters of Blackwater Lake south of Longville. Sheriff Welk awarded the Medal of Valor (from left) to Deputy Ryan Huston, Sheriff’s Commendation Awards to Logan Gross of the Longville Fire Department and Adam Hicok of the North Country First Response out of Longville, Lifesaving Award to Dispatcher Lashawnda Nielsen. Photo by Jerry Eklund

   Sheriff Welk first presented Deputy Ryan Huston with the Medal of Valor, which is the highest medal an individual can receive. Upon arrival Deputy Huston observed lights on the ice and retrieved a 50-foot rope. He then proceeded onto the ice along with Gross and Hicok. About 500-600 yards from shore a male subject was located in the water clinging to the ice. They were able to get the rope to the individual, secure it under his arms and pull him to safety.

   Gross and Hicok both received Sheriff’s Commendation Awards for their critical rolls during the rescue. The final award presented during the meeting was the Lifesaving Award to Dispatcher Lashawnda Nielsen for her outstanding performance during the 911 call. Nielsen maintained calm and focused while communicating with the caller in the water, which reassured the caller and kept him alert and engaged until rescue crews reached the scene. Nielsen was also instrumental in providing accurate and timely updates to first responders. 

   Along with Sheriff Welk’s awards, the individual whom was rescued, Dylan Wheeler, shared his gratitude and thanked each individual for their role in saving his life. 

Dylan Wheeler shows his gratitude to Dispatcher Lashawnda Nielson for her part in saving his life on Dec. 9, 2024. Photo by Jerry Eklund

Wheeler shares a sincere moment of appreciation with Deputy Ryan Huston for his actions on Dec. 9, 2024. Photo by Jerry Eklund

   Senator Nathan Wesenberg came before the board and requested they rescind a decision made last year regarding the removal of gates on the road leading into their property. Wesenberg has two 40-acre parcels that have corners touching and  is largely surrounded by land owned by Cass County. County Administrator Josh Stevenson stated “the previous owner of the property, Potlatch, requested an easement for ingress and egress from Cass County between the two 40-acre tracts. One of the 40-acre parcels did not have legal access. The County requested a reciprocal easement from Potlatch to affirm the public’s access across the existing roadway. This was the same roadway the County had previously recorded a prescriptive easement on for public use. Unfortunately, a previous Cass County employee recorded the reciprocal easement with language stating that the reciprocal easement was not open to the public in error.” 

   During the July 2, 2024 regular meeting, the County Board unanimously adopted a resolution denying consent for the erection of gates on the easement. However, Wesenberg has again placed gates on the roadway and is requesting the board allow the gates to remain due to the recent threats and violent actions that have been taken against lawmakers. Commissioner Rusty Lilyquist made a motion to allow Wesenberg to install gates on the roadway, however the motion failed due to the lack of a second. After more discussion Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk mentioned no action needed to be taken since the resolution passed last year was still in effect. 

   Deputy Chad Emery came before the board to ask for a motion to adopt an Emergency Declaration resolution for the storms on June 16 and June 21. Emery stated on June 16 a tornado touched down in the southern part of Cass County with minor damage in Poplar, May, West and East Fairview Township along with the City of Lake Shore. Current estimated damages are $30,500. 

   A second storm occurred on June 21 and affected the northern portion of Cass County with the City of Cass Lake and the Leech Lake Band being heavily impacted. Not only was their damage to public and private property, but there was a loss of power which caused several businesses in Cass Lake and Walker to close. Current estimated damages for this storm are $110,000, which exceeds the required State per Capita Damage Indicator of $70,000. The board approved the resolution unanimously.

   North Memorial Health EMS Relationship Specialist Kevin Lee was on hand to report the Longville ambulance first quarter report. Lee stated volumes were lower than the budgeted amount with 78 patients needing medical assistance. Therefore, first quarter revenues were unfavorable by $42,000, however the expenses were favorable by $10,000 due to a budgeted maintenance repair was put on hold. It was also noted Brainerd was the location where most patients choose to be transported during the first quarter with Bemidji and Deer River being the second highest choices. Lee also mentioned a free education class was provided to the Longville First Responders on January 14.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Heard from Bob Bruckbauer and Charlie Ross asking if the County would consider paving the remaining 600 feet of 72nd St, which is a township road. No action was taken.

   • Approved a quote in the amount of $6,589.84 from Lances Do All Handyman for reinforced roof decking and new standing seam steel roof at the Walker tower location.

   • Approved a quote from Samuelson-Laney in the amount of $10,692 for a back-up air conditioning and heating unit for the Walker radio tower.

   • Approved a quote from Up North Plumbing and Heating in the amount of $7,695 for an additional supplemental air condition for the Law Enforcement Center radio room.

   • Approve a quote from Lances Do All Handyman in the amount of $5,700 for an upgraded security fencing around the outside of the new Health, Human & Veteran Services air conditioning condensing unit and the Law Enforcement Center’s above-ground fuel tank.

   • Approved a quote from Up North Plumbing and Heating in the amount of $1,590 for a new electric water heater at the Health, Human & Veteran Services Building.

   • Approved using Sourcewell/Gordian procurement procedures to hire a contractor to complete the new Hackensack Highway Maintenance Facility.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at Ottertail Peninsula Township, 12325 W Shores Rd. NW, Cass Lake; joint meeting with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 30 at Northern Lights Casino Events Center, 6800 Y Frontage Rd. NW, Walker and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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