EVELETH — The advisory board of the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation will move to appoint a new chair after the resignation of Sen. Justin Eichorn.
Eichorn resigned from the Minnesota Senate on Thursday, March 20, hours before his first scheduled court appearance for a federal felony charge of soliciting a person under 18 for paid sex. He had been appointed chair of the board on Feb. 25, with Rep. Roger Skraba, R-Ely, elected vice chair. Eichorn had already been removed from the list of board members on the IRRR's website as of midday Thursday.
The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Advisory Board consists of the state senators and representatives elected from districts in which one-third or more of the residents reside within the agency's service area. One additional state senator is appointed by the Majority Leader of the senate.
The IRRR is a state economic development agency that reinvests local taconite production taxes back into northeastern Minnesota businesses and communities in an effort to strengthen and diversify the economy. All expenditures and projects made by the commissioner are first submitted to IRRR Advisory Board. The service area encompasses 13,000 square miles in northeastern Minnesota, including 53 cities, 134 townships, portions of four tribal nations and 15 school districts.
In addition to Skraba, the board includes: Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis; Rep. Ben Davis, R-Mission Township; Sen. Robert Farnsworth, R-Hibbing; Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown; Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township; and Rep. Cal Warwas, R-Clinton Township.
According to a news release, Skraba initiated the call for a special meeting to reorganize the board and select a new chair. Additional information about the meeting will be provided at a later time, according to the IRRR.
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Plus: Bemidji area residents comment in the second and final hearing in the administrative trial for the boundary dispute between Bemidji and Northern Township. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEWithout the funding, residents’ water bills could increase from about $40 a month to nearly $70. The projected costs for the new facility have risen substantially. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe lawsuit states Robert Slaybaugh was placed in a cell with a sheet and a bunk previously ID'd as a suicide hazard, despite an “overwhelming combination of risk factors.” -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe second and final public comment evening for the boundary dispute trial heard a broad mix of comments from affected residents along Lake Bemidji. -
Contributed/Minnesota Incident Command SystemThe fire has been mapped at 160 acres. A predicted change in weather calls for increased and shifting winds, creating a potential to push the fire toward the trail. -
Plus: The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced it secured two settlements against northern Minnesota employers for sex discrimination; and the US Small Business Administration is operating a disaster loan outreach center through Oct. 18 in Bemidji for those impacted by the June 21 severe storms.
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Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Department of Human Rights announced settlements over "blatant workplace sex discrimination" with Lakes Concrete Plus in Bemidji and Key Lime Air in Thief River Falls. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe judge further ruled that evidence gathered as part of a driving-while-intoxicated investigation will remain in the case record and scheduled a plea hearing. -
Contributed/Minnesota Interagency Fire CenterThe Minnesota Interagency Fire Center reported the fire is burning in mixed maple hardwoods and fall leaf litter, primarily in a ridge area of the park. -
Contributed/Ellen Schmidt / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for AmericaThe ranks of the hungry are expected to grow as grocery prices remain high and the federal government has cut food stamps and other nutrition programs.
