Sisters, from left, Penny Karasch, Sherry Bohn and Connie Davis laugh as they share stories of working at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Bohn is the third of the three sisters who have served as assistants to the warden at Oak Park Heights and the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater. Bohn will retire on Jan. 2, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

The full article from the Pioneer Press can be read here: Stillwater sisters held warden’s assistant job for 46 years. Now their time is up. – Twin Cities.

Janelle Cheney sent in this glowing Shout Out for Career Agent Brad Berce:

Career Agent, Brad Berce, has consistently been a great support for his peers!!! The Man, The Myth, The Legend - If you know, you know!

In times where our District has been short staffed due to vacancies, or when we have new hires, Brad has offered to help cover additional regions and tasks, while his workload is already bursting at the seams. Brad covers the Clay County ESO caseload, primarily. Brad has also recently covered areas within the other Counties we serve, specific to this caseload. As we onboard new staff he has made himself available to mentor others on the nuances of this specialized caseload. Brad has also lent availability to going on loooooong roadtrips, partnering with new staff who are learning the ropes of conducting home and field visits. They cover a lot of miles, and a lot of topics during that windshield time. We have been very fortunate to have Brad's knowledge readily available to all of us, me included, to understand the complexities of those needing to register. He has been my "GO TO GUY," along with Agent Mike Rapp, when Reporting Instructions come in through the Compact! Thank you!!!

Brad has also been a great resources to his peers who want or need an understanding of their contractual (Union) agreements! He offers the latest and greatest updates, keeping all up to speed as changes occur.

Thank you Brad, for the additional work in covering a broader region, additional report writing and mentoring you have provided!!!

Thank you for submitting this Shout Out Janelle!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for a DOC officer, agent or staff, send it to Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us.

On December 13, 2023, Workforce Development Committee Members delivered donated gifts to residents of the St. Benedict’s Senior Community as part of the 8th Annual Golden Gift Giving Event. 81 Golden Gift Tags were filled by staff at MCF-St. Cloud, and gifts will be passed out to seniors in need this holiday season! Additionally, funds were raised which were utilized to purchase craft supplies for the residents, to use in their Community Rooms. A huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s Golden Gift Event a success!!

Workforce Development Committee members AWO Sarah Rykken, CM Jackie Richards and COII Kara Zdan with St. Benedict’s Senior Community staff.

By Jay Olson

Sgt. Justin Watrin (MCF-RC) was recently appointed as Special Operations Response Team Master Instructor – Chemical Munitions. In this capacity he will help oversee a specialized area of SORT training to include standardization of curriculum, qualifications, certifications, and measurement of training.

Watrin has been with the DOC for 18 years, a member of SORT for 15 years, and a SORT instructor for 12 years.

Sgt. Justin Watrin, Rush City

MCF- Moose Lake hosted the second annual Ruck March in November to raise money for the 23rd Veteran out of Duluth and donate non-perishables to the local food shelf. The event included fifteen individuals marching around the facility, covering over 62 miles. Andy Turnboom, Support Services Supervisor, completed over 22 miles alone! More than $320 was donated to the 23rd Veteran, which raises awareness to mitigate veteran suicide. 220 lbs of non-perishable food items were donated to the Moose Lake Area Food Shelf. Thank you to all who contributed to this worthy cause!

Andy Turnboom Ruck-Marched Over 20 miles!

Jennifer Hollis with Brett Thiry

By Sherry Bohn

Oak Park Heights and Stillwater work together annually to collect toys for Toys for Tots. They take the toys from both facilities together to KARE11. Thank you to the OPH Honor Guard for their service and their time delivering the toys to KARE 11.

The toys pictured below are from OPH staff and the Yellow Ribbon Committee.

Deborah Sullivan, previously at Oak Park Heights, was recently promoted from Buyer II to Buyer Supervisor. Congratulations Deborah!

by Janelle Cheney

Thank you to Agents Lindsey Ternes, Taylor Erickson and Jessica Aarestad for organizing a table at the University of North Dakota's Criminal Justice Fair December 8, 2023. *LOOK HOW AWESOME THEIR SPACE LOOKS!!!

The Career Fair was intended to go beyond opportunities for recruitment and job applications – offering opportunities for students (including freshman) to learn about all of the diverse career paths related to criminal justice, as well as networking opportunities (between students-professionals, professionals-professionals, professionals-faculty, faculty-students, etc.). Students majoring or minoring in Criminal Justice Studies and Forensic Science majors were formally invited. Other students were also welcomed.

The Agents offered information specific to Field Services as well as our Facilities. They also offered information towards navigating an Internship with the MN Dept. of Corrections. Their ability to speak about the philosophy and duties within this field are immeasurable. Thank you so much for clearing your schedules to make yourselves available for this event, and for promoting the great work our staff does each and every day!!!

Daniel Moe submitted this Shout Out for Lt. Harrington for going above and beyond and for setting a good example for co-workers.

MCF-STW would like to give a huge Shout Out to Lt. Teeshan Harrington! He organizes our Ruck Marches here at Sillwater, and is always going above and beyond the call of duty. He has a great rapport with all of his officers. He was even spotted this morning helping an IP out with garbage duty! Great job, Teeshan. You set an amazing example!

Thanks for submitting this Daniel!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for a DOC officer, agent or staff, send it to Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us

Amanda Kenowski sent in this thoughtful Shout Out to thank Dan Stanton and team!

I would like to send a Shout Out to Dan Stanton and the STW maintenance crew for always tending to the facility needs no matter how big or small with such quickness. Dan came in on a weekend to clean the carpets on the 2nd floor of the admn building and they look great! We appreciate you, Dan!

Thanks for sending in this Shout Out Amanda!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for a DOC officer, agent or staff, send it to Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us