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ISD 318 American Indian Services
Receives Language Revitalization Grant
090210
Independent School District 318’s American Indian Services was one of two Minnesota school district-based programs to receive a Dakota and Ojibwe Language Revitalization grant from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council this summer. With the $24,000 it was awarded, the district will launch the Ishkodeke (“making a fire”) Language Project. Teacher Patty Erven will create a curriculum for beginning and advanced high school Ojibwe language classes, as well as establish language activities for parents of American Indian students. In the new classes students will use interactive voice recognition software that features native speakers. Ojibwe / Anishinaabe literature will also be a major part of their curriculum. Parents who attend American Indian Services’ Family Nights can participate in special Language Tables where they can learn and utilize Ojibwemowin, the Ojibwe language. According to Curriculum Director Rochelle Van Den Heuvel, the district is anxious to participate in such a revitalization of the Ojibwe language.

Crime Report 090110

In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Monday August 30th a vehicle was reported stolen from Highway 38 in Grand Rapids. The vehicle and a juvenile male suspect were located at a retail grocer on 5th Street. The suspect fled the scene on foot but was apprehended at 5th Avenue & 6th Street NW and transported to the Itasca Juvenile Center.
Also on Monday two suspicious individuals were spotted in a parking lot off CR 61. The adults were caught in a very intimate moment and they were asked to move to a less public location, such as a motel room.
On Tuesday August 31st an adult male was arrested in the parking lot of a restaurant on 4th Street NW for 3rd degree DWI.
Also on Tuesday an adult female was arrested for 3rd degree DWI on 8th Avenue NE. Deputy Chief Scherff, in his unmarked patrol car using lights and sirens, attempted to stop the suspect however she wouldn’t pull over. Concerned that she was approaching Highway 2 during rush hour he was about to pull in front of her vehicle when a marked squad car pulled in back of the suspect. When she stopped and exited her vehicle to be administered a sobriety test she almost fell into passing traffic. She was taken to detox and her vehicle towed into impound.

Greenway Food prices 082510
The cost of a school lunch is going up at the Greenway Schools. Superintendent Mark Adams asked the school board to increase the price of school lunches ten cents across the board. Adams said the food service staff has been working on giving students healthy choices. The cost for an elementary lunch will be $1.80. Secondary School lunches will cost $2.05.

Greenway Retirees 082510
The Greenway school board is looking for a way to bring back retired teachers back into the classroom. Teacher Nancy Hanson was set to return to the classroom this fall. Hanson retired about two months ago and decided she still wanted to teach. The Greenway school board talked with Education Minnesota, the teachers’ union, about the opportunity. Local 13-30 worked with both sides signed a working agreement. Education Minnesota’s regional office demanded Hanson be treated as a new teacher, with all the benefits she is entitled to. Last night, the Greenway board voted to rescind Hanson’s teaching agreement. Board vice chair Gary Gustafson said it’s about the legal fees and grievances filed against the district. Superintendent Adams and Rae Villebrun, Van Dyke Elementary School Principal, will decide who will teach Hanson’s class in two weeks.

Cohasset Animals 082510
Last night, the city of Cohasset renewed its contract with the city of Grand Rapids for animal control. The city will pay about the same for the services. But, it’s not just dogs and cats. City workers had to corral a chicken recently that showed up in the city hall parking lot. Since the city had no place to keep the animal, it was housed in a Cohasset resident’s chicken coop. Another stray hen found in Grand Rapids was also brought to the Cohasset coop, for temporary storage. Residents have 10 days to claim their birds.

Rainwater 082510
The city of Cohasset pays the city of Grand Rapids for wastewater treatment services. Last night, the Cohasset city council made some changes to its wastewater ordinance.
Special Projects coordinator Rick Horton brought the changes to the council. One of the additions was a law making it illegal to clean water into the sewer system. The city spends thousand of dollars each year paying to have rain water cleaned. Sump pumps, floor drains, roof drains and gutters should be emptied into the yard.
The city now has the authority to make home visits to enforce that law.

ESSAR Tour 081610
A tour of the Essar Steel Minnesota site took place recently with about 20 local leaders and engineers. The leaders said that the public has been antsy to hear news about the progress. The site looked remarkably different than it did two years ago at the groundbreaking. Essar Steel Minnesota is the $1.6 billion dollar mining through steelmaking plant. There have been delays because of financing, but things are moving along now. Crews are busy clearing the land for the taconite facility first. Blasting takes place about three times a week. About 1.8 million cubic yards of earthwork has been done. More mining activity will ramp up in the spring, but they have been able to start. Foundations are expected to be poured later this month. About 9 miles of railroad have been laid already. There are three more to go. The track will link up the different areas and will help Essar move equipment to the plant site. The dewatering of an old mine pit is also in the works, because Essar plans on mining there as well.

Crime Report 081610
In the crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:

On Friday August 13th a resident on 5th Street SE reported a theft from their vehicle while it was parked in their garage. Total loss: one dollar and change.
On Friday August 13th a vehicle parked on 2nd Avenue SE had some items stolen from it. Missing items include an MP3 player and charger, a bottle of cologne valued at $20 and $15 in cash.
A shoplifter was cited for theft on Friday August 13th at a retail merchant on 29th Street SE. The suspect attempted to steal approximately $83 worth of wedding invitations.
Later Friday evening August 13th an officer on patrol spotted two suspicious vehicles parked at the Veterans Park in north east Grand Rapids. According to the married female occupant she was interested in dating the single male occupant.
A juvenile female driver was cited on Friday August 13th at the Sports Complex for possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a motor vehicle.
Early Saturday morning August 14th an abandoned wife contacted law enforcement seeking help in locating her husband. They had stopped at a convenience store on Highway 169 East to use the restroom, while en-route to a casino. When she finished she discovered her husband had left without her. She was concerned because her husband had difficulty seeing and may not have noticed she was missing. Law enforcement contacted the State Police to issue an alert; however when the officer returned a short time later the husband had returned.
A peeping tom was reported on Saturday August 14th from 18th Avenue NW. The suspect was gone on arrival of the police officers.
On Saturday August 14th a concerned mother called to report someone at a youth entertainment facility on Pokegama Avenue North had given her juvenile son alcohol. The Grand Rapids Police are investigating.
On Sunday August 15th a dumpster was reported on fire behind a fast food establishment on 5th Street NE. Grand Rapids Fire Department responded and extinguished the dumpster fire.

Local Real Estate 081310
The housing market in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas is showing signs of improvement. The last two years haven’t been kind to the real estate market. Charlotte McDermott, of Coldwell Banker, said right now there are 981 residential properties for sale in the Grand Rapids area, residential waterfront and town homes. That compares to 273 residences that were sold between January and August of this year. A new report shows foreclosures last month were 24 percent below July of last year.

Greenway Retirees 081310
One retiring teacher in the Greenway School district is ready to come back, at least part time. It may not be possible. Nancy Hanson retired just a few months ago, but was re-hired in July as a part-time title teacher. Education Minnesota, Local 1330, asked Superintendent Mark Adams to work out a contract her and other retired teachers who may still want to teach. The Greenway school board heard from its teachers union Thursday that a separate contract with Hanson may trigger litigation. Superintendent Mark Adams. The board voted to revisit the issue during its next meeting, after getting some more information from the teachers’ union.

Wednesday Incident 080510
In the wake of Wednesday morning’s “abduction that wasn’t incident” Grand Rapids Police Chief Jim Denny says if it is suspicious, report it.
He said the incident on Wednesday was a result of a frustrated child.
As the child was attempting to leave the football camp counselors located and retrieved the lad and placed him in their SUV to return him to his parents.
The two children observing this reported the incident to their parents which resulted in the report to the Grand Rapids Police Department. Chief Denny said this was a great outcome.

Crime Report 080510
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department for Wednesday August 5th:

A motorist parked in the driveway of the Veterans Memorial Park was cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a motor vehicle.
An individual reported the theft of a set of golf clubs, a golf bag, assorted golf balls and other golfing equipment. The theft occurred from in front of the Pokegama Golf and Park Clubhouse. A dollar value for the missing golfing equipment was not reported.

Crime Report 080410
In the local crime report from the Itasca County Sheriffs Office for Tuesday August 3rd:

Two adult males were arrested on CR 9 in rural Deer River for probation violations.
A report of credit card fraud was received from Elizabeth Avenue in LaPrairie. There were two transactions totaling thirty six dollars made on an internet phone service.
The Itasca County Sheriffs office and the Grand Rapids Fire Department responded to Shadywood Road in rural Grand Rapids for a report of a tractor on fire.
A 21 year old male from Minneapolis was injured in an accident on a forest road in rural Deer River. Romel Garcia was riding his dirt bike, rounded a corner and collided head on with a pickup truck driven by 31 year old Shaun Junglen of Breezy Point. Junglen was cited for driving after revocation. Garcia was transported to the Deer River Hospital and later airlifted to Duluth.
An order for protection was violated on CR 128, there is a suspect and the case is under investigation.

In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department on Wednesday August 4th:

Shortly after Midnight officers responded to an intrusion alarm from a business on River Road. Upon arrival officers found a broken window and beer cans lying in the parking lot. Officers were able to identify and locate a suspect at a residence in Grand Rapids. The suspect was charged with third degree burglary; is being held in the Itasca County Jail and their name is being withheld pending formal charges.

Deer River Bonds 080210
Local school districts are doing what they can to offset “flat” state funding and rising costs. The Deer River School board Monday night voted to sell $1.4 million worth of General Obligation aid Anticipation Certificates. Last week, the Greenway board voted to sell $2.24 million in certificates. Deer River Superintendent Matt Gross told board members and the audience that although the legislature this short term borrowing will help the district meet its financial needs. The borrowing will cover any cash flow issues. The bonds were sold Monday by Ehlers and Associates. The school received an interest rate of 0.67%.

Deer River School Board 080210
Deer River students will find some changes in the student handbook this fall.
The district expects to be wireless by January 1st. Because of this sometimes daily leap in technology, the board approved some new language in the student and teacher handbooks for the fall. 6th, 7th and 8th graders will not be allowed to have cell phones in the building again this year, but 9th through 12th graders can. Teachers may also create class Facebook pages. Superintendent Matt Gross said it’s where the kids are. The school board heard the first reading on the student and teacher handbooks for the upcoming school year Monday night. The policies won’t be in place until the 2nd reading, scheduled for September 7th.

Crime Report 072710
In the local crime report for Monday July 26th from the Grand Rapids Police Department:

A business on 4th Street NW reported the theft of an H&K P2000 handgun. The case is under investigation.
A resident on 8th Street NE reported the theft of two items from his vehicle, a DeWalt Power Drill and a Pioneer CD player. A value on the missing items was not reported.
A motorist on 10th Avenue NE was stopped for improper license plate tabs. The tabs on the vehicle being driven were supposed to be on another vehicle of the same make and model. The motorist was cited and warned to get the tabs on the correct vehicle.

Cohasset Finances 072810
The City of Cohasset may be without long-term general obligation bonds by next June.
In 2003, the city’s debt was over seven million dollars. Today, the city owes just under two and a half million dollars. The city council Tuesday night voted to pay off the 2003 general obligation water and sewer advance refunding bond of about one million dollars. The only bond remaining is a general revenue bond- which the city may decide to pay off in June of 2011. The next Cohasset City Council meeting is August 24th.

07-27-10 ISD 318 Para Contract
Independent School district 318 has a tentative contract agreement with its para-professionals union. Superintendent Joe Silko said the district actually has tentative contract agreements with two of its unions, the para-professionals and the bus drivers unions. The terms of the para contract contain no increases for 09-10, no increase for 2010-2011, a cash payment and some benefit language. The district has no talks scheduled with its teachers union. Silko said the district is open to discussions.

Accident Near Deer River 072210
The Minnesota State Patrol has reported a two vehicle accident occurred Wednesday afternoon on Highway 46 about 6 miles north of Deer River. A 2007 Dodge Caliber was traveling southbound on 46 when it crossed the centerline and collided with a 2003 Kenworth semi. The 44 year old driver of the Dodge was pronounced dead at the scene. The names of those involved have not been released at this time. The State patrol was assisted at the scene by the Deer River Police Department and the Itasca County Sheriffs Office.

Crime Report 072210
In the local crime report for Monday July 19th from the Grand Rapids Police Department:

Fourth Street Northeast was the scene for several traffic stops for speeding. Five individuals were cited for speeds ranging from fifty in a thirty to 39 in a thirty.
A vehicle being operated on 7th Avenue SE was stopped for speeding. The driver was cited for doing 39 in a 30.
A vehicle traveling north on Pokegama Avenue South was stopped for doing 84 in a 40 zone but only cited for 64 in a 30

In the local crime report for Wednesday July 21st from the Grand Rapids Police Department:

An officer stopped an individual on Highway 169 South for speeding; seventy seven in a fifty five zone. He was cited for sixty-four in a fifty-five.
An individual was cited for doing forty in a thirty on Pokegama Avenue South.
Another speeder was cited, this time on Golf Course Road for doing forty in a thirty.
An individual running late for work on Isleview Road was stopped and cited for doing sixty in a thirty.
A two vehicle accident occurred on 12th Avenue NW when a semi attempting to make a wide turn clipped the vehicle in the right turn lane. The semi driver was cited for an inoperative turn signal. There were no injuries reported.

In the local crime report for Thursday July 22nd from the Itasca County Sheriffs Office:

A report was received from Silverwood Avenue in Marble of two individuals teasing a dog. When Deputies arrived a foot chase ensued, one suspect was subdued with a TASER and charged with fleeing a peace officer, obstruction of justice and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Burglary Suspects Charged 071410
Criminal charges were filed in Itasca County District court on Monday July 12th in regard to a series of business burglaries that occurred in Blackberry, Colerain, LaPrairie and rural Grand Rapids on July 9th. According to County Attorney Jack Muhar 19 year old Donald Noland of Grand Rapids, 21 year old Andrew Behl and 19 year old Laron Brown both of Deer River were all charged with several counts of First, Second and Third Degree burglary and one count of attempted Third Degree burglary. All three suspects were on probation for previous felony offenses and the court ordered all held without bail pending their next court appearance, scheduled for July 19th at 10 AM.

Greenway Activities Director 071410
The Greenway School Board voted to hire Anne Champlin as the new assistant principal at Conner Jasper Middle school and the district’s new Activities Director. Champlin spend the last 6 years teaching social studies at Greenway High School. Prior to that, she taught in the Twin Cities area.

Deer River School Bus 071410
Some new rules will go into effect in the fall when Deer River elementary school children return to school. If your children are in pre-school or kindergarten, expect to meet them in your driveway each day after school. Amy Galatz, Principal at King Elementary School, told board members children will not be left at a house when no one is visible. The policy was in place but never implemented until this year. Each child will also have only 1 drop-off site. In other action, the board heard a report on the reading recovery program, approved the 2010-2011 activities handbook, heard a report from the Out-Of-School summer program and approved a number of new hires. The next board meeting is august 2nd.

Lunch Price Increase for District 318 Students 07-14-10
Students and teachers in Independent School District 318 will be paying more for their school meals in the fall. The school board voted to raise the cost of breakfast and lunch by 20 cents. Polly Podpeskar, Director of Food and Nutrition for District 318, told board members her department considers a lot of things before recommending a price increase. Podpeskar told the board that the 20 cent increase will still leave her department with an $8364 deficit this year. The food service budget would have had a $32,628 deficit with a 10 cent increase.
The board awarded Sandstrom’s the milk bid and Pan ‘O Gold the bread bid. Bids are good for three years.

Superior Publishing Corp 071210
The control of six regional publications has largely reverted to lenders according to documents filed this week by their parent company.

American Consolidated Media is now 90 percent owned by lenders, while Australia-based Southern Cross Media Group retains a 10 percent stake. Although SCMG retains 10 percent ownership, the equity is non-voting, giving lenders full control of operations.

Regionally, the affected publications include those grouped under the Superior Publishing Corp. banner -- the Mesabi Daily News in Virginia, Hibbing Daily Tribune, Grand Rapids Herald Review, Chisholm Tribune Press, Walker Pilot-Independent and the Manney’s Shopper; as well as six others in Wisconsin.

The decision follows ACM’s breach of covenants on its $133.7 million loan obligations. ACM is working with its lenders to restructure.

The Western Itasca Review is currently undergoing a change in ownership; however The Scenic Range News Forum in Bovey is still under the local ownership of Lee Johnson, publisher.

Crime Report 071210
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:

An adult female on River Road was warned about her disorderly conduct on Friday. An officer was questioning a roommate when the adult female became upset and began yelling obscenities at the officer. She quieted down when warned.
An adult male was arrested for 2nd degree domestic assault on Friday July 9th from SE 5th Street. He had reportedly held a knife to the throat of his girlfriend and thrown a glass of water at her.
An observant officer spotted an adult male driving a vehicle that was known to have had his driver’s license revoked. The suspect was located at home and cited.

Local Weather Statistics for June 2010
The USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station in Grand Rapids has released weather statistics for June 2010.

The average high for the month was 72.6 degrees and the average low was 51.5 with an overall average temperature of 62.1 degrees.

The warmest June on record was in 1995 with an average temperature of 68.6 degrees.

The coldest was in 1958 & 1969 with an average temperature of 54.9 degrees.

We received 5.23 inches of rain last month.

Accident Near Bowstring 070810
The Minnesota State Patrol has reported a fatal automobile accident occurred on Highway 6 near Bowstring. According to the report a Pickup truck was traveling southbound crossed the northbound lane onto the shoulder and grass, overcorrected and skidded across both lanes of traffic and rolled onto it’s roof in the west ditch. The accident victim’s name has not been released at this time. The Minnesota State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Itasca County Sheriff Office and Conservation Officers from the Minnesota DNR.

Crime Report 070810

In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Wednesday July 7th a motorist ran a red light at 21st street on Pokegama Avenue South and collided with another vehicle. No injuries were reported.
An automobile accident on Pokegama Avenue North by the railroad crossing resulted in a citation for driving after suspension. The suspended driver attempted to cover up the fact he was driving by having his female passenger claim she was driving. No injuries were reported.
A report of counterfeit one hundred dollar bills was received from a bank on 29th Street South. The bill appeared to be similar to ones being passed in the Duluth area. A “washed out” five dollar bill. Many area merchants are refusing to accept hundreds due to this. If you have a bill you suspect that may be counterfeit, contact your local law enforcement agency.

Accident Near Bemidji 070710
A 29 year old Grand Rapids man was charged on Tuesday in Hubbard County District Court in connection with Saturday’s one-car rollover accident that killed a Floodwood woman. According to Hubbard County Sheriff Frank Homer Jesse Dahl was charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide, second degree driving while intoxicated and driving after his license was revoked. Twenty eight year old Brooke Rosemore was found in the vehicle, she had died from injuries suffered in the crash and Dahl was located at a nearby residence with minor injuries. Sheriff Homer said authorities believe Dahl was driving however the investigation is continuing. The accident occurred on Hubbard CR 3 in Lake Hattie Township near Bemidji.

ISD 318 School Lunches 062310
Some school districts take money that could be spent on teachers and supplement their school lunch program to keep prices down. In School District 318, Director of Food and Nutrition, Polly Podpeskar said it’s a balancing act, keeping prices low, but offering healthy nutritious choices. School lunches in Independent School District 318 will be going up twenty cents per meal next fall. Podpeskar said she’s also pleased that the milk vendor for the next three years will be Sandstroms, a local supplier.

Greenway Athletic Director 062310
We are all doing more with less these days and school districts are no exception. The Greenway school board Monday night (June 21st) eliminated the half-time athletic director’s position. Instead, the board agreed to hire an assistant principal for the Conner Jasper middle School who will also serve as the district’s athletic director. Superintendent Mark Adams told the board he will probably come to them with dramatic reductions in the fall and now is the time for restructuring. The district will save about fifty-thousand dollars next year. Adams told the board there may be a person in place for this position in a few days.

Cohasset’s Financial Health 062310
The city of Cohasset is financially sound. The Cohasset City Council heard a report from its auditor on June 22nd. The audit report from Eide Bailey found that the city’s assets increased five percent between January of 2008 and January of 2009. The city’s liabilities increased just over three percent and the city’s long-term debt is well below the benchmark. Brian Stavenger from Eide Baily told the council he’s give them a B plus. He said they have made a lot of changes in the three years Eide bailey has been serving as Cohasset’s auditor. Residents can see the audit on-line at Cohasset-mn.com.

Loucks Sentenced 062110
On Friday 55 year old Patrick Loucks of Bovey pled guilty to felony of possession of a dangerous weapon in a courthouse complex. He also had been charged with first-, second- and fifth-degree assault and obstructing legal process, but a Cass County judge dismissed those charges on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence that he committed those crimes. The court ordered Loucks to serve 95 days in jail and be placed on probation for five years. He was also fined $135, ordered to submit a DNA sample and undergo a psychological evaluation and any treatment recommended.

Four Adult Males Arrested For Assault 0615110
According to Grand Rapids Police Chief Jim Denny an adult male was assaulted on Saturday June 12th. He said that at about 3:30 PM an adult male reported the assault to the Grand Rapids Police Department and officers responded to the 400 block of 1st Avenue Southwest; where the victim told officers that he had been beaten with a baseball bat by four adult males. Officers learned that the suspects fled the scene in a white Kia and located the vehicle and the suspects on Pokegama Avenue South in Grand Rapids. The four men involved in the assault were arrested and transported to the Itasca County Jail. The assault did not appear to be random as the suspects were known by the victim. The four suspects are 21 year old Vantavain Duckworth of Minneapolis, 24 year old James Martin Jr. of Brooklyn Park, 32 year old Danny Braylock-James of Brooklyn Center and 43 year old James Martin Jr. of Brooklyn Park.

Deer River Warriors Send Off 061510
There will be a send-off for the Deer River Warrior Baseball team today at 6 PM at the Deer River High School commons area. The DR Warriors have made their way into the state championship tournament. There will be hot dogs, brats and beverages and plenty of autograph opportunities as you meet the players. Everyone is invited to stop at the Deer River Cenex station to sign a good luck card to be presented to the team. The Deer River Warriors begin their class A state tournament play on Thursday at 10 AM. All games will be carried on our sister station 96.9 KMFY.

GRCC Preview 061410
The Grand Rapids City Council meets in regular session on Monday June 14th beginning at 4 PM with a work-session. On that agenda is an update on Mt Itasca, a discussion on a debt service survey and a discussion on Public Facility Lease Revenue Bonds. The regular council meeting begins at 5 PM with the swearing in of a new police officer. Other items on that agenda include a council hearing regarding a liquor licensee’s lapse in liability insurance and two public hearings on vacating some city property. The complete agenda can be found on the city web-site at www.grandrapids.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Cemetery Vandals Arrested 061110
A teenager’s attempt to claim a reward for information on the recent vandalism to about 100 gravestones at the North Hibbing Cemetery backfired when she and two others were arrested for the crime. Felony charges of damaging property and trespassing in a cemetery after hours are pending against the three juveniles.
According to Hibbing Police Sergeant Jeff Ronchetti charges will probably be filed early next week. Police arrested the girl, 13, and one of the boys, 17, on Wednesday evening; the second boy, also 17, was arrested Thursday afternoon.
Earlier in the week Ronchetti said police didn’t have much evidence to follow. But that changed when the girl came in with information; she was trying to implicate other people and it turned around on her, Ronchetti said.

MNFDA Conference 061110
The Minnesota State Fire Department Association annual conference is being held here in Grand Rapids. Fire Chief Steve Flaherty said they expect between 350 to 370 attendees, many of whom will bring guests or entire families. Flaherty said the location of the conference is selected by the membership during the annual event and Grand Rapids ran unopposed, mainly because of the great support our community offers to the attendees. He said that in addition to training, the purpose of the conference, there are some fun events scheduled, golf, a community party at the Eagles and a parade on Saturday, starting at 3 PM. Flaherty said the parade originates at the Robert J. Elkington Middle School and proceeds west on 5th Street, in front of the Fire Hall, to 2nd Avenue NW.
The personnel of the Grand Rapids Fire Department have volunteered to assist the conference during vacation time to help insure things go smoothly. Fire Chief Flaherty said Grand Rapids will probably be the safest city in the state this weekend, fire-wise.

ESSAR Blasting 061010
Essar Steel Minnesota is cautioning people to stay off its property near Nashwauk for their safety as contractors beginning blasting rock at the site, starting next week, for building foundations. Blasting is expected to continue for about three months

Reif Dance Spring Performance 061010
The Reif Dance Program’s Spring Performance is this weekend. It has dancers aged from 3 to 19 years old. Ballet Director Daniel Blake said his biggest challenge wasn’t from the dancers; it was his wife’s due date. Blake said because it was so close to the show dates, he had the program choreographed early. One of the senior dancers is half of the current Dancing With Our Stars champion team, Marjorie Shrimpton. She said she has been dancing since kindergarten and has bonded with the other dancers, they are like family. Lindsey Feyder has been dancing for fourteen years. Annika Vandeneinde said she has only danced at the Reif and this is her fourteenth year also. One of the senior dancers, despite ankle problems, continues to perform. Raeanne Menniger missed out on the lead in the Holiday Nutcracker program because of some injuries. Raena Haatvedt said she feels very prepared for this show.
Performances are Friday & Saturday at 7 PM; Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $8 for students. They are available at the Reif Center box office, Reeds Drugs and on-line at www.reifcenter.org. For more information call the Reif at 327-5780.

Saxhaug Honored For Affordable Housing 061010
The Minnesota Manufactured Housing Association, (MMHA), recently announced Senator Tom Saxhaug as one of the 2010 recipients of its "Friends of Affordable Housing Award," in recognition for his service and common sense approach at the State Capitol to promoting safe and affordable housing for Minnesota families. He, along with Senator Dan Skogen of Hewitt and Representative Mark Murdock of Ottertail will be recognized at an event on June 16th. For more information, contact Senator Saxhaug's State Capitol office at 651-296-4136.

Magnetation Update 060910
With a long-term contract to provide quality hematite to a steelmaker — and a new separator to produce it — Magnetation Inc. is planning to build a second Iron Range plant. The Nashwauk-based company is raising $70 million to build and begin operating the plant southeast of Taconite. The plant will produce 650,000 metric tons a year and employ about 50. Magnetation recovers magnetic hematite from tailings basins, stockpiles or virgin iron formations, concentrating it to a marketable level. The company began making commercial shipments last year from its first plant, the Mesabi Chief Plant 1 near Keewatin. That plant, which supplies Mesabi Nugget’s iron nugget plant in Hoyt Lakes, is currently producing hematite at a rate of 160,000 metric tons a year according to Magnetation CEO Larry Lehtinen.

Update 060910
In today’s economic environment some of the best news a community can receive relates to jobs. At Tuesday’s Regional Rail Authority meeting Mike Metso, program coordinator for the Essar Steel Minnesota project, said they are hiring. He said there is an ad in the Duluth News Tribune seeking staff to assist in the construction of the plant. Metso also briefed the Rail Authority on other employment figures; approximately one hundred fifty full and part time construction workers are currently employed working on the project.

Dowling 060910
Boundary Waters Blues Festival
The Boundary Waters Blues Festival has outgrown the area they use in Ely and organizers are moving the event. Itasca County Board Chair Commissioner Lori Dowling said Ely’s loss is our gain. The Blues Festival is being held at the Itasca County Fairgrounds from July 29th thru August 2nd. Event coordinators indicated they are excited about all the enthusiastic support they have received. They estimate around two thousand people will participate in the event. Dowling said this is the first time the county has considered the fairgrounds as an economic resource, but won’t be the last.

Zims Lane
A very confusing issue that won’t go away has turned up on the Itasca County Boards table again; according to Commissioner Lori Dowling a lot of debate has taken place on the issue of ownership of the small lane in Wabana Township, Zims Lane. One individual wants the county to vacate the portion of Zims Lane that crosses his property. Dowling said Commissioner McLynn has expressed her belief that the lane is not a county road however there are state statutes governing the creation of public roads which may apply in this instance.
Commissioner Dowling indicated that sometime this summer a vote will take place on the “vacation” of Zims Lane, which may be followed by a lawsuit regardless of the direction of the vote.

Jay Gould Mercury Testing
How much mercury is in our local waterways? The city of Cohasset is hoping to find out. Jay Gould Lakes haven’t been tested for mercury levels. With the city of Cohasset considering expanding its city sewer system, the city received approval to seek a grant to cut in half the cost of mercury testing. The results of the test may make more money available for the city’s project. The vote was four to one- councilor Tim Carlson voted no. The motion passed.

Jackie Bischoff Fundraiser    06-08-10
Friends and family of a Cohasset teacher will hold a fundraiser for her July 3rd in Cohasset. Jackie Bischoff teaches kindergarten at Cohasset Elementary School. She has been diagnosed with cancer. Her friends and family will hold a fundraiser for her July 3rd at Portage Park in Cohasset. Brenda Perrault is Jackie’s neighbor and asked the city council to donate the use of Portage Park in Cohasset for the day for the fundraiser.
There will be pony rides, a mini-softball tournament, turtle races, karaoke, dodgeball, food vendors and a silent auction. Admission is free. Donations will benefit Jackie’s medical bills.

Take A Kid Fishing 060810
The Minnesota DNR has a way to celebrate the end of the school year with a potential angler-to-be by fishing for free with a child 15 or younger June 11-13 during the Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend. According to Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator for the DNR, Minnesotans 16 or older that take a child 15 or younger fishing that weekend won’t need a license to do so. He said getting started is easy. You don’t need a boat, and the availability of loaner equipment in some areas means you won’t even need a pole or tackle. Start by visiting www.mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing to learn more.

Good Sports Activity Camp 060710
The Grand Rapids Park and Recreation Department is offering a new program for Children ages 3 and 4 called Good Sports Activity Camp. The program is designed to teach children the importance of teamwork and play through fun activities. Kids will participate in simple games that can be played in the backyard, beach, and on sports fields. Session 1 will be held June 14, 15, 16 and 17 at 5:00 PM. Each day will feature a different theme.   Meet at Memorial Park across the street from the IRA Civic Center. Rain days will be moved inside the arena. Participants are requested to bring a water bottle and snack and must pre-register at the IRA Civic Center. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:30 PM; telephone number is 326-2500.

Traffic Stop Pot Bust 060710
Officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department stopped a vehicle on County Road 10 on May 26th. While investigating the stop, officers determined that the driver of the vehicle may be in possession of a controlled substance. A drug canine was summoned to the scene. A pound of marijuana was found in the vehicle and an adult male was been charged with felony possession. According to Police Chief Jim Denny the Grand Rapids Police Department has seized 23 pounds of marijuana in the past six months.

Accident Near Tower Update 060410
Here is a follow up to our story about the motorcyclist injured last Saturday on Highway 169 near Tower. According to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday in State District Court in Virginia 40 year old Michael Holman of Hibbing may have been under the influence of methadone when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck and critically injured 57 year old Lonnie Scipioni. Court records indicate Holman has been charged with four felonies; three for criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm and one for possession of methadone. Holman is being held in the St Louis County jail on $20,000 bail. Scipioni was listed in serious condition on Thursday with multiple broken bones, a crushed pelvis, internal injuries, a traumatic brain injury and he lost his right leg.

Grand Rapids High School Graduation 060210
Grand Rapids High School Seniors have started the process of taking control of their lives. According to Principle Jim Smokrovich graduation is all about them, students will announce the names of graduating seniors and members of the District 318 School Board will hand out the diplomas. The Grand Rapids High School Graduation Ceremony starts at 7 PM on Friday June 4th at the IRA Civic Center on Highway 38. Smokrovich said there should be plenty of room and tickets are not required. He said for the most part the graduates have some great plans and he hopes they follow thru on them. The Graduation Ceremony is Friday June 4th, starting at 7 PM in the IRA Civic Center.

06-02-10                    GNK
It’s all for the kids. Parents, principals and coaches of students in Greenway, Nashwauk and Keewatin met Tuesday night in Marble. If the Greenway and Nashwauk/Keewatin school districts can combine a few sports and save a few dollars, high school principal Jeff Britton has an idea where some the money could be spent- computers, textbooks, teachers and technology. The activities committee for the two districts met Tuesday night to discuss a number of issues, including football, track, fast pitch softball and hockey. Parents and school board members for both districts shared their thoughts on what programs they think should be combined- or left alone. Superintendent Mark Adams told committee members that it’s all about giving the kids a quality education.

Accident Near Tower 060110
A fifty seven year old Hibbing man was critically injured Saturday on Highway 169 seven miles south of Tower. Lonnie Scipioni was driving his 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle west on Hwy 169 at Flaim Road when a vehicle driven by forty year old Michael Holman, also of Hibbing, crossed the center line and struck Scipioni. According to the Minnesota State Patrol Scipioni was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. He was airlifted to St Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth with critical injuries.

WEB GLBTA Picnic 060110
The GLBTA Alliance is an alliance of Gay, Lesbian, bi-sexual, trans-gendered and straight allies according to the group’s president Andy Mundt. He said it is important for straight allies to stand up against discrimination and inequality in our community. In 1920 Congress passed the 19th Amendment guaranting women the right to vote; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in public facilities, in government, and in employment. He said many consider the GLBTA the civil rights movement of today. To help our community become better acquainted with the Alliance the 11th Annual Aliance picnic will be held on Thursday June 3rd at the Veterans Memorial Park from noon to 3PM. The picnic is open to the entire community; there will be hamburgers and hot dogs provided. He said to come out and meet your friends and neighbors and support the Alliance. For more information you can email the Alliance at info@itascaalliance.org.

Memorial Day Services 052710
Monday is Memorial Day; a day dedicated to honor, respect and thank the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who fought for our freedoms and rights and paid the ultimate sacrifice while doing their duty. Memorial services will be conducted throughout our area. On Friday decorations will be placed on graves at area Cemeteries; the Harris, Wildwood and Bass Brook Cemeteries and the Itasca Calvary Cemetery will have flags and holders placed at 4 PM. There will be a Memorial Day Service at Lakeview Cemetery on Monday at 10 AM, sponsored by the Hurlbut – Zeimer American Legion Post 476. There will be services conducted on Monday around the Grand Rapids area starting at 9 AM at the Old Soldiers Lane Cemetery; followed with a service at 9:30 at the Wildwood Cemetery, the Harris Cemetery at 10:30, there will be a wreath committal at the Robert Horn Bridge at 10:45. an address at the Itasca Calvary Cemetery at 11:15, a wreath laying at the Courthouse at 11:45. There will also be Memorial Day Services at the Manor House at 12:15 PM, the Evergreen Terrace Care Center at 1:15 PM and the Itasca Nursing Home at 1:45 PM. The Warba American Legion Post 432 will conduct services on Memorial Day starting at 8:30 AM in the Swedish Cemetery at Trout Lake, then on to the Trout Lake Cemetery at 9 AM, Blackberry at 9:30, Ball Bluff at 10:15, Sago at 10:45, Wawina at 11:15, Warba at noon, and Legion Beach at 12:15 PM. Any one wishing to volunteer or seeking additional information is encouraged to contact the Itasca County Veterans Service Office at 327-2858.

318 realignment 052510
Too many kids. It’s a problem many school districts wish they had. At district 318, the over-flow of kindergartners last year was followed up with a second year of more than expected kindergarteners. The school board discussed the possibility of realignment.
The school board of Independent School district 318 met last night. On the agenda was adding a kindergarten teacher to make it eleven sections next year, instead of ten. But where that section would go and who would teach it is the problem. Superintendent Joe Silko told board members, parents and teachers there’s no easy answer.
After his presentation, he suggested to board members and the public that he might request an additional kindergarten and 1st grade teacher for the fall and consider reducing a 3rd and 4th grade class to make room.   That might mean twenty-seven students in third and forth grade at Southwest will have a different school to attend next year.

Greenway/Nash-Kee Workshop 052510
The only school building in school districts 316 and 319 that is being fully used is Van Dyke Elementary school, which is bursting at the seems. The question is what to do about it. The school boards of Independent School District 319 and 316 met in a workshop Monday night at the Marble School. Tom Watson of the Watson Consulting Group talked to both boards about long-term planning. He told the boards their districts won’t survive long without referendums. Fred Tanner, chair of the Greenway school board said some choices have to be made soon. Dave Holmbeck, Director on the Nashwauk/Keewatin School board, said it is easy for the two communities to poke fun at each other’s situation. Board members listened to Watson present possible shared and consolidation models. The board will look at actual costs and building use tables when they meet again next month.

Cohasset Legislative News 052510
The city of Cohasset received half of what it asked for this legislative session. State Representative Loren Solberg and Senator tom Saxhaug outlined the session for the city Tuesday night. The city was able to make a shift with its TIF funds through legislative action. Another Solberg/Saxhaug bill that would have conveyed Tioga (ty-O-ga) beach to Cohasset was lumped with the fish and game bill, which was vetoed. A third bill was considered to give power companies the right to deduct the cost of pollution control equipment. That bill didn’t get far. Another Saxhaug/Solberg bill, for taconite Tax Relief will give Cohasset another $200,000 for the Beier Road project.
Mayor Pro Tem Nyle LaGrange told the board they are just waiting for Burlington Northern to set a schedule.

051810 Governors Fishing Opener in Grand Rapids
Explore Minnesota Tourism announced that the 63rd Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener has been awarded to the Grand Rapids area. The annual event, which promotes fishing and tourism in Minnesota, will be held May 13-14, 2011. Next year’s Fishing Opener will be based at Rutgers’s Sugar Lake Lodge, with fishing on Pokegama and other area lakes.

Governor Tim Pawlenty said “The Grand Rapids area is a great destination to host the Opener.” Grand Rapids last hosted the Governor’s Fishing Opener in 1999.

The 2011 Governor’s Fishing Opener will be hosted locally by Visit Grand Rapids, the City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, along with many sponsors and local volunteers. Shannon Benolken, director of Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, and Gary McInerney, Grand Rapids city council member and real estate agent, will lead a team of volunteers to plan the event.

051810 Fire Tenth Street Southeast
The Grand Rapids Fire Department responded to a fire at 520 NE Tenth Avenue Monday evening. Fire Chief Steve Flaherty said when crews arrived they found a garage fully engulfed in flames; however fire crews were able to get the fire under control quickly. Flaherty said there was some minor damage to the associated house and cause is still under investigation.

Election Information 051810
The filing period for county and state offices opened today and closes on Tuesday June 1st at 5 PM. County Commissioners in Districts 1, 3 & 5; the County’s Attorney, Auditor, Recorder and Sheriff Positions will all be up for re-election. To date only Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure has announced he will not seek re-election. All Minnesota State Representatives and Senators are up for re-election this year. Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced his plans to not seek re-election.

051310 Greenway Wrap-up
What is the future of the Marble school? The Greenway school board met Wednesday afternoon in a special session to discuss a number of issues, including the Marble school building. The board was asked to consider an overhaul of the Marble building. The building has no sprinkler system, asbestos tiles, a noisy inefficient 45year old boiler system and poor indoor air quality. Marble is used for Early Childhood Education, Invest Early, Head Start, and Early Childhood Special Education. About 155 children spend their schools days in the building. The board voted to table the issue for a second strait meeting.
Also during the meeting, the board decided not to offer retirement incentives for teachers, discussed the need to close one building in the district, voted to post for a three-quarter time activities director and approved the construction of a handicapped accessibility ramp and seating space.

05.12.10 Cohasset City Council
Tuesday night, the Cohasset city council set June 6,7 and 8th as Cohasset Clean Up Days.
Over these three days, Cohasset residents can bring junk that clutters their yard, garage, and basements to city hall and the city will dispose of it. The city has seen an increase in the use of this service. Residents will be asked for ID before they are allowed to add to the pile. That’s June 6,7 and 8th in Cohasset. In other business, the city hired three part-time employees for the park department and two employees in the public works department for the summer.

Canisteo Update 051310
The residents of Bovey may be able to sleep a little easier and have drier basements soon. The Minnesota DNR may start draining water from Canisteo this year. DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten indicated in a letter to the Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board that he intends to start acquiring easements and begin engineering design work for the Prairie River option. Holsten was granted the authority by the bonding law that provided three point one million dollars for the Canisteo Project. Holsten stated the board’s preferred Holman – Trout option is not ready to proceed due to budget and time issues. Construction on the interceptor trench to provide immediate wet basement relief for Bovey residents continues.

05-03-10 Negotiations
Independent School District 318 Superintendent Joe Silko announced Monday night during the school board meeting that the district has a tentative agreement with one of its unions. The district has come to a tentative agreement with the Principals union, according to Superintendent Silko. Before the contract is finalized, it must be voted on and approved by union membership and approved by the school board. The board held a negotiation session Monday April 26th with members of the teacher’s bargaining unit, Education Minnesota Local 1314. No agreement was reached.

05-03-10 School Board Business
School District 318 will hold its Academic Excellence Awards on Wednesday May 12th. Superintendent Silko invited the public to watch the students take home some awards.
The presentation is at 7pm Wednesday May 12th at the Reif Center.

SHIP Grant 042910
For some kids, the only balanced meal they eat is at school. But how balanced is that meal? The statewide health improvement program, known as SHIP, was awarded a forty-seven million dollar grant to help Minnesotan live longer by reducing the burden of chronic disease. As part of that grant, a nutritionist has been working with a nutrition committee at the Greenway schools to offer healthy food and healthy choices.
The committee also recommended healthy breakfast choices, eliminating food as a reward, and using only low fat milk. The SHIP funds will also be used to allow for purchasing more fresh healthy foods for this school year.

Cohasset Hook and Ladder BBQ 042810
The Cohasset Hook and Ladder will hold a community barbeque on May 7th at the Cohasset City Hall. Ham sandwiches will be served on 6 inch hoggie buns for $6.00. There will be beans, chips, sourkraut, pop and coffee. The barbeque will begin at 5pm. Three hundred pounds of fresh ham will be served. Residents are also invited to tour the fire hall during the open house.

Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing 042410
On Saturday morning a Bell 47 light helicopter under contract to the Minnesota DNR experienced a mechanical failure and made a forced landing in a remote area of northern Minnesota. The accident occurred between 7 and 7:30 about 35 miles north of Two Harbors. The pilot was the only person on board and reported no apparent injuries. Emergency Medical personnel from Two Harbors and the Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Squad responded to the accident. The accident has been reported to the FAA for further investigation and reporting. The helicopter was owned and operated by Scott’s Helicopters based in Le Sueur.

Dry Conditions Continue 042610
The Minnesota Department Natural Resources’ State Climatology Office is now classifying north-central Minnesota counties as “abnormally dry” and northeastern counties “in moderate drought.” The problem began last year with precipitation shortfalls during the growing season, then continued with below normal snowfall this winter. Precipitation totals from mid-March through mid-April are near or below all-time record lows; less than one-half inch of precipitation has fallen over most of northern Minnesota since the snow melted. The National Weather Service is predicting this trend will continue through spring and possibly into July, causing drought conditions to intensify. These abnormal conditions affect fire behavior. As the forest fuels continue to lose their moisture, fires can become bigger and burn hotter, making them more difficult to extinguish. A number of fires this past week grew to 50-100 acres before firefighters could stop them. Once fires are contained, it is taking days to extinguish all the burning material because even the large dead and down material, which is normally still moist from winter snows, are burning. A recent fire near Hoyt Lakes burned with flame lengths estimated at 300 feet. This same fire produced spot fires one-half to one mile away. No rain is forecast for northern Minnesota for the next seven days. Until then grass, brush and trees will continue to dry out and the very high to extreme fire danger will continue. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) increased restrictions on open burning because of the hazardous fire conditions. The restrictions affect all burning, including campfires, fireworks, outdoor welding, and prescribed burning. The 37 counties included are: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk (that portion east of County Highway 6 and south of State Highway 92), Pope, Roseau, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, St Louis, Todd, and Wadena. Burning permits are not being issued, with very limited exceptions, and only by state and federal forestry offices. Under the new restrictions, fireworks are not allowed outside municipalities and devices with open flame, such as welders and acetylene torches, are prohibited in forest and grass areas, except under special permit. Campfires are still allowed, however, the burning period has been restricted to 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. The fire must be in a fire receptacle designed for such use and associated with a residence, resort, or developed public and private campgrounds. In all situations, there must be an adequate source of water immediately available for extinguishing the campfire.
The DNR is no longer allowing prescribed burning and running fires until conditions improve, except in areas outside the aforementioned counties where the DNR regional director may authorize prescribed burning as necessary. Restrictions will remain in place until sufficient precipitation is received to moderate fire danger. If normal precipitation is not received in the near future, additional restrictions may be imposed.

Saxhaug 042210
The Enhanced Driver’s License bill, authored by Senator Tom Saxhaug, has passed the Senate. The EDL would, on a voluntary basis, allow for a micro-chip to be included on a regular driver’s license to enable easier border crossings by land or water. Senator Saxhaug said it is important to Minnesota commerce.
He pointed out that Manitoba and Ontario already have them and they proved very successful between Washing and British Columbia during the recent Olympics. There is less than a month left in this legislative session and over seven hundred million dollars in budget deficit. Senator Tom Saxhaug said the remaining deficit will have to be balanced with cuts to either Health and Human Services or K – 12 Education or some combination of both.

Severe Weather Awareness Week Thursday
This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week. There are daily topics set up by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. There will be two simulated statewide tornado drills today; the first at 1:45 PM the second optional one is at 6:55 PM. For more information you can visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Severe Weather Awareness web-site at www.severeweather.state.mn.us.

AARP Driver Safety Class 042210
There will be an AARP Initial Defensive Driving class for drivers over 55 to update their driving knowledge and receive a 10% discount on their auto insurance. Class is limited to 30 students. Pre-registration is required. Bring your driver’s license to class.
8-hour class for new students at the District 318 Admin Building
Tuesday April 27th and Wednesday April 28th from 5 – 9 PM both days
Cost is $12 for AARP members, bring card to class; $14 for non members
To Register call Renee@ 327-5730

Chisholm High Speed Chase 042110
Two Chisholm men, aged 20 & 25, were arrested early Tuesday morning after a high speed chase. According to the St Louis County Sheriffs Department, an officer attempted to make a traffic stop at about 2:40 Am; however the vehicle refused to stop. A twenty-five mile chase followed reaching speeds of about one hundred miles per hour. The vehicle was disabled with road spikes. There were no injuries; however the 25 year old driver was airlifted to Duluth after allegedly ingesting a large quantity of narcotics.

Astronomy Day 041910
The Range Astronomy Club will be hosting some activities on National Astronomy Day, Saturday April 24th. The Paulucci Space Theater in Hibbing has been reserved from 5 to 11 PM for telescope viewing of the sun, stars and planets. For a full schedule of events you can visit the website at www.rangeastronomyclub.heliohost.org or you can call Dave at 218-245-1763.

Tower Man Injured
An 18 year old man from Tower was critically injured in a one vehicle roll-over accident in Polk County Monday evening. The 1999 Grand Am, driven by Gabrielle Benjamin was eastbound on Highway 28, left the roadway, entered a ditch and rolled. The passenger, Gewaden Dunkly, was ejected pinned under the vehicle. Benjamin was treated and released at the Glenwood hospital; Dunkly remains a patient at a St Cloud hospital.

Race To The Top 042010
Is the state of Minnesota going to make a second bid for “Race To the Top” federal education funds? According to Independent School District 318 School Superintendent Joe Silko, even if Minnesota applies for and wins federal funds, most dollars will stay in the metro area. Superintendent Silko told board members that Education Minnesota, the legislature and the Governor all have different opinions about what needs to be done before the state can reapply.
Silko said the Governor wants more accountability for teachers, Education Minnesota wants lower class size and the legislature wants to funds to be driven by need. However the grant is designed, Silko said the one thing that is true is that federal funds will be the only chance to additional education funding the state will receive.

Solberg 041510
Enhanced Drivers License
An enhanced driver’s license would enable Minnesota residents to cross into Canada by land or water without needing a passport. Representative Loren Solberg said it is a voluntary program where a micro-chip would be placed in the license with no more information than is required for a passport or regular driver’s license. Information such as proof of citizenship and that you do not have a felony conviction. Solberg said it is cheaper than a passport and more convenient for sportsmen and truckers making frequent trips across the border. He pointed out there are several states and Canadian provinces that currently have the EDL.

Property Tax Refund Anniversary
April 14th was a birthday party of sorts for the state's Property Tax Refund Program, now 35-years old. Representative Loren Solberg said only about half of those eligible file for a property tax refund and it is especially important for seniors on fixed incomes, who've seen their home values and property taxes increase dramatically over the decades.

Campus Life Youth for Christ Comedy Café 041510
A no cost fundraiser is exactly what you would expect for the Comedy Café, sponsored by Campus Life Youth for Christ. Patty Holycross is a coordinator for the event. She said the event is free, they are only asking for donations. It starts out as a Dessert Social then comedian Bob Stromberg, a founding member of Triple Espresso out of the Cities will entertain. Carol-Lee Geisler is the Administrative Assistant for the Youth For Christ program. She said they need to provide a head count to the Timberlake so they would like reservations made by Monday April 19th at noon. She said you can call 326-9709 or 326-3258 to leave a message. Geisler said the Youth For Christ program is international. This is an important year for the Itasca County program, their fortieth. Geisler said her husband started the Campus Life program in 1971 and has been mentoring teens ever since. The Comedy Café fundraiser Thursday April 22nd at the Timberlake Lodge; reservations are needed by noon on Monday April 19th.

GRHS Grease 041510
Just about everyone knows the story of Grease. Teen age students finding summer love and returning to High School and discovering they have very different lifestyles. Tickets are five dollars for students, seven for adults and available at the door. Shows are at 7:30 PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Reif Center.

County Board Meeting 041410
The setting of the regular agenda at Tuesday’s Itasca County Board meeting proved to be a difficult task. Commissioner Catherine McLynn moved to approve the agenda without Exhibit G, a request for board action (RBA) from the Agriculture Association requesting a loan of one hundred fifty thousand dollars for improvements to lighting at the Itasca County fairgrounds. Board chair District One Commissioner Lori Dowling called for the vote which failed 2 to 3. Commissioner Mark Mandich moved the agenda with item “G” included; which passed. With the agenda finally approved the board moved on to recognition of county employees, Exhibit B. There was a legislative conference call scheduled for 3:15 PM, Exhibit C; however it was five minutes away so Board Chair Dowling suggested an item be moved up in the agenda. The board agreed and Sheriff Medure presented a resolution supporting National Telecommunicators Week. Exhibits C and D, a conference call and housing report from the Range Readiness Initiative were completed. More problems arose with the next item on the agenda, a closed session, Exhibit F. Board Chair Dowling suggested Exhibit “G” be moved before the closed session in deference to spectators in the audience. Commissioner McLynn objected to the move and Dowling referred to County Administrator Lois Kottke, who serves as board parliamentarian for a ruling. She indicated that there is precedence in the action, both in the current board meeting and in previous ones. The Board Chair moved Exhibit G ahead of Exhibit F. County Auditor Jeff Walker, who was listed as a presenter, and Fair Board Chair Ron Oleheiser were asked to step forward to present the RBA. Commissioner McLynn again objected, to which Dowling indicated McLynn was out or order. The presentation was heard by the board and after input from Mike Haig of the County Attorney’s Office Commissioner McLynn moved to refer the RBA to the next Transportation Land Management (TLM) meeting where there could be more discussion. The board agreed to refer the topic to the next TLM meeting.

Saxhaug 041410
“Hurry up and wait” is a term that symbolizes what the Minnesota Legislature is experiencing. Senator Tom Saxhaug said that they are waiting for the federal government for funding that would help balance the remaining seven hundred million dollar budget deficit facing the state. That funding may provide about four hundred million dollars which would go toward the Health and Human Services budget; hopefully reducing the severity of the remaining cuts. Senator Saxhaug indicated the legislature may recess while waiting for the federal funding and that once the funding became available the remainder of the session could go very quickly.

A bill that could be on the Senate Floor for a vote soon is the enhanced driver’s license, authored by Senator Tom Saxhaug. A voluntary micro-chip would go in a license enabling easier crossings into Canada. He said the chip would ask for no more information than a passport or our current driver’s license requires. Saxhaug said other states and Canadian provinces use them successfully.

Get Fit Itasca 041410
Active Living and Healthy Eating. That’s the two pronged approach Get Fit Itasca is using to fight obesity in Itasca County. Betsy Johnson, with Get Fit, gave the Cohasset City Council an update on funding for trails in the county. Johnson said one of the goals is to connect trails in Grand Rapids with trails in its “sister cities” of Cohasset and Coleraine, creating more active transportation routes. Johnson said we are a car-driven society and creating more trails will go a long way to helping fight obesity. Currently, Cohasset maintains the Tioga Trail. There are also state trails at the Forest History Center. Get Fit is also working with the Itasca Economic Development Corporation to encourage a trail through the former Ainsworth property.

Local Weather Statistics for March 2010
The USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station in Grand Rapids has released weather statistics for March 2010.

The average high for the month was 49.6 degrees and the average low was 25.6 with an overall average temperature of 37.6 degrees.

March of 2010 was the warmest March recorded in Grand Rapids; the next warmest was in 2000 with an average daily temperature of 35 degrees. The 61 degree reading on March 14th set a new record high temperature for that day.

The coldest March was in 1923 with an average temperature of 14.1 degrees.

We received 0.78 inches of rain last month; compared to the record 4.25 inches of March 2009.

We are 5.2 degrees above the 30 year daily average temperature and 0.77 inches below the 30 year average rainfall for the period January thru March.

City Council/Zabinski 041310
The area around the current site of the Saint Josephs Church, just west of the end of 21st St SW, will eventually be known as the St Josephs Addition. At Monday’s Grand Rapids City Council meeting the first step was accomplished. Mayor Pro-tem Ed Zabinski said the area will be developed to allow for new and existing roads to be improved. Forest Hills Avenue and Timber Line Avenue would connect to 21st Street SE; which would also eventually connect to Horseshoe Lake Drive to the west.

Lot one, block one of the Jones addition in Grand Rapids is located along Second Avenue SE between 15th and 17th Streets; behind the auto sales lots. Mayor Pro-tem Ed Zabinski said the city had been loaned the use of this tax-forfeited parcel from the state to locate the south side fire-hall; however that wasn’t economically feasible at this time so the city wants to buy the property and resell it to a developer to get it back on the tax rolls. He pointed out that this is only the start of a multi-step process.

An action taken at Monday’s Grand Rapids City Council meeting moved the location of precincts one and five polling places. Mayor pro-tem Ed Zabinski said precinct one has moved across the street from the airport terminal to the United Methodist Church and Precinct five has moved from the former township hall to the IRA Civic Center. He said the primary election is scheduled for August 10th.

The Grand Rapids City Council held two public hearings Monday evening. One was on a proposed ordinance prohibiting the feeding white-tailed deer within the city limits. Mayor pro-tem Ed Zabinski said the council was listening to the public and some residents spoke out in favor of a ban; however there was no council action taken on the ordinance. The second public hearing was on revising the blight ordinance. Zabinski said the current process could take years to resolve an issue. The revised ordinance will streamline the process considerably; however the decision won’t be made until the next city council meeting on April 26th.

Fire Restrictions Heightened 041210
Due to an increased concern about wildfires across the state, the Minnesota DNR tightened restrictions on campfires in 37 Minnesota counties early this morning. Counties around our area include Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods and St. Louis. Jean Bergerson is with the Inter-agency Fire Center said campfires will not be allowed at non-designated campsites and other remote locations. This will impact shore lunches, dispersed campsites, day hikes, and backpacking trips. Campfires are still permitted in designated fire receptacles at residences, dwellings, campgrounds, and resorts if they are no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height. In addition, fireworks will be prohibited outside municipalities due to the volatile nature of these explosives. Bergerson said these areas are often very close to sources of ignition and usually very difficult to get to. These restrictions will remain in place until sufficient precipitation is received to moderate the fire danger. If normal precipitation is not received in the near future, additional restrictions may be imposed. A complete list of counties affected can be found on the DNR web-sire at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Saxhaug 040810
The Minnesota Legislature has reduced the states budget deficit by three hundred thirteen million dollars. Senator Tom Saxhaug said the remainder of this year’s session has to deal with the remaining seven hundred million dollar shortfall. He said the state is expecting about four hundred million from the federal government for health care which will leave about three hundred million dollars; most of which will be from cuts. Saxhaug said there is a bill working its way thru the Minnesota Legislature may ease border crossings by water and land. It is an enhanced driver’s license with a micro-chip embedded in it. The EDL is voluntary program which should cost about fifteen dollars extra. Saxhaug pointed out that both Washington and British Columbia, Canada have them which made travel back and forth during the Olympics very smooth. He said this would be a great option for sportsmen traveling between the US and Canada without the expense of a passport.

Severe Weather Awareness Week 040810
The week of April 19th thru the 23rd is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. While our area usually does not get tornados we do experience other types of severe weather. There are daily topics set up by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. On Monday April 19th thunderstorms, hail, lightning and straight line winds will be the focus. Tuesday’s topic of awareness is Severe Weather Warnings. On Wednesday Floods and Flash Floods will be the topic. On Thursday there will be two statewide tornado drills; the first drill will take place at 1:45 PM with an optional second one occurring at 6:55 PM. Listeners are reminded the warning sirens are designed to notify people outside, not in homes. Friday’s topic will be heat, something we haven’t experienced a lot of up here in the northland; however we still need to be aware of its effect on humans, pets and livestock. KOZY news will offer a daily reminder of and safety tips for each day’s severe weather topic. For more information you can visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Severe Weather Awareness web-site at www.severeweather.state.mn.us.

Updated Stabbing at Seven Cities Short 040710
More information has been released in Friday’s stabbing incident at Seven Cities. Tobias Lanum and Andrew Dowling, both 18 year old Grand Rapids residents, have been charged with first and second degree aiding and abetting attempted murder and first and second degree aiding and abetting assault. According to the criminal complaint Lanum stabbed 18 year old John Bennett of Bovey eight times. Bennett was treated at Grand Itasca and released on Sunday. According to the criminal complaint Bennett told investigators he went to Seven Cities with Lanum and Dowling thinking he had been invited to a party. According to the criminal complaint Dowling thought Lanum had “snitched” on him regarding a fight the previous week and intended to kill Bennett and burn the body. Investigators say Lanum sent a third party a text message indicating he would also kill Dowling if Dowling became suspicious. At hearings on Monday the court set bail for Lanum at $250,000 without conditions or $100,000 with conditions and set bail at $100,000 for Dowling with conditions or $50,000 with conditions. The conditions include maintaining contact with their lawyers, no contact with the victim, not leaving the state without court permission and no drug or alcohol use. The next hearing for both defendants has been set for May 10th.

School Enrichment 040710
The Minnesota Academic Excellence funds are gone. But, Independent School district 318 has committed to continue to invest in academic extra-curricular activities. The district continues to offer ten enrichment opportunities for students from elementary through senior high including an art club, math masters, economics competition and junior naturalist. Many of the leaders of these activities are volunteers. Robert J Elkington Middle School Assistant Principal Dan Adams told the school board Tuesday night that the programs are mostly run by volunteers. Currently, all these programs run on a budget of about thirteen thousand dollars. New programs may be accepted if there is student interest and a qualified volunteer to take on the project.

Updated Stabbing at Seven Cities Short 040610
A second Grand Rapids man is in custody in connection with the stabbing incident that occurred Friday night at Seven Cities. Sheriff Medure indicated 19 year old Andrew Dowling was arrested late Monday afternoon for Aiding and Abetting Attempted Murder in the First & Second Degrees and Aiding and Abetting Assault in the First & Second Degrees. The victim, Jon Bennett, was released from the Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital on Sunday. Dowling is currently being held in the Itasca County Jail pending formal charges by the County Attorney’s office. The first suspect in connection with the stabbing, Tobias Lanum, turned himself in to the Sheriff Office on Saturday morning. He was charged in District Court on Tuesday with Aiding and Abetting Attempted Murder in the First and Second degrees and Aiding and Abetting Assault in the First and Second degrees.

Missing Girl 040510
Early Monday afternoon the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a missing four year old girl. Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure identified the young girl as Lydia Johannsen. The Sheriff stated Lydia was playing in the yard south of Calumet on CR 12 when she walked away. The parents called 911 after they were unable to locate her. The Sheriff said she was located about three quarters of a mile south from her home by a passerby. The alert citizen notified searchers about a young girl standing near the tree line on CR 12. She was missing for a little over two hours before being located.

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness 04-02-10
There is a service offered here in Itasca County called the Itasca Crisis Nursery that is available free of charge. Becky Boelter with Crisis Nursery said they have been operating for ten years. They are having an open house on Thursday April 29th from 5 – 7 PM at the Itasca Resource Center. Everyone is welcome. She said the crisis nursery is a child abuse prevention and family support program that works with families to defuse a potentially abusive situation by placing children, temporarily, in a safe licensed child care facility. There are no income guidelines and their 24 hour hotline number is 327-8652. April is also Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month, symbolized by the blue ribbons worn by co-workers and displayed at area businesses. Starting Monday April 5th there will also be blue pinwheels on the lawn of the Central School serving as a reminder that there are children living in abusive situations. For more information on Child Abuse Awareness Month you can contact Boelter at 327-8653 or visit the national Child Welfare Information website at www.childwelfare.gov.

Solberg 04-01-10
The Capitol Investment, Jobs or Bonding Bill was passed and signed into law very early in this year’s legislative session. According to Representative Loren Solberg the idea was to get jobs created during this construction season. In that bonding bill were two projects for our area, the ATV trail from Aitkin to Grand Rapids and about nine hundred thousand dollars for railroad crossing safety improvements. He said there are also some “paint ready” projects in the Minnesota State Colleges and University system and a few new construction projects.

The Jobs Two Bill has also been passed by the Legislature; Representative Loren Solberg said he was part of that task force to create a bill dealing with Angel Credit and the Historical Building Credit. He said there is also about a million dollars in the Grand Rapids and Aitkin area for jobs creation. Solberg said they have worked closely with communities to prioritize projects.

At the opening of this legislative session the state’s budget faced over one billion dollars in deficit. Representative Loren Solberg said they have reduced that amount by about a third or three hundred thirteen million dollars. The Governor had recommended cutting Local Government Aid by two hundred fifty million dollars; however the legislature insisted on only one hundred five million in cuts for LGA. Solberg said even with those cuts there is a long way to go to balance the budget.

03-31-10 Bullying
Is your kid a bully? Parents hope not, but how do they know?
Last night, Conner Jasper Middle School principal Jake Nelson told the school board that his school staff are out in the hallways between classes watching for altercations and bullies. Superintendent Mark Adams asked for the public’s help in identifying kids targeted by bullies. Adams said both Greenway and the Nashwauk/Keewatin school districts are exploring training on bullying for teachers, bus drivers, even cafeteria staff. If you know of a child who is a victim of a bully, report it to the school. Principal Nelson told board members that he can’t stop it unless he’s made aware.

03-31-10 Titans
On a 4-2 vote Wednesday night, the Greenway school board voted to allow the co-op and collaborative Greenway and Nashwauk/Keewatin sports teams to become Titans.
The Nashwauk/Keewatin school board voted Monday night during its school board meeting to allow students participating in shared sports to use the name Titans when referring to the team. The new colors will be blue and green.
Wednesday night, the Greenway school board followed suit. Twelve hundred and fifty students chose the name Titans for their teams.
Tara DeGuisseppi made a motion to rename all shared sports (coop and collaborative) Titans pending financial discussion of a shared 65/35 cost. That motion passed on a 4-2 vote.

03-31-10 Van Dyke Food Drive
Students in Van Dyke Elementary School were challenged to raise seven hundred pounds of food during the March food drive. They exceeded their goal. Classes competed against each other to bring in food and money for the food shelf. If students made their goal, they would get to duct tape principal Rae (Ray) Villebrun to the wall. And, the class that brought in the most food/money would get to throw pies at her. Students exceeded their goal by raising 5243 pounds of food. Mrs. Paula Troubbley’s third graders brought in 1530 pounds of food to win. The second place was Mr. Dzelski ’s 3rd grade class with 5211 pounds.

3-29-10 Greenway-Nashwauk Keewatin Collaboration
Students in the Greenway and Nashwauk/Keewatin school districts can expect more rigorous course offerings in the fall. The school board of Greenway and Nashwauk/Keewatin met in a workshop last night to talk about how to expand academic opportunities for kids. Superintendent Mark Adams said the boards are exploring some “hybrid” models. Models may include sharing staff, using ITV, bussing students from one district to the other or some combination of all these. Adams said now that the districts have balanced budgets, the boards can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Greenway Board Chair Fred Tanner said the workshop accomplished a lot and he’s excited to offer more programming for kids. The Greenway school board will meet in regular session Wednesday at 6pm in the High School Media room.

03-18-10 Pokegama Dam
Work began this week on the Pokegama Dam on Highway 2 West.
Jeff Kleinert, the Pokegama Dam Tender, said a construction crew is making the dam safer for both employees and the public. The upgrade consists of changing from 6 wooden log gates to 14 steel gates to control water flow on the Mississippi. He said this will make it easier to adjust flow and safer for personnel who do the work. During the year-long process, the dam will be closed to pedestrian traffic. But, according to Kleinert, when it does reopen, the pedestrian path will be separated from the dam workings and it’ll be safer from both foot traffic and employees.

03-09-10 ISD 318 Workshop
Organizers of a future charter school visited with board directors of Independent School District 318 Monday evening. Vicki Nelson, an education consultant and a member of the planning board for Harmony School, had two questions for the board to consider. One, would the district consider selling the charter school the former Riverview School. And, Two, would the district consider being the “authorizer” for the school. No decision was made and the charter school organizers will formally ask the board to consider both requests next week during the regular school board meeting.

03-04-10            Ogles Items For Our Troops
Ogle’s Marketplace Foods and the VFW Post 1720 have teamed up to give residents the opportunity to give our troops a touch of home. A table is laid out at Ogles with examples of items people in the military have requested. The list includes foot powder, Q-Tips, granola bars and crossword puzzles. Shoppers can purchase any of these items at Ogles and drop them in the shopping cart neat the exit. Manager Kurt Ogle said the store will see to it that your items reach our troops.
Items include:
Foot Powder         Granola Bars        Pop Tarts        Q-Tips
Beef Jerky        Canned Fruits    Oatmeal        Candies
Gum            Powdered Drinks    Creamers        Cereal
Cross Word Puzzles Book            Pens        Individual Shampoos
Canned Meats    Ravioli        Tootsie Rolls        Condiments
Playing Cards    Batteries        Catsup        Deodorant
Crayons        Books            Stationary

College in the Schools 3-2-10
How do you keep kids from leaving high school to take college courses? You offer them college level courses and no tuition. For the students enrolled in the District 318 College in the Schools program, you offer classes that earn free college credits. This school year, district students will earn 990 free college credits. Based on three hundred dollars a credit, local families saved almost three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) in college tuition.
College in the School is college level coursework. Students earn both high school and college credit. When students stay in high school, the funding stays with them.

Elementary Exercise 3-2-10
How often do elementary students need physical exercise? Teachers and parents talked to school board members Monday night during the District 318 school board meeting about possible changes to the elementary school day. About 40 teachers and parents attended the open forum prior to the board meeting. A few people spoke about a proposal made to teachers to cut back phy ed in the elementary schools. Doctor Scott McBride told the board that studies have shown “little people” need exercise on a daily basis.
Superintendent Joe Silko told the audience that’s just one proposal. He thanked the teachers for their dedication to their students and at the same time told the audience that schools can’t keep doing “business as usual.” Parents and the state want students to graduate with reading, written language and math skills.

Cohasset Fire Report 02-23-10
If you live in Cohasset, make sure your house numbers are visible. Cohasset Fire Chief Davin Tinquist presented his yearly report to the city council last night. One of the items on the chief’s list was that it is now mandatory for residents to have their house numbers clearly displayed.
The department responded to 209 calls last year, down slightly from 2008. Tinquist reported no calls from pipeline workers and a drop in calls from Minnesota Power. Tinquist congratulated Minnesota Power on it safety concern during construction.
The city council also adopted an ethics policy, approved submission of a grant request to Senator Al Franken for money for the Beier road crossing and cancelled the March 9th council meeting for lack of a quorum.

District 318 Teachers Contracts 02-16-10
Over fifty teachers and parents attended the school board meeting of Independent School District 318 Tuesday night. The district and its teachers union have not settled on a new contract. During the half hour open forum prior to the board meeting, a number of teachers talked to the board about their value.
Whether it’s teaching more students at a time or buying pencils and hand sanitizer, teachers are doing more with less. Board member Tom Peltier told those present that he didn’t disagree. Dave Calligury, negotiator for the teacher’s union, said the teachers are asking for a 1½ percent increase during each year of the two-year contract. Calligury said its time to get the focus back on to the students where it belongs.
Board member Paul Meyer, who is on the negotiating committee for the district, said the offer by the board was a cash offer. The offer is at $125 cash payment in the first year and 0.5% in the second year OR a $500 cash payment for each year.
The district was penalized twenty-five dollars per pupil for missing the state-imposed January 15th deadline for a settlement.

Tennis Courts in Cohasset 02-10-10
Tuesday night, the Cohasset City Council was asked to consider building public tennis courts. The city had public courts, but they weren’t maintained and became unusable. Forty-eight students ranging in age from 9 to 14 signed a petition asking the council to consider putting courts back in Cohasset. Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with athletes, farmers, doctors, the food industry and media to take on the childhood obesity "epidemic" when she launched the "Let's Move" campaign. Nearly one in five US kids aged six to 19 are obese, which in technical terms mean they have a body mass index -- calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height squared in meters -- greater than 30.

Cohasset City Council 02-10-10
The Cohasset City Council approved safety awards last night.
The city of Cohasset has gone two years without a “lost time” injury. That includes the officer personnel, city works and fire department. The city has an incentive program and rewards the staff for being safe on the job.
Greg Tuttle, city safety officer, asked council to approve cash or clothing awards Tuesday night. The AWAIR program encourages avoidance, elimination and/or minimization of hazardous activities. According to Councilor Tim Carlson, the Cohasset Fire Department has gone for seven years without a lost time injury.

Crime Report 020810
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:

Fatal Snowmobile Accident 020110
A Lakeville man died as a result of a snowmobile accident on January 31st at approximately 12 PM. Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure identified the victim as sixty one year old John Burns. The accident occurred on a snowmobile trail off Highway 46 about four and a half miles east of the highway near the north end of the City of Squaw Lake. The victim was heading north on the trial when the snowmobile he was driving left the trail and hit a tree. The victim died at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Squaw Lake Fire Department, Squaw Lake First Responders and the Deer River Ambulance Service.

Crime Report 020110
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:

Blandin Foundation Awards Grants 01-28-10
Blandin Foundation trustees approved over four million dollars in grants during their December meeting. Among the 40 grants awarded was operating support for the Bovey Coleraine Youth Center, which provides area high school students a safe, supportive environment during after-school and overnight hours, and includes work space, adult mentors and food. The grant of $170,000 over two years also will help the center to serve as a meeting space for youth-focused groups such as the award-winning Greenway Key Club. A grant of one hundred ten thousand dollars over two years to the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund Inc. will provide business planning training and access to financing for unemployed and underemployed men and women in Itasca County. The Itasca Economic Development Corporation will also will receive a grant of $225,000 to promote economic development in the Itasca County area. Itasca Community College will receive $350,000 for financial aid assistance for Itasca County high school graduates. Additional details on other area grants can be found at the Foundation’s web site, www.blandinfoundation.org.

Greenway Race To the Top 01-27-10
A new federal grant program called Race To The Top may offer significant dollars to two local school districts. The Race to the Top fund is a national competition among states for $4.35 billion under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to improve education quality and results statewide. Minnesota is one of the state’s applying for this grant. For the Greenway and Nashwauk-Keewatin School Districts, this may be the only money the district gets in the next few years. These funds will support states making dramatic progress on the four reform goals of ARRA funds. These funds will be made the spring 2010.

Softball Coach 01-27-10
For the first time in about 22 years, the Greenway Softball team will have a new coach.
The school board on Wednesday night approved Kyle Erickson as the new coach. Ann Will started the program in 1986 and has been the only coach the program has had. Activities director Tim Geyer thanked Will for her dedication to the program. Kyle Erickson will take over the team in the spring.

Cohasset City Council 01-26-10
Enbridge Energy is asking snowmobilers to stay away from their project sites.
Many things can be hidden under just a few inches of snow. Enbridge Energy pipeline routes may look like clear sailing for snowmobilers, but the company is warning riders that the sites may contain hazards. The company sent a letter to the city of Cohasset asking that the city warn its riders. In other action Tuesday during Cohasset’s twelve minute City Council Meeting, the council lifted the sign moratorium and approved claims.

School board Meets
The school board Independent School District 318 won a number of awards this week.
The board attended the Minnesota School board Association conference this week and took home three awards. Board member Tom Peltier was awarded the MSBA Presidents Award. The board as a whole won the District Award of Distinction. Mary Ann Olson was named to the All-State School Board. Only 7 individuals received that award.
Also during Monday’s board meting, the board approved a resolution directing staff to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions. The board also accepted the Pay Equity Implementation Report. The report shows how well districts do paying their male and female employees equally.

Crime Report 011910
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Friday January 15th an adult female was arrested on 5th Street NE for obstructing the legal process. An officer on patrol identified the driver of a vehicle as having a suspended license. The officer pulled the vehicle over and explained he would have to have the vehicle towed to impound and needed her car keys. The driver refused and attempted to depart the scene; a scuffle ensued and she was arrested for obstruction.
Also on Friday January 15th a complaint was received from 4th Street NE of someone in a monkey suit performing lewd acts on the street. When law enforcement arrived the sobriety of the individual in the monkey suit was tested; he was cited for minor consumption.
On Sunday January 17th a vehicle on Pokegama Avenue South had a $200 GPS unit, a $100 portable DVD player and a $100 game console stolen from it.
In the local crime report from the Itasca County Sheriffs Office:
On Friday January 15th a resident on Wabana Road in rural Grand Rapids reported a friend had found some explosive type devices in a mine pit. The concerned citizen turned over to law enforcement a blasting cap, a tear gas grenade and a 90 millimeter tank shell.
On Saturday January 16th a report of a snowmobile thru the ice on Pokegama Lake was received shortly after 9 AM. Emergency responders found a snowmobile helmet floating in the open water and began searching for the operator. The Cohasset Fire Department Ice Angle was dispatched to help with the search. The snowmobile owner was located at home. He reported that his son had used the sled the night before but had returned unharmed. The son admitted he did not report the incident; thereby resulting in the search for a missing snowmobile rider.

Northland Foundation Awards 011810
The Northland Foundation awarded 35 grants totaling over two hundred thousand dollars to nonprofit programs and projects in northeastern Minnesota during the 4th quarter of 2009. Among the Foundation’s longstanding priorities is supporting the region’s children and youth. That focus area is reflected in the following awards in our area:
$5,750 to Minnesota Diversified Industries
$5,000 to Kinship of Aitkin County
$1,500 to Aitkin County Triad
$985 to ISD #319 Nashwauk / Keewatin Community Education
$650 to Grand Rapids High School - ISD #318

VOYAGEURS ICE AND TRAIL CONDITIONS 011510
The staff at Voyageurs National Park has an updated trail conditions report. An additional inch of new snowfall has enhanced already good travel conditions; all snowmobile trails within the park, including the Chain of Lakes Trail, are now open for use. All overland portages, with the exception of the Kettle Falls Portage, have been groomed with the use of a small grooming device pulled behind a snowmobile. As a result, travel over portage trails within the park is vastly improved and will be maintained until ice conditions allow for the use of the full-size groomer. Tenacious thin ice conditions near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center prevent the establishment of the Rainy Lake Ice Road. Please remember that the snowmobile speed limit within Voyageurs National Park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages. Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and overland portages. Weekly winter trail conditions reports are available on our website at www.nps.gov/voya.

Friend of the Chamber 01-19-10
Mike Iaizzo, owner of Itasca Broadcasting, received the “Friend of the Chamber” award Saturday night during the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner. Each year the chamber chooses a business leader who shows above average support for the Chamber. Bud Stone, Chamber President, “Mike has not only been a Chamber member for several years, he’s also served on many of the Chamber committees and has always promoted the Chamber and the Grand Rapids area to members and visitors alike.”
Itasca Broadcasting does business as KOZY/KMFY Radio.

01-16-10 318 Teacher Negotiations
Independent School District 318 did not reach an agreement with its teachers by Friday night’s state-imposed deadline. Superintendent Joe Silko said teachers will continue working under the terms of last year’s contract.
The district was penalized $104,000, or $25.00 per pupil-unit for missing the state’s deadline. The head of the Education Minnesota union expected half of Minnesota’s teachers to accept a salary freeze in one or both years of the new two year contracts. About 35 districts in the state were expected to miss the deadline. 309 of the state’s 344 districts were expected to finalize contracts with their teachers.

Pincherry Road Cohasset 01-12-10
Residents who use County Road 88 (known as Pincherry Road) in Cohasset will have to use an alternate route starting Monday. Enbridge Energy will be conducting routine maintenance on a portion of the pipeline under County Road 88 in Cohasset starting Monday (January 18th). County road 88 will be closed to traffic until about February 10th. Local residents will be detoured to Columbus Avenue.

Cohasset City Council 01-12-10
The Cohasset City council met in regular session Tuesday night.
Councilors began the first meeting of the year by appointing Nyle LaGrange as Mayor Pro-Tem, John Licke as the city’s civil and personnel attorney and John Dimich as the city’s criminal attorney. Northland Securities was designated the city’s financial consultant and SEH Engineering was chosen as the city’s Engineer.
Counselors approved a resolution authorizing the city to accept Tioga Beach. Itasca county has already agreed to the move. Minnesota Lawmakers must approve the change in ownership because of the large number of feet of shoreland. Hardy expects the exchange to be completed by May.

Snyder Pleads Guilty 010810
A former investigator with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office has pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Greg Snyder pleaded guilty Thursday to criminal sexual conduct in the first degree with penetration or contact with a victim under 13.

Snyder also pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct in the second and third degrees.

Snyder was with the Itasca County Sheriff's Department for twenty years. The former investigator was taken into custody and ordered to undergo a sex offender evaluation.

Snyder will be sentenced on March 9th.

VOYAGEURS ICE AND TRAIL CONDITIONS 010710
Park staff at Voyageurs National Park has provided an updated trail report. They indicate that travel is very good on all of the major snowmobile trails in the park. The Purple Trail from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to Kettle Falls on Rainy Lake is now open and staked as a result of improved ice conditions. In addition, efforts to open the Chain of Lakes Trail will soon begin, but is expected to be a slow process due to the clearing of downed trees and low hanging branches resulting from the heavy holiday snowfall. A vehicle that broke through thin ice near Springer’s Point on Rainy Lake last week remains partially submerged and is marked. Park staff continues to evaluate ice thickness. Winter trail conditions reports are available on Voyageurs website at www.nps.gov/voya.

Greenway School Board 010610
The Greenway school board elected Fred Tanner as chair for a second year in a row during Monday's reorganizational meeting. The vice chair will be Gary Gustason. Trina Cogswell was elected to the postition of clerk and the treasurer will be Bob Schwartz. School Superintendent Mark Adams said "We have our officers in place now and we can begin the transition from the 2009-2010 school year." Board members also chose their committees assignments for the upcoming year.

01-06-10 Itasca County Board
The Itasca County Board of Commissioners is under new leadership. Tuesday afternoon, on a unanimous vote, commissioners voted Lori Dowling as their new chair. Rusty Eichorn was voted the vice chair.
Board members then filled various committee assignments.
The next scheduled meeting of the board is Tuesday Janaury 12th at 3pm in the county boardroom.

Federal Grants Aid Northeast Minnesota Poverty Programs 010610
Two federal agencies are awarding over $2.2 million in federal grants to combat poverty and homelessness in Minnesota, Congressman James Oberstar recently announced. The funding will support programs which supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance for low-income people. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding $1.8 million to programs in Northeast Minnesota. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will make almost $450,000 in grants to programs in Northeast Minnesota.

Congressman Oberstar said “This is the worst economic downturn in decades; we have to make sure that resources are available to help people in tough times. For many families, the loss of a job is a disaster; they need help to keep going until they can find new employment, programs like these can help bridge that gap until their circumstances improve.”

Kootasca Community Alliance / Itasca Transitional Housing was awarded over $32,000 in grants from HUD and Itasca County received a grant of over $37,000 from FEMA.

School Busses
Parents. When you send your children to the bus in these frigid temperatures, make sure the bus arrives. Superintendent Joe Silko told the board that Monday morning the district had problem with five of the school route busses. Some of the busses sent to replace those busses had trouble, too. Silko said the severe temperatures and the bio-diesel the district has to use in the busses cause problems. Silko asked that parents make sure their children have hats, boots, mittens, scarves and appropriate outerwear for the temperatures. If at all possible, Silko said, try to watch the children go from one secure warm area to another.

First Fire Call 010410
Even twenty five degree below zero temperatures didn’t stop the Grand Rapids Fire Department early Sunday morning when Fire Crews responded to the first structure fire of the year. A sleeping occupant noticed his feet were getting hot and awoke to discover his electric blanket had malfunctioned and caught fire. Fire Chief Steve Flaherty indicated a pet died as a result of the fire. The fire department was assisted by the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Itasca County Sheriffs Office. Crews were on the scene for about two and a half hours.

VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK
UPDATED WINTER ICE AND TRAIL CONDITIONS REPORT
010410
Voyageurs National Park has this updated trail report. The Green Trail, the Yellow Trail and the Blue Trail are now open and staked. Areas of thin ice and a major pressure ridge on Rainy Lake are hampering efforts to open the Purple Trail. A vehicle broke through the ice in this area and became partially submerged. Travel is strongly discouraged anywhere in the park where “Thin Ice” signs are present. With the recent heavy snowfall, pockets of slush have developed on portions of the Green Trail. Otherwise, snowmobiling conditions are good on lake surfaces and overland portages have plenty of snow for traveling but conditions are occasionally rough.

Voyageurs Trail Conditions Report 123109
Early season lake ice and snow conditions have been favorable making it possible to open and stake the entire Green Trail from Rainy Lake to Ash River and on to the Crane Lake community. The Yellow Trail from the Ash River community to Kettle Falls is now open and staked. With the recent heavy snowfall, pockets of frozen slush have developed on portions of the Green Trail. Otherwise, snowmobiling conditions are good on lake surfaces and overland portages have plenty of snow for traveling but conditions are occasionally rough.
The snowmobile speed limit within Voyageurs National Park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages. Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and overland portages. Regular weekly winter trail conditions reports will be available on the Park Sevice website at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Not Open
Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River – Open & Staked
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open & Staked
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Not Open
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open & Staked
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Not Open

Rainy Lake Ice Road – CLOSED

Ski Trails
Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open& Packed
Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, Packed & Tracked
Tilson Connector Trail – Open, Packed & Tracked
KabAsh Trail – Open

Snowshoe Trails
Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open
Sullivan Bay Trail – Open
Oberholtzer Trail – Open

Grand Rapids Awarded DEED Grant 123109
Grand Rapids has received a grant to help clean up a contaminated site and create some local jobs. Grand Rapids was one of 14 recipients awarded money from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED grants money twice a year under its Contamination Cleanup Grant Program to help clean polluted sites across the state. Over one point six million dollars was awarded in the most recent installment of the grants. The Grand Rapids Economic Development Authority was awarded over forty-eight thousand dollars to investigate the former Ainsworth OSB site for contaminated materials. The site is being redeveloped into the Itasca Eco-industrial Park and this work is expected to create about seventy jobs.

Mesaba Energy Project Update 123109
There has been another positive step for the proposed Mesaba Energy project. An administrative law judge is recommending the project move forward. In a brief filed on Monday, he said that the Environmental Impact Statement is adequate, and permits should be issued. Excelsior Energy wants to build the $2 billion dollar plant near Taconite. The judge also reviewed that site, and agreed it would be a good fit. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will have a final say on several issues, including the site and permits later this spring. Excelsior still needs a customer for the proposed power plant.

Defensive Driving Classes 122909
There will be two defensive driving classes held in our area the first week of January. AARP certified instructors will be offering the four hour refresher classes for all drivers over 55 years old who would like to update their driving knowledge and receive a 10% discount on their auto insurance premium for the next three years. This class will review your current knowledge and inform you on the new traffic laws and crash reporting procedures. The first class will be held at Cohasset Recreation Center on Thursday Jan 7th from 1 – 5 PM; to register call 328-6225 ext.26. The second class is Saturday morning January 9th from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Grand Rapids School District office building To register call Renee at 327-5730. There is also an initial eight hour defensive driving class scheduled for January 12th and 13th from 5 PM to 9 PM each night at District 318’s Administration Building. There is a cost of $12 for AAPR members and $14 for non-members. To register for the initial class contact Renee at 327-5730.

District 318 Meets
Independent School District 318 approved a levy increase of eleven percent Monday night. The board approved an eleven percent increase in the district’s local levy. Business Manager Ben Hawkins said that’s just a portion of the district’s funding. The district budget is around $45,000,000. Local money and fees account for just 13 percent of the budget. The district did see an increase in taconite tax money. That money is based on a three-year average, according to Hawkins. That money will drop during the next two years as plants have reduced production or shut down. The local levy was approved $7,255,873.41.

Greenway Levy Approved 121609
Residents of the Greenway school district won’t see much of a change on their school tax bill next year.
Mark Chase, the school’s business manager, presented the board with the Truth in Taxation figures on Wednesday night. The levy will go up less than $9500.
Some changes were significant. One of the district’s levies did fall off, leaving the district with $275,000 less to work with. The district also lost $236,000 in health and safety dollars. Last fall, the board approved OPEB bonding, which allowed the district to bond for $838,000 for retiree health care. Overall, the district’s levy for 2011, payable in 2010 will be $1,714,275.

Cohasset City Budget
The city of Cohasset approved the city’s levy for 2010 on December 8th.
The payable in 2010 levy was approved at $1,926,654. Mayor Ron Hardy said that’s about fifty-six thousand dollars less than this year.
The city also approved the 2010 budget.
In other action, the council held three public hearings. The council made changes to the zoning ordinance regarding seasonal and temporary property, home address, and signage. Every house in Cohasset must now display the house numbers on the home. Fire Chief Davin Tinquist said visible house numbers could save precious seconds in an emergency.

Independent School District 318 Honors
The board of Independent School District 318 will receive a prestigious honor in January.
The school board will be awarded the Minnesota School Board Association’s District Award of Distinction. The award recognizes milestones in training in education issues and productive governance. Specifically, a majority of the board members must have at least 100 hours of training. Board member Tom Peltier will also be recognized for achieving 300 hours of attendance at MSBA and National School Board Assocation-sponsored meetings and activities. The award will be presented during the MSBA’s Leadership Conference Recognition Luncheon on January 14th in Minneapolis.

Kain Sentenced 120809
The former co-owner of Little Bear Lodges was sentenced to five years of supervised probation and ordered to pay restitution for stealing money from the company’s 401(k) plan between July and October 2007. Fifty-two year old Donald Kain pled guilty last month in Itasca County District Court to felony theft. According to the criminal complaint, Kain withheld $6,563.68 in employee elective 401(k) contributions but failed to forward the money to the plan’s custodian. Little Bear Lodges ceased operations in October 2007. Itasca County Attorney Jack Muhar said that Kain was ordered to pay full restitution of $6,304.48 and a fine of $1,080. The defendant also was ordered to write a letter of apology to the victims.

Counterfeit Travelers Checks 120809
The Hibbing Police Department is asking people to be on the lookout for counterfeit travelers checks. Over the weekend, two $500 Visa Travelers Checks were used at Hibbing businesses. The first three sets of numbers on both checks were the same: 155 2366 987. Police are asking anyone receiving a check with those numbers to confiscate the check and take notice of the person with the check and, if possible, the type, color and license-plate number of his or her vehicle. People are cautioned not to confront the person trying to use the check, but to call 911. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hibbing Police Department at (218) 263-3601, St. Louis County Midway dispatch at (218) 749-6010 or the toll-free tip line at (800) 847-8763.

Crime Report 120209
A Grand Rapids Police Officer suffered a heart attack after a 25 mile high speed chase and foot race with a suspect. On Friday November 27th one adult male was arrested after high speed chase at speeds over one hundred miles per hour. The vehicle was stopped and the suspect fled on foot. Twenty year old Adam Bjelland was captured and charged with 2nd degree DWI, fleeing a police officer, reckless driving, felony parole violation and 4th degree assault. After the arrest Grand Rapids Police Sergeant Bill Block suffered a heart attack. Sgt Block was transported to Grand Itasca and then airlifted to Abbot Northwestern in Minneapolis where he underwent emergency surgery. According to Police Chief Leigh Serfling Sgt Block has been released from the hospital and is doing well. The case is currently under review for formal charges by the Itasca County Attorneys Office.

Blandin Foundation 120209
Seventy-six percent of the Blandin Foundation’s grants have been in the Grand Rapids and Itasca County area over the past six years, exceeding the Foundation’s commitment of a 55% average.
In accordance with Charles K. Blandin’s will, every three years the Ramsey County District Court reviews the accounts of the trust created upon his death that funds the Blandin Foundation.
The Charles K. Blandin Foundation reported to the Court that the Trust had provided $56.8 million in funds for the Foundation over the reporting period.
The Trust and Foundation will continue to discuss with the Court ways to ensure stable grant-making in the Grand Rapids area in times of exceptionally bad or good economic conditions.

Charity Rivalry Exhibition Boys Basket Ball Game 113009
The Grand Rapids and Greenway Boys Basketball teams will host a friendly rivalry tonight (December 2nd) for a good cause.
A benefit basketball exhibition game will be held tonight at 7:30 at the Grand Rapids High School Auditorium for the survivors of a car accident that claimed the life of Emmy Foss and injured Haley Salo and Paige Anderson.
The exhibition basket-ball game will start at 7:30 PM Wednesday December 2nd in the Grand Rapids High School gymnasium:
The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for students. All proceeds will help support Salo and Anderson.

Learning Academy
Students in District 316 will now be able to sign up for the Learning Academy.
The Greenway school district is signing kids up for the Learning Academy. It’s an after school and summer program designed to give students the assets, strengths and protective factors to stay in school and be successful.
Students in kindergarten through 8th grade are targeted. Costs to the district for the program will come from the District 318 Area Learning Center. Brochures for the program will go out to parents during conferences.
The district 316 school board received an update on the program during the November 17th school board meeting.

Curling Open House
The Itasca Curling Club is hosting the three free curling clinics. On the next three Mondays, November 30, December 7th and December 14th at 6:30pm, you can try curling and learn the rules of the game. The clinics are free.

Great American Smokeout 111809
If you are a smoker Thursday November 19th is your chance to join many across the nation in the annual Great American Smokeout. Colleen Swanson, marketing director at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital said smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in the country and if you are a non-smoker; challenge a smoking friend to quit. All Minnesotans have access to quit smoking resources from QUITPLAN Minnesota. For more information you can call them at 888-354-PLAN (7526) or go on-line to www.quitplan.com.

AARP Drivers Classes 111809
Automobile drivers fifty-five and over have an opportunity to reduce the cost of their auto insurance and refresh their driving knowledge by attending three refresher classes sponsored by AARP. The classes are designed to review your current traffic knowledge, update you on accident reporting procedures and inform you on new traffic laws in effect as of July of this year. The first class date is Tuesday December 1st from 5 to 9 PM at the school district administration office; contact Renee at 327-5730 to register. Two refresher classes will be held in Cohasset; the first on Thursday December 3rd and the second on Thursday December 17th from five to nine PM. To register for the Cohasset classes call 328-6225, extension #26. There is also a first time eight hour “First Time Class” on Tuesday and Wednesday December 8th & 9th from 5 to 9 PM at the District 318 admin building; contact Renee at 327-5730 to register.

Crime Report 111809
In the local crime report from the Itasca County Sheriffs Office:
On Tuesday November 17th a business on Otis Lane in rural Grand Rapids reported the theft of a 32 inch LCD television from a guest room. Entry was gained when the suspect threw a rock through a patio door, shattering it. The suspect also tore the cable box off the wall to remove the television. Total damages and replacement value for the missing TV is about one thousand dollars.

District 318 Meets 11-17-09
Enrollment in Independent School District 318 has stabilized over the past five years.
457 ISD 318 students are attending other districts while 452 students from other districts are attending 318. The school board on Monday night heard an update on open enrollment figures from Lyn Rajala, Student Information and Services Coordinator.
Most of them are attending neighboring districts, including Greenway, Deer River, Blackduck or Hill City. Board Chair Paul Meyer said some of those numbers probably won’t be changed. Meyer said many of these students live on the district’s border and it’s easier for them to attend a school closer to their home.

Crime Report 111609
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Friday November 13th seven students at the Grand Rapids High School were suspended for disorder conduct and vandalism. The students had arranged for over one hundred pumpkins to be placed on the road leading to the High School and several were smashed on the roadway. There was also graffiti painted on several windows of the school with derogatory remarks about the freshmen, sophomore and junior classes. Upon investigation the students involved, all seniors, admitted to the acts and were subsequently suspended.
Also on Friday a concerned parent of a 15 year old female notified law enforcement that her daughter had been receiving text messages and voice mails from an adult male. The suspect was found to be on probation and prohibited from having contact with females under the age of 16. The information has been forwarded to his probation officer for possible charges.
On Saturday November 14th a retail merchant on Pokegama Avenue South reported finding a bag of marijuana in the facility. Law enforcement retrieved the contraband and destroyed it.
Also on Saturday a traffic stop for weaving across the center line and failure to signal a turn resulted in an adult male being arrested for 4th degree DWI and the vehicle being towed.
On Sunday November 15th a traffic stop for failure to wear a seatbelt resulted in a citation for no seatbelt and driving after revocation. The vehicle operator was also warned about a cracked windshield.

YMCA Fall Auction 111309
Every year the Itasca County YMCA raises funds to off-set the cost associated with participating in activities. Flash back to the sixties and seventies with “Getcha Groove On”, this year’s fall auction. Funds raised goes to scholarships to allow area seniors, children and families to participate in a multitude of activities: There are hundreds of items ranging from five dollars up, something for everyone. The live auction starts at 7 PM and they have many great donated items. The annual YMCA fall auction fundraiser is Thursday November 19th; tickets are $15; social hour starts at 5:30; the silent auction begins at 6:30 and the live auction at 7 PM. For more information or to purchase tickets contact the YMCA at 327-1161.

Attempted Burglery 111309

A 37 year old Cottage Grove man was found guilty Thursday of attempted burglary of the Cenex Convenience Store in Deer River. Lyle Robert Carpenter and two others visited the store on September 2nd of 2007. Carpenter entered the store’s office where he tried to open the store safe, according to the official report. The case was prosecuted by Todd Webb, Chief Assistant Itasca County Attorney and investigated by the Deer River Police Department and Itasca County Sheriff’s department. Carpenter’s sentencing will scheduled for January 4th at 2pm.

11-11-09 Cohasset Deferred
Tuesday night, the Cohasset city council agreed to pay 7.8% of the cost of the new Grand Rapids Wastewater Treatment Plant. That was the amount agreed to at the start of the project. The plant will serve UPM, Grand Rapids, Cohasset, LaPrairie and Itasca Community College. The federal government’s Interior Department sent the project one million dollars. Other grants are still being received. City Administrator Susan Harper said a number of grants have come through. The city’s portion is expected to be between $140,000 and $200,000. The council also certified deferred special assessments and activated the 1995 deferred assessments. A moratorium was put on the city’s sign ordinance until a new policy is in place.

11-10-09 Fatal Accident
A twenty seven year old man from Anoka died as a result of a single motor vehicle accident on Itasca County Rd 348, approximately twenty miles north of Bovey the night of November 8th. Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure identified the victim as Jon Michael Blaskey. The Sheriff said Blaskey was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Michael Patrick Skubitz, age: 28 from Oak Grove, MN. The S-10 pickup was heading west on County Rd 348 when it left the roadway and hit a tree. Blaskey was dead at the scene. Skubitz was transported to Bigfork Valley Medical Center in Bigfork and later transferred to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. The accident was reported to the Sheriff’s Office as 9:58pm. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Bigfork Fire Department, Bigfork Ambulance Service and the Minnesota State Patrol.

11-09-09 Ainsworth Plant Sold
The Itasca Economic Development Corporation has finalized plans purchase the former Ainsworth OSB Manufacturing site in Grand Rapids. Diane Weber, interim director of IEDC, said in a press conference today that IEDC will reposition the site as a multi-tenant eco-industrial park. The facility will cluster businesses in a way that will reduce operating costs and maximize competitive advantages.
The Itasca Eco Industrial Park will feature four hundred thousand square feet of manufacturing and distribution space on over two hundred thirty acres. The former Ainsworth OSB plant was idled by its parent company in 2006.
Weber said they project two hundred direct jobs as a result of the new Itasca Eco Industrial Park and expects work to start as early as next summer.

110509 Itasca H1N1
There have been no confirmed cases of H1N1 in our area. Colleen Swanson, Director of Marketing at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital said the hospital is treating each case of flu as if it were the H1N1, but there have been no confirmed cases.
The yearly influenza virus has hit schools and small businesses hard this year. Swanson’s advice; if you think you have the flu, stay home. The state-wide Flu Hotline is available at 1-(866) 259-4655. Nurses and medical staff can help you diagnose your disease, and offer tips to keep you comfortable.

110509 Woodland Food Drive
The Woodland Bank is asking for donations of non-perishable food items as it kicks off its 2nd annual Food Drive. Mary Ann Perra of the Woodland Bank said some of the families most in need this year are families who’ve never used the food bank before. All food and money collected by the bank will stay in the area it’s collected. Last year, the bank collected over 1000 pounds of food and over $2400 in cash. Food banks are able to purchase food at deeply discounted prices. So your cash donations go much further than you think. Requested items include:
cereal, soups, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, box dinners, canned fruit and vegetables and juices. The food drive runs through December 31st.
The Woodland Banks in Remer, Longvillle, Cohasset, Hill City, Jenkins and Deer River.

National Gaming Day at the Library
The Grand Rapids Area library will be participating in a National event this weekend. Library Director Marcia Anderson said the library will take part in national Gaming Day on Saturday November 7th from 12:30 to 2 PM. She said there will be board games, video games and even a Wii for participants to use.
Anderson said if you are not into hunting or crafts this is an opportunity to get out and do something. For more information you can call the library at 326-7460 or go on-line to www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us.

One Night With Out A Home
On Saturday November 14th many area residents will spend the night without a warm bed or home, some willingly, some not. Beck Boelter with Kootasca Crisis Housing said National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, which always precedes Thanksgiving week, raises awareness to the plight of the less fortunate in our society, many of whom do not know where their next meal may be coming from. She said Itasca County holds a sleep-out event in recognition of and to raise funds for those in need in our county. The One Night With Out a Home event will be held in the K-Mart parking lot along Pokegama Avenue South. Boelter said they will set up shelters between four and five PM and there will be a soup line, an awareness walk and a contest for the best home-made shelter. Susan Jordahl-Bubacz, executive director of the Bovey-Colerain Youth Center said the kids participating are very fired up to take part, until the next morning when they wake up to freezing temps, if they even slept at all. She said the dialogue that takes place brings a new realization of the homeless population and dispels the stereotype that the homeless are there because of lack of ambition or misuse of drugs or alcohol. This year there is a standing challenge that for $300 you can “buy” someone into spending the night without a home. Bovey Colerain Youth Center kids have challenged new Greenway High School Principle Mr. Campbell to spend the night in a box. Jordahl-Bubacz said that for $200 those challenged can buy their way back out of the box. Donations of blankets, warm clothing and personal hygiene items will be accepted. To challenge someone into a box or for more information you can contact either Becky Boelter at 327-8653 or Susan Jordahl-Bubacz at 259-4455. The annual One Night With Out A Home is Saturday November 14th in the K-Mart parking lot along Pokegama Avenue South.

Election Results 110409
There were three questions on the Nashwauk / Keewatin school district ballot, question one passed, questions two and three failed. Results are not official until votes are canvassed, scheduled for Thursday at 6 PM during a special Nashwauk / Keewatin school board meeting.

The Mayor, city clerk, city treasurer and council member candidates ran un-opposed and the sole question on the ballot, concerning establishing a gas utility for Taconite passed 86 – 22.

In the Marble election, Mayor David Lotti was uncontested; Daidre (day-dre) Breen and Margaret Kavanagh took the four year council seats; Al Guddeck (goo-dick) was elected to the two year council seat and Patti Rychart won the city treasurer seat.

11-03-09 Cohasset Bridge
The city of Cohasset was just one of the communities receiving money from the Iron Range Resources handed out the Commercial Community Redevelopment grants on Friday. Cohasset received $50,000 to demolish the old County 8 bridge. Cohasset city administrator Susan Harper said the city will partner with Itasca County (who will also contribute $50,000) to remove the bridge.
The bridge in downtown Cohasset has been unsafe for many years.

11-04 Nashwauk/Keewatin Referendum
Voters in School district 319 voted to increase the level of funding for their school district Tuesday. The first question on the ballot was whether or not residents would increase funding for students by $700 per pupil. That ballot question passed on a 881 to 616 vote.
Residents voted down the other two questions, asking voters to approve an additional $400 or $200 per pupil. The results are not official until the canvassing board sees the results. That’s expected Thursday evening during a special school board meeting.

11-2-09 Little Bear Lodges
Fifty-two year old Donald Michael Kain pleaded guilty on November 2 to one count of felony theft in connection with his alleged theft of monies from the Little Bear Lodges Inc Company 401K Plan. The agreement calls for Kain to be sentenced under a stay of adjudication and be placed on five years supervised probation. He will serve 30 days in the Itasca County Jail, pay full restitution in the amount of $6,304.48, pay a fine of $1,080, provide a DNA sample and abide by other terms of supervised release. Kain will appear in court on December 7th, 2009 for sentencing.

Crime Report 110209
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Friday October 30th an adult male was arrested on 4th Street NE for 5th degree assault.
Also on Friday two juvenile males were apprehended for vandalism. They had defecated in a pick-up truck bed owned by another juvenile. The parents of the two suspects asked law enforcement to prosecute their children and insisted they pay for having the truck cleaned.
On Saturday October 31st an off-duty police officer noticed loud noises coming from a motorcycle and pick-up truck on his street. The truck drove circles in a nearby yard, damaging the grass and revved its engine repeatedly while attempting to jump-start the motorcycle. The off-duty officer identified himself and asked them to stop. The motorcyclist fled the scene; however the pick-up driver identified the fleeing suspect. He was eventually cited for fleeing a peace officer and the motorcycle was impounded. The pick-up driver was also cited for DWI.
Also on Saturday an employee of a retail merchant on 13th Street SE reported her purse had been stolen sometime the previous evening. Missing is the purse valued at $200, a $200 cell-phone, $30 in makeup and two billfolds and cash valued at $100.
Late Saturday night a resident of Ridgewood Road reported a pick-up truck had pulled up to a neighbor’s house then two juvenile males jumped out and stole several pumpkins. Law enforcement was unable to locate the suspect vehicle.
Early Sunday morning, November 1st a motorist driving without headlights prompted a traffic stop on Pokegama Avenue South which resulted in the vehicle being impounded and an adult male arrested for 4th degree DWI.

Greenway School board 103009
The school board of Independent School District 316 met in regular session Wednesday October 28th.
With more children walking or biking to school, the Van Dyke Elementary School’s “Safe Routes To School” program is a success. Blue Cross/Blue Shield awarded the school the “Do Active Community Award.” in the school category. Superintendent Mark Adams said it’s about working with the whole child. Activities, including walking, should be a part of each student’s day.
The board agreed that handicapped seating was needed at the Dixon Barle Football field, but couldn’t accept a bid of almost $30,000 to do it. On a 4 to 2 vote, the board voted down the bid. The board asked Grounds Supervisor Jim Smith to find more quotes for the project. Superintendent Mark Adams said this project has been on the list of the last six superintendents. HE would like to see it done.
The board approved a band and choir trip to Florida. Each student raised almost $1000 towards the trip. They will travel by bus and leave March 26th and return on April 1st.
The High School will hold a Veteran’s Day program at the High School auditorium. All veterans are invited to attend. It’ll begin at 9:30am on November 11th and last about half an hour.

Phone Line Cut 102909
The Aitkin County Sheriff Office wants to advise area residents that a fiber-optic telephone ling has been cut between Hill City and Aitkin. There is no 911 service available at this time thru land line phones. Cellular service will continue to work. Residents without cellular service can contact the Aitkin City hall at 218-679-2301 for emergency’s and have their information relayed to the county sheriffs office.

Emmy Foss Benefit 102909
A benefit dinner for the family of Emmy Foss will be held on November 14th from 3 - 7 pm at the Eagles in Grand Rapids. Emmy was killed in a bus/car accident in Coleraine on October 9th. The spaghetti feed fundraiser will help her family with expenses incurred due to the accident. Tickets are $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids 5 and under. There will also be a bake sale, raffle, and memorial car magnets will be for sale.

Infante Convicted 102909
A 58 year old Isle man was found guilty of second degree assault by an Itasca County jury on Friday October 23rd. According to the County Attorney’s office Daniel Infante was charged with second degree assault, based on allegations that he assaulted his wife with a firearm during incidents that occurred in May of this year near Bigfork. The incident was investigated by the Itasca County Sheriffs Office and the Bigfork Police Department. Prosecuting Attorney Todd Webb thanked the jury for holding Infante responsible for the terrible trauma inflicted on his wife. County Attorney Jack Muhar said “This case sends a message to the community that domestic violence will not be tolerated by the criminal justice system in Itasca County.” Infante’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 7th.

Cohasset Halloween Part 2
The city of Cohasset will host their Halloween Party this Saturday afternoon. Up to 600 children and their parents visited the Cohasset Halloween Party last year. More people are expected this year. Cohasset Mayor Ron Hardy had only one request, that the families come early so they can participate in the games. The Party starts at 3pm and runs through 6pm at the Cohasset City Hall this Saturday.

Cohasset Fire Chief
The Cohasset Industrial Park has a new tenant. Mike and Tammy Warren, doing business as M & R Chips, purchased the property on Lot 1 block 4 of the Cohasset Industrial Park. Councilor Nyle LaGRange said it’s a well-established company that shreds wood. A letter to the council from the company stated a building would be erected within the year. Also during the council meeting Tuesday, Cohasset Fire chief Davin Tinquist was reappointed to the position. Chief Tinquist thanked the board for their trust. The board also congratulated First Assistant Fire Chief Pat Smith on winning the Central Business Unit Fleet Mechanic of the year by his employer, Pepsi. Smith also services the Cohasset fire Fleet.

Viking Wrestlers
The Cohasset City Council donated $1000 to the Itasca Community College Wrestling Program Tuesday night. Wrestlers will assist the city’s recreation coordinator Dave O’Fallon with this Saturday’s Halloween Party. But, they do a lot more. Cohasset Mayor Ron Hardy said the wrestlers are available for anything the city needs. Anytime.
Cohasset City Administrator Susan Harper added that the team also mentors the elementary wrestling program at Cohasset Elementary School. New Wrestling Head Coach Tim Setala requested the donation from the city to help off-set travel, uniform and entry fee costs. The city approved the request.

McLynn 102809
The Itasca County Board met in regular session Tuesday afternoon. The first item covered on the agenda was a proclamation designating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. District Two Commissioner Catherine McLynn said the presentation was very moving. The motion passed with unanimous support from the board. Another item on yesterday’s agenda concerned an environmental assessment worksheet for a project to construct a substation and 115 kV transmission line to serve the increased demand for electricity around Pokegama Lake.
Concern had been voiced by Board members over the increased workload to the Environmental Services department of the county. Board members discussed an option that would have the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission perform the EAW; however with a three – two vote the county accepted the task. The Board hopes to keep the cost to Great River Energy and Lake Country Power to a minimum, thereby keeping the cost to consumers down. The dates and venue for the hearings will be announced as the EAW process moves forward. County Auditor Jeff Walker presented some facts about the apportionment of funds received from the sale of tax-forfeited land for the ESSAR Steel Minnesota project. McLynn pointed out that most of the funds went to the Greenway area since that was where the tax-forfeited land came from. She indicated that there has been some concern over the abandonment of stockpiles on some of the land being sold to ESSAR. McLynn said the county retains mineral rights and they are not giving the low grade ore stockpiles away. There will be a public hearing on November 24th on the stockpile issue. The next scheduled meeting of the Itasca County Board is November 10th at 3 PM in the county board room.

Adams 102709
At Monday’s Grand Rapids City Council meeting several items were approved on the consent agenda, notably authorization for the Pokegama Golf Course Board to solicit a Request for Purchase for a concessionaire at the Pokegama Golf and Park Place. Mayor Dale Adams said the idea is to get a business in that will insure the operation does well for both the city and themselves. In other action:
The Grand Rapids City Council approved a new Airport Joint Powers Agreement
Held a public hearing to receive input on the rezoning of property on Golf Course Road. Adams said there has been a recent study that indicated the need for about 350 new housing units in the city. The parcel was rezoned from hospital to residential multi-family, R3.
Approved two contracts; one with Short Elliot Hendrickson Engineering and another with Toutges-Redpath for financial services.
Approved the hiring of Barbara Gunderson for the vacant Police Dispatcher Position.
Hired Charlie Bruemmer as a mechanic in the Public Works department.

Crime Report 102609
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Friday October 23rd a Canadian guest at a hotel on Pokegama Avenue South reported someone had stolen several items from his room. Missing was a hundred dollars cash, credit cards, identification papers and a passport.
A report of an assault was received from a hotel on 17th Street South on Saturday October 24th. Two intoxicated individuals escalated their verbal argument into a physical confrontation. Neither was charged based on conflicting statements from those involved and from intoxicated witnesses.
Several residents on 10th Avenue NW awoke Sunday morning October 25th to discover vandals had been out playing mailbox baseball late Saturday night. A damage estimate was not available.
Also on Sunday a resident on 14th Street NW reported someone had broken the rear window of their parked car. Law enforcement did not locate the object used to vandalize the window and a dollar amount for the replacement of the window wasn’t reported.

In the local crime report from the Itasca County Sheriffs Office:
On Friday October 23rd one ton of pine boughs, valued at $300, were reported stolen from a business on CR 134 in Talmoon.
Early Saturday morning a tavern disturbance was reported from State Highway 1 on Togo. The bar fight was done and the business closed before law enforcement arrived.
Also on Saturday an outboard motor valued at $100 was stolen from a garage on the Scenic Highway in rural Bovey. No suspects at this time.
A report of an ATV on the roadway was received from Highway 38 north of Grand Rapids resulted in a citation being issued on Saturday October 24th.
On Sunday October 25th a report of a lost hunter was received from Forestry Road in rural Squaw Lake. The hunter, from the Twin Cities area, walked out of the woods before the Search and Rescue team had to be called out.

Crime Report 102009
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Monday October 19th an adult male shoplifter was detained at a retail merchant on Pokegama Avenue South. The individual purchased a bag of water softener salt then proceeded out thru the security system. An alarm sounded and he was found to have a $40 belt in his pocket. Law enforcement questioned him and he stated he had been looking at the belts earlier and forgot he had placed a belt in his pocket. The individual was escorted back to the belts where he purchased one. No restitution was required and charges were not filed.
Early Tuesday morning, October 20th, an area half-way house reported a drunk adult male was disrupting the facility. Law enforcement arrived and took the suspect to detox.

CO Apparent Cause Of Couple's Death
Autopsy results are pending but it looks like a couple from Hutchinson died from carbon monoxide poisoning over the weekend. Authorities say there didn't appear to be a carbon monoxide detector in the couple's Longville lake cabin. Grand Rapids Fire Chief Steve Flaherty said it is state law that all residences, multi-family and single family homes have a carbon monoxide detector.
Killed were fifty-eight-year old Lee Schwartze and his 55-year-old wife Nancy. Their son Michael is listed in critical condition at a Twin Cities hospital. Authorities think a gas heater and poor ventilation are to blame.

Special Education 10-20-09
The number of students in special education is growing. In Independent School District 318, the numbers continue to increase, even though the enrollment is declining
We’re also may be getting better at identifying students who need extra attention, according to Superintendent Joe Silko. The Superintendent gave the board an update on the special education department last night. He told the board it’s a significant portion of the district’s population. One of the special needs areas growing nationwide is autism. In 1993, the district served 1 autistic child. Today, that number is 32. Silko also said the district is getting better at identifying children at risk.

Influenza-like illnesses 10-20-09
District 318, like many other districts, is being hit by an influenza like illness.
The Grand Rapids High School sent out an Instant Alert to parents Monday night letting them know of an increase in absenteeism because of influenza like- symptoms. The Alert also reminded parents to take precautions and keep their children home if they have a fever of at least 100 and or a cough or sore throat. High school principal Jim Smokrevich asked parents to keep to keep their children home for 24 hours after the fever has passed.
Every building in the district, except Bigfork, is reporting at least a five percent rate of absenteeism. That prompted the district to make a report to the state.
For more information, the district’s web site offers a checklist for parents. Visit the distrrict’s web site at www.isd318.org for more information.

Adoption Award 101609
A Mora couple who has adopted 13 children will receive the Angels in Adoption award this weekend from Congressman Jim Oberstar. Dean and Theresa Julkowski and their children are among dozens of families in 44 states who are being recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption for the extraordinary effort they have made on behalf of children in need of homes.
Oberstar will present the Julkowski family with the Angels in Adoption Award on October 17th at 4:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Mora.
Oberstar serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption that organizes the annual Angels in Adoption Award. This coalition is a nonpartisan alliance of more than 210 members of Congress dedicated to improving adoption policies and services. The coalition focuses public attention on the advantages of adoption for all concerned, including children, biological parents and adoptive parents. “The work of this caucus isn’t about politics; it’s about families,” said Oberstar, “It is literally a labor of love.”

10-15-09 GABA Masquerade Ball
Get out your masks and costumes. Yes, Halloween is coming. But, even before that, the Greenway Area Business Association, or GABA, will host “Nightmare in Bovey- a Masquerade Ball.” Pat Kane, Chair of the fundraising arm of GABA described the evening said the ball will feature a DJ, Texas Hold-en tournament and even pictures for the couples. The event is for adults over 21 year old. Alcohol will be available. A $300 prize will be awarded for best costume. Other prizes will be awarded for other categories. Lots of door prizes will be given away as well. Tickets are $25.00 per person. They are available at White Ivy Design in Coleraine, Globe Drug in Grand Rapids or Lefty’s Tent and Party Rental.

Mercury Warning
It's 3 a.m. Your two-year-old is crying. Her forehead is hot and you fear she's running a fever. You rush to get a thermometer. You grab one, but in your haste, you drop it. It breaks, and mercury beads shoot across the bathroom floor. Now you've not only got a sick kid, but a potentially health-threatening mercury spill to deal with, too.

"Lately we've been advising more people on how to clean up spilled mercury from broken fever thermometers, probably because they're using them more with the advent of cold and flu season," said Lisa Yantachka, an emergency responder with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). "But running the risk of compounding your problems by having a mercury thermometer in the house at all just doesn't make sense."

While the vapor given off from spilled mercury is a neurotoxin that can be health threatening if it is inhaled at a high enough concentration or over a long period, mercury spills in the home almost always can be cleaned up so that they do not pose a danger. However, cleaning up a spill properly will take time and considerable care. And cleanup can be expensive; if the mercury is spilled on a carpet, the contaminated portion will have to be cut out and discarded. If it is spilled on a mattress or upholstered chair, the mattress or chair will have to be thrown away. Larger spills or widespread contamination may even require the services of an environmental contractor.

"Digital thermometers are now the standard in the health care industry," Yantachka said. "They are as accurate as mercury thermometers, but unlike mercury thermometers, they can't create a health and environmental hazard."

Yantachka urges people to replace all the mercury thermometers in their homes - fever and cooking - with digital thermometers and to take their mercury thermometers to their local household hazardous waste facility for proper disposal. Contact information for Minnesota's county household hazardous waste facilities may be found at www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/hhw/hhw-localprograms.html or by calling the MPCA at 651-296-6300 or 1-800-657-3864.

If you break a mercury fever thermometer, you can probably clean up the spilled mercury, but you'll need to exercise considerable care, Yantachka said. Immediately after the spill:

Isolate the spill and ventilate the area. Keep all people and pets away from the spill area. Open windows and exterior doors. Close all doors between the room where the spill occurred and the rest of the house. Close all cold air returns so that mercury vapor is not carried throughout the house. Turn down heaters and turn up window air conditioners. Turn off central air conditioning. Turn off fans unless they vent to the outdoors. Use fans to blow mercury-contaminated air outside.

If mercury has touched your skin shoes, or clothing, stay still and have someone bring you a plastic trash bag and wet paper towels. Wipe off any visible beads of mercury with the wet paper towels and put them in the trash bag. Check your shirt pockets for mercury. Remove contaminated shoes and clothing and place them in the trash bag. Seal the bag and put it in the trash. Shower well.
If you feel you've inhaled a lot of mercury vapor, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Decide whether you can clean up the spill yourself, which you may be able to do if the spill involved a single fever thermometer on a hard, smooth surface. Call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798 to report the spill, any time, day or night. The Duty Officer will put you in touch with an MPCA emergency responder who will advise you on cleaning up the spill.

Local Weather Statistics for September 2009
The USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station in Grand Rapids has released weather statistics for September 2009.

The average high for the month was 68.3 degrees and the average low was 45.9 with an overall average temperature of 57.1 degrees.

The warmest September on record was in 2004 with an average temperature of 61.4 degrees.

The coldest was in 1918 with an average temperature of 45.6 degrees.

We received 4.16 inches of rain last month.

We are 0.9 degrees below the 30 year daily average temperature and 1.93 inches below the 30 year average rainfall for the period January thru September.

Legistar Rollout 101409
The age of paper council meetings in Grand Rapids is coming to an end. Tuesday afternoon the council received instruction in the use of Legistar software at the council work-session. Each seat in the council chambers has a computer work-station with an LCD monitor, mouse and keyboard connected to the city’s network enabling users to access the council agenda and attachments.

Cohasset City Council 101409
The Cohasset Conversation- an Open Forum with City councilors” went well Tuesday night. Cohasset residents took advantage of the open forum with councilors Tuesday night. A number of residents talked informally about topics including the status of Beier Road to deferred taxes. Cohasset Mayor Ron Hardy said the council will offer this opportunity again.
During the formal council meeting, the council proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, approved an application to the state for Electric door openers and agreed to purchase a strip of land made available by the realignment of County Road 63.

Cohasset Turkey Bingo 101409
You’re invited to play Turkey Bingo! The Cohasset Hook and Ladder will hold their annual “Turkey Bingo” fundraiser this Thursday. Cohasset Mayor Ron Hardy reminded area residents to get there early. In past years, the event has been standing room only. That’s this Thursday at 7pm in the Cohasset City Hall.

Local Active Duty Death in Afghanistan 101309
The cost of the global war on terrorism has hit home. Marine Staff Sergeant Aaron Taylor was killed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on Friday. The 27 year old was a 2000 graduate of Greenway High School where he participated in drama, the pep, jazz and concert bands and he was also the manager of the hockey team. According to his father, Clifford Taylor of Two Harbors, Staff Sgt. Taylor was killed by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol.

Crime Report 101309
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Friday October 9th a traffic stop on 5th Street NW resulted in a citation for open bottle and possession of a small amount of marijuana in a motor vehicle.
On Saturday October 10th a store manager on Pokegama Avenue South reported two individuals had been shoplifting merchandise from his store. When law enforcement arrived the manager indicated the suspects were next door getting a haircut. Officers confronted the suspects and recovered over $250 in stolen items. The female suspect was apprehended and taken to Northland Recovery for an unrelated incident. Both were cited for theft.
Also on Saturday a patron of a restaurant on 17th Street SE reported her purse had been stolen. Video surveillance indicated the suspects had paid their bar bill with a credit card, which had been used at a local hotel. The suspects had used a credit card from the stolen purse to purchase gas at a local convenience store. Both were cited with theft and credit card fraud.
On Monday October 12th an apartment manager on River Road reported an adult male was exposing himself in front of his girlfriend’s window. Law enforcement was asked to serve the suspect a no trespass order.
Also on Monday a juvenile male was cited for disorderly conduct at the Grand Rapids High School. He had stolen a box cutter type knife from one classroom and was using it to disrupt another class. He was released to his mother; however he was later transported to the Itaskin Juvenile Center for continued disorderly conduct at home.

Deer River School Board 101309
The School Board of Independent School District 317, Deer River, met in regular session on Monday. Superintendent Matt Grose said a contingent of teachers and staff will be attending a meeting with the Minnesota Business Partnership where King Elementary will receive its Minnesota Futures Award. He said they received an update from Julie Kennedy of Short Elliot Hendrickson Engineering on the running track. Grose said they heard a report from the activities director Brent Schimek about a grant from the Minnesota High School League to off-set the cost of school activities. Grose said he also reported to the board about his trip to Washington DC lobbying about the federal impact on school districts such as Deer River.

Library 101309
The Grand Rapids Area library has some special events lined up for this month. Library Director Marcia Anderson said they have Gregg Breining as a guest speaker on Thursday October 15th at 7 PM. She said his book is about Ice Fishing all around the world with spectacular photographs illustrating the book and is one of the finalists for a Minnesota book award. In conjunction with the book they have other fish related stuff such as Wally the walleye and a Minnesota DNR fish display. They also have a collection of old rods and reels in that display. The Friends of the Library has been a long standing supporter, since 1980. Bonnie Gelle, director of the Friends of the Library said the used bookstore started in 1980 and continues even today. In 2000 the new library had a room designed just for them. Gelle said the Library foundation sponsors a huge book sale once a year to help support the Grand Rapids Area Library. Anderson said the library has events for teens this month such as a scavenger hunt and a drawing to win a tackle box of goodies. She said kids have not been left out of the fun activities; they have a fish craft event on October 28th. To find out more about the Grand Rapids Area Library you can visit their web-site at www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us or call them at 326-7640.

Fatal Accident in Coleraine 101209
A young woman died Friday as a result of a car / bus accident on Highway 169 in Colerain. The three occupants were airlifted to Duluth hospitals where 18 year old Emerald Foss of Bovey passed away at approximately 6 PM. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the car crossed the highway on Curley Avenue in front of the bus and was hit broadside. Lieutenant Paul Blaha of the Minnesota State Patrol said they are reconstructing the accident; however the reconstruction may take a while to complete.

The driver of the vehicle, 18 year old Haley Salo of Grand Rapids and another passenger, 16 year old Paige Anderson of Bovey, were admitted to Duluth hospitals with critical injuries; however Salo’s status was upgraded to stable as of late last night.

The school bus was carrying 23 members of the Ely High School football team and three coaches. Three team members reported receiving some bruising and Jay Poshak of Ely, the twenty-eight year old bus driver, received minor injuries.

Emerald Foss graduated from the Greenway High School earlier this year. Superintendent Mark Adams offered his condolences to the families and indicated grief counselors are on-hand at Greenway schools. Foss’s funeral will be held at 2 PM on Thursday at the Grand Rapids Alliance Church.

10-08-09            Northland Grants
The Northland Foundation awarded 50 grants totaling $264,102.43 to non-profit programs and projects in northeastern Minnesota for the third quarter of 2009. Programs in our area include:
$5000 to the Second Harvest North Central Food Bank
$5000 to the Bridges: Kinship Mentoring
$5353 to the Bovey/Cleraine KIDS PLUS
$292 to Hill City KIDS PLUS
$252 to Aitkin KIDS PLUS

10-08-09            CO Detectors
All new construction in Minnesota must include a carbon monoxide detector. Grand Rapids Fire and Prevention Safety Instructor John Linder says all residences should have at least one detector in their home. And, as heating season is here, Linder also recommends homeowners have their furnace checked out by a professional.

10-08-09        Grand Rapids Fire Department Open house
The Grand Rapids Fire Department will host an open house Sturday October 10th at the Fire Hall. There willbe demonstrations from the Jaws of Life, fire extinguishers and other fire equiptment. Enjoy a hot dog, chips and beverage. Kids also get a ride inthe firetruck. Sparky the fire dog will be there and the department will showcase the new ladder truck. That's Saturday from 11am to 3pm at the Grand Rapids Fire Hall.

10-08-09            Local Crime
According to the Itasca County sheriff's Office, a vehicle parked on Highway 169 east was burglerized. A purse containing cash, identification and prescription medicine was taken. An adult male was arrested following a fight outside a bar on Highway 169 east Thursday morning. He's charged with assault and probation violation.

10-08-09            National Do Not Call List
The Better business Bureau is warning consumers of a scam involving a Do Not Call List for cell phones. The e-mail warns that cell phone users must register their cell phones with their company or they could be charged for telemarketing calls. The B-B-B asks residents to ignore the warning. The scare is an urban myth. There is no deadline to register your cell phone for the National Do Not Call List.

10-08-09            Grand Rapids City Council Meets
The Grand Rapids City Council meets in regular session Tuesday, October 13th. Monday the 12th is Columbus Day. Items on the agenda include accepting a grant from the Blandin Foundation for $10,000 for Library programs, a department head report from the finance department from Shirley Miller, and consider the proposed benefit changes for city employees. The council meeting begins at 5pm in council chambers.

Calumet Marble Joint Powers Agreement 100709
Two cities on the range have entered into a historic joint-powers agreement. Last week the Calumet City council signed an agreement that would merge their volunteer fire department with Marble’s. Marble Mayor Dave Lotti said that on October 6th the City of Marble by full city council approval entered into an agreement with Calumet to join the two cities fire departments under a joint powers agreement lasting two years. The agreement goes into effect on January 1st 2010. He said this historic agreement will help both fire departments operate more efficiently and provide complete fire safety and first responder service to the communities. Sound courtesy of Cynthia Johnson of the Scenic Range News Forum.

Crime Report 100609
In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Tuesday October 6th a resident of 7th Street NW reported his pick-up truck had been damaged by someone throwing a rock thru a side window. A damage estimate was not reported.
Also on Tuesday October 6th a resident of Pokegama Avenue North reported the theft of a portable music player, valued at $250 from their garage. There is a juvenile suspect.

In the local crime report from the Itasca County Sheriffs Office:
On Tuesday October 6th a resident of Easy Street in rural Deer River reported the theft of a rack of baby back ribs, a bag of scallops and some fish fillets, valued together at $80.

In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
On Friday October 2nd a resident on 20th Street NW reported the theft of two diamond rings from their home. Both are described as yellow gold with diamond settings. The rings are valued at $3000.
Also on Friday a resident on 3rd Avenue NW reported tools were stolen from his bicycle parked at his apartment. The incident is under investigation.
A traffic stop on Golf Course Road on Friday resulted in a citation for speeding and driving after suspension. The vehicle was released to a licensed driver.
On Saturday October 3rd a resident on 7th Street SE reported the theft of some prescription medication from their home. There are two suspects.
Early Sunday morning a resident of Donovan Drive reported the theft of a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville they had recently purchased. The missing vehicle was entered into the national database, value for the vehicle, $400.

09-30-09 Trail Reconstruction

A portion of the North Country Trail will be reconstructed this Saturday in Cohasset.
Matt Davis, region trail coordinator for Minnesota and North Dakota, is looking for volunteers to help rebuild a trail this Saturday. A group of 25 or more is needed clear brush, build crib walls and remove fallen trees to make this trail usable. Lunch, safety glasses, hard hats and tools will be provided. Bring your own work gloves and rain gear. Meet at 9am to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Building on Highway 2. The cleanup will be held rain or shine. Volunteers should RSVP by e-mail at davis@northcountrytrail.org or call 701-388-1883.

Teachers in Independent School district 318 have an opportunity to bring something new to their classrooms this year. The district’s endowment fund is a community-based effort to give supplemental funds to teachers for projects out of the normal educational experience. Len Rothlisberger, Chair of the endowment fund, gave teachers notice that the deadline for grants is coming up September 30th. Projects funded last year include Kids Voting USA, Peer Mediation, Family Reading Project, a Science Fair and transportation for field trips. Last year’s projects totaled $14,500.

Local Crime Report

•    On Friday September 25th a mint condition 16 gauge shotgun was stolen from a garage on 4th Avenue NW; a dollar value for the missing firearm was not reported.
•    Also on Friday a 38 caliber handgun was stolen from a residence on 14th Avenue SW. There is a suspect.
•    Two adults were arrested on Saturday September 26th from 10th Avenue SW. They are accused of setting a motor-boat on fire. According to a statement received from one of the suspects they were attempting to seek revenge for a motor-vehicle accident that occurred earlier in the week by setting an automobile on fire. After several attempts they failed and accidentally ignited the boat. The suspects were located after a search of the area by Itasca County Sheriffs Deputies, Minnesota State Patrol Officers and Grand Rapids Police Department Officers. The Grand Rapids Fire Department extinguished the blaze and one suspect was treated and transported to Grand Itasca by Meds One Emergency Services for burns.
•    Another police call on Saturday involved an act of vandalism at a church school on 2nd Avenue NW. Vandals emptied two fire extinguishers and broke a coffee pot after kicking in the back door to gain access.
•    A resident of Donovan Drive reported a theft from their vehicle on Saturday. A chain-saw was stolen from a vehicle parked in their garage. No value on the missing item.
•    Alcohol was a factor in the incidents occurring Sunday Morning September 27th; Grand Rapids Police officers assisted the Itasca County Sheriffs Office with a disorderly patron at a bar on Highway 169 East in LaPrairie; the adult male was arrested and taken to detox. Three minor consume citations were issued on Pokegama Avenue South after an officer noticed a speeding vehicle and detected a strong alcoholic odor coming from the front seat. At least the two 19 year old males and juvenile female were wearing their seatbelts. Finally an adult female was arrested on Pokegama Avenue South for 4th degree DWI. The passengers were also over the limit so the vehicle was towed.
•    A resident on 10th Avenue SE reported two male suspects removed the tires from an abandoned pick-up truck parked on the property next to his.

Sheriffs Office Removing Bouys

The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office will begin their annual removal of navigational and obstacle buoys on all lakes and rivers within the County on Monday, October 5, 2009.

Sportsmen that travel by boat to hunt and fish during the late fall seasons are reminded to travel with caution this time of year, especially during non-daylight hours. All sportsmen are urged to use caution during their outdoor activities.

□    Dress according to your activity and the weather.
□    Always wear a life preserver when on the water.
□    Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
□    Bring a cell phone in the event of an emergency.
□    Never mix alcohol and firearms.

The Itasca County Sheriff's Office urges sportsmen to respect our resources and have fun in the outdoors.

GR Fire Department Open House

The Grand Rapids Fire Department is hosting an open house on Saturday October 10th from 11AM to 3PM at the Fire Hall on 5th Street NE. This year they are having a little more hands on activities, showing the public what equipment they have and what it does. There will be a “Jaws of Life” Demo at 12:30pm and 2:30 pm. Home Depot will be running a Kids Build Project (while supplies last). They are also doing a Fire Extinguisher Demo. You can catch a ride in a Grand Rapids Fire Truck. Come enjoy a hot dog, chips and a beverage you can meet members of the Grand Rapids Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary. The center of the excitement is the new ladder truck Tower #119. Also this year the open house will be visited be Sparky the Fire Safety Dog. For more information you can contact John Linder Fire Prevention & Education Officer at 326-7638.

Local Crime Report

In the local crime report from the Grand Rapids Police Department:
•    On Wednesday September 23rd a pick-up truck was stolen from a residence on Golf Course Road, there are two suspects.
•    Two adult females were cited for shoplifting on Wednesday September 23rd at a retail merchant on 29th Street SE. One was also cited for trespassing.
•    On Wednesday September 23rd Grand Rapids Police Officers assisted the Itasca County Sheriffs Office with a fight in the parking lot at a bar on Highway 169 East. One adult male was arrested at the scene. Another adult male was arrested a short time later at a convenience store on Highway 2 West for 4th degree DWI and 3rd degree test refusal. The suspect was also involved in the fight.
•    On Thursday September 24th a worker of a construction company noticed a suspicious person wandering thru company property. A short time later a pick-up truck was noticed missing. The truck had been stolen and was recovered later in the day totally destroyed by fire.
•    A silent entry alarm sounded at a fast food restaurant on Pokegama Avenue South late Thursday night. When law enforcement arrived they found the drive-up window had been smashed. Officers secured the scene and waited for a manager to arrive to open the building. While waiting they discovered a 19 year old male hiding in the bushes beside the broken window. He was wearing an orange ski mask and had blood on his hands, consistent with the blood on the broken window. He was arrested and charged with attempted burglary. A search of the premises determined nothing was missing and there no accomplices inside.

Itasca County Recieves Federal Grant

The US Departmetn of Justice has awarded Itasca County a $400,000 grant to combat domestic violence and sexual assaults. The county will be partnering with two non-profit organizations, Advocates for Family Peace and the Itasca Alliance Against Domestic asault, to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Congressman James Oberstar announced the grant on Monday. He said "Community leaders, victims's advocates and law enforcement in Itasca County are comming together to make a difference."

Cohasset City Council Review

The Cohasset city council agreed to more public input Tuesday night. The council usually holds work sessions with the city administrator one hour prior to each city council meeting. But, on October 13th, the council will hold a public forum prior to the official meeting. Cohasset Mayor Ron Hardysaid if a Cohasset residents have a concern, an issue, a question… they’re invited to bring it up with council members between 6 to 7pm on October 13th, just prior to the meeting. Other business handled by the Cohasset city council on September 22nd included amending the planning commission’s by-laws by changing the quorum number from “4” to “50%”. Set a public hearing on October 27th at 7:05pm to amend the Blight Ordinance by adding compost and brush regulations. they agreed to purchase a small portion of land from Itasca county at the intersection of Itasca County Road 62 and US Highway 2 for $15,700.00. Cohasset City Administrator Susan Harper gave the city council a calendar update. Cohasset’s Halloween Party will be October 31st at city hall. The time is yet to be determined. The Cohasset Public Utility Committee meeting has been changed from 7pm to 5pm on October 5th. The Vikings/Packers game that night may have made a quorum questionable. On October 13th, the Cohasset Hook and Ladder will hold their turkey bingo fundraiser. October 14th is Business Appreciation Day in Cohasset. Cohasset businesses are encouraged to visit city hall at 5:30pm and let the city know what it can do for them. The Economic Development fund has set aside money for Cohasset projects.

Itasca County Board Review

The Itasca County Board met Tuesday for a regular board meeting. During the meeting County Attorney Jack Muhar asked the board to allow the County Attorneys Victim Services Unit to apply for a grant. Board Chair Commissioner Karen Burthwick said the grant will allow the Victim Services Unit to provide support, assistance and referrals to crime victims, their families and witnesses in criminal cases. In other action the county board moved a request from Great River Energy for construction of a substation and 115kV power transmission line in the county to the Transportation, Land Management Committee meeting. They also accepted a $40,000 gift from the Grand Rapids Area Cable Commission of video equipment. The next scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday October 13th at 3 PM in the Itasca County Board Room.

9-24-09 Nashwauk City Council Review

At the regular meeting of the Nashwauk City Council on September 22, the council formally recognized three citizens who have given of their time and energy in a volunteer role: Betty Toronto, Robert Smith, and Walter Stish. In a ceremony during the meeting, Mayor Bill Hendricks expressed appreciation to the recipients for their tireless devotion to the city's residents and community events. In addition, he expressed the council's intent to make this recognition of the city's volunteers an annual experience

9-24 09 Nashwauk City Clerk to Retire

Ed Bolf, Nashwauk City Clerk for the past 25 plus years, is retiring. His last day will September 30. During his tenure as clerk, Mr. Bolf witnessed and had a hand in several important residential and commercial developments in Nashwauk, not the least of which is the Essar Steel project. An open house celebrating Mr. Bolf's years of service to the city will be held on September 30 at 1:30 at the Memorial Hall in Nashwauk. The public is invited to attend.

9-24-09 Itasca County Board Review

The Itasca County Board met Tuesday for a regular board meeting. During the meeting County Attorney Jack Muhar asked the board to allow the County Attorneys Victim Services Unit to apply for a grant. Board Chair Commissioner Karen Burthwick said the grant will allow the Victim Services Unit to provide support, assistance and referrals to crime victims, their families and witnesses in criminal cases. In other action the county board moved a request from Great River Energy for construction of a substation and 115kV power transmission line in the county to the Transportation, Land Management Committee meeting. They also accepted a $40,000 gift from the Grand Rapids Area Cable Commission of video equipment. The next scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday October 13th at 3 PM in the Itasca County Board Room.

9-24-09 Cohasset City Council Review

The Cohasset city council agreed to more public input Tuesday night. The council usually holds work sessions with the city administrator one hour prior to each city council meeting. But, on October 13th, the council will hold a public forum prior to the official meeting. Cohasset Mayor Ron Hardysaid if a Cohasset residents have a concern, an issue, a question… they’re invited to bring it up with council members between 6 to 7pm on October 13th, just prior to the meeting. Other business handled by the Cohasset city council on September 22nd included amending the planning commission’s by-laws by changing the quorum number from “4” to “50%”. Set a public hearing on October 27th at 7:05pm to amend the Blight Ordinance by adding compost and brush regulations. they agreed to purchase a small portion of land from Itasca county at the intersection of Itasca County Road 62 and US Highway 2 for $15,700.00. Cohasset City Administrator Susan Harper gave the city council a calendar update. Cohasset’s Halloween Party will be October 31st at city hall. The time is yet to be determined. The Cohasset Public Utility Committee meeting has been changed from 7pm to 5pm on October 5th. The Vikings/Packers game that night may have made a quorum questionable. On October 13th, the Cohasset Hook and Ladder will hold their turkey bingo fundraiser. October 14th is Business Appreciation Day in Cohasset. Cohasset businesses are encouraged to visit city hall at 5:30pm and let the city know what it can do for them. The Economic Development fund has set aside money for Cohasset projects.

9-24-09 Itasca County Recieves Federal Grant

The US Departmetn of Justice has awarded Itasca County a $400,000 grant to combat domestic violence and sexual assaults. The county will be partnering with two non-profit organizations, Advocates for Family Peace and the Itasca Alliance Against Domestic asault, to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Congressman James Oberstar announced the grant on Monday. He said "Community leaders, victims's advocates and law enforcement in Itasca County are comming together to make a difference."

District 318 Preliminary Levy Set

Last night the school board of Independent School District 318 set next year’s levy amount. Next year’s total operating budget for the district was set at forty million, seven hundred fifty thousand and seventy one dollars. Residents will pay just five point one percent of that- or two million seventy-eight thousand dollars. The state pays 85% of education costs. Residents will have an opportunity to discuss the budget at the truth in taxation hearing on December 21st.

NMBA Fall Showcase of homes Tour

The Northern Minnesota Builders Association is sponsoring a Fall Showcase of Homes Tour this weekend. Megan Christensen director of the NMBA says this annual event is an excellent opportunity to see some great homes and enjoy the fall colors. Christensen said tour books were distributed with Sunday’s Herald Review but they are also available at Cub Foods, Ogles Marketplace Foods and on-line at the Northern Minnesota builders Association web-site. For more information you can go on-line here or call the Northern Minnesota Builders office at 326-6622.

Newspapers Charging for On-Line Content

The Mesabi Daily News and its sister papers, the Hibbing Daily Tribune and the Grand Rapids Herald-Review, plan to begin charging for their online products this week. As of Wednesday, the online versions will be available free to people who subscribe to the print edition of the newspaper. People who want to view the publication only in electronic form will be charged a monthly fee of $6.95. Newspapers across the nation are wrestling with how best to make online operations profitable. Daily local news is still available free on-line at kozyradio.com .

Donald Kain in Court

A 52 year old Minnesota Lake man appeared in Itasca County District Court yesterday on charges of felony theft. Donald Kain allegedly embezzled money from The Little Bear Lodges 401K plan between July and October of 2007. Kain was released on his own recognizance on the condition he maintains contact with his lawyer, remain law abiding and keep his court appearances. His next scheduled appearance is set for October 26th for an omnibus hearing.

9-19-09 Local Meetings

ISD 318's school board meets Monday 9/21/09 at 7 PM
The Itasca County Board meets Tuesday 9/22/09 at 3 PM
Cohasset's City Council meets Tuesday 9/22/09 at 7 PM

9-19-09 Golf Course Road Fire

Shortly before one AM Friday September 18th the Grand Rapids Fire Department was called to a residence on Golf Course Road on a report of a house on fire. Steve Flaherty, Fire Chief, said the fire appeared to have been caused by someone falling asleep while smoking a cigarette. Flaherty said the individual was on oxygen and that the household smoke detectors appeared to be inoperative. He said the individual awoke from the sound of his oxygen supply popping but was unable to extinguish the blaze. He called out and awoke his wife. She crawled thru the smoke and drug him out of the building. Flaherty said no one was injured, either the occupants or the responding firefighters. The Grand Rapids Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Cohasset Fire Department, the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Itasca County Sheriffs Office.

9-18-09 Bovey Parking Ordinance

The City of Bovey adopted a new parking ordinance at the city council meeting on September 16th. Effective November 1st thorough April 1st calendar parking will be enforced. Bovey residents will be required to park their vehicles on the even or odd side of a street to facilitate snow removal. Failure to follow the even – odd parking violation could result in an administrative ticket, a $25 fine and towing charges. The ordinance also states that vehicles must be parked with the passenger’s side door facing the curb.

9-17-09 56th Annual North Star Expo

The 56th North Star Expo is this Friday and Saturday at the Itasca County Fairground in Grand Rapids.Ray Higgins of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association said there’ll be lots of activities for kids, families and anyone in the timber trade. There will also be coloring contests for the kids and a celebrity loader contest at 11:30am Friday. Higgins said the timber industry doesn’t just take from the land, they give back as well taking only one percent of the wood per year and they grow twice as much wood as they harvest. He said every tree cleans about fifty pounds of carbon out of the atmosphere every year. The 56th annual North Star expo is free. Parking at the fairgrounds is $2.00 per car. The show runs from 9am Friday to 5pm and Saturday from 7am (with a free breakfast) until 2pm.

9-17-09 Pegasus Awards Announced

The directors of the Pegasus Awards have bestowed upon ICTV the Award of Excellence for its website www.watchictv.org. The award was announced Monday.

ICTV earned a composite score of 94 to earn the award. Excellence awards are given for 88 points and above. Three judges scored the site with the judge representing the general public giving it a score of 99.

“Our staff is ecstatic about this honor,” said Executive Director Beth George. “There has been a tremendous amount of effort put into watchictv.org this year. It was not only rebuilt in a whole new content management system, but new pieces like video-on-demand took a lot of attention to build. I want to recognize the staff members for their patience and attention to detail in building the site and the Blandin Foundation for the grant that got the video-on-demand system up and running.”

One of the judges for the website noted: “It’s always nice to see a website that uses a form-meets-function approach. Not to flashy, but still mostly pleasing to the eye. It is easy to navigate. Great content too.” Content received the highest scores across the board from the judges.

The station received a second honor, the Award of Distinction for the program “Just Outdoors: Care and Training of Hunting Dogs” with Tom Chapin.

Tom Chapin’s show has been a popular one at ICTV over the past few years. His program is shown on ICTV and shared with Ely and Menahga public access cable stations, as well. “Tom puts time and attention into planning guests from whom people want to learn.”

The awards come with notes from the judges that provide specific constructive advice. “So in addition to being pleased about the awards,” George said, “staff will take time to further improve our productions and website based on the advice of other video professionals.

The Pegasus Awards were created by video professionals for video professionals. They were formed to recognize educational, medical, and government video content creators. They were designed to applaud producers of corporate communications and commercials. And they were established to acknowledge special event and wedding visual artists as well as public access producers. ICTV has twice previously received an Award of Honor as an overall public access station and an Award of Distinction for a production of the Reif Center’s “’Dancing with the Stars.”

9-16-09 Statewide D-W-I Crackdown Results

According to the Minnesota State Patrol nearly two thousand motorists were arrested for driving while intoxicated during a recent enforcement period. A surprising fallout of those traffic stops was the nearly three thousand citations for seat belt violations. The State Patrol indicated the average alcohol concentration of those over the limit was one point six, twice the legal limit.

9-16-09 KeeTac to Resume Production

Jack Thronson, president of Steelworkers local 2600 said he has recieved information from US Steel officials in Pittsburg that they will be recalling workers to the mine. Thronson indicated that maintenance and management workers will be among the first to be called back to work. US Steel officials did not provide exact dates for when workers will return to their jobs; however Thronson said he was told all union workers would eventually be brought back.

9-15-09 Split Rock Lighthouse Birthday Celebration

The Minnesota Historical Society maintains many sites throughout the state and one of them is turning one hundred years old. District Manager Skip Drake said we have a terrible storm on November 28, 1095. Drake said that storm sank many ships belonging to US Steel transporting ore to blast furnaces on the North Shore and resulted in the building of Split Rock Lighthouse. He said near Stony Point there is a concentration of magnetic ore that throws off ship compasses and can cause them to run aground. One of the engineering problems confronting the builders of the lighthouse was the lack of a road. All materials had to be transported by water and hoisted up the 130 foot sheer rock cliff. The Minnesota Historical Society is planning a great birthday celebration. For more information on the birthday party you can visit the Minnesota Historical Society’s web-site at www.mnhs.org.

9-15-09 Local Charitable Gambling Groups Meeting

Allied Charities of Minnesota (ACM), the statewide organization of charitable gambling organizations, will be hosting an informational meeting in Grand Rapids for all charitable gambling organizations in the region on Tuesday, September 22nd at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Eagles Aerie 2469, located at 1776 S Pokegama Ave (HWY 169).

King Wilson, Executive Director of ACM will be the featured speaker. Rich Jaranson, ACM Region 2 Director from Bemidji will convene the meeting.

Dick Horn, president of ACM, said, "We're finding onerous state taxes and rising costs are making it extremely difficult for our non-profit organizations to continue our work in their local communities. We must reform and reduce taxes on charitable gambling to keep our organizations alive. The key to reforming and reducing charitable gambling taxes is for the legislature to allow us to play electronic bingo in the state. Charitable gambling started with bingo in the 1940’s. It’s time that we are allowed to operate bingo as a 21st century game”.

Additional topics for discussion will include: a recap of the 2009 Legislative Session including charitable gambling law changes, the 2010 ACM legislative program development, an electronic bingo demo, the 19th Annual Minnesota Lawful Gambling Convention & Expo program in St. Cloud scheduled for November 19 - 21, and a general question and answer session.

The meeting is open to anyone involved or interested in charitable gambling. For more information on this important meeting please call Rich Jaranson at 218-751-0376 King Wilson at 651-224-4533.

9-15-09 ATV Fall Convention in Roseau

The All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) will be holding its annual fall convention the weekend of September 18-20th in Roseau , MN. All ATV enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the convention that will include festivities ranging from an organized ATV ride at the Bemis Hill, educational opportunities and ATVAM's famous auction. Kymco USA graciously donated a UXV 500 side-by-side ATV to be raffled off during the auction.

Ken Irish, President of ATVAM said, "We are thrilled to visit Roseau and enjoy the wonderful trail riding opportunities and the many other activities that the community offers." ATVAM encourages all ATV enthusiasts from across the state to join them for ATV riding and many other events.

The NorthStar ATV club based out of northwestern Minnesota is hosting the Fall Convention. Keith Myers, President of NorthStar ATV Club is excited to invite ATV riders to the Roseau area. Keith said, "We have put a lot of time and effort into planning this convention and it should be a huge success, and most importantly a lot of fun."

The three-day event is packed full of things to do for the whole family. Festivities will include: organized ATV trail rides, a short informational session about new ATV laws and safety features, tours of local places of interest including the Polaris and Arctic Cat facilities, vendor displays, a FUN RUN sponsored by LOW Sportsman’s Club, and much more. And, there will still be time for members to discuss ATV related issues with ATVAM's officers and Government Relations staff.

For more information or to pre-register call (800)-HI-ATVAM or visit the organization's website, www.atvam.org. For details on the NorthStar ATV Club please visit there site at www.northstaratvclub.com. On-site registration begins at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18th at City Park in Roseau and will be available on Saturday morning as well.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) is a non-profit organization with more than 14,000 members statewide. ATVAM was founded in 1983 and is working to: build a statewide ATV trail system, promote ATV safety, safeguard ATV-related successes in the state legislature, and defend ATV riders’ interests. For more information on ATVAM, visit www.atvam.org.

9-15-09 Grand Rapids City Counci Review

What kinds of pets are allowed in the city of Grand Rapids? Dogs, cats and chickens are allowed but exotic animals such as snakes and spiders are not. At Monday’s city council meeting action on an amendment to the existing ordinance was tabled. Grand Rapids Mayor Dale Adams said the existing ordinance will remain in effect. The main concern on passing the new version was enforcement and training for animal control. Some councilors and city staff were concerned that certain types of exotic animals may pose a threat.
In other action the council
•    Accepted a grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment
and Economic Development for upgrades to small businesses:
•    Approved Eric Scott as the Information Technology Department Head:
•    Approved the preliminary plat of Ridgewood Acres:
•    Authorized the Pokegama Golf Course to accept sealed bids for the
sale of property adjacent to the 14th hole.
•    Reopened the early retirement incentive program.
•    Authorized the internal posting of the vacant police dispatcher
position.

09-15-09 Blue Ribbon Schools

Two local schools have been named "Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence" by the U. S. Department of Education.
Vandyke Elementary School in Coleraine and Remer Elementary School in Remer are two of only seven schools in Minnesota to recieve that designation. To qualify for the national award, a school's students need to achieve in at least the top 10 percent of their state on state tests. In schools where at least 40 percent of the students are from disadvantaged backgrounds, schools need to demonstrate dramatic improvement of student performance to high levels on state tests or nationally normed tests. Greenway Superintendant Mark Adams said he is proud of the staff and students. Other schools recieving that designation include Delano High School, Lakeville North High School, Math and Science Academy in Woodbury, Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Edina and Thomas Jefferson High School in Bloomington.

Grand Rapids Police Chief

The Grand Rapids Police civil Service Commission conducted interviews Wednesday morning with applicants for the position of Chief of Police for Grand Rapids. City Administrator Shawn Gillen said the council followed the recommendation of the commission and approved the hiring of Sergeant Jim Denny as Grand Rapid’s new Police Chief effective January 30th of 2010. Police Chief Leigh Serfling's retirement has already been accepted by the city council.

Tall timber days

Grand Rapids will celebrate Tall Timber Days this Saturday and Sunday. The Sheer's Lumberjack show will be back for another year. Event organizer Doctor Lee Jess said there will be 6 shows over two days. Sheer’s is under new ownership. Jess expects some new dance and comedy routines in the shows. There will also be chainsaw carving, children’s street games and the parade starts at 1pm on Sunday. Saturday night, there will be a street dance and the beer garden will be open for mom and dad.

Greenway School board

The Greenway board filled their vacant board seat on Wednesday night July 28th. School board chair Fred Tanner made the motion Wednesday night to appoint Bob Schwartz to fill the seat vacated in the untimely death of director Cindy Hannu. Schwartz came in third in the last election when only two seats were up for grabs. Board members agreed that they needed a process for filling vacant seats. Gary “Nels” Gustason said he was comfortable nominating Bob Schwartz for the seat because he works well with the kids and has been a strong voice in the community for kids issues. Bob Schwartz took the oath of office and was seated Wednesday night.

Cohasset Wrap-Up

The Cohasset city council met in regular session Tuesday night for a little over nine minutes. The council held a work session prior to the meeting to discuss changes to the proposed animal control ordinance. The council did some fine-tuning to the proposed ordinance submitted to the board by a resident committee. The draft ordinance is available for residents by calling city hall. The ordinance public hearing is August 25th at 7:05pm. The board also heard from Cohasset City Administrator Susan Harper that Itasca County has agreed to give Tioga Beach to the city of Cohasset. With a few strings attached. The county must get state approval for the sale. Mayor Ron Hardy doesn’t expect this to become final until February of 2010.

Sponge Bob in Town

Sponge Bob Squarepants and Patrick will visit Grand Rapids Tall Timber Days this Saturday. Paul Bunyan Telephone is bringing the Nickelodean characters to town during the community celebration. Brian Bissonette, marketing supervisor, for Paul Bunyan Telephone, said Sponge Bob will be available from noon to 3pm Saturday on 3rd street in front of the Grand Rapids chamber. Bring your own camera. The event is free.

Grand Rapids isn’t the only community celebrating the Fourth of July. On the Iron Range, Nashwauk will light up the sky on Friday night from the Angelo Taddie field; the city hosts a street dance featuring Vertigo Joe from 8 PM to midnight. Further north and east the city of Aurora hosts the Northern Lights Music Festival – Festive Fourth starting at 4PM in the Mesabi East Auditorium. Biwabik will host a 5K Family walk / run, fire truck rides and patriotic parades. Ely is hosting children’s activities, bingo, food, a parade and fireworks at 10 PM over Miners Lake. Gilbert and Virginia will both be lighting up the sky at 10 PM with fireworks. To our south Aitkin will celebrate with kid’s games, ice cream and food with fireworks at dusk on the Fourth. Hill City will feature a street dance on Saturday from 8 PM till midnight and again on the Fourth with fireworks over Hill Lake starting at 10 PM.

06-24-09 Cohasset Robbery

Tuesday night 24 officers searched the area around and including the city of Cohasset for a lone white male who robbed the Woodland Bank in Cohasset. The robber gave the teller a note that asked for cash just before noon on Tuesday. He left with an undetermined amount of cash. Officers from the Itasca County Sheriff’s office, Grand Rapids Police Department, Hibbing Police Department and their canine unit and DNR conservation officers spent the day searching Cohasset for the robber without any luck. The bank robber is described as 5 foot 9 inches, in his 40’s, weighing about 180 to 210 pounds and a little pot belly. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 800-458-8732 (or 9-1-1).

06-24-09 Cohasset’s Beier Road

After years of working on the Beier road addition, the city of Cohasset will begin construction on the Beier Road railroad crossing in August. Tuesday night (6023), the Cohasset city Council agreed to begin making a road that will attach to Highway 2 from the Beier Addition. Since the road has to cross the railroad, BNSF needed to approve the contract. A full signal light and the roadway will cost over a half million dollars. The Iron Range Resources board granted the city $350,000 toward the project. The city agreed to allow home businesses in Waterfront Residential neighborhoods and heard a report on the Cohasset Cleanup Days. The city disposed of 13 tons of refuse last month.

06-16-09 Grand Rapids School Board

The Grand Rapids School district gained a number of new employees and approved a number of principal movements Monday night. The board named Brent Brunetta as the new principal at the Robert J. Elkington Middle School. Superintendent Joe Silko.
Dan Adams, former principal at the Greenway High School, was hired as Brunetta’s assistant principal. Ken Decoster will move from principal at Forest Lake Elementary to Southwest Elementary School principal. The board also approved a number of policies including the budget, fiscal management, acceptance of gifts, bidding and parking policies. Greenway Superintendent Rochelle Van Den Hoeval was hired as District 318’s new Director of Curriculum She will start July 1st.

Demolition 061609

North East Grand Rapids may look a little different soon. The city of Grand Rapids received $150,000 from the Iron Range Resources for demolition projects. And, now School District 318 has the opportunity to do some of its own cleanup. The city is offering the district $50,000 for its own demolition projects. The district has targeted two aging concrete buildings at the buildings and grounds site, formerly the U.S. Air Force Radar Base. The district must contribute matching funds. The two buildings have been identified as the Northeast Storage building and the water Supply Structure and Pump House. The board agreed to enter into a contract with the city for the funding.

06-08-09 Greenway Staff

Monday night (6-8), the District 316 school board accepted the resignation of High School Principal Dan Adams. Director Jim Jenson cast a dissenting vote.
Adams position in the 318 District is expected to be announced during the June 15th school board meeting. Also, the Greenway School Board agreed to post for the high school principal position. The district is currently advertising for a middle school principal. According to board directors, 20 applications have been received for that job.
After a closed-door session to talk to the districts attorney, the board voted to reject the offer of a buyout from the Superintendent and continue the working relationship with her contract as is. The board also agreed to accept third party vendors quotes for the district’s transportation service. The quotes will be opened on next Wednesday at 4:30pm.

06-04-09 Greenway Insurance

No one wants to pay more than they have to. And, the Greenway School district is no exception. The First National Agency of Coleraine has been the local insurance agent for District 316 for about 50 years. Mike Barle from First National told the Greenway School Board last night that they are paying about fifty thousand dollars a year more than they need to. That’s because of a large number of claims. The district has had more than 60 workers compensation claims in the last 5 years as well as other property and causality claims. Barle made 4 suggestions, including a safety board. Barle recommended the board stay with Riverport Insurance for this year, then shop around and look for alternatives next year, once the claim numbers go down.

Last week, the Greenway School Board met last night in a shortened session after the death of board director Cindy Hannu. Wednesday night, June 3rd, the board concluded that meeting. The board agreed to accept applications for the open Directors seat previously occupied by Cindy Hannu. Applications will be available at the superintendent’s office. Current board members will interview then choose a new Director from the applicants. Board members thanked retiring business Manager Ben Hawkins for his service. Superintendent Rochelle Van Den Heuvel said Hawkins was responsible for taking the district out of Statutory Operating Debt. The board accepted $150 from the Blandin Foundation for the Future Workers program, tabled a discussion on legal representation for negotiations and agreed to contact the Nashwauk school board about open rooms at the Marble school. The city of Marble is expected to receive money from the state to keep city hall open. Board members agreed to let Synchronized Swimming continue as a booster club for the next school year and discussed creating a survey for teaches and staff to evaluate the Superintendent. The survey will be sent electronically when it is completed.

05-28-09 Greenway Wrap-Up

The Greenway School board held an abbreviated board meeting Wednesday evening because of the death of school board director Cindy Hannu. The board handled only items that were time sensitive. The board accepted six retirements, including Special education teacher Ann Lewis, 5th grade teacher Gail Otteson, 4th grade teacher Deanna Norgard, Pat Moe and bus driver Kerry Simon. They rescinded 8 unrequested leaves of absences (or ULA’s). The board also added a 4th section of kindergarten for the fall. Over 100 students are expected to register. Class size is expected to be about 25 students.
The board took a recess and will continue the meeting on June 3rd at 5pm the Greenway High School Media room.

05-28-09 Greenway Nashwauk Football

The Greenway School board voted Wednesday night to combine their football and boys and girls track teams with Nashwauk. Greenway Activities Director Tim Guyer told the board he hopes the two schools can share 8 or 9 sports. There will be no savings this year, because of start-up costs, including uniforms and helmets. Next year, the combination team will save district 316 about $18,000.

05-27-09 Beier Road

Mesabi Nugget did residents of the Beier road in Cohasset a favor. About 40 residents live on the Beier Road in Cohasset. The city has been working to create a safer way to get there off Highway 2 for years. Mesabi Nugget repaid a loan from the Iron Range Resources early- freeing up allocation money. That money will be used to fund the project. The city was appropriated $350,000 for the project. The price tag for the signal and railroad project is over $800,000. Representative Loren Solberg shared the good news Tuesday night. Work won’t begin until next spring, but the city is still hoping some federal money might become available by then.

05-27-09 Davies Variance

After over an hour of public testimony, the Cohasset City Council approved a variance request for a resident. Jeff Davies, who lives In the Lester Park area, wanted to place a shed on the lake access right of way owned by the city. Cohasset had forced Davies to remove the same shed in 2007. Davies asked for a variance to reconstruct the shed in it former location. After waiving the $400 variance fee, the city’s planning commission approved the variance for Davies shed. Tuesday night, the council heard an appeal from resident Robert Ward who asked the council to preserve the public access. The council awarded Davies the variance and denied the appeal.

05-21-09 District 318 Meets
The school board of Independent School district 318 met in regular session last night. The board congratulated Grand Rapids High School Principal Jim Smokrovich on being named the Minnesota School counselors Association Administrator of the year for the state of Minnesota. The board approved the district’s policies on drugs, alcohol, tobacco and chemical use. There were nine hires or teacher movements within the district, one retirement and one leave of absence was approved.

05-21-09 Business Scam

The Better Business Bureau will never ask local business owners for their social security number. Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce President Bud Stone received a call from the bureau today asking the chamber to alert its members that a telephone scam is running in our area. The caller says he is with the Bureau and asks for information including date of birth, social security numbers and more. Stone said the Bureau would never ask for this information. Never give out this information unless you know the caller, initiate the phone call or are able to verify the callers identity.

Gifted and Talented 05 19 09

If No Child Left Behind focuses on helping students reach proficiency, than the Gifted and Talented program looks to keep gifted students engaged. Dale Christy, director of the district’s gifted and Talented Program told the board that the Blandin Foundation awarded the district a grant for $15,000 this spring. The money will be used to create the Itasca Area Resource Library for teachers, parents and gifted students, promote a parent support group and host a multi-district symposium to help Itasca Area staff understand the needs of gifted students. Over 75 students have been tested for gifted abilities this year. Another 20 students will be tested next year.

East GR Township Coleraine Annexation 05 14 09

A grassroots organization gathered in a garage on Wednesday afternoon to discuss annexation plans between East Grand Rapids Township and Coleraine. Members unanimously voted to continue the annexation process with Coleraine. The East Grand Rapids portion will be taxed as a rural taxation district. Coleraine will revise its ordinance for rural areas. The annexation is expected to be completed by august 1st.

Cohasset Pet Policy 05 14 09

The city of Cohasset examined its animal control policy May 12th. The city ordinance only allows two pets per household in platted areas. During a city council work session, the council agreed to set up a commission to study the ordinance. About 25 residents showed up to get more details. The ordinance also requires residents to license their pets through the city. To get the license, residents must show proof of a rabies vaccination. Residents have until July 30th to register their pets without penalty. The ordinance is expected to be rewritten by that date.

State Senator Tom Saxhaug said the Governor’s budget balancing proposal takes into account two billion of federal economic stimulus money and that still leaves the state with a two billion dollar shortfall. Senator Saxhaug said the legislature wants to raise the remainder thru revenue increases. Governor Pawlenty’s proposal borrows a billion dollars from the tobacco settlement. The Governor has pledged to veto any bill that includes a tax increase.

Canisteo Update 05 14 09

The City of Bovey authorized the first construction permit for relieving water from the Canisteo Pit last week. In March, the Western Mesabi Mine Planning board authorized the construction of a test trench in the Canisteo pit. This is a small section of trench, which will be dug in preparation for the larger water system to carry water out of the pit. Last week, the City of Bovey authorized the work permit for the test trench. The interceptor trench is expected to decrease the amount of water some Bovey residents have building up in their basements. The direction of the water is yet to be determined. The Western Mesabi mine Planning board meets May 14th.

318 School board Meets

Monday night (5/4), the school board of Independent School District 318 met in regular session. Items approved by the board include approving Brent Brunetta as the next principal at Southwest Elementary School, approving the hiring (or addition of extra teaching hours) to 10 teachers, adding 18 extra hours of paraprofessional assistance to the existing kindergarten rooms and accepting the first readings of policies regarding visitors in the school building and students vehicle privileges. The board also heard presentations from the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation and curriculum director sue Miskovich

05-04-09 318 Kindergarten Classes

School districts never know exactly how many students will show up until the fist day of school. The problem is, districts have to plan budgets and teaching assignments in the spring. Last night (May 4th), the school board of Independent School District 318 met in regular session and expanded the kindergarten program based on the number of students who are expected. Superintendent Joe Silko recommended the board approve keeping eleven sections of kindergarten and adding two more hours of paraprofessional help, instead of adding another section. The district will keep all-day-every-day kindergarten, even though the state only pays the district for a little over half the cost.

05-06-09 Jazz Concert

The Grand Rapids Jazz Festival is Monday (May 11th). High school students will have an opportunity to play for and with two guest artists. This year, professional trumpet player Rex Richardson from Richmond, Virginia and tenor saxophone player Jeff Rupert from Orlando Florida will visit the school, work with the students and play a concert with them in the evening. Tickets to the performance would cost at least $50.00 anywhere else. But, Monday (May 11th), the concert at the Reif Center is free and open to the public.

05-06-09            Chamber Barbecue

The Chamber of Commerce Area Business Committee is once again sponsoring a fishing opener barbecue on the grounds of Central School. Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce President Bud Stone said Friday from 4 to 7pm, the grounds of Central School will be very busy. There will be casting contests, lots of food vendors and free entertainment. Local businesses will be giving away promotional prizes and local professional fishing guides will answer your questions about the area lakes.

North school 4.28.09

The school board of Independent School District 317 voted unanimously to close the North Elementary School after the 2008-2009 school year.   School Superintendent Matt Grose said there were a number of reasons for the decision, including economics, declining enrollment and educational quality. He said he hopes that this move will put the district in a position to be successful not only next year but long into the future.

Cohasset city council 4.28.09

How does a city protect residents from identity theft? The develop a Red Flag System. That’s just one of the items the Cohasset city council handled Tuesday evening April 28th. The council heard a presentation from Scott Stein, Development director of Grace House. Grace House is fundraising as it looks to purchase its own building. The Cohasset City Council agreed to reexamine its animal control ordinance on Tuesday May 12th at 6pm. The council approved the city’s Red Flag committee. The committee will work to make sure all city records and confidential information stay that way. The council also set May 31st, June 1st and 2nd at Cohasset Cleanup Days.

District 318 Bond Rating 4.28.09

The school board of Independent School District 318 approved the sale of $35 million dollars in bonds Monday night during the April 20th school board meeting. Prior to the sale, the district participated in a new credit analysis with Ehlers &Associates, the district’s financial advisor. The district earned an A+ rating.
Because of the higher rating, the district will pay almost 2 million dollars less in interest over the life of the bond.

04-17-09            MP Fire

A Fire in a coal bin at Minnesota Power’s Boswell Energy Center Thursday kept crews busy for over 12 hours. Davin Tinquist, Cohasset Fire Chief said the fire was in a coal silo building, near the roof of the eleven story building.
He also said there was no structural damage to the building itself. The call came at 3am, and crews left the scene at about 3:30pm. Tinquist said there were no injuries to the crew. The Deer River and Grand Rapids fire departments also responded.

Nashwauk Workshop

When eighty-five percent of your budget is personnel, how is a school district expected to cut almost one point five million dollars? The Nashwauk Keewatin school district held a workshop last night to ask the public for suggestions. Nashwauk Keewatin Superintendent Mark Adams presented the almost one hundred residents and teachers at the meeting with a revised budget to keep the district out of Statutory Operating Debt, or SOD. After years of deficit spending, he said the school board has to make some hard choices. Programs, activity and administrative cuts will be announced by the school board on April 21st.

04-08-09 Pokegamma Lake Levels

Pokegamma Lake water levels crested on Tuesday. If you live on Pokegamma Lake or the Mississippi River, you might have noticed water levels dropping a bit today. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Pokegamma Dam Tender Jeff Kleinart said water levels in Aitkin have fallen below flood stage and there’s no precipitation in the forecast. Aitkin will see a slight surge because of this release, but nowhere near as high as levels have been. Kleinart also cautioned that weather changes from day to day.

04-06-09            School Bus Accident

Six year old Dominick Strey of Calumet was killed Monday afternoon when he was hit by his school bus.   The accident occurred on Itasca County Road 12, two miles south of Calumet. The bus driver is an employee of the Greenway school district. The Calumet - Marble First Responders and Nashwauk Ambulance Service assisted the Itasca county sheriff’s office at the scene. The accident is under investigation.

04-06-09            Pokegamma Ave Lane Closure

For two weeks, Pokegamma Avenue South between Golf Course Road and the River Road will be down to one lane in each direction. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be boring soil samples. The process should take abot two weeks. MN DOT reminds motorists that fines are double in work zones.

04-06-09             RJEMS Principals

Forty-three out of fifty two teachers at the Robert J. Elkington Middle School signed a petition two months ago asking for the removal of their principal and vice principal. Monday April 6th, the school board of district 318 was asked to approve the resignations of lead Principal Jeff Britton and assistant principal Dave Burkman.   The board chose to put off a vote on the resignations until the next meeting (April 20th) to give the Superintendent time to speak with both principals.

04-06-09 ATV Death

Forty-three year old Samuel Dubovich of Marble died Saturday April 4th as a result of an ATV accident. Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure said the accident occurred a half mile south of Calumet, just off County Road 12. Dubovich was driving the three wheeled ATV when it rolled over.

Itasca County sheriff’s Investigator Greg Snyder was formally charged by the Cass County Attorney’s Office on Friday, March 27th, with First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an allegation of child sexual abuse involving Snyder on Tuesday morning, March 24th. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was called to investigate the allegation on Tuesday afternoon.
Agents of the BCA initiated their investigation on Wednesday, March 25th, which resulted in Greg Snyder, working with his attorney to turn himself in to Cass County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, March 26th.   He is currently being held by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office on $500,000 bail. Snyder is currently on administrative leave without pay. He has been an employee with the Sheriff’s Office since September of 1989.

04-01-09            Greenway Update

Monday night, members of the Greenway school board and Nashwauk school board members met in a work session to talk about sharing some services. Jim Jenson, a director on the board for the Greenway district, said the boards discussed sharing some services.
Jenson said he feels strongly that Greenway and Nashwauk have more to loose by not working together. Jenson said the board will meet in a few weeks to decide as a board whether to pursue shared services. The Nashwauk school board meets in regular session on April 21st at 6pm. The Greenway school board’s next scheduled board meeting is April 29th at 6pm.

The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Rapids Police Department responded to a reported armed robbery early Friday morning March 27th at the Lakes Inn in the City of LaPrairie. The night clerk stated she was hit in the head by one of the suspects with a gun. There was approximately $200 in cash taken. Three males were taken into custody after law enforcement followed foot prints into a wooded area.   Further investigating revealed there were two others involved in the robbery. The two 17 year old juvenile males are from Grand Rapids. The three adult suspects are being held in the Itasca Count Jail pending formal charges by the County Attorney’s Office. The two juveniles are being held at the juvenile detention center in Grand Rapids pending formal charges by the County Attorney’s Office.

Students have access to all sorts of prescription drugs. March 30th, students heard about the dangers of using medicine that was prescribed to some one else. The topic of the program is the misuse of prescription drugs. Ninth through twelveth graders spent part of their day today listening to representatives from the medical profession, the county attorney’s office, law enforcement and rehabilitation professionals. Grand Rapids High school Assistant Principal Mark Schroeder said it’s very easy for young people to find prescription drugs. He just wants to make sure they know what each of these daily drugs do.

Olympic Curling

Every try curling? This Sunday, the Itasca curling club will host an open house.
The public is invited to try check out the club house, try throwing the rock and play some games on the ice. Darryl Solem, a member of the Curling Club’s board of directors said
There will be lots of food and information about the sport. Some games include sock curling and human curling. The open house will be this Sunday (April 5th) from 3 to 6pm at the Itasca Curling Club at 920 Hale Lake Pointe. The club will close after Sunday until October.

Cohasset City Council

Sometimes rumors can be shrugged off- other times they must be addressed head-on. The Cohasset City council met them head-on last night. The city council and Itasca County commissioner Lori Dowling addressed a number of rumors Tuesday night. The rumor that Itasca County is going to sell Tioga Beach to the city of Cohasset so Cohasset can build condos on the property is not true. Mayor Pro Tem Lyle LaGrange said the city has invested over $170,000 into the property and would continue to maintain the park and beach area.
Commissioner Dowling told the council that the county is considering a land swap with the city, Tioga Beach in exchange for property within the city boundaries that the county could use. Dowling said conditions would apply to the Tioga beach property that would continue to keep it a public area. Dowling said the county is facing a one point two million dollar defecit and would not be able to maintain Tioga Beach the way Cohasset has. Currently, the city leases Tioga Beach from the county for fifty dollars a year. The other rumor regarded the sale of tax forfeit land to an individual. By state law, the property must be first made available to the city. The city has first right of purchase.

Other Cohasset News

The Cohasset city council met in regular session Tuesday night. The council congratulated Cohasset firefighter Matt Beighley for winning the Minnesota-Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust annual Safety driven Laborers Award. The council heard the annual report from the Cohasset Fire Department, and accepted a ten thousand dollar donation from Minnesota Power for the purchase of new fire equipment. Cohasset fire chief Davin Tinquist thanked Minnesota Power for the donation, and for the flexability Minnesota Power gives its employees who are firefighters. Tuesday morning, Cohasset’s Ice angel was used to remove the thin ice signs on Lake Winnie. The city council also made a $50.00 donation to the Second Harvest North central food Bank.

Community Advisory Meeting

Should the Greenway School district close Marble Elementary School?
Scale kindergarten back to three days a week? Eliminate electives? The Greenway School district must consider cuts of just under a million dollars for next school year. Superintendent Rochelle Van Den Hoeval presented the public and the district 316 school board’s Community Advisory Committee with a preliminary budget reduction list Tuesday night. Committee member Gary Nyquist said the public just wants to know the school board is listening to the public. The board still has the option of levying for retiree health care costs, which would reduce the district’s deficit to about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. But, those numbers are still dependent on how much the state allocates to schools. The school board meets next Wednesday March 25th at 6pm in the high school Media Room.

03-17-09 ISD 318 Teachers

Monday night, the school board of Independent School District 318 voted to not renew 18 probationary teachers for the school year 2009-2010. The eighteen teachers have been placed on unrequested leaves of absence and two others have been placed on partial leaves of absence because of decreased enrollment and financial limitations. Earlier in the meeting, the board voted to authorize the sale of 35 million dollars in general obligation bonds to cover the district's post-employment benefits. Board member Tom Peltier said this makes the least impact on students. If the district hadn't voted to authorize the sale of the bonds, the district would have had to authorize almost two million dollars in cuts. These 20 employees account for $330 thousand dollars in cuts. Last year, the district cut 300 thousand dollars in budget items.

03-17-09 ISD 318 School Board

Monday night, the school board of Independent School District 318 met in regular session. District 318’’s fourth quarter begins on March 24th- while the their quarter ends on March 20th. There will be no school for students on Monday March 23rd. Parents are no longer mailed report cards, unless they specifically ask for them to be mailed. All report cards are available on line. Parents should call the school if they have trouble logging on to the district’s web site.
Kindergarten Round-Up is this afternoon (3/17) for district 318 students. Parents are invited to bring their children with for fun and games. Kindergarten Round-Up will be held this afternoon (Tuesday) from 4:30 to 6pm at Murphy Elementary School. It was scheduled for last week, but was postponed because of the snowstorm.

03-10-09
The Cohasset City council met Tuesday Night March 10th. The city council approved a donation to First Call for Help. Also Tuesday night, the council approved the purchase of a John Deere 672d Grader. The cost to the city will be one hundred sixty-seven thousand, three hundred thirty-eight dollars and sixty-five cents from Nortrax of Cohasset The city will trade in their current grader. The council sent a zoning request back to the planning commission for a variance hearing, approved a request to waive fees for the Grand Rapids Rotary Club to use the Tioga Beach Pavilion in June, and took no action on the hiring on a city engineer. The council did approve the hiring on Dave O’Fallon as permanent part-time Park and Recreation Coordinator.

03-12-09
Saturday (March 7th), area lawmakers listened to over 50 citizens offering testimony on the state’s budget crisis. Representatives tom Anzelc, Loren Solberg and Senator Tom Saxhaug were present. The Itasca County boardroom overflowed as residents offered suggestions, asked questions and offered testimony. Senator Saxhaug said it was a wide range of testimony and they will take their suggestions back to St. Paul. Saxhaug said unless severe cuts are made in state spending, Minnesota will face a similar problem in the next biennium.

03-14-09
Congratulations to Derek Rolle, Paul Bunyan Telephone Account Represenatative, for winning the 2nd annual “Dancing With Out Stars” dance competition. Rolle beat Grand Rapids High School Principal Jim Smokrovich, Grand Rapids Mayor Dale Adams, Jill Castilla of the Grand Rapids State Bank and 2008 “Citizen of the Year” Leo Burley Friday March 13th at the Reif Center.

03-14-09
Independent School District 316’s Community Advisory Committee will hold a public forum Tuesday March 17th at 6pm in the Greenway High School auditorium. The 2009-2010 proposed budget reductions will be presented to the public and the Community Advisory Committee will hear testimony from the public as they consider the proposed reduction plan.

03-14-09
The Third Annual “Get Healthy for Habitat” Weight Loss Challenge starts Monday (March 16th). This three month motivational challenge is designed to help you get your body back in shape. Joe Hart of Anytime Fitness said participants will get lots of tools, including a web site to chart your progress, a manual and lots of motivation. The fee participants pay benefits Habitat for Humanity. For more information, call Davis Chiropractic or Anytime Fitness. Members may join at anytime during the three month program.

03-15-09
Members of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce ate invited to “Lunch with the Governor”, March 17th at noon at the Timberlake Lodge. The Governor will address efforts to resolve the budget deficit without raising taxes and the Minnesota Jobs Reo0very Act. Cost is $15.00 and payable at the door. Reservations are required by calling 326-6619.