Latest Blog Posts

Thumbs down to the small town Daily Journal reporter who thinks he/she knew what it was like to work in that riot and criticized the police. The week was a sucess because of the police. No one was killed and minimal property damage (on a riot scale) occurred. Thousands of delegates and local civilians thanked police officers in the streets because they knew that they kept order for daily operation in the Twin Cities.

The FDIC has warned that well over 100 banks, and possibly over 200 banks, will fail in the coming year. Considering that the failure of just IndyMac bank depleted the FDIC's reserves 10-20%, the average investor should watch the financial pages with great concern for his or her own economic sustainability and fiscal well being.

I can see from the few days that I have been back in IFalls that there is not much that is different. There are a few new things that I don't quite remember around town, but it is still the calm peaceful place that I loved over ten years ago. I still think out of all of the places that I have had a chance to visit that IFalls is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Since I was up here back in 1997 I have had to opportunity to see many parts of the country via my truck driving experiences.

I think the recent public input meetings at Littlefork, Birchdale, Northome and International Falls flew under the radar of most Koochiching County landowners. Changes to the county's zoning ordinance include changes in minimum lot size from 2.5 acres to 20 acres or 40 acres depending where the rural property is located. I understand the reason for the change is to restrict overdevelopment. Is this really a concern in outlying areas of Koochiching County?

What has happened to the day of fun filled days and relaxing nights? I ask this question because, I live in a neighborhood that has lost it's serenity. I have neighbors on all four sides of me that do not respect each other or themselves for that matter. Yes a couple of them are young and just out on their own for the first time. I understand that they are probably letting loose for the first time but my goodness did their parents not teach them about respecting their neighbor?

My digital DJ reports yet another personal injury accident at a street corner in I. Falls and I chime in one more time and ask a simple question: WHY NO YIELD SIGNS?
Some time ago, I wrote this on the blog: "Falls intersections are scary, especially for people [like my son] who didn't grow up knowing, for instance, that many of the avenues are de facto through streets and that streets that cross them, despite the lack of yield signs, are outside normal right of way practices.

As I was headed in to town at about 2:30, I noticed a lot of smoke on Turtle Island [also called M Island], a favorite camping and blueberry picking island just to the west of Franson Island. When I landed on the island, I discovered a large perimeter of fire that was fanning out from a spot where some idiot had apparently dumped out a Weber grill. Several larger trees were burning, the bushes were on fire and the flames were headed towards a really nice section of youngish red and white pines, so I went to the boat, emptied out a square tote and started fighting fire.

Does anyone know when the parade of boats is? I can't find it on the ifallsbass website. Thanks for your help!

I am having a very hard time eeking by in this town and have just about reached my breaking point. Let me start out by telling you I moved back in here in 2000 from the Twin cities area. A terminally ill parent was my main reason. Secondary was a change of venue for me personally. A little more peace and quiet was also in order. Well I moved back, purchased a home here in town, found a job, and saw my parent through cancer to the end of life, here I am 8 years later and wishing I had never come.

Hello I Falls,