News stories from International Falls, Minnesota

By ARIEL ARCH, Intern

Thousands of miles separate the United States from Indonesia, but the desire for education shortens those miles.
When Alicia Slaubaugh of International Falls attended the Rosedale Bible College in Ohio during the spring of 2008 she had no idea it would lead to a journey of a lifetime.
Through the school, Slaubaugh got involved in REACH, a non-profit group that organizes mission work all over the world. The program is affiliated with Rosedale Mennonite Missions.

Mandy Sears is one of eight new Falls firefighters

Becoming the first female firefighter on the International Falls Fire Department is a historic moment for the community. But Mandy Sears said she wants to be treated the same as the other firefighters.
Sears said she has always been interested in joining a fire department or ambulance service.
At her job as an off-machine coater at the Boise Inc. paper mill, Sears heard from her coworkers that the fire department was considering candidates for firefighter positions.

The Northern Minnesota District Fair begins today with a variety of events.
New and old attractions are planned.
The premier event is a free showing of “Shrek the Third” on a giant screen. The show begins at dusk tonight.
Other major events include tonight’s mud runs that begin at 6 p.m., Saturday’s 10 a.m. horse show and 1 p.m. National Barrel Horse Association barrel racing, and Sunday’s 1 p.m. oval races.

The compressor is on and the ice is in at Bronco Arena as the building plays host to the 40th Annual Falls Summer Hockey Camp.
More than 100 youngsters from International Falls, Fort Frances, Lake of the Woods area and the Iron Range participated in the two week program that will come to an end this evening.

2008 Purple Pride grant applications are due Aug. 1. Please submit to P.O. Box 933, or drop off or pick up at the High School Recreation office.

BIGFORK, Minn. (AP) — Here she comes now, leaning into her work, dragging her kayak through a remnant trail among the popple. Mary Shideler, better known as The Kayak Lady, is on a mission for Lake No. 909.
As of this day, Shideler had already paddled her hand-built kayak on 908 of the 1,007 lakes in Itasca County. With friend Catherine McLynn, she planned to paddle remote Finley Lake. But there was some hauling to be done first. The lake is three-quarters of a mile from the nearest road.
‘‘This first part is wet,’’ says Shideler, 46, a massage therapist from Grand Rapids.

DNR Staff Report

Wildlife artists can submit entries for Minnesota’s first walleye stamp, which will be available to anglers when they purchase a 2009 fishing license.
Earlier this year, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law creating the voluntary walleye stamp, which will add $5 to the cost of a 2009 fishing license if an angler chooses to purchase the stamp. Revenue from stamp sales is dedicated to walleye stocking and directly related activities.

By Outdoor News

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Along the south shore, walleyes are hitting outside the Lighthouse Gap all the way over to Zippel Bay in 16 to 24 feet. Spinner rigs or jigs are working best. At the Northwest Angle, jigs continue to produce limits of walleyes and northern pike around Oak Island and Flag Island.

LEECH LAKE AREA

To the editor,

On the surface, fairs are all about tasty treats, games and exhibits.
But the real work on the Northern Minnesota District Fair in Littlefork began many months ago as fair board members began planning, 4-Hers started projects and vendors scheduled time for the event.
The 87th Annual Northern Minnesota District Fair opened Thursday, but truly kicks off today with a variety of attractions and events. The traditional favorites of fairgoers — the animal exhibits and shows, mud runs, and food stands — will remain the same or similar to previous years.