News stories from International Falls, Minnesota

Century-old benchmark in Ranier recovered after many decades

In 1906, government workers took a hammer and chisel and hollowed out a vertical space in the bedrock of the Sand Bay shore in then unorganized Ranier.
A small bronze disk called a geodetic marker was dropped into that opening and then embedded in a cement cylinder. It served as a benchmark for the International Boundary Waters Commission.

The Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board is scheduled to review an audit of its 2007 activities when it meets Wednesday.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the Koochiching County Courthouse boardroom.
The audit was prepared by Walker, Giroux and Hahne.
The board is also scheduled to meet with Bill Roefs, of Minnesota, Dakota & Western railway, which is owned by Boise Inc.
In other business, the board is scheduled to discuss its 2008 budget and hear monthly reports from its director and treasurer.

Date Time Location Comments
10-13-08 2:15PM-3:40PM Kerry Park Arena RRCC Women's Hockey Practice
10-13-08 4:00PM-5:00PM Kerry Park Arena Mighty Mite Open Hockey
10-13-08 5:00PM-6:00PM Kerry Park Arena Girls U10/12 Open Hockey
10-13-08 6:15PM-7:15PM Kerry Park Arena Pee Wee Open Hockey
10-13-08 7:30PM-8:30PM Kerry Park Arena Bantam Open Hockey
10-13-08 8:45PM-9:45PM Kerry Park Arena Bronco Boys Hockey Practice
10-14-08 2:15PM-3:40PM Kerry Park Arena RRCC Women's Practice
10-14-08 4:00PM-5:00PM Kerry Park Arena Termite Open Hockey

FHS continues to improve with youth powering a resurgence

Bronco junior Stephanie Christianson actually enjoyed the weather Thursday during the 41st annual Hial Pike Invitational at Falls Country Club.
“It was good,” she said after her sixth-place finish out of 55 participants. “It’s nice weather for it. A little windy.”
For the record, it was around 48 degrees and drizzling at the start of the festivities Thursday, but a 19 mph wind made it “feel like” 41, according to www.weather.com.

Broncos finish fourth out of nine teams

After battling through injuries and illnesses all season, the blustery conditions Thursday at the 41st annual Hial Pike Invitational at Falls Country Club were nothing for the Broncos’ boys cross country team.
“It’s always nice to have a home meet,” Falls senior Zach Severson said. “You have your fans. It helps me run better.”
The home-town atmosphere also helped out Severson’s teammates — senior Thomas Briggs and sophomore John Sobczynski.

Parent’s Night for Bronco swimmers is Tuesday
Parent’s Night for the Bronco girls swimmers and divers is Tuesday at the Falls Natatorium. The Broncos will play host to Babbitt-Embarrass. Cake and coffee will be served to all parents and swimmers after the meet.

Broncos-Prowlers swim meet canceled
Thursday’s Bronco home swimming and diving meet against Thief River Falls was canceled, as the Prowlers didn’t have it on their schedule, according to Falls athletic/activities director Don Rolando. The meet will not be made up.

Rec. basketball signups are Oct. 20

The Falls Broncos football team has an all-time record of 19-21 against Hibbing. However, the two teams haven’t squared off since 1991, when the Broncos won 12-6 in the second game of the season. The Bluejackets and Broncos enter tonight’s contest in Hibbing with identical records: 1-5 overall and 0-5 in the Sea-Range Conference.

Hunters seeking ruffed grouse in Koochiching and northeastern St. Louis counties are reporting a tougher harvest this season.
The ruffed grouse season opened Sept. 13 and closes Jan. 4.
“If there were a lot of birds, people would see them right away,” said Frank Swendsen, area wildlife supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in International Falls. “There are some birds, but not a lot of birds.”
Swendsen said the lack of birds is likely due to the cool, wet weather the area experienced in May and June.

Dick Lorette will be honored as the Sportsperson of the Year tonight by the Trails End Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association tonight at the annual rally.
Lorette will retire from his job as a wildlife technician for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources this year. He was nominated by his supervisor, Frank Swendsen, who cited Lorette’s dedication and 26 years of service to wildlife in Koochiching County.

By Outdoor News

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Walleyes and northern pike are hitting minnows in 19 to 25 feet in the Lighthouse Gap. As the shiner minnow run continues into the Rainy River, walleye action is improving. The best reports are coming from jig and minnow anglers in 17 to 19 feet. At the Northwest Angle, a gold jig and chub is providing numbers of walleyes, perch, and crappies around Oak Island. Muskie activity also has increased at the Angle.

LEECH LAKE AREA