Herald-Review - Daily Updates Wednesday April 29th

DFL bills battle governor on health care costs
ST. PAUL The state House and Senate health and human services omnibus bills are more important for what they leave out than what they put in.

State stock market champs
Grand Rapids Herald-Review They got a late start and were up against kids from the big city, but that didnt stop three Grand Rapids middle school students from taking top honors at this springs Minnesota Stock Market Game competition.

State,region so far kept safe from swine flu
As of Wednesday morning, President Obama has confirmed the first death outside of Mexico from swine flu. The first American death from the disease that has claimed the lives of 150 people in Mexico was a 23 month-old child in Texas. According to national news reports, the president has recommended that schools with confirmed swine flu cases consider temporarily closing and he has asked Congress to provide $1.5 billion in emergency funds to fight the disease.

Update on wastewater treatment plant upgrades
Weve patched the patches. Tony Ward, public utilities manager for the City of Grand Rapids, gave an update, which primarily focused on financing, to the Grand Rapids city council about the proposed upgrade of the citys wastewater treatment facility during Mondays work session prior to the regular council meeting.

Legislators will seek compromise in committee
ST. PAUL Now that the Legislature has passed most of its omnibus spending bills, each bill will be heard in a conference committee where differences between the House and Senate versions will be resolved.

Mental, chemical health authority to address the brain and addictions in two presentations May 5
Chemical dependency ranks as one of the top health problems in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this country spends $484 billion each year on addictions. As a result, 19 million American men, women and children have drinking/drug abuse problems and 60 to 70 million Americans are directly affected by those with drinking/drug abuse problems.

Itasca women clinch title
Itasca Community College completed their regular season schedule with a flurry winning seven of eight games played and claiming the Northern Division championship with a sterling 25-3 conference record, 33-11 overall. The Vikings swept past Rainy River, Hibbing and Fond du Lac and then split on the road with runner-up Northland to clinch first place.

Itasca sweeps Mesabi for title
It was must win for both teams as Mesabi and Itasca Community College met twice at Legion Field Tuesday to decide the champion of the Northern Division conference and a high seed at the state tournament this Friday and Saturday.

Rapids rebounds to down Bemidji
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk baseball team rebounded from a tough weekend with a 6-2 nine inning victory over Bemidji at the Bemidji State University Baseball Field.

Rapids-Greenway tennis splits pair
The Grand Rapids-Greenway boys tennis team was hoping to avenge an early season defeat at the hands of Hibbing-Chisholm on Tuesday afternoon in Hibbing.

Raiders split at IRC
The Greenway Raider softball team took to the diamond despite wind, rain, sleet and cold conditions at the Grand Rapids Sports Complex in the annual Iron Range Conference Tournament on Friday evening.

Rapids takes fifth in IRC
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls softball team completed the IRC Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Hibbing on Tuesday afternoon at the Grand Rapids Sports Complex.

N-K reaches IRC finals
In miserable conditions of wind and rain, the Nashwauk-Keewatin High School fastpitch softball team won a pair of games Friday in Grand Rapids in the 19th annual Iron Range Conference Softball Tournament

Rapids girls golf team wins Thunderhawk Invite
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls golf team continued its busy schedule with meets at Bemidji and Park Rapids while hosting the annual Thunderhawk Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

The Outdoorsman
Ten short days before the fishing opener and so many things to do. My jig box looks like most everyone elses box, full of jigs in almost all slots except the spot for your favorite size and color.

Grand Rapids Boys Lacrosse opens season in Osseo
It was a brand new experience for everyone involved when the Grand Rapids Boys Lacrosse team took the road to Osseo to open the 2009 MBSLA Lacrosse season. The first draw for the doubleheader was Edina. Rapids got off to a quick lead when Dom Deguiseppi came in from the right midfield position, gained possession of the face-off and took it the length of the field to score an un-assisted goal, and give Grand Rapids a 1-0 lead. Edinas patience and experience paid off, however, as they tied the game halfway through the first period, then continued to build on the lead. Rapids in-experience showed as they took several penalties, putting them shorthanded on a number of Edinas scoring chances.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates April 26

Pink streaks for Brittany
When 12-year-old Brittany Bensons friends found out she had bone cancer, they refused to take the news lying down. They wanted to help. They wanted to do something. They wanted to take action.

ICE-OUT is right on schedule
Its time to place your bets. Ice-out time has finally arrived in the Land of 1,000 Lakes and cobwebs are being swept off boats.

Wellness Court: A graduates journey
This is the final installment of the Wellness Court series. Today, a graduate of the program tells of his experiences. He requested his real name be withheld because of his work situation. He will be identified as John for the purpose of this story.

Gotcha maneuver has House debating tobacco bonding to 2 a.m.
ST. PAUL Its not the type of legislative maneuver that typically makes the front page.

School start before Labor Day defeated
ST. PAUL Recovering from a 12-hour session that lasted until midnight the night before, state House members straggled in to the chamber to resume session at 11 a.m. Thursday.

GR boys take first place at home
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk boys track and field team held its home opener on Tuesday evening at the Webb LaBeau Track.

Itasca women near clinch
A doubleheader sweep over second place Northland Community College inched Itasca closer to another Northern Division championship Wednesday afternoon at home. The strong right arm of Katie McBride made sure of that as the freshman pitcher was masterful in two complete game shutout victories.

Elhard named Section 7AAA Coach of the Year
Grand Rapids Thunderhawk boys basketball coach Dan Elhard does not coach for the awards, however, his hard work and dedication continue to reward him during the post-season.

THawk girls first at GR Invite
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls track and field team blew past the competition at the annual Grand Rapids Invitational on Tuesday afternoon at the Webb LaBeau Track at the Grand Rapids High School.

Jason's view
There have been several great performances around the area. As the weather starts the warm up, the times start to drop on the track.

Thunderhawk girls golf team in action
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls golf team wrapped up a busy week with tournaments in Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Staples, Hazeltine and Crosby-Ironton.

ENews from the Grand Rapids Area Library April 28

Check it out @ your Library™

What's Happening at the Grand Rapids Area Library

Tuesday, April 28. 4:00 Teen Advisory Board meeting

 

Thursday April 30, 7 pm Mary Shideler with her Photos of China

            This is a repeat of the very popular slide show Mary presented in February

 

Saturday May 2  10:30 – 11:30 Kids & Dads Storytime

            An event just for guys and kids!  Stories, books, rhymes, finger plays and songs, followed by snacks and a fun craft.

 Cosponsored by Invest Early and Project Read

 

May 4 –May 23 Exhibit on Civilian Conservation Corps Camps

 (thanks to the Forest History Center) We'll have a program on the history of the CCCs later in May

 

Tuesday May 5 7 pm Wendy McCormick

            Award winning author of books for children: Daddy Will you Miss Me?  Dainel And His Walking Stick

            Friends of the Grand Rapids Areal Library annual program:

Program open to everyone, young and old alike!

  Books by Wendy will be available for purchase and refreshments will be served.

            GET TO KNOW WENDY - Dinner at Rivers at 5 p.m. - Anyone who wishes to attend an informal dinner for $10-$12 menu offerings may call reservations to Pat Fideldy by April 30.

SCHOOL VISITS - Wendy will be speaking to third grade students at Vandyke Elementary on May 6 and to a group of children at St. Joe's School on May 5.

BOOK SIGNING - You may drop by the Village Bookstore in Central Square Mall on Tuesday, May 5, from 3:30-4:30 to meet Wendy and have books signed.

 

Tuesday May 12 7 pm  Enrich your Care Giving Journey, with Rita Goldhammer

            Rita Goldhammer, a caregiver, coach, and bereavement facilitator,  will talk about the challenges of care giving and tools for making it a successful journey.  It applies to all who are caring for children, spouses or elderly adults.

 

Coming up later in May: 

May 11-17 is Children's book week!!  Celebrate!

Saturday May 16 at 10:30 Art & Air

 an art class for all ages led by artists from The Creativity Tank.

The kick-off to our Summer Reading Program: Be Creative at your library!

            Preregistration required call 327-8823

Look for other art, music, writing and book celebrations throughout the summer.

 

Save these later dates!

 

Wednesday, May 20 12:00-1:30 Universal Human Rights a Great decisions discussion

Thursday, May 21  Stories, songs and sagas from the CCC

History of  Civilian Conservation Corps Camps

Watch for:  Indies on Tuesday, the independent film series will return to the Reif Center in June.  Watch the library website or the Reif Center Website later in May for the start date and a detailed schedule.

Library programs on ICTV

Did you miss a program you really wanted to see?  Many of the programs at the library are taped by staff and volunteers from ICTV and shown several times.  The schedule for the upcoming week is now posted on our website at www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us 

 

ECFE Book Times Mondays 9:30 & 10:30 

Storytimes for Preschoolers and their caregivers with games or crafts afterwards.

Check out the Library's Blog at www.grandrapidsarealibrary.blogspot.com

For more details on any of the programs, go to the Library's Web Site: www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us  

Herald-Review - Daily Updates

Wellness Court: Do statistics show it working?
Itasca County Sheriff Pat Medure, part of the Itasca County District Court Wellness Court team, admits he was not completely on board when the concept of a court program to intensely supervise felony non-violent drug offenders was presented.

Legislation could exempt leased lands from property taxes
If you lease land in Itasca County, you may soon get a reprieve from paying property taxes on that property if proposed legislation is enacted. Sounds good? If you are one of the approximately 100 leasees that this could affect, you may want to contact Senator Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids), author of this proposed legislation, to give him your support. But, dont think the county will help in your cause. The county has no position in the matter.

Cohasset clarifies animal licensing requirements
Cohasset animal lovers will have an amnesty period from now until May 29 to obtain licenses for their cats and dogs, and only two animals may be owned by city residents living on residentially-zoned property.

Greenway makes some major cuts
To cut costs and do what they believe is best for students, Greenway School Board members are decidedly working toward more collaborations with the Nashwauk-Keewatin School District.

Eveleth teen's disappearance triggers push for legislation
ST. PAUL Ten days after their sons disappearance, Dan Zamlens parents testified at the State Capitol in favor of a bill that would create new guidelines for missing persons investigations.

$3 billion measure holds 40 Range projects
ST. PAUL An almost $3 billion omnibus bill in the state House would fund higher education and job programs statewide, as well as bankroll 40 infrastructure projects on the Iron Range.

Good sports: Grand Rapids Native Language Quiz Bowl team wins Good Sportsmanship Trophy at regional competition
The Grand Rapids Area School District Native Language Quiz Bowl Team was awarded the Good Sportsmanship Trophy at a competition sponsored by the Itasca Area Schools Cooperative/Itasca Community College, held March 13. Cass Lake placed first, Circle of Life second, and Greenway third. Thirteen teams participated in the competition, which was held on the ICC campus. This year's event included higher ed financial aid application training. Pictured, from left, are Patty Erven, coach, Brian Watson, Kay Kirt, advisor, Breanna Warrington, Kristina Isham, Dylan Annette and DJ Foust.

Coins come full circle
Hoping to downsize possessions and responsibilities, Larry and Janet Reed (Itasca Class of 1954) Eichman discussed what to do with a family coin collection, stored by them at their home in Jamestown N.D. for many years.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates Sunday April 19th

Gardeski tops in the state
Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academys Sarah Gardeski vaulted and tumbled her way to the top of the Minnesota scene with a first place finish in the 2009 Minnesota State Level 7 Finals held at Mounds Park Academy.

Big inning haunts THawks
Most nights when a team plays seven strong innings like the Grand Rapids Thunderhawk softball team did, they'll come away with a victory. However, Thursday evening was unlike most evenings for the Thunderhawks in their season opener.

ICC women win three more
Itasca Community College ran their conference win streak to 11 before Mesabi tripped them up on the road Wednesday in women's softball. The Vikings now stand at 11-1 in conference, 19-9 overall, with a crucial and hectic week awaiting them.

Jason's view
Its been an interesting start to the Major League Baseball season especially for the Minnesota Twins.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates April 15th

New deadline for finalization of land sale to Essar
Itasca Countys plan to sell 3,785.7 acres of tax-forfeited county land to Essar Steel Minnesota is getting closer to becoming finalized.

Welcome back spring
Spring has officially arrived in the Northland as pussy willows blossom along rural roadways and robins hop in area yards.

Council ponders the need for city building inspector
Does a city need a building inspector? This was the question Grand Rapids city councilors pondered when asked to accept the resignation of city building inspector Ryan Whiting during Mondays regular meeting. Whiting recently accepted a position as a deputy state fire marshall, but has agreed to work for the city on a temporary part-time or on-call basis until a replacement inspector is found.

Anzelc says Essar's plan makes sense
NASHWAUK - A state legislator who represents the Nashwauk area said Friday that Essar Steel's stated commitment to continuing work on a giant mining and industrial complex makes sense in terms of the company's long-range plan.

Teen may be tried as adult in Ball Club murder trial
Herald-Review staff report Darrek Jerome Porter, the Deer River teenager charged in the murder of a Ball Club teen, made a court appearance Monday in connection with a certification hearing to move him from juvenile court to adult court.

Taxing bills before Senate committee in near future
ST. PAUL With deadlines approaching, the state Senate Tax Committee will be hearing more than 20 bills in coming weeks for inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Snyder under house arrest
Herald-Review staff report Gregory Alan Snyder, the Itasca County Sheriffs Department investigator charged with 33 counts of felony criminal sexual contact, has been released on conditions on April 8 after posting $5,000 cash bond and is now under house arrest.

Grand Rapids - Greenway splits with Hermantown, Virginia
The Grand Rapids-Greenway tennis team squared off with the Virginia Blue Devils in a battle of two of northern Minnesota's top teams in an early season meet at the Robert J. Elkington Middle School Tennis Courts on Tuesday.

Viking nine split with Hibbing
Itasca Community College finally moved their baseball team outdoors and managed to win three out of four against Vermilion and Hibbing to push their conference record to 5-1, 14-13 overall.

Itasca women on winning streak
A fast start to a cold spring can jump start a season. A team cannot get off to a quicker start than the 10-0 Itasca Community College softball Vikings. The Itascans swept conference doubleheaders over the past four days to keep their conference mark perfect and push above the .500 mark overall at 16-8.

Rapids tops Early Bird Invite
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls track and field team picked up a victory at the annual Hibbing Early Bird Invitational on Tuesday afternoon in Hibbing.

Raiders win softball opener
The Greenway Raider girls softball team picked up a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers at Portage Park in Cohasset on Tuesday afternoon.

The Outdoorsman
It was early morning at Als Standard and many of the coffee crew had already arrived. The Mr. Coffee coffee maker couldnt keep up and there was a Coleman thermos already filled with hot coffee. All of the coffee drinkers had chipped in 50 cents and gotten the Mr. Coffee for $9.99. The 50 cent contribution gave the coffee drinkers more than a sense of belonging. It gave them a podium to inform, tease and criticize anyone from the Department of Conservation to politicians to friends.

Thunderhawks win in Hibbing
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk boys track and field team picked up its first outdoor victory of the season with a first place finish at the Hibbing Early Bird Invitational on Tuesday afternoon.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates Monday 4-13-2009

Porter makes court appearance
Herald-Review staff report Darrek Jerome Porter, the Deer River teenager charged in the murder of a Ball Club teen, made a court appearance Monday in connection with a certification hearing to move him from juvenile court to adult court.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates Sunday April 12th

So many eyes looking at the same people: The nuts and bolts of Wellness Court
Its 8:30 a.m. Friday and in a jury room on the third floor of the Itasca County Courthouse, the Itasca County Wellness Court team is holding its weekly pre-court meeting. The meeting is an integral part of the Wellness Court program as it allows each team member judicial, law enforcement, counseling and treatment, probation, defense and prosecution the opportunity to discuss the progress of each participant and compare notes.

sprouting smiles
Grace Bible School students toured Bloomers Garden Center and Landscaping last week, each planting a flower (which they get to take home at a later date) and then singing songs to entertain Bloomers staff. The students were the last group out of about 550 total students, from schools across the Grand Rapids area, to tour Bloomers this year as a part of its annual Spring School Tours. Bloomers has been offering the tours for 12 years. On the tour, students learn about plants and how to care for them, play educational games and conduct plant-related experiments.

Serving more with less
Local nonprofit service agencies are having a rougher time than usual scraping up funding in today's troubled economy, while demand for services gets increasingly higher.

Elementary students team up to green up
After school at Southwest Elementary, a group of 3rd and 4th grade students huddle around a pile of onion skins, banana peels, and other various remains of produce, and examine it with amazement while 4th grade teacher, Nancy Mike-Johnson, discusses how these items with time will become dirt. This pile is only a couple of days old, so everything is recognizable, but the next batch laid out is a month old, then 7-8 months old. Then finally she shows them aerated produce thats a year old, which is a bucket of ordinary soil; the only distinguishing element being the remains of an avocado pit that didnt quite decompose. The kids just learned the cycle of composting.

Countys culinary connoisseurs converge
Seventeen of the countys best chefs are coming together to provide an opportunity to experience the Taste of Itasca and support community mentoring programs.

Dancin the day away at Hill City School
Elementary students at Hill City School entertained a crowd of parents, teachers and community members with song and dance routines in the school gymnasium last Friday. Some kids dressed up as bumblebees, others wore street gear and most sported festive Hawaiian leis. Songs ranged from traditional childrens songs to more modern dance music.

Itasca sweeps Mesabi Range
The Itasca Community College Viking womens softball team headed outside for its home opener against Mesabi Range Community College on Thursday afternoon at the ICC softball field.

Rapids takes third at Cambridge
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk boys Track and Field team headed outdoors for its first outdoor meet of the season when they traveled to the Cambridge Invitational.

THawk girls take second
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls track and field team headed outside for the first time this season when they took part in the Cambridge Invitational on Tuesday afternoon.

Grand Rapids-Greenway tennis splits with Bemidji, Park Rapids
The Grand Rapids-Greenway boys tennis team headed outside for its first action of the 2009 boys tennis season. Grand Rapids-Greenway earned a split in its tri-meet with a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Bemidji before rebounding to knock off Park Rapids, 6-1, in the second game of the match.

Sutherland finishes strong for Thunderhawks
Grand Rapids Thunderhawk senior Jared Sutherland burst on to the basketball scene during his junior season.

N-K baseball team hopes to contend
With the fact that the Nashwauk-Keewatin High School baseball team lost just one senior from last years squad that finished third in the Section 7A Baseball Tournament, coach Josh Lamppa is looking for big things from the Spartans this season.

Girls golf opens with win
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls golf team got of to a blazing start with a win in its opening meet at the Monticello Country Club on Wednesday.

Nashwauk-Keewatin Spartans stronger than ever
The Nashwauk-Keewatin High School fastpitch softball team enjoyed a fine season last year, and it returns a strong core of players from last years squad.

Jason's view
It was an amazing run for the Bemidji State University Beavers in the NCAA hockey playoffs. Unfortunately, it had to come to an end. The Miami of Ohio Redhawks played a great game stopping the Beavers own hopes of a miracle.

Historic run for BSU comes to an end
The 12th ranked Bemidji State University mens ice hockey teams improbable run to the 2009 Frozen Four ended with a 4-1 loss in the national semifinal to No. 4 Miami (Ohio) University Thursday evening.

April Library Events

What's Happening at the Grand Rapids Area Library

Check it out @ your Library™

Saturday, April 11, Library Closed

 

April 12-18  National Library Week:  Worlds Connect @ your library

 

Tuesday April 14 is also National Library Workers Day

Do something special for your favorite school, college or public library workers!

 

Tuesday April 14  7 pm David and Judy Garshelis on A Volunteer Experience of a Lifetime

            Dave and Judy spent 2 weeks volunteering in Tanzania with Global Volunteers. Celebrate National Volunteer week a bit early by learning about their unique experience.

 

Friday April 17 3:30 Teen Book Club

            April's pick: "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Pick up a copy at the Reference desk.

           

Tuesday, April 21 12:00 – 1:30:  Tribute to MN writer Bill Holm

            Area writers and admirers of Bill Holm will share selections of Holm's writing in a public reading.

5:30 pm  Community Poetry Reading Brewed Awakenings Coffee House

In collaboration with ICC's literary & arts publication Spring Thaw.  Listen to a selection of the poems for publication.

 Bring your own poetry to read!

Thursday, April 23 6:30  pm Afghanistan and Pakistan (evening discussion)

            Third in the Great Decisions discussion series

            Books on Afghanistan and Pakistan are on display in the library and the briefing books for the discussions are available for checkout and for reading in the library.

April 24  9-11 am  Blogging for Community Leaders workshop led by Griff Wigley

Pre-register by calling KAXE at 218-326-1234

Go to www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us for more information on all of these programs

Save these later dates!

Tuesday, April 28. 4:00 Teen Advisory Board meeting

Thursday April 30, 7 pm Mary Shideler with her Photos of China

            This is a repeat of the very popular slide show Mary gave in February

Saturday May 2  10:30 – 11:30 Kids & Dads Storytime

            An event just for guys and kids!  Stories, books, rhymes, finger plays and songs, followed by snacks and a fun craft. 

            Cosponsored by Invest Early and Project Read

 

Library programs on ICTV

Did you miss a program you really wanted to see?  Many of the programs at the library are taped by staff and volunteers from ICTV and shown several times.  The schedule for the upcoming week is now posted on our website at www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us 

 

ECFE Book Times Mondays 9:30 & 10:30 

Storytimes for Preschoolers and their caregivers with games or crafts afterwards.

Check out the Library's Blog at www.grandrapidsarealibrary.blogspot.com

For more details on any of the programs, go to the Library's Web Site: www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us  

If you wish to unsubscribe to this list, follow the directions below.

 

 

Marcia L. Anderson
Director
Grand Rapids Area Library
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-326-7640

www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us

 

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Herald-Review - Daily Updates

School board defers acceptance of principal resignations
A crowd of about 40 parents, students, teachers and staff of Robert J. Elkington Middle School rallied in support of Principal Jeff Britten and Assistant Principal David Burkman at a meeting of the Independent School District 318 school board on Monday, after word got out that both men had handed in their resignations late Friday afternoon -- one year after being hired.

Calumet boy killed in school bus accident
Herald-Review staff report A six-year-old Calumet boy died as a result of a school bus-pedestrian accident Monday afternoon.

Bovey man allegedly imprisoned woman for two days
Herald-Review staff report A 47-year-old rural Bovey man was taken into custody Friday night at approximately 8:48 p.m. for felony terroristic threats, domestic assault and false imprisonment.

Buyback part of snowmobile bill
ST. PAUL For 15 years, Steve Vandeputte sold Polaris snowmobiles and ATVs through his shop, Brothers Motor Sports in Baxter, Minn.

Sloppy tracking of stimulus funds a state concern
ST. PAUL After revelations of sloppy bookkeeping at state agencies, lawmakers worry lax standards could threaten the around $9 billion in federal stimulus funds that will be flowing into the state.

Senate bill aims at fewer state mandates
ST. PAUL From eliminating funeral requirements for destitute people whose families cant be located to removing minimum salaries for county sheriffs, a state Senate bill passed Tuesday would ease state mandates on cash-strapped local governments.

Boys track team fourth at BSU
The Boys Thunderhawk track team tied for fourth place Friday at Bemidji State University April 3.

Girls Track Team wins hard fought battle at Bemidji State University
The Thunderhawk track and field team won a hard fought victory over 15 track teams Friday April 3 at the Gillette Rec. in Bemidji.

Deer Rivers Tyler Erzar Named Region 7A Triple AAward winner
Deer River High School senior, Tyler Erzar, following his Subsection 28 Award, was named the Region 7A boys winner of the Triple A Award of the Minnesota State High School League as announced by region secretary Julian Bertogliat.

Granley earns post-season honors
The Grand Rapids-Greenway Lightning girls hockey team has become one of the more prominent programs in northern Minnesota and the state of Minnesota and one of the reasons for that is behind the bench.

ICC sweeps midnight pair
The weather has forced us all to postpone spring plans and do strange things, but Itasca Community College took it to extreme Tuesday night.

The Outdoorsman
Lets Go Fishing (LGF) is a non-profit organization that promotes fishing and boating excursions for seniors at no cost. The organization was founded in Wilmar, Minn., in 2002. Founder Joe Holm and wife Carolyn shared a dream to help enrich the lives of senior citizens.

Herald-Review - Daily Update April 7, 2009

Calumet boy killed in school bus accident
A six-year-old Calumet boy died as a result of a school bus-pedestrian accident Monday afternoon.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates

Marble man dies from ATV roll-over
Herald-Review staff report

Forest Easement News

News Release
Contact:

Cathy Kennedy, The Conservation Fund, (612) 309-3951

Allison Rajala Ahcan, Blandin Foundation, (218) 259-2893

BLANDIN FOUNDATION COMMITS $7 MILLION

TO THE CONSERVATION FUND

FOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI FOREST PROJECT

Donation Supports a Broad Effort to Keep Significant Expanse of Forest Intact;

R.K. Mellon Foundation Also Commits $2 Million

Grand Rapids (April 1, 2009) – Demonstrating its commitment to strengthening Minnesota communities, the board of trustees of the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation has approved a $7 million grant for the Upper Mississippi Forest project.

The grant will be made to The Conservation Fund, which is helping facilitate the transaction between Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the landowner, UPM/Blandin Paper Company. If the Minnesota Legislature approves the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council's recommendations to fund the balance of the costs, the Upper Mississippi Forest conservation easement will become the largest public access recreational area in the state of Minnesota, protecting the land against forest fragmentation.

"The Upper Mississippi Forest conservation easement will help protect the jobs of more than 3,200 families who rely upon this land remaining a working forest for their livelihoods, and hundreds of others who make a living in related businesses," said Jim Hoolihan, Blandin Foundation president.

"Plus, the conservation easement will keep nearly 188,000 acres of Minnesota's North Woods open for enjoyment by all and permanently protect forest habitats, creating a legacy that will live forever. By helping to secure this forest heritage project, the Blandin Foundation underscores its roots and invests in a natural asset that will contribute to our region and our state forever."

Earlier this month, the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council recommended $20 million for the Upper Mississippi Forest as the first of two years' allocations of funds that will be generated under the Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment, which was overwhelmingly approved by Minnesota voters in November 2008. The Minnesota Legislature is now considering the recommendations of the Council.

In addition to the Blandin Foundation gift, The Conservation Fund, which is helping negotiate the working forest easement, also announced a $2 million gift from the R. K. Mellon Foundation, bringing the total private contributions to $9 million.

"The Blandin Foundation's commitment to the Upper Mississippi Forest project is the largest private donation for a conservation project ever made in this state," said Tom Duffus, Upper Midwest Director of The Conservation Fund. "The Blandin Foundation and R.K. Mellon Foundation gifts create a true public-private funding base for this project that will significantly stretch public dollars and enable the Outdoor Heritage Fund to complete this purchase in a timely way and fund other worthy projects around the state."

The Conservation Fund intends to re-grant the foundations' contributions to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources when the DNR closes on the transaction with UPM, Duffus said. The DNR's Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council application indicated some $48 million are needed for the Upper Mississippi Forest project.

At 187,277 acres, the Upper Mississippi Forest lands combine with adjacent county, state and federal lands to create more than 4,000 square miles of uninterrupted forest habitat. The forestlands lie primarily in Itasca, Aitkin, St. Louis, Koochiching, Cass and Beltrami counties.

Owned and managed by UPM/Blandin Paper Company (unrelated to the foundation by a similar name), the forest project includes 60,000 acres of wetlands and more than 280 miles of lake and stream frontage. The proposed working forest conservation easement would be held and monitored by the DNR and would permit sustainable forest management and timber harvesting; public access for hiking, hunting, fishing and other recreational activities; and provide wildlife habitat protection. The project also will protect wetlands and water quality in the upper watershed and primary tributaries to the Mississippi River.

"The Conservation Fund's work to bring private dollars to the table to move this project forward signifies the importance of conserving these forestlands for all to enjoy while maintaining the economic viability of the region," said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. "The substantial gift by the Blandin Foundation demonstrates the foresight by local community leadership to leave this North Woods legacy for future generations."

The Upper Mississippi Forest project is supported by statewide conservation, recreational and environmental organizations; and in the Grand Rapids area, some 20 business, local government and conservation entities have endorsed the Forest Legacy Program.

UPM Blandin Paper issued this statement about progress on the negotiations:

"UPM Blandin Paper is in serious discussions with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regarding a conservation easement project on UPM's 188,000 acres of forest land in Minnesota. A successful project is one in which the parties can reach agreement on an acceptable easement, price and a schedule for timely closing. UPM Blandin Paper is committed to working on a solution that would require sustainable management of the property as it is today, regardless of who may own the property in the future."

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About the Blandin Foundation

Based in Grand Rapids, Minn., the Blandin Foundation works to strengthen rural Minnesota communities, especially the Grand Rapids area, through grants, leadership development programs and public policy initiatives. http://www.blandinfoundation.org/

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America's land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. We're a top-ranked conservation organization, effective and efficient. http://www.conservationfund.org/