Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 26, 2009

Fair food is more fun

The Itasca County Fair offered a great variety of food and fun for everyone during its five day run.

County invokes Buy American Policy for railroad steel
Viewing anything other than an approval vote as disrespect to the very heart of the Iron Range, Itasca County Commissioners unanimously authorized a Buy American Policy for the steel to be used in the construction of the countys rail road.

City approves county control over airport
If they want to take this over, let them take it over.

Foster parenting offers both rewards and challenge
Of every 25 people who attend an initial meeting about becoming a foster parent, its lucky if four withstand the process.

Commissioner brings bleak news for state of agriculture industry in Minnesota
Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture Gene Hugoson held a listening session in Grand Rapids Friday during the Itasca County Fair.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 23, 2009

City and county look at revising the airport joint powers agreement
The Grand Rapids Airport, specifically, amending the airports joint powers agreement between the City of Grand Rapids and Itasca County, was the topic of a special meeting of the Itasca County Board Monday morning. In addition to the county commissioners (Commissioner Catherine McLynn was absent), the entire Grand Rapids city council, members of the Airport Commission and other city officials were present at the meeting.

Range hospital boards form collaborative will look for efficencies, enhancements
HIBBING The boards of directors of the Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital, Range Regional Health Services (RRHS) in Hibbing and Virginia Regional Medical Center (VRMC) have agreed to form a proactive partnership, officials announced Wednesday.

At the fair - tractor pulling
What would Kids Day at the fair be without the annual pedal tractor pull?

Meet the 2009 Outstanding Senior Volunteers of Itasca County
Gerald Stejskal, of Grand Rapids, and Helen Rudolph, of Bovey, have been named the 2009 Outstanding Senior Volunteers of Itasca County. Minnesota state Representative Loren Solberg and state Senator Tom Saxhaug made the announcement Friday afternoon at a celebration at the Itasca County Fair.

Educational Talent Search students travel to Washington, D.C.
Forty Educational Talent Search (ETS) students from Itasca Community College had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. this July. The purpose of the field trip was to visit colleges and cultural sites.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 21, 2009

Cheese curds, corn dogs, fun slide, oh my!
Favorite fair foods and games have officially arrived under the pines at the Itasca County Fairgrounds for the start of the 117th fair. The midway, provided by Gopher State Expositions of St. Cloud, opened at noon today and offers specials through Sunday with Thursday Kids Day, Friday Family Day and Sunday Final Fling Day.

Senator touts renewable energy economy as boon for state
On what was one of the hottest days of the year, newly-seated U.S. Sen. Al Franken [D-Minn.] visited northern Minnesota last week and made a stop in Cohasset Friday afternoon to tour the Boswell Energy Centers Unit 3, which has been undergoing a massive retrofit to reduce emissions.

Looking for a new tenant, new use for an old mill
In todays economy, its a tough market for selling homes - much less an old lumber mill.

ISD 318 prepares for back-to-school
The Independent School District 318 School Board held its last meeting of the summer Monday, conducting some basic back-to-school business in preparation for the start of the 2009-2010 school year.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 20, 2009

Wohlers claims victory at memorial event

By Julia Kaasa Zach Wohlers dominated the Super Stock feature at the Dave Wohlers memorial event at the Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway on Thursday night. Other feature winners included Skeeter Estey in the Midwest Modifieds, Tommy Waseleski in the Late Models, Jeff Broking in the Modifieds, and Kevin Perkovich in the Pure Stocks.

Carlisle and Rasmussen compete in 16-U National Softball
By Jason Groth Grand Rapids Herald-Review It was already an exciting summer for Grand Rapids softball players Bailey Rasmussen and Allison Carlisle. The duo added to that level of excitement with a trip to the 16-UA National Softball tournament in Kansas.

The Outdoorsman
It was December 1968, when the organizers of Woodstock really got rolling, for a three day music festival. For Rod and I, our plans were made sitting in his dads 14-foot boat. It was late May, 1969, and fishing on the rock pile on Bowstring was pretty good. Both of us were 21 years old and recent college graduates.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 16, 2009

Bovey man sentenced for shaking baby
The man charged with shaking two-month-old Kane Zimmerman, of Hill City, in August 2007, and ultimately causing the baby boys death was sentenced Tuesday, Aug. 11 in Aitkin County.

Project dates for steel mill extended
An updated schedule for the Essar Steel Minnesota project shows several expected completion dates pushed further into the future.

County Board meets Aug. 1
Herald-Review Staff Report The Itasca County Board of Commissioners meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 11 was a brief one.

Cohasset council hears railroad crossing update
The goal is still to get road work started this fall for the new Beier Road railroad crossing.

Troop travels north to ensure Forget-Me-Not Ranch is not forgotten
A group of Girl Scouts from Chaska traveled north this weekend to help beautify and raise awareness about the Forget-Me-Not Ranch. The Nashwauk hobby farm is home to a horseback riding program for people with disabilities.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates 8/13/2009

Council tables decision on urban chicken ordinance

The vote on whether or not to allow chickens in the Grand Rapids city limits will incubate for a few weeks and should hatch on Sept. 14.

Majority of area districts make AYP
Information released Monday by the Minnesota Department of Education reveals that most area school districts are making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on academic standards, with the exceptions of the Grand Rapids Area school district and Northern Lights Community School. Area schools that made AYP this year were the districts of Greenway, Hill City, Nashwauk-Keewatin, Deer River, and North Elementary School and King Elementary School.

Five sentenced for Lakes Inn armed robbery
Herald-Review staff report Three adults and two juveniles who were certified as adults were sentenced Monday in Itasca County District Court for the armed robbery of the Lakes Inn in LaPrairie on March 28.

Company awaiting remaining permits to construct pipeline
Loads of pipe has already arrived and hundreds of construction workers are expected to show up next - all in preparation for the construction of Enbridge Energys Alberta Clipper and Southern Lights pipeline projects.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates 8/12/2009

Hart holds on for Modified victory at GR Speedway
GRAND RAPIDS - Jeff Hart managed to hold off Ryan Aho and claim the Modified win at the Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway Thursday night. Other feature winners included Jeff Tardy in the Super Stocks, Dan Ebert in the Midwest Modifieds, Bobby Carlson in the Late Models, and Kevin Perkovich in the Pure Stocks.

Three generations complete marathon
It was quite the accomplishment for the Jones family when three generations crossed the finish line at Duluths Grandmas Marathon.

Stemwedel named new head coach for girls soccer
There will be a new look to the 2009 Grand Rapids Thunderhawk girls soccer team when the season begins in mid-August.

The Outdoorsman
More and more artificial baits are packed in liquid to keep the bait fresh. Have you ever spilled a bottle of simulated live bait on the floor of your boat? Worse yet has the bottle of simulated bait been spilled in a friends boat?

Neustrom inducted into Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
Editors Note: Local fishing guide Tom Neustrom reflects on being Inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wis.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 9, 2009

Walk to support the troops this Labor Day
It was during a recent family birthday party for their son when Gayle Randall first threw out the idea.

Fine-feathered friends will be subject of a public hearing
So which came first? Urban chickens or the Grand Rapids residents who want to house them?

Property taxes to change in Greenway School District
Taxpayers in the Greenway School District were able to learn more about how their property taxes may change over the next few years during a special community meeting about OPEB bonding held in the high school auditorium Thursday evening.

DEEDs summer road show makes stop in Grand Rapids
Local business and community leaders had the opportunity to hear from state officials about the recession and federal stimulus spending in the state Tuesday afternoon as the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) brought its summer road show to the campus of Itasca Community College.

Man enticing children
Its not time to panic, but Grand Rapids residents should be aware that since the beginning of June the Grand Rapids Police Department has received three reports of a middle-aged man attempting to entice children into his vehicle.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates 8/7/2009

McBride, Nelson earns post-season awards for Itasca Community College
When starting a new softball team, teams look to build up the middle. The Itasca Community College Vikings did just that with starting pitcher Katie McBride and catcher Emma Nelson.

2009 Kids Fishing Derby
In its 19th year, the US Army Corps of Engineers kids fishing derby at Leech Lake Recreation Area drew one of its largest crowds yet.

Jason's view
The Minnesota Twins finally made a move and added veteran pitcher Carl Pavano to a struggling rotation. Pavano recorded a 9-8 record with an earned run average well over five.

What’s Happening at the Grand Rapids Area Library August 7-30

Kids' events:

Tuesdays 10:30 in August: Family Storytime

Come one, come all, for stories, songs, rhymes and fun! Each Tuesday through August 25.

Thursday Aug 27 6 pm: Family Movie Night! Race to Witch Mountain Bring dinner or a snack and join the adventure!

Reminder: We have Cabin Kits to check out. These backpacks are stuffed full of books, puzzles and games to grab and take on a trip, or for company if you need a few child-oriented activities.

Teen Summer Activities

Prizes! Stop in Teen Universe and answer the question for a chance to win a prize! Two names to be drawn on Tuesday, August 25^th.

Tuesday August 25^th, 4:00 – 5:00 pm Teen Advisory board Meeting

Friday August 28^th, 3:30-4:30 Teen Book discussion:

Kit's Wilderness, by David Almond. Pick up a copy at the reference desk.

More info and the complete schedule is on the Teen page at: www.grandrapids.lib.mn.us/teens.htm

Indies on Tuesdays at 7:30 at the Reif Center

Next week's independent film at the Reif is Campfire from Isreal, about a family struggling to decide whether to stay apart or be part of community.

On August 18 the movie is In Love We Trust from China about challenges facing a divorced couple as they try to save their daughter.

Each Tuesday at 7:30, an award winning independent film is being shown at the Reif Center, cosponsored by the Library. A complete list is available on the Library's web site and at the Reif Center's web site at www.reifcenter.org. Join us for an informal discussion after the film at Rivers Italian, sponsor of the series.

Adult Reading Fun

There is still time to pick up your reading bingo card! Stop at the Reference Desk and find out how to participate.

Book Sale a success!

Preliminary reports indicate that receipts were higher this year than last.

It was a great collaboration among the Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library, and many volunteers.

Thanks to book donors

In addition to making more money on sales of books this year, we received many books and some DVDs in excellent condition to add to the Library's collection. These were either items we did not own, or replacements for our badly worn copies. We saved several thousand dollars in book and DVD purchases.

Thanks to volunteers!

Thanks so much to our fabulous volunteers: Susan Hayes in charge of volunteer recruiting, Mary Jo Wimmer in charge of sorting, preparation and overall operations, and Cheri Stephens in charge of pre-sale set up. Jack, our regular book sorter, also increased his hours to handle the incoming books. Mike McGinnis and Kathy McCarty also graciously shared their knowledge and expertise gained from many years' experience along with their time. We also had many team captains who agreed to be the point person for specified shifts during the sale. Over the course of sorting, set up and sale, we had around one hundred volunteers. Many volunteers through RSVP joined the sorting, set up and sale efforts. … Thanks to all!

Thanks to those who purchased books, also. All proceeds go to support the library. Thanks also to the Village Bookstore for their support, and to Central Square Mall for lending us space for temporary storage as well as for the sale.

Don't forget we do take books all year and most go into the Bookstore operated by the Friends of the Library.

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

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

Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 6, 2009

National Night Out
Tuesday night, August 4, marked the 26th annual National Night Out, a nation-wide crime and drug prevention event that brings citizens together with law enforcement, civic groups, businesses, anti-violence organizations, helping agencies and other groups to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in a fight for a safer nation. Grand Rapids has been celebrating National Night Out for more than 10 years; this was the second year events were held at the IRA Civic Center. Family-friendly activities took place all evening, including an educational demonstration about the importance of seat belts, a dunk tank, a prize wheel, fire truck tours, and more. Giveaways included balloons, stickers, stuffed animals, kids fishing gear, skateboards and about 40 bicycles.

Chipper Days program is successful coordinated effort at reducing hazards
With many rural Itasca County homes and cabins found to be at risk of destruction by wildfire, neighbors are joining neighbors at taking steps to improve access to these structures and lower that susceptibility.

County child support collections and disbursements remain steady despite economy
Surprisingly, numbers show that the economic slump has not effected the collection of child support in Itasca County.

Writing about Life after Katrina
It was four years ago this month that Grand Rapids native, Barbie Root, first caught wind of a violent storm headed right toward her home in south Mississippi. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, and, as Root describes it, It was complete chaos everywhere.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates 8/5/2009

East Tonka South defeats Itasca in championship
The Little League State Baseball Tournament was held at Gunn Park in Grand Rapids from July 29-Aug. 2.

Rapids eliminated by Mankato National
While the Grand Rapids American Legion Baseball team was eliminated by Mankato National on Friday afternoon, it left its mark on the Minnesota State American Legion Tournament.

Greenway Gold 14-U summer fastpitch team captures state title
The Greenway Gold 14-U summer fastpitch team captured the state title this past weekend on Aug. 1 and 2 in Buffalo.

Greenway N-K gearing up for football season
Herald-Review Staff Report When the whistles blow and the scoreboard lights up on Sept. 4, it wont just be a new season, a new schedule, a new group of players or even a new head coach.

Carlson storms Late Models at GR Speedway
Kevin Carlson came from mid-field to claim the victory in the Late Models at the Tom Clusiau Grand Rapids Speedway Thursday night. Other feature winners included Dan Ebert in the Midwest Modifieds, Andy Davey in the Super Stocks, Jeff Broking in the Modifieds, and Kevin Perkovich in the Pure Stocks.

The Outdoorsman
Several years ago the Glossy Ibis, a rare bird for northern Minnesota, was sighted in Aitkin County. Bird watchers flocked to the area to catch sight of this bird that is rarely seen except in the southern most areas of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Herald-Review - Daily Updates August 2, 2009

Baby Kaners story
A new life cut way too short: Kane Zimmerman, or Baby Kaner as he was known by his family of Hill City, suffered from the effects of shaken baby syndrome. For 17 of the 18 months of his existence he lived the life of a two-month-old due to the injuries incurred to his brain. Born July 9, 2007, Baby Kaner died Feb. 28 of this year. The incident that altered his life forever occurred just one day after his first month birthday on Aug. 10, 2007. The man charged with his murder will be sentenced one day and two-years from that fateful day, on Aug. 11, 2009.

Denny is appointed new police chief for Grand Rapids PD
The City of Grand Rapids has a new police chief. In a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Dale Adams and Councilor Dale Christy dissenting, the council approved the appointment of Sgt. Jim Denny, as recommended by the citys police commission, during a special meeting of the Grand Rapids City Council Thursday morning. Denny, who has been a member of the Grand Rapids Police Department for 10 years, will take over for Chief Leigh Serfling, who announced his retirement in June. Serflings retirement is effective Jan. 28, 2010.

Greenway mulls OPEB bonding, votes in new board member
The Greenway School Board held a busy meeting Wednesday night, voting in a new board member and continuing discussions of cost-saving measures like OPEB bonding and collaborations with the Nashwauk-Keewatin School District.

ICRRA approves terms for connecting rail to BNSF mainline
This week, the Itasca County Regional Rail Authority approved negotiated terms for lease of land with Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway for construction, operation and maintenance of rail trackage within BNSF right-of-way. The lease is necessary to connect the ICRRA rail line that will be constructed to serve the Essar Steel Minnesota project to the BNSF main line.

County cautioned against cost-sharing with Living Word Bible Camp on EAW
Stalling this weeks county board meeting, Itasca County Commissioners quibbled over rules of order allowing a request for board action (RBA) to be discussed after it was requested to be pulled by its presenter.

Cohasset hears animal ordinance update
The Cohasset City Council had a very brief agenda for Tuesdays regular council meeting and the meeting followed the agenda, lasting just under 10 minutes.

Greenway gets on board with private bus service
The Greenway School District signed a contract with NK-G Bus Company (formerly known as Spartan Transportation Company) this week, the final step in the districts plan to privatize its transportation system. The changeover will save the district about $225,000 per year. All of Greenways bus drivers were laid off as a result, but many will continue to transport Greenway students as new employees of NK-G.

Camp Discovery
Camp Discovery wrapped up another successful season this week, after a month of fun and educational programming for elementary school-aged kids. Nature Camp, Art Camp and Science Camp all returned this year, plus a new yoga class and Lego Robotics Camp Its been such a positive thing for us at camp, said Karen Walker, of Community Education Youth Programs, referring to the yoga class. Theyre so much calmer and more respectful when they come out of it. For some of them, its their favorite part of the day. The yoga classes were led by instructors from Center in Grand Rapids. In the Robotics Camp, kids used computers, robotics software, and Legos to learn about engineering and build and program their own workable robots. After the last day of class, participants in this Camp held a robotics demo to show other students what their robots could do. In Science Camp kids learned to make bubbles, Lucky Loogie Goop and all sorts of sticky substances in a chemistry class led by teacher Connie Daigle. In other science classes, they learn about flight, sound, optical illusions and the color spectrum. Kids get creative and crafty in Art Camp, and learn about the outdoors in Nature Camp. Walker said the Forest History Center loaned Camp Discovery its educational trunks for many of the classes in this nature component. Camp Discovery was held at Robert J. Elkington Middle School. For more information, contact Karen Walker at the Camp number, 327-5700 ext. 1232.