Heart of the Continent Partnership seeks to broaden collaborative effort

The Heart of the Continent Partnership is seeking partners interested in the public lands in northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario.
Still undergoing formation, HOCP is a cross-border collaborative effort to bring together as many voices as possible to share ideas and learn about different perspectives affecting the border lakes region. HOCP has thus far attracted participants from nonprofit organizations as well as land agencies and tourism boards.

The Littlefork-Big Falls school board is scheduled to hear a report from Superintendent Fred Seybert on the MACCRAY school district’s four-day school week when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday for its regular meeting.
Seybert recently visited the MACCRAY district to interview students and staff in continued research for L-BF’s possible adoption of a four-day week.
The MACCRAY school district is in west-central Minnesota and is a consolidation of three communities: Maynard, Clara City and Raymond. It is the only district in the state currently implementing the shortened academic week.

The Falls School board is scheduled to hear about the requirement for a Truth in Taxation hearing and a funding allocation from the Applied Learning Initiative during its meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in the Falls High School cafeteria.
Superintendent Don Langen is expected to discuss the hearing, which is required as a result of the board increasing its levy, and the funding for the ALI program. Langen is also scheduled to discuss a coach’s recognition.

Broncos drop from No. 6 to No. 7 seed
Following International Falls’ 40-18 loss Wednesday to Cloquet, the Bronco coaching staff was doing what it could to find out the result of the Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin matchup. Crosby-Ironton won, and coupled with Virginia’s loss to Proctor, the Broncos were set to grab the No. 6 seed and travel Tuesday to No. 3 Crosby-Ironton in the Section 7AAA tournament.
Not so fast.
The Broncos woke up Thursday morning to a Section 7AAA bracket that featured the Broncos as the No. 7 seed, set to travel Tuesday to No. 2 Eveleth-Gilbert.

Luke Zika, a 2001 Falls High School graduate and the current seventh-grade football coach, holds the Broncos’ career record for passing yards with 3,169. Next in line is Shawn Brown, a ’92 grad, with 1,623 yards. Zika also holds the record for most passing attempts (376) and completions (166) in a career.

2005 effort to include Voyageurs National Park in program failed

The Bush administration plans to make it easier for mountain bikers to gain access to national parks and other public lands before the president — an avid cyclist himself — leaves office.
The National Park Service confirmed Tuesday that it is preparing a rule that will allow decisions about some mountain bike trails to be made by park managers instead of federal regulators in Washington, a process that can take years.

Baudette man has 44 walleye over the limit in his possession

DNR Staff Report

A Baudette man recently was fined $3,500 for taking 44 walleye over the limit.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers ticketed Robert Allen Hansen, 67, on June 20. Officers said Hansen caught the fish on Lake of the Wood and stored them in a refrigerator freezer at his home.
DNR conservation officers Robert Gorecki and Jeremy Woinarowicz said they acted on an anonymous Turn In Poachers telephone call that Hansen had been fishing for several days and keeping a limit each day.

DNR Staff Report

In response to a federal court order, trapping regulations in northeastern Minnesota have changed to restrict, modify or eliminate the incidental take of Canada lynx. Trapping seasons begin on Oct. 25 in much of the state.
The new regulations apply east and north of U.S. Highway 53, which runs from Duluth to International Falls. A copy of the new regulations has been mailed to all trappers who purchased a license in 2007, and is posted online at www.mndnr.gov.

ATV safety training planned
An all-terrain vehicle safety training course will be conducted Thursday evening followed by a driving test on Friday.
The course is intended for students ages 12-15.
A parent or guardian must register their child in person at the Community Education Office, located near th pool at Falls High School (Door No. 5) by 2 p.m. Thursday. Cost is $120. Call Community Education at 285-2571, Ext. 186, for more information.

DNR asks OHV riders to use caution

By Outdoor News

LAKE MILLE LACS
East — Work Isle Bay, Wahkon Bay, and Cove Bay with a jig and minnow in nine to 12 feet for ‘‘small- to medium-sized’’ perch. Walleye reports are limited to a few fish hitting crankbaits at night on the shallow rocks. Muskie and smallmouth action is slow.
West — Trolling crankbaits at night has produced a few more walleyes on the eight- to 12-foot shoreline breaks and rocks. During the day, slip bobbers and leeches are producing some walleyes on the mud flats in 28 feet.

LAKE OF THE WOODS