Phyllis J. Mathews, of International Falls, Minn., died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, at Falls Memorial Hospital. Phyllis was 77 years of age.
Born Sept. 6, 1931, in International Falls, Phyllis was a lifelong resident and a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter G. and Violet A. (Bolz) Mathews, and one niece.
Phyllis is survived by her brother, Lawrence P. (Alice) Mathews of Southington, Conn.; one niece and one nephew.
A private graveside service will be conducted.
A memorial service will take place in the spring.

Coping with pain at the holidays and the journey of living with loss

Wreaths are made, cookbooks cracked open to family recipes, and gift lists cross-hatched with just a few names remaining. Music is in the stores and on the radio — celebrations of the season — it’s Christmas.

But for many, it’s the loneliest time of the year. The reason can be explained with one word: Grief.

Entering the narthex at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Friday morning, beauty abounds. The sweet voices of children, part of the children’s regular Friday morning Mass, fill the air. Heavy candles glow on the Advent wreath at the back of the church and the smell of warm wax pervades the senses.

But it’s what is new in the sanctuary that is special, and stunning. When the children finish their song, the priest asks: Do you notice anything different?” The answer is obvious.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Pawlenty took a scalpel to state aid for cities and counties, human services programs and higher education on Friday, trimming $271.4 million in unspent state money to fix a $426 million near-term deficit.

The cuts will withhold $13 million from Minneapolis, $5.7 million from St. Paul, $1.9 million from Rochester and $1.7 million from Duluth when state aid checks go out at the end of next week.

International Falls will see a cut of $223,000 and Koochiching County $75,000 to local government aid.

The Koochiching County Board is scheduled to revisit a proposal to change the Wetland Conservation Act when it meets Tuesday.

The board meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in the courthouse boardroom.

During Environmental Services Department business at 10:40 a.m., commissioners are scheduled to discuss a change proposed by the Board of Water and Soil Resources that would require landowners to report activities that fall within WCA’s exemptions. Now the language encourages, but does not require, landowners to report those activities.

The Littlefork City Council Thursday approved a 2009 levy of $100,000 and a 2009 budget, according to Littlefork City Coordinator Mike Fairchild.
The city will not face cuts to the local government aid it receives from the state.
The council also heard a recommendation from its Utility Committee to slightly increase the water and sewer rates beginning in January or February, Fairchild said. The increased revenue would be used for projects such as repainting the water tower, he added. Budgets for water and sewer that included the added revenue were approved by the council.

Jake Ruelle tallied two goals and the Falls Broncos skated to a 2-2 tie on the road against No. 13 Thief River Falls on Friday night.

After a scoreless first period, Tyler Aandal opened the scoring for the Prowlers with a goal just 25 seconds into the second period. The Falls rebounded quickly, however, and Ruelle scored 39 seconds later to tie it. Lucas Dillon assisted the Prowlers first goal, while Jace Baldwin and Jordan Christianson assisted Ruelle’s first tally.

Two weeks ago on Dec. 5, the Fort Frances Muskies pounded the Falls Broncos 8-1 at the Ice For Kids Arena.

Friday at Bronco Arena, the Falls rebounded and took a 2-2 tie into the final minute before the Muskies struck for two late goals in a 4-2 win.

Kailey Curtis scored on a 2-on-1 break on a pass from Jillian Langtry with 37.1 seconds to play, and Carlee Bosma added a rebound goal with 3.4 seconds remaining to get the 4-2 outcome. Miranda Kellar assisted Bosma’s goal and Haven Labbe also recorded an assist on the game-winning goal.

A big second half Friday powered Blackduck past Littlefork-Big Falls 67-56 in Blackduck.

The Vikings (0-3) took a 36-24 lead into halftime, but the Drakes (4-2) came out in the second half with a 14-0 run and never lost the lead.

“That’s the capable way of how we can play,” Vikings coach Jeff Maish said about his team’s first half.

Blackduck center Josh RedDay finished with a game-high 24 points, while Brett Mistic added 16, which all came in the second half. Todd Kallroos had 14 points.

The Falls Broncos made an early 22-8 lead stand and defeated the Fort Frances Muskies 71-53 Friday night at the Falls High Gym.

“It was nice to get off to an early lead which has been a problem in the first three games,” said Bronco coach Josh Koenig. “Fort Frances has a good team and we told the kids they had to be ready.”