An explosion took place at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances at 12:44 a.m. Thursday, allegedly resulting in a fire.
The fire was under control as of Thursday afternoon and the Ontario fire marshall was at the scene investigating the cause, according to the Fort Frances Fire Department.
Union Gas company officials were still working to shut off the gas line to the school as of Thursday afternoon, according to the FFFD. Shutting off the gas line instead of only shutting off an isolated line to the school would shut off the gas to over 500 residences, Falls Fire Chief Jerry Jensen said.

Koochiching County District Court Judge Chad LeDuc says he feels good and won’t resign as a result of his diagnosis with cancer.
LeDuc told The Journal Thursday that he was diagnosed about three weeks ago with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and took time off from his job to pursue medical treatment. At least 30 forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma have been identified in a disease which begins in the lymph cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“When you get that word ‘cancer’ you want to find out what’s going on and your mind is not particularly on work,” he said.

Police naturally want drivers to obey speed limits and other rules of the road. But fines have gotten so high in Minnesota that many officers are thinking twice before they hit someone with a ticket for more than $100 for minor traffic offenses.
A $72 state surcharge has pushed the typical fine for speeding in Minnesota well above $100.
‘‘I have heard frequently that officers feel the fines are to the point now that they really find it hard to give tickets out, especially if the person is somewhat indigent,’’ said Minnetonka police Capt. Jeff Sebenauler.

The Littlefork-Big Falls school board voted Wednesday to reject participation in a proposed subordinate service district intended to collect money for student recreational activities.
The board opposed participation in district taxing by Koochiching County for recreational activities, according to Superintendent Fred Seybert, who attended a county board meeting Feb. 12 on the proposal. Seybert reviewed subordinate service district information with the school board during Wednesday’s meeting.
The proposal by the Falls Recreation Commission includes school districts 361, 362 and 363.

Largest food drive in state kicks off Saturday

Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign is an event that directly benefits the Falls Hunger Coalition’s food shelf.
Organizers have announced the start of the largest food drive in the state, the annual March Campaign. For one month, it unites Minnesota corporations, faith communities, schools, and civic groups to focus on the issues of hunger. The goal is to raise cash and food for the state’s food shelves.

A van adorned with swimming horses, Bronco dolls, purple pom pons and the Argentina national flag departed from Falls High School on Wednesday carrying the members of the Broncos 200 freestyle relay team bound for Minneapolis and the State Swim Meet that starts today at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
“The team is excited and happy to go,” Broncos head coach Chad Shoberg said.

DEER RIVER — The 2007-2008 Broncos girls’ basketball season came to an end Thursday night in Deer River as the Broncos fell to the Deer River Warriors 57-47.
“I thought that we had a chance to win,” Broncos head coach Shawn Gilbert said. “I thought that everybody played their hearts out and that is what we really wanted.”
The Broncos opened the game with an eight-point run and dominated the play early. They would continue to lead until Junior Danika Stelton picked up three quick fouls forcing Gilbert to put her on the bench.

A big first half proved to be too much for the Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings girls’ basketball team, as the Bigfork Huskies bounced the Vikings from the playoffs with a 84-42 loss.
The Huskies got off to a fast start in the game, building a 39 point lead at halftime, leading 49-10.
“Nothing could go right for us in the first half,” Vikings head coach Jamie Wendt said.
The Vikings settled down in the second half and were able to come back, but the first-half deficit was too big to overcome as the Viking season ended with the loss.

VNP Staff Report

Voyageurs National Park will conduct the 5th Annual Kids Art Contest in honor of National Park Week.
Kids from preschool through sixth grade are invited to enter the contest by creating a new painting or drawing that illustrates the theme “Destination Voyageurs — Many Things to See and Do”.
First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in four age groups based on creativity, skill, and theme. The age groups are preschool and kindergarten, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth and sixth grade.

Kids Power Racing Organization will bring its championship again to Rainy Lake.
The Rainy Lake Kitty Cat Championship begins Saturday at 10 a.m. on the ice in front of Rainy Lake Marine. Racing begins Sunday 9 a.m. At conclusion, an award ceremony will be held at Timber Pins in International Falls.
Local racer Shane Nicholson, and perhaps other local kids, will take part in the event.
The tiny, but powerful, snowmobiles reach tops speeds of 35-40 miles per hour.