Archive - May 6, 2008

International Falls City Council Monday agreed to seek a Minnesota Court of Appeals review of decisions made by the Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner and MnDOT in connection with a plan by Koochiching County to relocate the northern entrance of Minnesota Highway 332.
The council, following a closed session that lasted about one hour, claims that MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel and MnDOT violated state law when it accepted recommendations from a MnDOT Dispute Resolution Board in April.
The council will seek a writ of certiorari to review decisions issued by the board.

The Falls Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet Friday and honored seven local business and individuals for outstanding service.
Ward Merrill was named Citizen of the Year; Good Samaritan Society received large business of the year; Domino’s Pizza was named the Small Business of the Year; Rose Garden Restaurant received Entrepreneur of the Year; Phyllis Karsnia received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Betsy Loop receives the Customer Service Award for an Individual; and City Drug was selected for the Customer Service Award to a Business.

The first “Fun Fine Arts” evening, created to casually celebrate the writing, music and artwork of the local community, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday in the Rainy River Community College commons.

Coordinated by instructor Doug Blumhardt, the evenings will be formatted with an open microphone to feature anyone interested in sharing their work. A variety of poetry, prose, music and art mediums are expected. Those established in their craft and those just beginning are encouraged to participate.

To say that the Broncos softball team is on a roll this season would be an understatement. Coming into Monday’s contest with the Ely Timberwolves, the Broncos have plated 54 runs in four games, averaging 14 runs per game.
The Broncos upped that average with a 26-3 victory.

Vikings softball team rolls over Eagles

The Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings softball team improved to 7-2 on the season with a 18-0 victory over the Northland Remer Eagles on Monday night.
Carley Anderson and Haylee Gates combined for a no-hitter with Anderson pitching the first four innings striking out six and walking one while Gates hurled the fifth and final inning striking out one.
Kelly Hams paced the offense going 3-for-3 while Kristi Bloom and Liz Bobst each added a triple. Emily Trappe and Sam Hams each hit a double in the victory.

The Rainy River Community College softball team wrapped up their season at the Minnesota Community College Conference State Tournament in St. Cloud.
The Voyageurs went 1-2 in the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Riverland Community College and a 9-7 loss to Ridgewater Community College and a 10-5 loss Fergus Falls Community College.
After the tournament RRCC was tied with the Northland Community College Pioneers for the right to play Central Lakes for an NJCAA Tournament berth.
The Pioneers dominated the play-in game winning 8-0, ending Rainy’s season.

The University of Minnesota should take a lesson in tuition management from its cousin, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
Tuition and fees at the U would jump 9.5 percent under a threat by university officials. They say that if Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget proposal becomes reality, tuition and fees will increase from the 7.5 percent originally planned to 9.5 percent. Pawlenty’s proposal calls for a cut of $27.3 million to the school’s budget.

Hardee’s Food Systems named the International Falls restaurant as the Franchisee of the Year for 2007.
Dave and Cindy Peterson, owners, received the honor for stellar performance April 22 from Hardee’s CEO Andy Puzder at the company’s annual franchisee meeting and banquet in Saint Louis. 

Hardee's Food Systems has 3,067 franchised restaurants in 42 states and 13 countries, including 1,141 Carl’s Jr. restaurants and 1,926 Hardee’s restaurants. 

Borderland Jewelry marked a quarter century of business in the Falls in April.
The business will conduct a two-day anniversary event from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10 at its 324 Third Street location.
Representatives from the businesses’ diamond distributors will be present.
Owner Rob Trompeter said he is pleased with the growth and expansion of his business, but more that, he has been able to succeed in doing something he loves and in his hometown.

Farm Bureau Insurance is under new management.
The 10-year old office in the International Falls Mall has new faces to serve the community. The business will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during this transition and by appointment for the other days of the week.
“We fully intend to expand our hours to full time soon and we appreciate our clients patience during this transition,” Paul Chapman, who has acquired the Falls office and will divide his time with his Virginia office.