As I was headed in to town at about 2:30, I noticed a lot of smoke on Turtle Island [also called M Island], a favorite camping and blueberry picking island just to the west of Franson Island. When I landed on the island, I discovered a large perimeter of fire that was fanning out from a spot where some idiot had apparently dumped out a Weber grill. Several larger trees were burning, the bushes were on fire and the flames were headed towards a really nice section of youngish red and white pines, so I went to the boat, emptied out a square tote and started fighting fire.

Irene Selma Elliott passed into God’s care at her home in West Falls Estates Tuesday, Aug. 19th, 2008. She lacked just five days of attaining the age of 92.
Irene was born Aug. 25, 1916, in Elmdale, Mont., to Andrew and Estelle (Waller) Houglum. When she was 13 she moved from Elmdale to International Falls with her parents, her brother, Sterling and her sister, Lu (Knapp).
At the age of 21, she married Howard Elliott and together they raised seven children — Darlene (Clarence) Olsen, Robert, William (Lorraine), Howard Jr. (Sharon), Starr (Larry) Oustad, Mark (Pam) and Andy (Julie).

William “Bill” Russell Johnson, 78, of International Falls, Minn., died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth, Minn.
William was born Feb. 24, 1930, in International Falls and grew up in Littlefork, Minn. He graduated from Littlefork High School with the Class of 1948.
He then entered the United States Navy and proudly served from 1948 to 1952, first stationed in Washington, D.C. as an Honor Guard for two years before serving an additional two years aboard the destroyer, USS Robert A. Owens.

The International Falls Bass Championship continues to draw anglers from around the United States and Canada for what many call some of the best freshwater competition fishing in the country.
With a variety of evening entertainment and a diverse range of free daytime events, the weekend offers another Borderland family event of the summer.
There are 67 teams listed thus far on the IFBC Web site at ifallsbass.com.

The Littlefork City Council is scheduled to hear a review of wetlands, to be presented by Dave Serrano, it meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at Littlefork City Hall.
Serrano, proprietor of the company Arrow of the North LLC, requested the scheduled appearance before the council.

More than 400 members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association from around the United States and Canada are expected to converge on Rainy River Community College this weekend for the “No Borders Rally.”
The event is an opportunity to enjoy inspirational speakers, music and Christian fellowship, say organizers.
The “Frozen Chozen” members of CMA Falls Chapter 811 say they are proud to host the event in International Falls for the first time. There are 138,000 CMA members in more than 800 U.S. chapters in six regions and international chapters in 27 countries.

The Littlefork-Big Falls School Board is slated to accept the resignations of two staff members when it meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Big Falls City Clerk’s Office.
On the agenda for approval is the resignation of half-time social studies teacher Jeff Raboin as well as that of cheerleader advisor, Teresa Rom. Amos McKenzie is expected to be approved as the assistant boys basketball coach.
The Truth in Taxation dates are scheduled to be set.
Topics planned for discussion are alternative calendar options and the National Honor Society.

Chronic Pain Management Support Group, 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, Community Room, Duluth Clinic-International Falls.

The International Falls City Council is right to look at new and intensive ways to encourage economic development.
The city has recognized that our community simply does not have the expertise to match our community with businesses that would consider locating here. It is time to hire a firm that can not just market our area, but find businesses that would be a good fit for Borderland.
Kudos to the council for moving forward to hire a consultant that could do just that.

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE
ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS
NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

Date: August 20, 2008
You are notified that:
•Default has occurred in the conditions of the Mortgage dated June 27, 2003, executed by Jayme L. Ruelle, a single person, as Mortgagor, to Bremer Bank, National Association, as Mortgage, and filed for record July 7, 2003, as Document No. 243461, in the office of the County Recorder, in Koochiching County, Minnesota.