Catch Up

Evelyn Wagness died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Falls Good Samaritan Center.
A complete obituary and time of services will be published when arrangements have been completed.
Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls, is in charge of arrangements.

Corrine Ann Christianson, International Falls, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth.
She was born Aug. 18, 1936, to Milo and Nellie (Bly) Peterson.
The former Corrine Peterson married Harold Christianson April 5, 1955, at Zion Lutheran Church, International Falls.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed making baby quilts, doing crafts with her grandchildren, tapping maple trees for syrup, and fishing.

George Edward Englund, International Falls, Minn., passed away Thursday, May 15, 2008 at Falls Good Samaritan Center. He was 90 years of age.
A caring husband, father, grandfather and brother, George was born in Mahoning Location, a suburb of Hibbing, Minn., on Feb. 21, 1918 to Nels Oscar and Ida (Gref) Englund. Nels had emigrated from Jamtland, Sweden, and Ida from Vasa, Finland.

Melvin Peter Loff, 87, of Grand Rapids, Minn., formerly of Blackduck, died Monday, May 12, 2008 at Evergreen Terrace, Grand Rapids.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, with the Rev. George Gilbertson officiating.
A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery Longville, Minn., with full military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 772 Longville.
He was born June 29, 1920, in Brainerd, Minn., the son of Peter Gustav and Emma (Mathais) Loff.

The warmer weather means the outdoor ice rink is no longer the center of activity at Kerry Park.
With the mountains of plowed snow nearly melted off the parking lot, youth now defy gravity at the skateboard park, as young adults begin to fill the softball field and the elders line both sides of the horseshoe pit.
Tim Grinsell, organizer of the horseshoes at Kerry Park, emphasizes that everyone is welcome to join in the pick-up matches at the city built park. No experience is necessary and there are plenty of seasoned players to teach the fundamentals during play.

The Daily Journal staff understands Billy Doughtery’s excitement about his report Monday that he witnessed “ice out” after he arrived at the Kettle Falls Hotel dock at 12:45 p.m. Sunday.
Ice is considered out when a boat may travel to Kettle Falls unimpeded by ice.
But after hearing reports from other community members, Journal staff have taken into consideration the definition of “impeded” in reporting ice out.

The International Falls Elks Lodge No.1599 handed out several awards and announced new leadership April 29 at its annual banquet.
The Elk of the year is Fred Wilson. The officer of the year is Cathy Engelking. Alan Rasmussen and John Nevanen were named outstanding Elks. Terry Randolph was named citizen of the year.
The honor of selecting the awardees went to Connie Wilson, the outgoing exalted ruler as the last act of her term. She also oversaw the new officers installed, including Darryl Dobogai as the new exalted ruler for 2008-09.

An update on the search for a new superintendent in the Falls school district is scheduled when the Falls School Board meets at 5 p.m. Monday in the Falls High School cafeteria.
Superintendent Don Langan is scheduled to discuss interviews and the transition between superintendents during his administrative report at the end of the meeting. Langan announced he would retire from the full-time superintendent position when the school board approves a new superintendent.

The Ranier City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Ranier Community Building.
Council business will include approving monthly accounts and hearing a request from the municipal liquor store to hire four part time bartenders. The store recently lost two bartenders and the city must approve the hiring of personnel.
The council will also consider a request from the water committee to have Kim Lessard, the Ranier city maintenance worker, purchase waterline supplies to be on hand for summer repairs.

Led by a Sam Sherwood home run, the Falls High Broncos softball team improved to 10-3 on the season with a 6-1 victory over the Mesabi East Giants Thursday afternoon at the newly dedicated Falls High Softball Field.
District Superintendent Don Langan was on hand to throw out the first pitch to dedicate the field in a pregame ceremony.
“We played a smart game,” Gordon said. “We didn’t make too many defensive mistakes.”
Ariel Lagen got the start for the Broncos on the mound and went all seven innings for the victory.

By ROGER JEROME, Sports Correspondent

The Roseau Rams handed the Bronco baseball team there second one run loss in as many nights with a double play in the seventh inning to thwart a late rally and hold on for a 5-4 win in a game played at Gilbertson Field in Roseau Thursday afternoon.

Northwoods Y held its Ninth Annual Rainy River Sturgeon Derby on May 3, where, despite the cold temperatures, several anglers started at noon and stayed on Rainy Lake until the event ended at 4 p.m.
The competition was pretty impressive, with less thanan inch separating the first and second place sturgeons.
First place went to Elroy Jesmy, who landed a 62.5 inch sturgeon.
Jesmy’s was just a quarter inch larger than the 61.25 inch caught by Madison Foss, who had to reel in the large fish on her own to comply with contest rules.

Sailing season begins; lessons start in June
While there may some ice on the lakes, the Rendezvous Yacht Club kicked off its season with the annual spring BBQ recently and already has plans for a busy summer.
A few sailors will brave the cold this weekend on the Spring Cruise and the first race is scheduled for Wednesday.
For those who have watched from a distance but always wanted to try the sport, the club will once again be offering a special opportunity to learn to sail: the New Crew Program.

By Outdoor News

LAKE MILLE LACS
East — The best walleye bite is taking place on the rocks in six feet or less with minnows. The Grassy Island area, Hawkbill Point, and Big Point have produced the most fish during the day and evening hours. Minnows and leeches also have turned walleyes on the north-end sand breaks.

Dire financial times means making critical choices in how we educate our children.
The MACCRAY school district in west-central Minnesota has done just that with a proposal to move to a four-day school week next year to save busing and heating fuel.
The plan to cut Mondays from the school week and add an hour Tuesday through Friday will save about $65,000 from the district’s $7 million budget, mostly in transportation costs. The district also says it will set the thermostat in the school at 60 degrees when students are there to help save money.

The following people have been sentenced for aggravated misdemeanor or felony crimes in Koochiching County District Court.
District court news is published when made available by court staff, and news space is available.
• Merlin W. Mattson Jr., 38, St. Cloud, was sentenced July 23, 2007, for gross misdemeanor third-degree driving while intoxicated.

Lake - Level Thursday - Level a week ago - Level a year ago
Rainy Lake - N/A - 1,107.02 - N/A
Namakan Lake - N/A - 1,116.84 - N/A

Book club
Rainy River Book Club will gather for dinner at 6 p.m. Monday at the Holiday Inn. Book for discussion is “Case Histories” by Kate Atkinson. Call 286-5289 for more information.

Aquilo League
Aquilo League will gather for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Thunderbird Lodge.

Kabetogama AA
An AA meeting is planned for 7:30 p.m. Saturdays downstairs at the Kabetogama Methodist Church. Call 218-875-3048 for more information.
Red Hattitude Kats
The Red Hattitude Kats will meet at 1 p.m. Monday at Hardee’s.

‘Sloughgrass’ band

TODAY
Falls Hunger Coalition Food Shelf open, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 1000 Fifth St.
“Serenity Sisters,” Women’s A.A., noon, Backus building, Rational Alternatives Room 101.
4-H Littlefork Lumberjacks, End of School Dance, 3:15-5 p.m., Littlefork School.
Narcotics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Rational Alternatives Treatment Center, Room 101, Backus (back west entrance).
Grape Vine Group, 7:30 p.m., Alano Club, 410 Fifth St.

SATURDAY
Pancake Feed, 8-11 a.m., Alano Club, 410 Fifth Ave.
Open Family Swimming, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Falls High School Pool.

Melissa and Brad Coleman, Naples, Fla., announce the arrival of their son, Caleb Davin, 8 pounds, 20 inches long, born March 31, 2008.
Welcoming him home was big brother, Connor.
Maternal grandparents are Pauline and Alvin Glennie, International Falls, and John Pariseau, Naples.
Paternal grandparents are LaVerne Coleman, Augusta, Ga., and Dr. F. W. Coleman, Valdosta, Ga.
Great-grandmothers are Violet Pariseau, Naples, and Frances Crouch, Augusta.