News stories from International Falls, Minnesota

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.