News stories from International Falls, Minnesota

Today’s game
Volleyball
L-BF at Tower-Soudan, 7 p.m.

Tuesday’s games
Volleyball
Deer River at L-BF, 7 p.m.
Grand Rapids at I. Falls, 7 p.m.
Orr at Indus, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday’s game
Volleyball
Northland at RRCC, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday’s games
Volleyball
Mountain Iron-Buhl at L-BF, 7 p.m.
Northome-Kelliher at Indus, 4:45 p.m.
Girls Swimming
Thief River Falls at I. Falls, 4:30 p.m.
Cross Country
TBD at I. Falls in Hial Pike Invitational, TBD

Friday’s games
Football
Mesabi Academy at L-BF, 7 p.m.
I. Falls at Hibbing, 7 p.m.

Saturday’s game
Volleyball

Myron “Mynie” Konnon Haglund, age 87, Marshfield, Wis., died peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at the Marshfield Care Center.
A memorial service was conducted at 11 a.m. today, Monday, Oct. 6, at Faith Lutheran Church, Marshfield. Pastor Tricia Turner officiated. Military rites were conducted at Faith Lutheran Church following the service.
Entombment took place in McMillan Memorial Gardens Cemetery Mausoleum.
The family received relatives and friends at the church Monday from 10 until service time.

Kenneth Duncan MacKenzie, age 50, of International Falls, Minn., died suddenly Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at his home.
He was born April 2, 1958, at Virginia, Minn. He moved to International Falls in 1988 and went to work for Bildrite.
Ken was united in marriage to the former Sandra Yvonne Baron on Sept. 2, 1989.
He presently was employed with Falls Memorial Hospital where he worked in the maintenance department. Ken was extremely proud of working for Falls Memorial Hospital; he chaired the Falls Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Prisms” Committee.

The International Falls Area Gateway Corridor Task Force has reviewed final designs and is seeking public comment before starting an implementation phase.
The task force is working to create an attractive, tourist friendly feel to U.S. Highway 53, and Minnesota Highway 11 east access points to Rainy Lake and Voyageurs National Park. The list of projects includes improvements to aesthetics, pedestrian safety, connectivity, economic impact and community character.
View the gateway project in detail and comment online at www.arrowheadplanning.org/gateway.

The Koochiching County Board is expected to hold a public hearing on a road vacation requested by the Northwoods Bible Church when it meets Tuesday.
The board meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the courthouse boardroom.
The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
The church, located in Ray, is requesting a portion of Unorganized Township Road 179 to be vacated for use by the church as a parking lot. The county has received from Ray residents several letters both in favor and against the request.

The International Falls Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a public candidate forum at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Rainy River Community College.
All area residents are welcome. Candidates seeking the following offices will be represented at the forum: Minnesota House District 3A, Koochiching County commissioner candidates, International Falls City Council candidates.
The event will also be broadcast live on radio station KSDM (104.1 FM). The event will be hosted by well-known radio news anchor and reporter, Jerry Franzen of KGHS/KSDM.

Big third quarter powers Rails past FHS

The Broncos came in fired up for Friday’s Homecoming contest against Proctor, but the Rails spoiled the celebration with a 37-21 victory at Sports Stadium.
The Rails, who have won four in a row after opening the season 0-2, scored a late touchdown in the first half to take a 21-7 lead and opened it up in the third, finishing the quarter up 34-7.
“It’s a big mental turning point,” Broncos coach Stuart Nordquist said about the late first-half score. “Should’ve never happened. Was a big breakdown by a couple of individuals.”

By TOM KLEIN, Cook-Orr Timberjay

COOK — Littlefork-Big Falls scored three touchdowns Friday before the first quarter ended as the Vikings spoiled Cook's homecoming and cruised to a 53-0 win over the Little Gophers. The win improved the Vikings to 6-0 for the season.
"We seem to play better when we get off to a quick start," said Vikings coach Derek Bilben. "Momentum for our team is big. If we get down, we play that way. But if we get up, we play that way also."

Girls finish ninth, boys 19th

The Bronco girls cross country team is hitting its stride at the right time of the season, giving coach Paul Hjelle numerous options for his varsity lineup.
Saturday the Broncos competed at the annual Swain Invitational and the girls finished ninth out of 30 teams with 293 points. The boys team came in 19th out of 30 with 499 points.
“We had some nice efforts out of our runners today,” Hjelle said. “This is the most challenging course we will face all year and the kids handled it pretty good.”

Rainy River Community College opened the weekend Friday with a convincing 3-0 victory over Vermilion (25-11, 25-16, 25-19).
They then turned around Saturday and celebrated Sophomore Appreciation Day before falling to a tough Mesabi Range squad 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-19).
In Friday’s victory, Carley Lake led the way with 11 kills and four ace serves, while Sam Alberts posted nine kills and 12 digs. Monica McAllister recorded 18 set assists, 14 digs and three ace serves.