The dog was breaking her heart.

Pacing the railroad tracks all day long and into the evening, the jet black Labrador seemed to appear out of nowhere, even as Ranier dogs go.

Howling, bewildered, her ears remained flat and tail tucked under. The dog was living in a state of constant distress, crisscrossing the tracks in panic mode.

Mary Ann Kasich had been watching the sad silhouette for days, through the lace curtain of her back door in Ranier.

White Oak Sled Dog Classic to begin Saturday

Northome will be the gathering spot for 300-400 dogs Saturday when they stop for the 2009 White Oak Sled Dog Classic.

All four “musher friendly” events start at 10 a.m. Saturday in Deer River, but the 8-dog pro class finishes in Northome that same day. Competitors in the 10-dog pro class, a 130-mile race, finish in Marcell, but many take the mandatory 6-hour layover in Northome.

Minnesota Rep. Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam Township, took the oath of office Tuesday at the state Capitol, officially marking the beginning of his second term as the state representative for District 3A.
Anzelc was appointed to several key committees for the 2009-10 state Legislature including Health Care and Human Services Finance, Environment and Natural Resources Finance, K-12 Education Finance, and Commerce and Labor.
Anzelc reported that he w as pleased with the new appointment to Health Care and Human Services Finance.

Five Rainy River Voyageurs finished in double figures at home Wednesday, and it was the main reason RRCC was able to fend off Mesabi Range 81-80 in the Northern Division opener.

“It’s a game of momentum. Luckily, we had enough to come out on top,” RRCC head coach Dieter Humbert said.

And it was just enough.

The Voyageurs came in with only three wins in 11 tries, but five out of eight losses were by seven points or less. RRCC, although shaky down the stretch, didn’t want another victory to slip between its fingers.

Rainy River is down to seven players, and it made it tough Wednesday at home in a 67-43 loss to a deep Mesabi Range team in the Northern Division opener.

“They were tired. They picked up more fouls and were tired, but they have to learn to finish,” said RRCC head coach Tim Myles, noting his squad missed numerous baskets in transition.

“Seven is what we have and we have to work with it.”

The Falls Broncos boys hockey team opened the season ranked in Class 1A, but stumbled to an 0-3 start to fall out of the top 15.
The Broncos remain unranked in the current poll, even after finishing 7-1-1 over their last nine contests, with a tie against No. 10 Thief River Falls and a most recent victory over No. 7 Rochester Lourdes in the championship of the Kiwanis/Wells Fargo Hockey Festival.
The Broncos (7-4-1) play host to Eveleth-Gilbert/Mesabi East tonight before traveling Saturday to No. 3 Hermantown.
Class 2A
1. Bloom. Jefferson (5)
2. Edina (5)
3. Hill-Murray
4. Centennial

The Boundary Water Boys to visit Backus Jan. 16

He is a singer, songwriter, producer, and band leader. She’s an interpreter. Another member is a two-time Grammy Award winner. And the band’s nature video has been awarded a Silver Telly.

Together, they are The Boundary Water Boys “Canoe Grass” Band.

The Backus stage will be the scene of its unique brand of music at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Thumbs up to race course
Thumbs up to the Chamber of Commerce for changing the race course for this year’s Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard 5k and 10k. In previous years, runners have raced down Old Highway 11. The changed course through downtown International Falls will allow runners to see the city and encourage residents and businesses to cheer on the runners.

Thumbs down Senate candidates

Happy New Year! The library had a successful 2008 and is making plans for a successful 2009. If we can help you meet your goals and resolutions for 2009 let us know. We want the library to be used and used some more all year long. The library can provide information, books for your reading pleasure, movies to inform or delight as well as magazines and books on tape and CD.

10 YEARS AGO
Kari Kelly of Littlefork was cast as a character in one of nine one-act plays performed at Bemidji State University during the fall semester.
Eric Gorden of the Falls performed in the 30th annual Madrigal Dinners presented by the Bemidji State University music department.

25 YEARS AGO
Wayne G. Lindstrom, son of Gunnar T. and Pearl M. Lindstrom of International Falls, has been promoted to major in the U.S. Air Force.