News stories from International Falls, Minnesota

June Jaksa passed away Sept. 3, 2008, at her home in the care and company of family.
June was born June 19, 1924, in International Falls to Lottie and Fred Emlaw.
She graduated from Falls High School and worked for Mando during World War II.
She also pursued her interest in singing and composing music. She wrote and recorded several songs and performed on local radio stations. In later years, she entertained seniors at area nursing homes.
In September of 1945, she wed Tony Jaksa.

Judson Grant, of International Falls, died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth.
A complete obituary will be published when arrangements have been completed.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.

Alexander Toeldte came to International Falls more to listen than to talk.
Toeldte, CEO of Boise Inc., met last week with managers and workers at the International Falls paper mill as part of a six-day, five-state tour of the facilities owned by the young company.

Trevor Plasky has been to Washington, D.C. before, but he expects the next visit to be different. Plasky plans to attend the inauguration of the next president of the United States.
The Falls High School junior said he is looking forward to attending the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference when he will attend the inauguration, watch the inaugural parade and attend a black tie gala inaugural ball.
Plasky said his parents are excited about the opportunity. He said he is looking forward to hearing Lance Armstrong speak to the students attending the conference.

People can now follow the changing fall colors like never before with the help of a new Web page unveiled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“Minnesotans traditionally like to get out and hike, bike, camp or just take a scenic drive to enjoy the splendors of our fall colors,” said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. “This new site provides a variety of information that helps them do just that.”
Minnesota state park staff updates the fall color information every Thursday, just in time for the weekend.

A newspaper is a mirror of the community it serves.
And even if the newspaper doesn’t always like what it reflects, the newspaper’s responsibility is to ensure that its readers know the tone, the context and the passion with which their elected leaders are speaking. Only by reporting their comments — even when we believe they should not have been uttered — can the constituents understand how their elected officials are representing them.

I’m BAAAAAAACK?
Return to sender?
Honey, I’m home?
Not even Google could help me come up with a non-cheesy catch phrase for my return to International Falls. But unlike the Fort Frances high school football team, I’m ready for another fall sports season in the Borderland area.
All jokes aside, I always knew starting my post-college career as a sports editor in International Falls was a wild idea.
I just had no idea I would be coming back so soon, and right before it gets cold, no less.

After back-to-back away meets against swimming powers Hibbing and Grand Rapids, the Broncos were just happy to be home Thursday against an equal opponent in Eveleth-Gilbert.
“It was just nice to go against competition that was actually our competition,” senior Dorothy Blaine-Johnson said.
The young International Falls squad lost 101-81 in the home opener, but trailed only 65-57 with four races to swim. The Broncos held a 54-53 lead with five races left before the Golden Bears’ depth took over.

Vikings football schedule change
The start time for the Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings football game Sept. 12 at Tower-Soudan has changed from 7 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
L-BF is currently 1-0 on the season with a road game at 7 p.m. tonight in Bigfork.

Tae Kwon Do Karate classes begin Sept. 9

The Broncos evened their record at 2-2 overall Thursday with a 3-0 victory over Cherry on the road (25-20, 27-25, 25-17).
Interim head coach Jamie Bodette also improved her mark to 2-1 after taking over for Erin Shikowsky, who hopes to return the week of Sept. 15 after giving birth to her second child.
Sydney Gordon led the way with 10 kills, while Taylor Raboin had 13 digs.
Danika Stelton dished out 16 set assists and Stella Fredrickson posted two blocks.