April 2022

Spring flowers

Residents at Good Samaritan Society-International Falls were presented spring flowering plants last Friday from a community donation. Cards accompanying the flowers were made by students at Falls Elementary, said Good Samaritan staff. From the left are residents Shirley Ettestad; Tom Wichner; Judy Peterson, back row; Eva Dana; Freeman Forsythe; Helen Knutsen; Arlene Selsaas, back row; Erlene Gorder, back row; Linda Vance, back row; Leone Katrin; Virginia Jesperson; Laverne Geer. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Pet of the Week

“Karen” is a white and tan barn cat. She is very friendly but also has food aggression issues. She is six years old and weighs about 7 pounds. All cats and dogs are spayed/neutered and age-appropriate shots prior to the final adoption. For more information, visit the website at www.borderlandhumanesociety.org or call the BHS holding facility at 218-283-9276. Facebook https://www.facebook. com/BorderlandHumaneSociety/ Support the Borderland Humane Society by sending donations to: Borderland Humane Society, 1990 Valley Pine Circle, International Falls, MN 56649. Stop by the holding facility during open hours: Tuesday-Friday 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon.

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ASK AMY

Dear Amy: I am a 35-year-old professional woman, recently separated from my husband of nine years. Our marriage has been rife with volatility due to his uncontrollable anger and my tumultuous relationship with alcohol during our relationship.

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Blast take tournament

Several International Falls hockey players were members of the Iron Range Blast hockey team, which took first place at an opening tournament April 1-3 in Blaine. Team members from the Falls are Adien Lehman, Aiston Kossow, Carson Crandall, Carter Thompson, Chase Phillips, Lachlan Reiners, Paxton Sivonen and Ryer Pelland, who was not in attendance that weekend, reports Bob Sivonen.

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Dogs in foster care

A non-profit Minnesota dog rescue group reports it continues to be involved in what appears to have been the abandonment of 16 huskies around Kabetogama and Ash River earlier this month. Adopt A Husky Minnesota provided an update via social media post Monday, April 18, saying four puppies and six adult dogs are now safe, and they continue to attempt to live trap and handcatch, with the help of other rescue groups, the remaining dogs.

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COVID treatments available

COVID-19 treatments are now widely available and can be accessed at many pharmacies, clinics and health systems across the state, reports Minnesota Department of Health. These treatments can help prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, especially when taken early.

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Working to address rising costs for Minnesotans

Minnesota currently has a $9.25 billion budget surplus, a low state unemployment rate, and increasing corporate profits, all indicators the state has recovered strongly from some very challenging days during the low point of the pandemic. Still, significant difficulties remain for workers and families, especially costs that continue to rise. Minnesotans notice higher prices at the grocery store and at the gas pump daily, and are paying more for major expenses like health care, child care, and housing.

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Looking Back

Friday, April 22, 15 years ago Mathew Tomczak, the son of Jay and Mary Tomczak, recently returned from a humanitarian-aid pilgrimage to Medjugorje (Bosnia) with seven family members and 10 others. His father, Jay, who has made the trip six times, accompanied Mathew along with grandpa, Jim Tomczak, and a pair of aunts and uncles.

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