Local News
County, city propose levies, budgets
Koochiching County and International Falls set their preliminary 2025 budgets and levies this week and scheduled public input meeting required by law.State law requires governments to set a preliminary levy and budget by Sept.
IFPD seeks comment on body cameras
The International Falls Police Department is again proposing the use of body-worn cameras on officers.Chief Mike Kostiuk said the department will accept comments from the public via email, regular mail and in person, as required by Minnesota law.Comments from citizens on the use of body-worn cameras, or portable recording devices, should be sent by:• Email to mikek@ci.international-falls.mn.us• Regular mail to Chief Michael Kostiuk, 900 5th Street Suite 305, International Falls MN, 56649.People may also voice their opinion about the department’s plan to use body-worn cameras at public comment periods during the 5:30 p.m.
RR volleyball, with a bit of an accent
Moving to a dorm across the state can be an intimidating, anxious time for college freshmen and their families.So, imagine packing up and moving thousands of miles away from your hometown and family to a new country.“The Internationals,” as they call themselves, appear to have taken those feelings in stride with the help of their coach, Shelby Nosan, teammates and other students and athletes.And now, the anxiety the five Minnesota North College Rainy River volleyball players who arrived in International Falls in August from communities in Italy, Turkey, Netherlands, Serbia and Mexico, are feeling is the same as other student athletes and surround practices, winning this season’s games, studying for tests, doing homework, and catching up on sleep and food.The Rainy River volleyball team stands, as of Tuesday, at 7-3 overall and 4-1 in the conference.“We are so happy with where we are now,” Nosan said, noting they face stiff competition this week and the next.
Rainy Lake’s Big Island added to VNP
Voyageurs National Park has grown by 51 acres thanks to the acquisition of Big Island on Rainy Lake.The National Park Service, in collaboration with Voyageurs Conservancy, has now permanently preserved the site, furthering conservation efforts within Voyageurs National Park.The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the ongoing mission to protect natural habitats and parklands for public enjoyment, said VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross, who in a statement expressed his appreciation to the Ramsey family for their contribution to the park.“Voyageurs National Park is rich with family histories,” DeGross said.
Invasive buckthorn focus of project
A multi-agency collaboration to remove an invasive species aims to raise awareness and make way for native species.With the focus on common buckthorn last week, a crew from Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, and staff from the city of International Falls, Koochiching County Lands and Forestry, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry, and Koochiching Soil and Water Conservation District took on a portion of the woods at River View Park, which serves as the school forest of the Falls School District.Each of the agencies involved are invested in invasive species removal because of their lasting effects on other resources.The Riverview Park buckthorn removal project is the second in Borderland.
MnDOT: No signs on public highway right-of-way
With the upcoming November elections, campaigners are reminded that state law prohibits placement of political or advertising signs on highway right-of-way.These areas include driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches, sight corners at intersections, and boulevards in urban areas.
Council highlights
The International Falls City Council in a brief meeting Sept.
CN’s 5-Mile Bridge reopens to train traffic
Canadian National Railway crews continue repairs on a rail bridge known as 5-Mile Bridge on Rainy Lake northeast of Fort Frances following its collapse Aug.
Do you want to be a part of IFalls history?
Did you know that the record of official snowfall observations in International Falls goes back to the early 1900s?National Weather Service Duluth is looking for someone who is interested in helping continue that record as a paid snowfall observer this winter.