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 Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings have set the bar high for success at the Bigfork Tournament.
Littlefork-Big Falls won its third straight Bigfork Tournament — in three years of the tourney’s existence — Saturday with impressive victories over Northome-Kelliher (25-15, 25-12), Cherry (25-20, 25-18) and Bigfork (25-22, 25-19).
Eight teams participated and all of them came out of Section 7A.

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.”

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce says mood will carry over to legislature session

Minnesota businesses are increasingly pessimistic about the economy and the challenges it poses for their operations, according to a survey of business owners and managers commissioned by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Companies cited high taxes as the biggest barrier to doing business in Minnesota.

Coming off a third straight championship in the Bigfork Tournament, the Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings suffered one of its most disappointing defeats of the fall in a 3-2 loss Monday at Tower Soudan.
L-BF erased a 2-0 deficit, but lost in five games (25-13, 25-19, 9-25, 18-25, 15-7).
After losing the Northern Lakes Conference championship on Thursday to Nashwauk-Keewatin, the Vikings rebounded with three victories Saturday to grab the Bigfork Tournament title.

Staff with Voyageurs National Park Saturday began removing hazard markers and regulatory buoys.
In addition, VNP staff remind hunters that hunting and trapping of any type or manner are prohibited on national park lands and all waters within the boundary of the park. Park rangers enforce the hunting and trapping prohibition under federal regulations, which carry a maximum penalty up to $10,000 and/or six months in jail for misdemeanor violations and $20,000 and/or five years in jail with forfeiture of hunting equipment for felony violations.