The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for several counties in northeast Minnesota effective immediately through 9:00 p.m. due to extreme fire risk conditions. Affected counties include Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis. A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under the current weather conditions, including strong winds gusts and low relative humidity. Residents should not burn in...

The Hill City Hornets baseball team lost its opening game of the season April 11, a 14-3 defeat at the hands of visiting Deer River. Losing pitcher Jamison Wood had a walk, a single and two runs scored while Matthew Washburn had a pair of hits and Mitchell Casper had three walks. Deer River 14 9 1 Hill City 3 5 3

Gobblers Isaac Asmus and Noland Nordberg gave it everything they had April 12 in the number two doubles tennis match against Grand Rapids with the match on the line. They took things to the third set tiebreaker before losing 8-6. The win for the Thunderhawks gave them a 4-3 victory at Aitkin dropping the Gobblers to 0-2 on the season. It was a marathon matchup to wind up a sunny...

Barnum scored 12 runs in the first inning April 11 rolling to a 17-0 win over the visiting McGregor Mercs softball team in the season opener. Ava Guida struggled on the mound for the Mercs, giving up just five hits but walking nine in a little over an inning. McGregor mustered just four hits, one each from Claire Geyen, Guida, Izzy Cook and Rylie Sellers. Mercs 0 4 3 Bombers 17 7 3 WP Piper Genereau LP Ava Guida

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) recently promoted Nicole Pfeffer to community outreach manager as her role has expanded to lead all the financial education taking place in the communities served. In 2023, MMFCU served more than 5,600 individuals through a total of 271 hours of financial education free of charge in the communities it serves. This is accomplished through seminars, classes, simulations and other educational opportunities by partnering with local communities, employers and schools. ...

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center recently acknowledged the service of Certified Registered Nurse Theresa Blomer, who served for 25 years in the National Guard while simultaneously working in her nursing career and raising a family. Jim Knudsen, a resident of Brainerd, recently recognized Blomer during a presentation held on March 15 in the CRMC lobby. Knudsen presented Blomer with a “Nursing Challenge Coin,” and a 194th Regiment coin along with a certificate of appreciation for her service. ...

Minnesota turkey hunting begins this month, with opportunities available from Wednesday, April 17-Friday, May 31. The season is divided into six hunt periods, A-F. Wild turkey hunting is popular in Minnesota and turkey hunting — including setting decoys, listening for gobbles and calling to birds — can make for an active and unforgettable experience. For anyone new to the experience, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has how-to guides and videos on a learn-to-hunt webpage (mndnr.gov/gohunting/wild-turkey-hunting.html). ...

Hwy 169 closes, work resumes April 22 The final year of reconstruction gets underway next week as Hwy 169/210 closes between Aitkin and Hassman. Detour through McGregor April 22 until mid-Oct Crews will first prepare work areas and set up...

My Crafts N Things opened its doors in Aitkin in November 2023. Members of the Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed the business, from left, Jeff Tidholm, Leslie Goble, Jake Schanz, Michiyo Schanz, Deb Paulson and Andrew Jergenson. This new space gives over 23 current local crafters an outlet to showcase a variety of hand-crafted items, even books from local authors are available. People can also find a large variety of crocheted items, stained glass, handmade wreaths, tie-dyed items, soaps and lotions, heat pressed clothing and cups and so much more. The store also has a small selection of sewing supplies. The store is located at 16 Second St. NW in downtown Aitkin, just two doors down from Smokey Jake’s BBQ. For more information, contact My Crafts N Things by text, call 218-670-0523, email mycraftsnthingsmn@gmail.com or you can find My Crafts N Things on Facebook.

Bonnie O’Neil wasn’t looking for a job when she was admitted to the Aitkin Community Hospital in Aitkin in 1973. She had suffered a broken leg in a snowmobile accident and was in traction in the hospital for 100 days. During her follow-up care at the clinic, which at that time was staffed by only two physicians, Drs. Carson and Hover, she was offered a job at the Ripple River Medical Center. She joined office manager Kathy Larson and Judie Jones in running the clinic...

Student loan borrowers who are overwhelmed at the thought of repaying their student loans have an advocate in their corner. Minnesota’s Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights law and the new Student Loan Advocate at the Minnesota Department of Commerce provide consumer protections and debt relief. The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights law passed by the Legislature with bipartisan support in 2021, gives Minnesotan borrowers consumer protections under the law, with “do’s and don’ts” that loan service providers must follow. The Student Loan Advocate program, created in 2023, offers education, advocacy and information for borrowers having challenges understanding their loan repayments with loan servicers. In October 2023, student loan borrowers were required to resume repayments on their student loans, following three years of student loan repayments being suspended. While the federal government is the lender for most student loans, the loan repayments are managed by loan servicers. Dealing with student loan servicers can be challenging.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, through its Energy Resource Division, has awarded 25 community organizations and tribal nations located across the state with a total of $6 million in grants to pursue federal clean energy funding opportunities. The local capacity grants are part of the State Competitiveness Fund established in the 2023 legislative session. The grants will support entities in Greater Minnesota and tribal governments with technical assistance and grant-writing capacity in order to compete for grants from federal programs established in the Infrastructure Investments...

State Rep. Jeff Dotseth, R-Silver Township, encourages area residents to apply for $150 million in state grants available to aid Minnesota habitat restoration, protection and enhancement. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recently issued its annual Call for Funding Request from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The process is competitive and open to all who wish to apply. The Outdoor Heritage Fund reported, since its creation in 2008, $1.6 billion in on-the-ground...

Appearing in Aitkin County Court before Judge David Hermerding on March 15, 19 and 28: Charles L. Blom, 51, Togo, was sentenced on no proof of insurance; serve 90 days; credit for 60 days; pay $137. A charge of speeding 60/45 was dismissed. Logan M. Peterson, 25, Deerwood, was sentenced on careless operation of watercraft; pay $487. Dismissed charges were 4th degree DWI and DWI. ...

The mild winter weather has allowed for an early start to MLEC (Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative) Fiber construction and installation. Three projects will make MLEC Fiber Internet available to an additional 1,250 homes and businesses. MCGRATH AREA Construction is wrapping up on the 100-mile fiber project, passing over 500 homes in the McGrath area. This project was in partnership with Aitkin County Government and was funded by the Minnesota Department...

Crashes There were two crashes reported during the week: on Minnesota Ave. N/2nd St. in Aitkin March 27; and on 2nd St. E in Aitkin March 31. Wednesday, March 27 A disturbance was reported on Hwy. 169 in the Hill City area ... a scam was reported on 2nd St. NE in Aitkin. ...

“The sky’s the limit” is how Stacy Mross, owner of the new McGregor-based business The Pollination Station described the variety of fresh floral arrangements she is able to provide. Mross, originally from North Branch, currently lives in McGregor with her spouse, Manson Brown and children Lena and Henry. She initially opened The Pollination Station 12 years ago using a greenhouse in her yard to participate in local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share subscriptions, selling vegetables, fruits and fresh breads. ...

The community is invited to nominate an outstanding Central Lakes College educator for the upcoming Minnesota State Board of Trustees Educator of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award is an honor granted upon Minnesota State faculty to acknowledge and reward exceptional professional accomplishments and to encourage ongoing excellence in teaching. Several CLC faculty have been successfully recognized through this award process. The nominees must have at least three years of full-time equivalent teaching service in their home institution prior to the year of their selection as a Board of Trustees Outstanding Educator. Faculty, colleagues, administrators, students, staff members, alumni or community members can complete the electronic nomination form. Nomination form: https://forms.office.com/r/wHp4pzSjxR.

It was a productive April 3 in the Minnesota House of Representatives for Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, who had two bills receive committee hearings. The first bill, House File 5117, was heard in the Economic Development and Policy Committee and would provide a $10 million grant to the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) to construct a new service center. Just last year, AEOA provided 378,782 meals to 8,492 seniors...

Aitkin bowling Chixs and Dales 4-4 Timber Lakes 104 78 Ed & Stephani’s 100 82 Dutch’s Electric 97 85 Kiehm Farming 96 86 ...