Aitkin Independent Age
Life’s highlight reel … to reel
Well folks, I know all of you have at some point in your life cleaned out totes that contain your life’s experiences. I had a chance to do that just last week. I knew there were some in the basement that had reel-to-reel tapes. That’s the kind that you place the reel that you want to listen to on the left and feed it to the empty reel on the right hand side of the machine. It’s quite a concept and one that worked for...
Giants beat Aitkin in opener
The Aitkin Gobblers managed just one hit in their baseball season opening loss at Mesabi East last Thursday. A single by Hunter Moreland, who also had the only run batted in for the Gobblers, is all they could muster in a 4-1 loss. Jake McGuire pitched well enough giving up eight hits and four runs while walking four and striking out three. He threw 83 pitches, 52 for strikes on his first start of 2024. Ian McNevin was hit by a pitch, stole second and reached third on an error before coming home with the only run on a groundout by Moreland in the fourth inning. Gobblers 1 1 0 Giants 4 8 1
Storm beats Northwoods, takes a loss from M.I.B.
The Northland Storm lost a tough one April 16 on the road at M.I.B., giving up three runs in the bottom of the seventh to lose. Bella Dunham had three of the six hits by the Storm who outhit the Giants 6-4. Kaija Neary took the loss walking one and fanning four in the game. Storm 3 ...
Hwy. 169/210 closes through mid-October
A meeting was held at the Aitkin Public Library Community Room April 16 for businesses and residents to hear about the proposed project, project impacts and voice any concerns about the Minnesota Department of Transportation 2024 construction project on Hwy. 169 from Aitkin to north of Hassman. MnDOT Construction Project Manager Nate Walton led the meeting. He explained that the road will be reconstructed with an unbonded concrete overlay and the shoulders will be widened from the Ripple River in Aitkin to Hwy. 210 in...
Rum River Outdoor Foundation veteran SXS ride
On Saturday, April 27, about 100 side-by-side off road vehicles and 150+ individuals are expected to gather in a tribute to veterans through Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Task Force. The Rum River Outdoor Foundation organized the benefit ride to support military service members, veterans and their families. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Isanti Spirits Distillery (4242 285th Ave. NW, Issanti) and the ride starts at 10 a.m. with stops along the way in Princeton and Dalbo. There will be a raffle drawing and veteran recognition following the ride. For more information, go to rumriverfoundation.com.
Choose to pay attention - distraction free
Scrolling through social media on your cellphone. Unwrapping that delicious cheeseburger. Checking that work email that someone just sent. Those are all fine — from the comfort of your couch. Behind the wheel? They could be deadly. That’s why law enforcement agencies and traffic safety partners are dedicating extra time in April to educate motorists, enforce the hands-free cellphone law and help stop other distracting behaviors. Distracted driving contributed to nearly 30,000 crashes in Minnesota from 2019-2023 (preliminary figures). The distracted driving extra enforcement and...
Gobbler tennis loses close matches
The Aitkin Gobblers tennis team fell to 0-3 on the season with a Thursday home loss to Mora 5-2. Aitkin got wins from Zander Peterson and the doubles team of Wyatt Winter and Nolan Nordberg and all in all most of the matches were pretty close. #1 Singles Zander Peterson (A) beat Joe Sampson (M) 6-4, 6-7, 10-4 ...
26-year-old injured in crash
A 26-year-old man sustained non-life threatening injuries on April 17 at 10:32 p.m. in a one-vehicle crash on Hwy. 18 in Wealthwood Township. An incident report from the Minnesota State Patrol said Michael Robert Poppler (unknown city), was driving a 2002 Ford Taurus west on Hwy. 18 when the vehicle swerved and ran off the road to the right. It hit multiple trees and is believed to have rolled at one point. Alcohol was involved according to the report and Poppler was seen at Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin. He was wearing his seat belt. Outside agencies responding to the scene were Aitkin County Sheriff’s Department, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Aitkin First Responders.
Full-summer overweight permits start
The Minnesota Department of Transportation started full-summer overweight permits in the Central frost zone on April 22. Full-summer overweight permits have already started in the south and southeast frost zones. Seasonal load limit (frost) zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map at www.dot.state.mn.us/loadlimits/maps.html. Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown at mndot.gov/loadlimits. Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (axle weight limits). MnDOT will report start and end dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada and at 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Roadwork planned for Hwy. 169
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will resurface and improve seven miles of Hwy 169 between Crow Wing CR26 south of Garrison to half-mile north of Ojibwe Drive, starting in May. The project includes new storm sewer, guardrail upgrades and new left-turn lanes at CR26 Timber Trail and Swing-A-Way/S Port. Most work to occur at off-peak hours or overnights. Three culverts will be replaced. Drivers should expect alternate one lane one-way...
Quilts of Valor awarded
On March 7, Quilts of Valor were presented to four veterans from the Farm Island Lake area. Receiving quilts, from left, were Wade Carroll- Army, Gerald Long-Marines, Gerrit Swart-Marines and Kevin McDonough-Navy. Quilts were made for Quilts of Valor by the Ripple River Quilt Guild.
‘The mighty mighty thumpers’ compete - Spring Fling planned
The Aitkin County 4-H junior rabbit bowl team “The mighty mighty thumpers” recently competed against other teams across Minnesota to test their knowledge about rabbits. The youth and coaches practiced two-three times a week and then competed at one of the Regional Project Bowl competitions in Bemidji in March. The team was the “Champion Junior Rabbit” team and advanced to the State Project Bowl competition in which the team placed seventh in its division with over 120 teams competing in all age divisions and project...
Aitkin County Historical Society annual meeting
The Aitkin County Historical Society will hold its annual meeting Wednesday, May 1 at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at 20 Pacific St., Aitkin. It’s open to all members and the public. For more information, call 218-927-3348.
Sixth grade girls take fourth in State Pacesetter Tournament
The Aitkin sixth grade girls basketball team made it to the State Pacesetter Tournament and came home with fourth place. Pictured, front, from left: Haydence Coil, Gretta Peterson, Eleanor Hughes, Leah Palm, Izzy Spicer; back: Montana Richardson, Elsie Kyllonen, Abi Fremling, Chey Shaffer, Gabriella Owen and Paityn Hawkins.
DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT - 4-17-24
• CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) spent time patrolling for fishing, trapping and ATV riding activity. She also worked on equipment maintenance and assisted the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office with a vehicle rollover. She reminded anglers to be careful as they navigate water with their boats for the open water season. • CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) checked the first open water anglers of the year. They were targeting crappies, bluegills and catfish. Beaver trapping has been going steady. ...
Students net nearly 3,000 pounds of food for food shelf
Rippleside Elementary School’s “Drive for Hunger” brought in a total of 2,950 pounds of food between March 11-22. The student council brought the food to the First Lutheran Food Shelf on April 2. The food was weighed and will be handed out to community members in need. Jason Long’s class took first place and won a trophy and a pizza party. Julie Asmus’ class took second place and won a pizza party.
SHERIFF’S REPORT - 4-17-24
Crashes There was one crash during the week: on Dam Lake St. in the McGregor area April 4. Wednesday, April 3 An animal complaint was issued on Great River Rd. in the Jacobson area … suspicious activity was reported at 257th Ave. in the McGregor area. ...
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Aitkin Independent Age was established in 1883 and is the premier source for local news coverage in Aitkin and surrounding communities. Published Wednesdays by APG of East Central Minnesota with 24/7 local coverage found online at aitkinage.com
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