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Aitkin Independent Age
Cuyuna Rolling Hills Golf Course open
Cuyuna Rolling Hills Golf Course is open for the 2024 season. Golf leagues are open to all members and non-members in the community. LEAGUE INFORMATION AND START DATES: • The Couples Co-Ed 9-Hole Social League is held every Monday with a shotgun start at 4 p.m. Sign up weekly by noon each Monday by emailing natalie@cuyunagolf.com or the signup sheet in the clubhouse. There are non-member rates per golfer and...
Business Development and Recreation Grant deadline May 31
The purpose of the Aitkin County Business Development and Recreation Grant fund is to leverage county funds, private funds and volunteer efforts to increase small business development activities in Aitkin County, with an emphasis on increasing sustained tourism and recreation activities. Several organizations may submit a single application or organizations may apply individually. Organizations need only to commit $100 in good faith to ensure commitment to the grant request. The...
Aitkin County Fair special contest: ‘Decorate a Tree’ for prizes
The Aitkin County Fair will host a new special contest for all open class exhibitors at the 2024 Aitkin County Fair: “Decorate a Tree” contest. The fair offers a special contest every year, with varying themes and required skills. Recent contests have included gluten-free baking in 2023, photo of your favorite farmer in 2022 and decorate a cellphone case in 2021. TOP 10 RULES FOR THIS CONTEST: ...
Mille Lacs Energy Trust Board awards grants
The Mille Lacs Community Trust Board meets quarterly to distribute funds raised through Operation Round Up. This March, the board awarded $29,800 in grants to local non-profit organizations including: Aitkin County Fair Foundation, Aitkin Grad Blast, Aitkin County Habitat for Humanity, Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Fair, Central Lakes College Food Pantry, local food shelves (Aitkin, Aitkin Community, Cuyuna, Garrison, McGregor, Family Pathways, Palisade, St. James), Home and Away Ministries, Jaques Art Center, Lakes Area Interfaith Caregivers, Mille Lacs Lake Senior Activities, Nexus-Mille Lacs Family Healing and New Trails Group, Onamia Depot Library, Onamia Fire and Rescue Department, Onamia High...
$53 million in grants to expand broadband
Gov. Tim Walz announced over $50 million in grants to expand broadband access to an estimated 8,900 homes and businesses throughout Minnesota. Twenty four broadband expansion projects will receive grants from the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Office of Broadband Development, helping deploy new broadband infrastructure around Minnesota. Using the grant funding, providers plan to expand high-speed broadband – offering speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload – in 25 counties across Minnesota. ...
Launching boats might be difficult this spring as drought conditions persist
Minnesota boaters could find launching watercraft difficult this spring due to low water levels on many lakes and rivers. The lack of snow this winter and persistent dry conditions have left lakes without the normal spring recharge. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is working to repair boat ramps damaged over winter and will extend boat ramps when possible. However, it is not possible to extend boat ramps on water bodies that are naturally shallow beyond the ramp. Boat ramps damaged by power loading are...
Storm beats up on Mercs and Deer River
Stacey Pearson pitched a three-inning complete game Thursday as the Northland Storm softball team beat the visiting McGregor Mercs 17-0. Pearson struck out seven and walked one while giving up just one hit, a single by Kate Zrust. Meanwhile, the Storm made good use of five hits, five hit batsmen and 13 walks by Claire Geyen and Ava Guida. Maddie Barnes had a hit and two runs batted in, Pearl...
Father-daughter ball to be held in McGregor May 18
Dads, grandfathers, uncles or other special guests and “daughters” are encouraged to saddle up and git on over to the McGregor Dance fundraiser event for the 2028-2029 Reliaquest Bowl performance … the father-daughter ball. The event will be held Saturday, May 18 at the McGregor Community Center (41442 Hwy. 65, McGregor) from 5-8 p.m. There will be music, snacks, refreshments and games. Register by Friday, May 10 at McGregor Baking Co., the McGregor School office or The Roasting House.
Limits on prior authorization is MMA’s top priority this session
The state’s largest advocacy group for Minnesota physicians and physicians-in-training will be advocating for five legislative priorities at the Capitol this session. The Minnesota Medical Association’s top priorities include: • Prohibiting the use of prior authorization for critical-care services. This includes eliminating the use of prior authorization for preventive services, generic drugs, outpatient cancer treatment, outpatient mental health/chemical dependency treatment and medication-assisted-treatment (MAT) of opioid use. In addition, the MMA...
First half real estate taxes due
Aitkin County Treasurer Lori Grams is reminding Aitkin County residents the first half real estate taxes are due on Wednesday, May 15. If mailed, payment date is determined by the postmark date, please be sure to mail payments ahead of the due date to ensure proper postmark.
DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT - 5-1-24
• CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) spent time patrolling for fishing, turkey hunting, trapping and ATVing activity. She assisted with an ATV safety training class. She also assisted the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office with a domestic assault call. • CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking spring anglers and working ATV activity. Trespassing issues were also investigated. • CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) found more people fishing for panfish than the last...
To list … or not to list
There are approximately 2,919 gray wolves in Minnesota as estimated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. But there are some who dispute that number. One of those is Greg Kullhem, Aitkin, who has hunted 800 acres of family property between Palisade and McGregor for 57 years. “I think there are between 6,000-10,000 gray wolves in Minnesota,” he said. ...
Steam opens with a loss
The Aitkin Steam baseball team opened the 2024 season with a tough 4-1 loss at St. Stephen’s. The Steam got a pair of hits each from Nathan Ehnstrom and Jon Blanchette and had eight hits total, but couldn’t get timely hits to score more runs. Ehnstrom went the distance walking four and striking out 13 while his counterpart Landon Lunser picked up the win, walking one and fanning 12. Ehnstrom talked about the loss, “It was a close game throughout. They hit a couple of late homers to seal the win. Auscar Cartie and Owen Foday had their first career Steam hits, both doubles so that was nice to see. Hunter Nissen made two great plays in the outfield taking a home run away on one of them.” Steam 1 8 0 St. Stephen’s 4 11 0
All Starz bake sale
The Aitkin All Starz dance team will hold a bake sale Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Castaways Resort. All of the proceeds from the event will go to the Aitkin All Starz Booster Club. Castaways Resort is located on Mille Lacs Lake at 32360 215th Ln., Isle.
Mehr appointed to Rural Health Advisory Committee
Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced Brenda Mehr, Aitkin, has been appointed to the Rural Health Advisory Committee. Mehr studied at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and is a dental hygienist at River Oaks Dental. Mehr will hold the Allied Dental Personnel seat on the committee effective as of April 24. Her term will expire Jan. 4, 2027. The Rural Health Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner of Health and other state agencies on rural health issues. Additional information about the Rural Health Advisory Committee can be found at https://commissionsandappointments.sos.state.mn.us/Agency/Details/138.
Aitkin places seventh at invitational
The Aitkin track teams were in Pine City Thursday for the invitational and both boys and girls finished in seventh place at the 12-team event. The boys had 47.5 points while Proctor won the event with 125.5. The girls finished with 34 points, well behind Pine City with 168. Tika May had the best local finish with a third in the 300m hurdles. Isaiah Baker had another big day for the boys as he won both the long jump and the triple jump. He finished second in the 100m and third in the high jump. Two Gobbler relay teams were third. The 4x200 team of Jackson Cline, Jack Burchett, Zane Larson and Tyson Sjodin picked up third as did the 4x100 team of Cline, Burchett, Sjodin and Ronnie Griffin.
McGrath broadband project finished
Aitkin County and Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative announced that the McGrath broadband project construction is complete. A FEW HIGHLIGHTS: • 535 potential customers. This number includes any location that has an electric service. • 104 miles of main line fiber was placed along with 39 miles of service drop fiber. ...
Pylvanen to return to District 4 as elementary principal
Former McGregor special education teacher Sarah Pylvanen was introduced as the new elementary principal when her contract was approved at the April 22 meeting of the McGregor School Board. Pylvanen has had an administrative position at Nay Ah Shing School for the past five years and was with the McGregor District for seven years prior to that. The contract goes into effect July 1. “Congratulations Sarah and welcome,” said one board member. “I think we’ve got a star right here that we’re looking forward to...
Gobbler track teams win both ends of April 23 meet
The Aitkin Gobbler track teams won both ends of the meet at Braham April 23, while the Merc girls picked up third place and the boys were sixth place. There were some great results for both teams. The Gobbler girls amassed 117 points while Braham was second with 99 and the Mercs finished third with 92 points. Aitkin had four first place finishes including Tika May in both the 100m hurdles and the 300 m hurdles. Erika Querinuzzi won the high jump and Emma Jacobson...
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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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