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Community Roundup: March 11, 2026

A meaningful development for local seniors arrived Tuesday as both The Library Restaurant and the Koochiching County Veterans Service Office announced new partnerships with the Senior Nutrition Program — a nonprofit that will deliver five nutritious meals a week to International Falls residents aged 60 and older. It’s shaping up to be a busy week ahead, with Thursday evening events at Backus Community Center and The Library, just before what could be a significant snowstorm rolls in overnight.

Weather — A bright, mostly sunny Wednesday with a high near 31°F and northwest winds gusting to 20 mph — good conditions for getting things done while the sun is out. Tonight drops sharply to around 6°F. Thursday starts with sun but snow develops after 1 p.m., with 1–3 inches possible through the afternoon. Thursday night is more serious: an 80% chance of snow with 4–8 inches of accumulation possible and east winds gusting to 30 mph. If you have Thursday evening commitments, plan accordingly. Full forecast →
What’s Happening Today

  • • Spring Break — No School (all day) — ISD 361
  • • United Way (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) — Backus Community Center, Room 101/102
  • • Veterans Lodge Bridge (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) — Backus Community Center
  • • Veterans Lodge Open Hours (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) — Veterans Lodge
  • • Fraud Awareness Presentation (11 a.m. – 12 p.m.) — Fort Frances Public Library & Technology Centre, Fort Frances, Ontario
  • • Library Board of Trustees Meeting (4:30 – 5:30 p.m.) — Staff Break Room
  • • Pickleball (7:30 p.m.) — Backus Community Center

Full calendar →

Community Services

Two local organizations are stepping up to support food access for older adults in the Falls. The Library Restaurant and the Koochiching County Veterans Service Office have each signed contracts with the Senior Nutrition Program, a nonprofit focused on ensuring seniors have access to regular, quality meals.

The program is open to city residents aged 60 and older living within International Falls city limits. Participating organizations will deliver five nutritious meals per week to eligible participants. Registration details will be shared as the partnerships are finalized — stay tuned for more information.

The Library Restaurant Koochiching County Veterans Service Office


Health & Wellness

Rainy Lake Clinic is reminding patients that extended weekday hours are now available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — making it easier to fit care into a busy schedule, whether before work, after school pickups, or any time something unexpected comes up. Call 218-283-5503 to make an appointment. Rainy Lake Medical Center

Rainy Lake Medical Center is also highlighting its surgical department, which offers a wide range of procedures — from scheduled surgeries to emergencies — right here close to home, eliminating the cost and hassle of traveling to larger facilities. Learn more at rainylakemedical.com/surgery/therapy-wellness/. Rainy Lake Medical Center

Rainy Lake Medical Center surgical team
Surgical care close to home — Rainy Lake Medical Center

Schools & Education

ISD 361 has shared a comprehensive list of Trade and Industry Scholarships available to students pursuing skilled trades careers in Spring 2026. Opportunities span aviation, construction, collision repair, HVAC, precision manufacturing, and more — from organizations including the DeWalt Trades Scholarship Program, Minnesota Construction Association, Association of Women Contractors, and over a dozen others. Visit the original post for the full list with links. ISD 361

Falls High School 11th graders have an opportunity to take the ACT during the school day. The primary test date is Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with a makeup available on Friday, May 1. Testing begins at 8 a.m.

  • Cost: $69.50 (waived for Free and Reduced Lunch students)
  • Signup deadline: April 1 — Counselor’s Office at Falls High School
  • Fee payment: Infinite Campus Portal (must be paid before testing)
  • Questions: Jay Boyle, 218-283-2571 ext. 1312, or Nikki Rolando, ext. 1105

ISD 361

ISD 361 is also asking parents and guardians to complete its Family Desired Daily Experience Survey by Saturday, March 15. Responses help shape the district’s direction for the years ahead. Find it at surveymonkey.com/r/VMTPB2D. ISD 361

Prom season is sneaking up — Mason’s On Main in International Falls is ready to help students find their look for the upcoming Littlefork-Big Falls Prom. Don’t wait too long to stop in. Mason’s On Main


Community Events & Activities

Backus Community Center has two upcoming events worth marking on the calendar. This Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Carole will be on-site to talk about and answer questions about her collection — a great chance to stop in, learn something new, and meet a neighbor. Backus Community Center

Carole's collection presentation at Backus Community Center
Join Carole this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. — Backus Community Center

Looking further ahead, Backus also has a special event coming next Thursday, March 19 — tickets are on sale now, so grab yours before they’re gone. Backus Community Center

The Library Restaurant is launching its Trivia Throwdown this Thursday — 75 questions, and the top finisher on the leaderboard walks away with a $50 gift certificate. Everyone who attends gets a complimentary new drink from the energy bar. The full spread includes:

  • • Build Your Own Burgers and Appetizers
  • • $4 tap beers
  • • $3 bottled beers
  • • Full beer and spirits menu

A group of 10 has already reserved a table — join the fun. The Library Restaurant

Trivia Throwdown at The Library Restaurant
Trivia Throwdown kicks off this Thursday — The Library Restaurant

The International Falls Figure Skating Club is looking for volunteers to help with lighting at upcoming events. Good lighting makes a real difference for skaters and spectators alike — if you have some time to give, they’d love the help. IF Figure Skating Club

The International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is reminding local planners that its venue at Cobblestone is available for business meetings, workshops, family gatherings, and community events of all sizes. Catering, coffee service, and snack options are available through The Falls Bistro at Cobblestone. Call (218) 324-4660 to get the details. IF Area Chamber of Commerce


Business Happenings

Sammy’s Pizza shared its Tuesday lunch specials — a solid midweek lineup worth knowing about:

  • • Soup & Salad — $11
  • • Turkey Club Salad — $12
  • • Queso Burger with fries — $13
  • • Soups of the day: Chicken Wild Rice and Mac N’ Cheese

Sammy’s is also hiring for several positions — bartenders are needed immediately, along with cooks and delivery drivers. Sammy’s Pizza

Two local dealerships celebrated new purchases this week. Border Chevrolet GMC congratulated Jim Scutt on his new 2026 GMC Terrain Denali. Border Chevrolet GMC

Jim Scutt with his new 2026 GMC Terrain Denali at Border Chevrolet GMC
Jim Scutt with his new 2026 GMC Terrain Denali — Border Chevrolet GMC

Falls Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is congratulating Nick on his new Jeep Gladiator. If you spot him around town, give him the Jeep wave. Falls Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Small Town Tech has a timely Tech Tip Tuesday reminder: turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. Even if someone gets your password, they can’t get in without a second code — usually sent to your email or generated by an app like Microsoft Authenticator. It’s free on most banking, email, and social media platforms. Find it under Security Settings, or stop in and Small Town Tech can walk you through setup. Small Town Tech


Sports

Minnesota’s Girls State Basketball tournament is underway, and the competition is heating up across the state. Arrowhead Transit is cheering on all the athletes making the trip — and reminding the community that their buses are warm, ADA-accessible, and GPS-monitored whether you’re heading to a game or just getting around on a cold winter week. Arrowhead Transit

This roundup is compiled from posts shared by local sources. For complete details, follow the links to the original posts. Have news to share? Visit our Submit Content page.

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