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Community Roundup: March 13, 2026

▸ This article was created with AI assistance

AI Model: Claude Opus 4 by Anthropic

Sources:

AI-generated content may contain errors. Community members are encouraged to verify important details independently.

Report an Error · info@ifalls.news

A fresh round of snow reminded International Falls it’s still winter this Friday morning, but signs of spring are pushing through — from Minnesota-grown tulips blooming at Pick Me Flowers to summer planning already underway at Rainy Lake. On the ice, the IFalls Rec Hockey PeeWee As are heading to the state tournament this weekend, carrying Borderland pride with them.

Weather — Snow likely before 10 a.m. today, then clearing to partly sunny with a high near 27°F. Northwest winds gusting up to 30 mph, with less than an inch of new accumulation expected. Tonight drops to 4°F under partly cloudy skies. Saturday looks brighter — mostly sunny with a high near 30°F. Full forecast →
What’s Happening Today

  • • Spring Break — No School (all day) — International Falls
  • • Ravens Dawn Healing (all day) — Backus Community Center
  • • Bible Study (9:00 a.m.) — Backus Community Center, Room 101/102
  • • Budget & Finance / Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) — Council Chambers, 600 4th Street
  • • Voyageurs Conservancy at Canoecopia (3:00 p.m.) — Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI — Stop by their booth to talk paddling trips, camping, and all things Voyageurs National Park
  • • Jackson & Jones Live Music (5:30 p.m.) — The Lodge
  • • Live Music in March! (all day) — Fortune Bay Resort Casino, Tower

Full calendar →


Outdoors & Recreation

Voyageurs National Park announced that all ice roads are now closed for the season. Recent warm weather and rainfall have significantly reduced snowpack on frozen lake surfaces, and snowmobile trails are no longer being monitored or maintained. Ski trails in wooded and shaded areas still have snow, but the freeze-thaw cycle has left conditions very icy — be prepared for hard, slick surfaces. The park urges visitors to check conditions before heading out and remember that ice is never 100% safe. Voyageurs National Park

Green Trail on Kabetogama Lake showing reduced snowpack and icy conditions
Green Trail on Kabetogama Lake — NPS/C. Nevalainen

Looking ahead to warmer days, the Rainy Lake Visitors Bureau is encouraging folks to start planning their summer on the lake. Open water will be here before you know it — visit rainylake.org for trip ideas. Rainy Lake Visitors Bureau


Sports

Good luck to the IFalls Rec Hockey PeeWee As, who are heading to the state tournament this weekend! Tilson Bay Company sent them off with a shoutout:

“Show them some up north skills!”

Tilson Bay Company

Also from Tilson Bay — when a local softball team needed personalized jerseys and was leaving for spring training in two days, they made it happen. That’s small-town turnaround at its finest. Tilson Bay Company


Health & Wellness

Thanks to Rainy Lake Medical Center’s employee giving group, Employees Supporting Patients (ESP), new digital information kiosks are now up in two waiting areas. The screens help visitors learn about the services, providers, and resources available at RLMC — keeping the community informed and empowered in their care. Rainy Lake Medical Center

New digital information kiosks in RLMC waiting areas funded by employee giving group
New digital kiosks funded by RLMC’s Employees Supporting Patients group — Rainy Lake Medical Center

Schools & Education

It’s Spring Break for the Falls — no school today.

ISD 361 is calling on Bronco alumni to help support the Bronco Hall of Fame by creating and donating gift baskets for the upcoming induction ceremony on Friday, April 18. The baskets will be used for fundraising during the event. Interested alumni can reach out to Chris Oustad, Timm Ringhofer, or Karla Line. ISD 361

Bronco Hall of Fame gift basket donation request
Alumni are invited to donate gift baskets for the Bronco Hall of Fame ceremony — ISD 361

The school district also has spots available for a Chunky Knit Blanket Class with instructor Marti Wilcox. Participants will learn to finger knit a three-toned neutral lap-sized blanket — great for keeping or gifting.

  • Date: Friday, March 20
  • Time: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Location: FHS Cafeteria
  • Cost: $80 (all materials included)

Limited to 12 spots. Register at the Community Education office (WEE Room 100) or online. ISD 361


Community Events & Activities

Friends Against Abuse is remembering Ashley Kittelson, the third confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2026. She was described as a devoted mother of three young children, a compassionate nurse, and a friend to many who dedicated her life to caring for others. Learn more at vfmn.org/we-remember-2026. Friends Against Abuse

KOOTASCA Community Action is hosting a Home Stretch virtual homebuyer education workshop for anyone on the path to homeownership. The class is taught by experienced local professionals.

  • Date: Wednesday, March 26
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $40 per household

Call Sandy O’Fallon at (218) 999-0828 or visit kootasca.org to sign up. KOOTASCA Community Action

It was a big night at Boondocks Bar & Grill for BINGO last night — Lee Herseth took home the blackout prize of $452, and single games ran as high as $138. Everyone braved the incoming snow for an evening of laughs, banter, and birthday celebrations. Boondocks Bar & Grill

The International Falls Public Library has published its February board of trustees meeting minutes and the latest March library column on their website. IF Public Library

Arrowhead Transit honored its drivers for Transit Driver Appreciation Day, recognizing the dedicated individuals who keep our communities connected through rain, shine, and snow. If you see your driver, a wave or a thank-you goes a long way. Arrowhead Transit


Business Happenings

Coffee Landing Cafe has S’mores Cookies on the menu — a soft graham cracker base with melted chocolate, toasted homemade marshmallow frosting, graham crumbs, and a piece of Hershey chocolate. Coffee Landing Cafe

S'mores Cookies from Coffee Landing Cafe
S’mores Cookies — Coffee Landing Cafe

Small Town Tech is back to regular business hours today after being closed yesterday. Got a lingering tech to-do list — slow computer, finicky printer, email setup? Give them a call at (218) 240-8802. Small Town Tech

Pick Me Flowers has Minnesota-grown tulips in the shop — $15 per 10-stem bunch. They opened at 11 a.m. today due to the weather, so plan accordingly. Pick Me Flowers

Fresh Minnesota-grown tulips at Pick Me Flowers
Minnesota-grown tulips brighten up a snowy Friday — Pick Me Flowers

Border Bob’s gave a shoutout to The Library for bringing over their new energy drinks to try — and the verdict? Delicious. If you haven’t tried one yet, stop in and check them out. Border Bob’s

Northland Sales & Service is running clearance deals to make room for new products arriving after a recent trade show. Blowout pricing on display models, plus countertop dishwashers are available to order. Northland Sales & Service

The Library Restaurant hosted game night last night starting at six — with DoorDash available until 7 p.m. for those playing from home. The Library Restaurant

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Recent Articles

Voyageurs buoy removal can start Oct. 5, KOOTASCA collects Halloween costumes through Oct. 19, and Servants of Shelter marks World Homeless Day Oct. 10.
Falls Elementary celebrated Homecoming, named September Students of the Month and Bronco Pride winners, and set Responsibility as the October focus.
A Freeze Warning covers Koochiching County from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, with temperatures as low as 28 expected, the National Weather Service says.
Voyageurs buoy removal begins as early as Oct. 5, a Freeze Warning runs through Oct. 5, and a Pink Out volleyball game honors Sarah Peterson Oct. 8.
The National Park Service announced October 2 that Jennifer Onufer, park manager at Lake Berryessa in California, will lead Voyageurs National Park.
Voyageurs National Park names Jennifer Onufer superintendent, the Community Cancer Walk is set for October 3, and the City Council meets October 5.

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