http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us Community Development Morrison County News Feed Mon, 07 Sep 2026 07:53:34 +0000 en-US http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69038/signs-of-hope-campaign-spreads-messages-of-kindness http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69038/signs-of-hope-campaign-spreads-messages-of-kindness Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Hands of Hope Resource Center has launched a campaign encouraging residents of Morrison and Todd counties to share messages of hope and kindness in their communities.The Signs of Hope campaign invites individuals, groups, institutions and businesses to display yard signs featuring uplifting messages. The campaign was funded by Sourcewell.Participants may... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69036/takoda-kennels-keeps-tails-wagging http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69036/takoda-kennels-keeps-tails-wagging Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Creating a calm and personalized environment for the dogs that visit Takoda Kennels in Upsala is important to Owner Rachel Strassburg. Since she runs a small operation with only a few kennels, she is able to devote more time to each dog and build a real connection. The small-scale environment... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69018/little-falls-to-present-highway-27-bridge-alternatives-at-sept-17-open-house http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69018/little-falls-to-present-highway-27-bridge-alternatives-at-sept-17-open-house Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The public will have an opportunity to review proposed alternatives for replacing the Highway 27 bridge over the Mississippi River during an open house Thursday, Sept. 17.The open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Little Falls City Hall, 100 7th Ave. NE. Attendees may review the alternatives, ask... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69043/next-studio-handson-life-skills-classroom-launches-in-upsala http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69043/next-studio-handson-life-skills-classroom-launches-in-upsala Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Thrilled by launching the Navigating Everyday Experiences and Tomorrow (NEXT) Studio at Upsala Area Schools this fall, Special Education Teachers Courney Justin and Amber Mayers are spearheading the project. The new hands-on life skills classroom is available for students PreK through 12th grade and helps students build real-world, functional skills,... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69042/walkin-wings-returns-for-the-fourth-time-this-year http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69042/walkin-wings-returns-for-the-fourth-time-this-year Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 After its debut in 2023, Walkin’ Wings, a cooking competition, returns for the fourth time Saturday, Aug. 29, to celebrate the community of Pierz.This year, the event features 19 sponsors and nearly $6,000 in payouts. The prizes will be distributed as follows: first place $1,500, second $1,000, third $500, and... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69041/local-museum-gets-tuned-up-thanks-to-volunteer-work http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69041/local-museum-gets-tuned-up-thanks-to-volunteer-work Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Randy Seehafer, 71, is volunteering his time to make the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame in Little Falls more appealing to the eye.Seehafer, a retiree who moved to Little Falls about five years ago, said he frequently attends city council meetings. After a recent meeting, he reached out... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69040/pierz-celebrates-42nd-annual-oktoberfest http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69040/pierz-celebrates-42nd-annual-oktoberfest Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Pierz Oktoberfest, the longtime tradition of celebrating German heritage, will take place on Sunday, Aug. 30 at Pierz Park.The event will kick off with the Pierz Lion’s Club parade at 11 a.m. After the parade, festivities will run in Pierz Park from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some of the... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69039/minnesotas-permanent-school-fund-distribution-vote-coming-in-november http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69039/minnesotas-permanent-school-fund-distribution-vote-coming-in-november Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Royalton School Board introduced a statewide vote coming in November regarding the distribution of the Minnesota's Permanent School Fund among public schools.Careful management throughout the years has generated more than $2.3 billion to support public, charter and tribal schools across Minnesota.The proposed constitutional amendment entails to update how the annual... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69037/iwonas-pierogies-a-taste-of-poland-in-central-minnesota http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69037/iwonas-pierogies-a-taste-of-poland-in-central-minnesota Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Iwona’s Pierogies not only pays tribute to the Polish roots of the Kowalczuks family, but also serves as an opportunity to feed the significant Polish community of Brainerd and Little Falls.Lukasz Kowalczuk is the son of Iwona and Walmar Kowalczuk, and a first-generation Polish-American. Walmar comes from a small town... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69035/open-arms-pet-grooming-kennel-free-and-private-care-for-a-furry-friend http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69035/open-arms-pet-grooming-kennel-free-and-private-care-for-a-furry-friend Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Within two months from its launching, Open Arms Pet Grooming in Pierz is making a difference creating stress-free grooming for dogs and cats alike.The owner, Alyssa Martin, has worked her way around animals for many years now. First, she worked as a groomer at a dog boarding facility and later,... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69034/more-than-a-bar-christensens-bar-serves-up-friendship-and-tradition http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/69034/more-than-a-bar-christensens-bar-serves-up-friendship-and-tradition Sat, 15 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 For many residents and out-of-town visitors, Christensen’s Bar in downtown Little Falls has become a neighborhood gathering place — somewhere to enjoy a cold drink or homemade pizza, play darts, watch sports and socialize.Owner Mark Christensen describes it as a place where people can come as they are.Today known as... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68681/water-bar-raising-awareness-of-water-treatment http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68681/water-bar-raising-awareness-of-water-treatment Mon, 10 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Confusion, laughter, and surprised looks were a few of the reactions from the people who decided to try the Water Bar at the Green Fair Folk Festival on Wednesday, Aug. 5.The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency brought two representatives, Stephanie Schuebel and Kristin Mroz, from St. Paul to share three samples... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68667/weekday-lane-closures-begin-on-highway-10-through-royalton-week-of-aug-17 http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68667/weekday-lane-closures-begin-on-highway-10-through-royalton-week-of-aug-17 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Travelers on both directions of Highway 10 through Royalton will encounter lane closures and delays beginning the week of Monday, Aug. 17, as roadwork gets underway, advises the Minnesota Department of Transportation.The $1.1 million project will update pedestrian facilities and resurface Highway 10 through Royalton. Work will take place Monday... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68669/dr-todd-baumgartner-retires-after-nearly-40-years-of-practice http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68669/dr-todd-baumgartner-retires-after-nearly-40-years-of-practice Sat, 08 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Having served the Little Falls area for nearly 40 years, Dr. Todd Baumgartner, optometrist and founder of Little Falls Eye Care Center is ready to retire, Aug. 27. That same day an open house will also be held at the clinic from 1-4 p.m. While the technology used has certainly... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68638/minnesota-military-&-veterans-museum-opens-sept-11-in-little-falls http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68638/minnesota-military-&-veterans-museum-opens-sept-11-in-little-falls Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum will open its new 40,000 square foot facility during a three-day grand opening weekend, Sept. 11-13. The celebration will mark the 25th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and include an address by retired U.S. Army General Paul M. Nakasone. There also... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68613/the-green-fair-folk-festival-is-wednesday-august-5-from-48-pm! http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68613/the-green-fair-folk-festival-is-wednesday-august-5-from-48-pm! Mon, 03 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The public is invited to join the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls for a FREE family-friendly event that promotes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle on Wednesday, August 5th, from 4-8 p.m., on the west lawn of St. Francis Convent, Little Falls!The Green Fair Folk Festival is a FREE family-friendly event... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68668/little-falls-school-board-advances-plans-for-nearly-173-million-high-school-project http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68668/little-falls-school-board-advances-plans-for-nearly-173-million-high-school-project Sat, 01 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 A $9.6 million air-handling system is the centerpiece of a proposed $17.27 million indoor air quality and mechanical improvement project at Little Falls Community High School.The remaining approximately $7.7 million is not a cost increase but represents the electrical, ceiling, sprinkler and related work needed to install the equipment and... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68605/area-school-board-races-draw-20-candidates-for-14-open-seats http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68605/area-school-board-races-draw-20-candidates-for-14-open-seats Sat, 01 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Voters in five area school districts will choose candidates to fill 14 open school board seats Nov. 3, with contested races developing in Little Falls, Pierz and Swanville, while Royalton drew two candidates for two seats and Upsala had only one candidate file for three openings.Little FallsEight candidates have filed... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68522/seeing-the-future-falls-optical-and-northern-eye-center-success-story http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68522/seeing-the-future-falls-optical-and-northern-eye-center-success-story Sat, 25 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 When Dr. Ken Dodge dreamed of opening his own optometry practice, he knew he wanted more than a career helping people see better. He wanted to build a business that would become a lasting part of the communities he served. Through careful planning, a willingness to take calculated risk, and... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68515/two-guys-pizza-brings-familiar-concept-fresh-approach-to-little-falls http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68515/two-guys-pizza-brings-familiar-concept-fresh-approach-to-little-falls Sat, 25 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 When 2 Guyz Pizza owners Kenny and Ann Proctor began planning their expansion into Little Falls, they thought they would have several weeks to prepare the former Papa Murphy’s location for its next chapter.Instead, they had a weekend.The transition moved more quickly than expected when the former operator closed the... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68477/18th-street-ne-roundabout-project-moves-forward http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68477/18th-street-ne-roundabout-project-moves-forward Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The Little Falls City Council has moved plans for a roundabout at 18th Street Northeast one step closer to construction.The council approved Resolution 2026-43, accepting the project’s preliminary layout and authorizing city staff to begin acquiring the additional right of way needed at all four corners of the intersection.Staff will... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68433/more-big-changes-for-little-falls-arts-and-crafts-fair http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68433/more-big-changes-for-little-falls-arts-and-crafts-fair Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Some more big changes are on the way for a popular Central Minnesota event. The Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair is making two updates to the show's setup. The first major change is vendor booths will no longer be placed along Highway 27 or Broadway.2026 marks the 53rd year... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68434/classic-cuts-lasting-connections-and-mens-haircare-at-central-barber-shop http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68434/classic-cuts-lasting-connections-and-mens-haircare-at-central-barber-shop Sat, 18 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Located on Broadway in historic downtown Little Falls and known as the oldest commercial building in town, clients have gathered at the local barber shop for decades to get a haircut, beard trim or a straight razor shave. While men’s hairstyles have changed over the years, Riley Rinas, owner of... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68537/mpca-helps-small-town-dig-out-from-decades-of-gas-station-pollution http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68537/mpca-helps-small-town-dig-out-from-decades-of-gas-station-pollution Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 One of the biggest things to happen this summer in the tiny town of Flensburg was a 20-foot-deep hole in the middle of town and the decades-old pollution it removed. In a case where the parties responsible for the contamination were no longer living, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)... http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68383/royalton-prepares-for-platte-river-day-celebration http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/news/p/item/68383/royalton-prepares-for-platte-river-day-celebration Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Royalton will welcome residents and visitors for a full day of food, family activities, live music and community traditions during Platte River Day on Saturday, July 25.Sponsored by the Royalton Lions Club, the annual celebration will feature events from 8:30 a.m. through midnight.The day begins with the Platte River 5K...