News
News Articles
Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County is thrilled to announce it has received a $120,000 grant from Farmers & Merchants Bank of Pierz and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) through the Member Impact Fund. This grant is part of $20 million in funding awarded...
Swanville, Minnesota, spends the entire year raising money to reward its high school graduates with scholarships.Every year on the evening of commencement, the Swanville school board hosts a picnic for its high school graduates and their families."This is our gift to them,” Chris Kircher said as he flips burgers on...
In Swanville, it's all about the sauce
Jun 21 2025📆 The 62nd annual #MidsummerCarnival in #SwanvilleMN takes place June 27-29! 🎡Barbecue sauce.In Swanville, some might say it’s the Eighth Wonder of the World.For three days in June, about 4,000 people stand in line during the three days of Swanville’s Mid-Summer Carnival for the Lions Club’s world-famous chicken dinner.But it’s...
Conservation Officer Andrew Struffert embodies a unique profession that sits at the intersection of law enforcement, environmental stewardship and public education. His journey from a sheriff's deputy with 16 years of criminal investigation experience to a dedicated Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officer tells a story of passion, commitment and...
Looking for creative opportunities for youth this summer? Join us this summer at Great River Arts for a variety of youth programs! Programs include Youth Art Camp, Youth Theater Camp, and Art Exploration. To learn more about these programs or to register stop by GRA at 122 1st St. SE,...
Employees of the Camp Ripley Training Center took part in the inaugural Stewardship Day celebration May 22, 2025, recognizing the achievements of ecological sustainability and the importance of environmental awareness.“This year, Camp Ripley’s Environmental Teams is hosting a stewardship day which is a combination of our spring Earth Day event...
A multitude of people gathered at the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls, Tuesday, June 10, to hear a legislative update from Minnesota Farmers Union Government Relations Director Stu Lourey.“I’m the lead on our Government Relations Team and whether they want me or not, if legislators are in St. Paul, I’m...
The Little Falls dam is set to have its first major repairs in 105 years.According to Minnesota Power Corporate Communications Director Amy Rutledge, the last time the dam, originally constructed in 1887-1888, received major repairs was in 1920, when powerhouses and spillhouse structures were added or rebuilt. In the century...
The 2025 Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association (MSCA) summer tour will take place Tuesday, July 15, in Little Falls, hosted by the Mississippi Valley Cattlemen’s Association.The tour promises a full day of agricultural insight and community connection.“We are delighted to welcome everyone to central Minnesota for this year’s cattle tour,” says...
As the construction of the 40,000-sqaure-foot museum next to Camp Ripley in Little Falls is well underway, Randal Dietrich, executive director of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum estimates the construction is now about halfway done.“Right now, sitting at the beginning of June, I see us at kind of the...
New life for Little Falls Golf Course: Cary's on the Course opens with promise and passion
Jun 6 2025Little Falls’ municipal golf course has cycled through various management strategies and struggled to find its footing. Now, local entrepreneur Cary Blechinger-Gorka is poised to transform the facility into a vibrant community destination with the recent opening of Cary’s on the Course on Monday, June 2.Blechinger-Gorka, already a successful local...
Rock, Roll & Stroll in Pierz this summer
Jun 1 2025Eleven years of going strong, participants, residents and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a number of Rock, Roll & Stroll events once again in Pierz this summer.The events are held rain or shine the first Thursday of every month of June, July, August, and September. Besides viewing and learning...
Summer is almost here, and during this time when it’s challenging to keep the blood supply afloat, we’re calling on you to help us make a real difference. As part of Camp Do Good, donors who give blood in June will receive a $15 Amazon gift card (by email) PLUS...
Over 100,000 people flock to Little Falls every year to participate in the city’s annual Arts & Crafts Fair, and now, the event is being recognized nationally, as the Mid-America Chamber Executives organization has named the fair their Community Event of the Year.Nearly 600 vendors from around the country come...
Must See Museums: MN Fishing Museum
May 9 2025Ahead of the fishing opener, KSTP Minnesota Live crew checks out the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame in Little Falls. Watch the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame featured on Minnesota Live as part of their Must-See Museums series!The museum was honored to be recognized for their...
Grant Opportunity for Little Falls Businesses! If your business is located within the designated Main Street area of Little Falls, MN, you may qualify for a leveraged grant covering up to 30% of project costs through the Minnesota Main Street Economic Revitalization Program. Eligible projects include renovations, construction, site prep, and...
Longtime employee purchases meat market
May 1 2025Thielen Meats of Little Falls has embarked on a new chapter.After being owned by the Thielen family for more than 35 years, the business that boasts the longest full-service meat counter in the Midwest has been sold to longtime employee Brad MacKissock and his wife Mandi.The MacKissocks took over the...
The 2025 Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association (MSCA) Summer Tour will take place on Tuesday, July 15, in Little Falls, Minnesota. This year’s event is proudly hosted by the Mississippi Valley Cattlemen’s Association, one of 21 local affiliates of the MSCA. The tour promises a full day of agricultural insight and...
Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) Executive Committee Chair Carol Anderson is the 2025 Small Business Administration Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year.“Carol Anderson is a strong and dedicated leader who’s not afraid to take on tough projects and see them through. That’s been a great benefit to Minnesota Farmers...
Gratitude is what comes to mind to Robyn Gray, Vicki Spofford and Barb Stumpf when reflecting on the fact that the St. Francis Community Chorale is celebrating 20 years this year.Gray, who writes grants, gets music, schedules and organizes the chorale, said it all began when many church choirs were...
Creating change from tillage to manure
Apr 26 2025Conservation efforts vary across agricultural operations, but for the Czech family of rural Little Falls, land stewardship is an avenue to healthier crops and a stronger dairy herd.The Czech family is the recipient of the Outstanding Conservationist award from the Morrison Soil & Water Conservation District. They were recognized as...
The Pierz chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society (MHS) had its induction ceremony on Sunday, April 13. Twenty-six new members were inducted and 21 seniors received their honor cords. New Inductees were: Back row (L to R): Joslynn Wyatt, Autumn Jones, Beverly Rentz, Macy Sadlovsky, Payton Kimman, Khloe Scheel, Brayden...
Being named as the 2025 Small Business Administration (SBA) Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration came as a huge surprise to Carol Anderson, executive director at Community Development of Morrison County.“It’s amazing. It really feels good. I have worked for a long...
ALLETE, Inc. has been named an Honor Roll Company of Special Distinction in the 2024 Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership.The annual research report produced by St. Catherine University’s School of Business examines the representation of women on boards of directors and as executive officers in Minnesota’s largest publicly...