News

A green light in a window is a small gesture, but it carries a message Morrison County officials want veterans to see: Their service is appreciated, and their community supports them.The Morrison County Board of Commissioners adopted an Operation Green Light proclamation encouraging residents and businesses to display a green...

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that enrollment is open for 2027 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), a voluntary risk management program that was recently strengthened by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act with greater risk protection for dairy producers. DMC enrollment for 2027 started Oct. 5 and runs...

The media center could be getting a new address within Little Falls Community High School, making room for eight classrooms in the space it leaves behind.The Little Falls Community School District board approved the estimated $2.4 million remodel Monday, Oct. 19, along with a revised $19.1 million long-term facilities maintenance...

Before applying to work at Great River Arts, Gasinee (gay-si-knee) Pitakkan did not think much of it. She followed them on social media, had attended a couple of events, but joining as an employee had not crossed her mind. Though she was not working in anything related to art, once...

Having tackled Phase 2 of the construction project at Swanville Public Schools for several months, Phase 2 is on schedule, said Superintendent Todd Lee.“We have hit all of the timelines and have not had any real hiccups. The main reason is that the majority of it is new construction versus...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For anyone experiencing domestic abuse or knows someone who is, Hands of Hope Resource Center in Little Falls can help.Hands of Hope provides support and advocacy for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other crimes in Morrison and Todd...

Located in 119 Broadway, West Side Cafe in Little Falls has been serving comfort home food since 1997. Sherry Doble went from working as a cook at The Royal to becoming a business owner after being asked. Rich Lukasavitz had purchased the building across the street and asked Doble if...

What fate will politicians in Washington, D.C. hand down to farmers across the country, including Morrison County? While much remains unknown at this time, one thing is for sure — they heard from farmers and those representing the agricultural industry during the annual National Farmers Union Fly-In, Sept. 13-16.Carol Anderson,...

Proud to be the new owner of Bermel’s Shoes & Boots in Randall, Hallie Holtz is thrilled to bring her own flair to the business. However, it isn’t a complete overhaul. Instead, she plans to keep the shoe store authentic to what people have come to know and love, but...

Do I need a new roof? How can I know which contractor to hire? What kind of material should I choose? Those are some of the questions homeowners may find themselves asking over time.Josh Andrea, owner of ProPeak Construction in Pierz, said there are a few signs that it’s time...

For siblings Mikel and Karin Nelson, insurance starts with finding out what a customer needs, then finding coverage to match. It’s a personal approach that has carried their family-owned business to a milestone: 100 years of service.Albert J. Nelson Sr. started Nelson Insurance Agency in Upsala from his home office...

Almost a decade ago, St. Gabriel Hospital Auxiliary, renamed themselves to “advocates” to steer away from the idea that only women could join. While the name changed, their purpose remains the same: raise funds to support St. Gabriel Hospital and affiliates while also enhancing relationships with the community. Today, with...

Purva Watten thought the email was spam.A message from USA Today telling her the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair had been nominated for a national award? She let it sit.Then the phone rang.USA Today wanted to know whether the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism had seen...

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announce the first round of Farm to Food Security Grant recipients.One of the recipients is Little Falls-based Sprout MN, which received a $50,000 grant.Established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2025, the program is modeled after the former federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. It...

The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, established the One Planet Fund in 2021. This small grant fund seeks to support projects that promote care of creation and respond to the challenges of climate change and its impact on our environment. To date, nearly 40 grants have been awarded to...

People would think twice before explicitly adding on their resume that they are a “jack of all trades”. Zak Otremba took that chance despite warning and landed a job after cleverly describing himself as Zak of all trades. Today, his bold move evolved into creating his own business.Otremba has always...

More than 500 solar panels now sit on the east side of Little Falls Community High School, and while they aren’t generating power yet, district officials say they’ll pay for themselves several times over.Superintendent Greg Johnson briefed the school board on the project during the Sept. 21 business meeting, raising...

The Minnesota Department of Education has approved Little Falls Community Schools’ $17.5 million plan to replace air-handling units and make other mechanical improvements at Little Falls Community High School.The approval comes six months after voters rejected a broader $34.3 million facilities referendum that included replacement of the high school’s aging...

A new Highway 27 bridge over the railroad tracks and Mississippi River is at least five years away, and the city has not set aside money to build it.City Engineer and Public Works Director Greg Kimman gave the City Council that update during a special work session Monday, Sept. 21...

The city of Little Falls will hold its annual leaf and brush pickup Saturday, Oct. 24, rain, shine or snow.Residents should place leaves in untied bags along the boulevard of their street or avenue — not in the alley — by 6 a.m. The hauler will empty the bags and...

Sunday, Sept. 13, marked my first time attending a car show, specifically the 51st Annual Lone Eagle Auto Club in Little Falls. Truth be told, I would have never attended one if my editor had not assigned me to go and capture some photos, and while I was hesitant, I...

The Little Falls Carnegie Library, which is part of the Great River Regional Library, recently opened a Makerspace located on the third floor.The space is mostly designed for mid-level elementary and the games are meant to rotate between paper crafts, coding games, jewelry making, and more. Within the past year,...

Morrison County United Way (MCUW) has been the local partner of The Dollywood Foundation for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program since 2002. With the recent passing of Dolly Parton there have been many questions about the program. MCUW has been working with the Dollywood Foundation to provide updates.In 1995,...

Two years ago, Michelle Fussy found a new passion for growing houseplants after bringing home a philodendron ‘Jose Buono’ plant known for its large paddle shaped leaves. This expanded her interest in taking care of plants and expanding her gallery, and while her plants grew, so did the idea of...