Local and Regional News 9-9-2025
We begin with an important update for families at Falls Elementary School.
School officials are introducing new drop-off options for morning arrivals only. Pickup after school will remain the same.
Starting this week, parents are asked to use one of two drop-off points beginning at 7:40 a.m.
Kindergarten through 2nd grade will continue using the usual drop-off location—the Falls Elementary parking lot and 15th Street route. Parents are asked to pull all the way forward to help traffic flow.
Grades 3 through 6 will now have a new option at the side of Bronco Arena. Cars can enter from 13th Street, follow the one-way loop marked with enter and exit signs, and drop students at the temporary lane created there. Older siblings can escort younger ones if they’re able to exit the car on their own.
In both lines, parents are reminded to keep traffic moving, avoid leaving their vehicles, and have students exit on the right-hand side for safety.
The district says this is a temporary plan during construction phases, and adjustments will be made as needed. A shared map will be sent out to families today. Parents with questions can contact Principal West or Superintendent Beth Shermoen.
The Koochiching County Board also meets today at the Historic Courthouse in International Falls. On the agenda: a public hearing on the proposed sale of county-owned property along County Road 24, along with approvals for the 2026 budget and levy, an airport grant resolution, and a discussion of the Highway 11/71 corridor study.
A Committee of the Whole will follow, with commissioners reviewing legislative priorities, solid waste recommendations, and more long-range planning for the 2026 budget.
The International Falls School Board will meet at 5 p.m. today in the high school cafeteria. Topics include updates on the start of the school year, personnel changes, reports from district administrators, and construction progress on referendum projects. Board members will also review transportation and parking adjustments, hear updates from principals and the activities director, and take action on donations, employment agreements, and routine business for the 2025–26 school year.
Community members are welcome to attend.
And finally, a reminder that September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month and National Read a New Book Month.
Here’s Head Librarian Diane Adams:
Adams also highlighted a few of the newest titles on the shelves, including The Book Lover’s Library by Madeline Martin, End of August by Paige Denini, The Antidote by Karen Russell, and Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn.
Adams says “new” doesn’t have to mean just-released — it can also mean finally picking up a book you’ve always meant to read.
And if the library doesn’t have the book you’re looking for, Adams says it’s easy to request through the ALS Library App, by phone, or by email. The library’s west parking lot is currently under construction, but the courtyard entrance is open…
Staff are ready to assist anyone needing help. For more details, contact the International Falls Public Library at ifallslibrary@gmail.com.