Local and Regional News – 9/22/2025 – KSDM
The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting tomorrow morning, Tuesday, September 23rd, starting at 9:30 in the Historic Third Floor Courtroom.
On the agenda — commissioners will set the preliminary 2026 county tax levy, which is proposed at just over 8.3 million dollars, an increase of nearly nine percent from last year . They’ll also take up the 2026 Environmental Services fee schedule, which includes raising the residential solid waste fee from 70 dollars to 85 dollars per year, with seasonal properties also moving to the same rate.
Other items include:
- Certifying a list of delinquent commercial solid waste fees to be added to next year’s tax statements.
- Considering a resolution of support for the Ash River sewer project in neighboring St. Louis County, aimed at improving water quality flowing into Rainy Lake and the Rainy River.
- Approving a new solid waste disposal agreement, following committee recommendations.
- And reviewing updates to the county ATV ordinance, last updated in 2010, including whether to add Class II ATVs and set new speed limits.
Human resources matters are also on the table, including employment separations, new hires, and transfers within county departments.
A public comment period will follow the morning business, and later the board will meet as a Committee of the Whole to continue budget discussions, including jail construction and sewer debt service .
Again, the Koochiching County Board meets tomorrow morning at 9:30 in the Courthouse courtroom. The public is welcome to attend in person or via teleconference through the county website.
The 26th Annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament wrapped up on Saturday, September 20th with a huge crowd in attendance to witness this year’s winners receive the trophy. They also held their Kid’s Mini Tournament Saturday which saw 112 kids participate in, hosted by the Rainy River Rec. The top 5 for the 26th Annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament was:
- Cory Larocque & John Desaulniers – 20.83 lbs
- Danny Usiski & Bill Haskell – 19.31 lbs
- Doug McBride & Steve Ballan – 18.98 lbs
- Shane Aikenhead & Scott Aikenhead – 18.81 lbs
- Brandon Ignaszewski & Mike Vacura – 18.68 lbs
After the weigh-ins the crowd was treated to a performance by Pop Vegas!
Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15th through October 15th, and our local Spanish teacher at ISD 361, Mrs Christianson, makes sure her students know the history behind it.
Later, President Reagan expanded it to a full month, and President George H. W. Bush signed it into law.
She also reminds students that Latino history runs deep in the U.S. itself.
It’s a reminder that Hispanic heritage isn’t just about immigration — it’s about communities that have been here for centuries.
It’s another homecoming week — this time we head to the Littlefork-Big Falls School District, celebrating September 22nd through the 26th.
Dress-Up Days kick off Monday with Backwards Day, followed by Battle of the Classes on Tuesday. Each grade will deck out in their class color with the winner announced at Wednesday’s pep fest. Wednesday is also Senior Citizen Day, and then Thursday wraps up with Spirit Day, encouraging students to wear orange and black.
Wednesday night features the Homecoming Coronation at 7 o’clock in the old gym, with a bonfire to follow. Thursday is jam-packed — floats begin lining up at 2, with the parade at 2:30, pep fest at 1 in the new gym, and varsity volleyball at home versus MIB at 7. Then Friday night, it’s the big game: varsity football at home, kickoff at 7, with a dance to follow for grades seven through twelve, ending at 11.
It’s shaping up to be a spirited week for the Vikings at Littlefork-Big Falls!