Local and Regional News, Thursday 3/12/2026
Residents served by the North Star Electric Cooperative Kabetogama substation should plan for a scheduled power outage Thursday morning.
The cooperative says members in the Kabetogama, Ash River, Ray, and Ash Lake areas will be affected Thursday, March 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. while crews from Minnkota Power Cooperative perform emergency maintenance on the substation.
The work is being done to help ensure the reliability and safety of electric service for customers in the region.
If you have questions about the outage, you’re asked to contact North Star Electric Cooperative at 888-668-8243.
The cooperative thanks members for their patience while crews complete the work.
The Ducks Unlimited Northern Minnesota chapter is inviting the public to a fun afternoon of bingo and conservation fundraising next month.
Pine Island Ducks Unlimited Bingo will take place Saturday, April 11th at the Big Falls Community Center.
Doors open at 1 p.m., with the first bingo game starting at 2 p.m. Players can enjoy 10 rounds of bingo for 60 dollars, with additional raffles and a silent auction happening throughout the event.
Food will also be available, served by the Big Falls Fire and EMS with a free-will donation to support the local department.
Organizers encourage people to RSVP so they can plan for prizes and food, but tickets will also be available at the door.
It’s a chance to have some fun, win prizes, and support conservation efforts across northern Minnesota.
The 25th annual Old-Timers Hockey Tournament is set for this weekend in International Falls, bringing former players and fans back to town for a full weekend of hockey and community events.
City officials say the tournament has become a longtime tradition that helps bring visitors and former residents back to the Borderland.
One of the big gathering spots during the weekend will be the International Falls Elks Lodge, which will host a public banquet Saturday night.
Organizers say the meal is free and open to the community, with raffles and live music planned throughout the evening.
The lodge will open earlier in the day with food and drink specials, giving fans and visiting teams a place to reconnect throughout the tournament weekend.
Organizers say events like this are made possible by volunteers and community support, helping keep one of the area’s most popular hockey traditions going strong.