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Central Range schools to move forward with collaboration

Central Iron Range school districts, including Hibbing, Nashwauk-Keewatin and Chisholm along with Floodwood, have announced plans to move forward with next phase exploration of collaborative opportunities.

In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, the school districts’ superintendents as well as Range Association of Municipalities and Schools Executive Director Steve Giorgi, said they will be jointly sending out a request for proposals for a consultant to engage the respective school boards and communities in shared services discussions. Officials say the shared resources talks are aimed at enhancing student opportunities.

“We’re stronger as a Central Range group than as individual districts,” said Hibbing Superintendent Rich Aldrich.

Manufacturing plant in Bigfork may close

COVID-19 has taken another swipe at northland manufacturing – this time in Bigfork, Minn.

Canadian company e2ip technologies (formerly GGI Solutions), which has a small manufacturing plant just north of Bigfork, has announced plans to relocate Bigfork operations to its Canadian headquarters in Montreal. The company, which is invested in the aviation, medical and other industries, took a large hit from the COVID-19 downturn in the market and is planning to consolidate, according to Tamara Lowney, president of the Itasca Economic Development Corporation in Grand Rapids.

The announcement was made to employees on May 13, and will affect 58 jobs, said Russ Puddicombe, U.S. director of operations. The Bigfork plant assembles membrane switches, as well as other digital products.

County board grapples with use of the

Fairgrounds for public events

Twelve residents wrote to the Itasca County Board to support use of the Fairgrounds and racetrack stands in staging a graduation parade and ceremony recognizing ISD 318 graduating seniors. The board took up this question, reopening county facilities in general to public use and return of county employees to work onsite in lengthy discussions at its May 26 board meeting.

Commissioners agreed with Sheriff Vic William’s comments that if the trailhead at the Fairgrounds is open, the Sheriff’s Department does not have the authority to disperse vehicles.

Greenway School Board ammends grading system, accepts Clafton resignation

SRNF 20Feb20 copy.pdf

Click the icon at left to read the Feb. 20 edition of the SRNF

Independent School District 316 approved an amended grading system for students during the COVID-19 pandemic at its meeting last week. According to the approved policy, all students will earn an academic grade A through D as a final semester grade. Teachers will average quarter 3 and quarter 4 grades.

Students that don’t have a passing percentage at the end of the semester will receive a D- so they earn credit. Given that the quarter ended abruptly, students should be encouraged and allowed to continue to work on quarter 3 work through mid-quarter 4.

Summer is here

Pet of the week

Meet Panda! Who can resist this face? He was rescued by an animal lover who became concerned as he’d been hanging around her house for quite a while foraging for food. He’s quite the talker with several different and distinct meows depending on what he wants from you. Panda loves to be brushed and is dreaming of an indoor forever home to call his own. He may even be okay with furry siblings!

Precious Paws Humane Society, located at 101 First Avenue SW in Chisholm (across from Jubilee Foods), is a no-kill shelter staffed entirely by volunteers. We serve the communities of Chisholm, Nashwauk and Keewatin. We may reached via telephone at 218-254-3300, or email: preciouspaws2011@hotmail.com. Please call ahead for hours of operation. Check out current adoptees on the Facebook page.