NEWS

Camp Ripley Breaks Ground on New Military & Veterans Museum

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Over 200 Minnesotans attended a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum on Sunday afternoon.Located across the street from Camp Ripley near Little Falls, the new site is expected to ensure easy access by the public.“[With] 300,000 veterans in this state today, Minnesota is now home to more than 43,000 Post 11 veterans alone,” said retired U.S. Army Four-Star General Joseph Votel. “And you can imagine how many more stories are yet to be told by them. And the other 100 are 250,000 veterans from Vietnam, Korea, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, as well as a number of our...

Charles Lindbergh House and Museum celebrates 50th anniversary

Sunday, September 17, 2023

The Charles Lindbergh House and Museum invites the community to celebrate its 50th anniversary of the Minnesota Historical Society ’s public operation of Charles Lindbergh’s childhood home 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sept. 30.

Purple Carrot Market sets sights on 2025 opening

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Owners of the Purple Carrot Market food co-op gathered to celebrate another successful year in community organizing and working toward opening a grocery store in historic downtown Little Falls. While growing owners is key to opening the grocery store, engaging owners through events, volunteering and special offers is just as important.If milestones are met and progress stays on track, the owners are working to open the store in 2025. Past President and Capital Campaign Cabinet member, Darlene Brand, said at the 2023 annual meeting, “In the food co-op world, it takes seven to 10 years from the first community meeting...

‘Best-kept secret’ getting out: Rural MnCEP building futures

Friday, August 11, 2023

Inside the CareerForce building, a career lab is full of desks and computers, along with tons of templates for resumes, cover letters, job postings and more. A presenter can be heard speaking in another room to a class about budgeting and financial literacy. On one side of the room, a light blue wall with the words “Your future is our business” is painted. Much like a library, people can come in during working hours to use the resources provided for free. Unlike a library, everyone here must be working to find work. Established 55 years ago, Rural Minnesota...

Community Development and partners help Morrison County continue to grow

Friday, August 04, 2023

Community Development of Morrison County works to ensure businesses can invest in Morrison County. Whether it’s helping a new business get started, or an existing business expand, Carol Anderson, executive director, is busy. During a July planning session, Anderson updated the County Board about what’s been going on. One of the larger projects Community Development has worked with, North Freeze Dry, is about ready to go.

Governor Walz Announces $13 Million for Business Expansion Statewide

Friday, August 04, 2023

Governor Tim Walz today announced that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will provide over $13 million to help 15 businesses across Minnesota expand. The funding, from DEED’s Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund, will leverage nearly $766 million in outside investment and create 652 jobs over five years. “Minnesota is proud to be a top state for business and to live and work,” said Governor Walz. “I am grateful to the workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that call Minnesota home and contribute to our economy. We are committed to supporting our businesses and investing in the future of...

Reopening of historic theater is latest gift from Little Falls couple to the community

Thursday, July 27, 2023

If Hollywood arrived in Little Falls, Minnesota, it'd find a sweet story at the local theater. “It was built in 1933,” Susy Prosapio says. For nearly 90 years, the Falls Theatre was downtown Little Falls' centerstage. The community grieved its downfall. “It closed July 16 of 2020,” Susy says. “During the height of COVID,” adds Susy’s husband, Phil Prosapio. Three years later, Susy and Phil are bringing it back as the theater’s new owners. The Falls’ exterior features a fresh coat of paint, with flashing lights and neon on the way. Inside, a rotted ceiling has been replaced. The...

Fiber optics will help keep Little Falls utility systems connected

Friday, July 07, 2023

The answer to a potential major issue with the city of Little Falls’ utility delivery system was to build out more fiber optic lines. Monday, the Little Falls City Council unanimously approved a request from City Engineer Greg Kimman to partner with Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) to maintain infrastructure components within its water and wastewater systems. The project will cost the city $731,000 — $395,000 of which will come from its American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the federal government. An additional $206,000 will be paid for out of the wastewater improvement fund, with $130,000 coming from the...

Taco John’s to open at Camp Ripley

Friday, July 07, 2023

For several years, Cassie Baum of Little Falls has dreamed of being her own boss. While owning and operating Frieze Lake Ranch has kept her busy, she is now opening several Taco John’s franchises across Central Minnesota. The one at Camp Ripley in Little Falls is set to open Monday, July 17. Other locations she is in the process of opening franchises in are Pierz, Long Prairie and Rice. The ultimate goal, she said, is to have at least 10 Taco John’s franchises in Central Minnesota. At this time, Baum is hiring for several positions at Taco John’s...

New live feed camera shows rail activity in Little Falls

Friday, June 23, 2023

Northern Transcon Railcams - Otter Tail Channel (NTR-OTC) announced the installation of a new live feed camera in Little Falls. This camera, sponsored by the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, expands the NTR-OTC network and provides rail enthusiasts and community members with an immersive view of the rail activity in the area. This camera marks the ninth addition to the cameras placed throughout Minnesota.

Sea View Farm is Little Falls Chamber of Commerce ‘Large Business of the Year’

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Being named “Large Business of the Year” by the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce is a great accolade for Sea View Farm, said Farm Manager Jim Bridges. “We’re very proud of it,” he said. The recognition also lets them know that they must be doing something right in the community, Bridges said. In addition, he said, being named Large Business of the Year gives Sea View Farm more exposure in the community. Not only to more employees, as they are currently hiring, but also to businesses and partnerships with other farmers. “We...

SBA's Minnesota Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year is Falls Optical

Friday, April 21, 2023

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Kenneth Dodge and Falls Optical, Inc. the 2022 SBA Minnesota Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. In recognition of National Small Business Week, SBA’s Minnesota District will recognize its 2023 state winners at local events in the weeks ahead. “Veterans give so much to our country both during their active-duty, reserve, and National Guard times and, in the case of veteran small business owners like Dr. Kenneth Dodge, in their civilian endeavors as well,” stated Brian McDonald, SBA’s Minnesota District Director. “This award that recognizes a veteran’s achievement in the business...

MCHS’s annual meeting on railroad history

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

The time has come once again for the Morrison County Historical Society’s annual business meeting. This year it will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. in the historic Cass Gilbert Train Depot, 200 First St. NW, Little Falls. It will feature a special guest speaker, Steve Glischinski.Glischinski is an avid photographer of railroads, beginning back in 1970 at the age of thirteen. Since then, his works have been published in dozens of books and magazines. His presentation at our meeting will be focusing on railroads in Minnesota from the post-World War II era to modern times.A board meeting...

Ground to be broken at Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum in Little Falls

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m. The event will be held on the future site of the Museum, next to Camp Ripley in Little Falls. More than 100 people are expected to gather and celebrate this major milestone.The program will include featured speakers, special music, a Civil War-era cannon salute, and a working World War II bulldozer. Guided walking tours of the site will be available after the ceremony. Attending members of the public are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for on-site seating.Construction is set to begin in...

Little Falls Holds 50th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

For 50 years and counting, Minnesota residents – whether they’re from Little Falls or out of town – continue to flock towards the Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair. Traditionally held the weekend after Labor Day, the event lets visitors see what the litany of vendors has to offer.

Phase I of an archaeological survey in Little Falls now history

Monday, September 11, 2023

It’s a beautiful, if hot, Saturday morning in Little Falls, near the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Museum. A field is dotted with white flags. A short distance away, the sound of shoveling and sifting can be heard. A man has a small table set up with tiny bags of various artifacts, as well as boxes of equipment.This man is an archaeologist with McFarlane Consulting, Jim Cummings, and also the principal investigator for this Phase I Archaeological Investigation.The area is already recognized for having historical significance due to being the farm of famed aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, where he would conduct experiments...

Third generation carries on legacy of Monahan’s Marine

Sunday, September 03, 2023

Since she started working for her dad, Tom Monahan, Anna (Monahan) Read said he continuously told her she would be the third generation to carry on the legacy of the family business, Monahan’s Marine in Little Falls.“He’d tell people, our customers, that. I just told him, ‘You’re nuts,’” she said.The reality of her comeback comment, Read said, was that she couldn’t imagine the family business without her dad. He was the very heart and soul of it.

Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair, where memories are made

Saturday, September 02, 2023

Thrilled to see the streets of historic downtown Little Falls filled with thousands of shoppers and visitors from across Minnesota and other states, the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the city to host the 50th annual Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair. The event is held the weekend after Labor Day and is set for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine. With nearly 600 vendors, there is something for everyone, said Little Falls...

Great River Arts has busy September planned

Thursday, August 31, 2023

This month there are plenty of activities happening at Great River Arts (GRA) in Little Falls.For adults, Thursday, Sept. 14, from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., a sip and paint class will be offered at the Linden Hill Gardens. This month, the group will be painting a colorful peacock.Participants should arrive at Linden Hill, Musser Mansion (white). Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase from Linden Hill. Class starts at 5:30 p.m. This class is limited to 14 participants. Preregistration required…

Teamwork, policy put local foods at center stage in this Minnesota community

Thursday, August 31, 2023

A trio of community organizations including Sprout, MN, The Purple Carrot and the Little Falls Farmers Market are working together to boost local foods in Little Falls, Minnesota, and beyond.When leaders of Sprout, MN heard about the USDA’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program, they knew they had something in mind with the potential to hit all the key goals of the program.The program awarded nearly $10 million in 2022. Its goal was to fund projects that meet food needs of low-income individuals; increase self-reliance of communities in providing food needs of the community; and promote comprehensive response to local...

Morrison County Community Development Launches Redesigned Website as Gateway to Prime Site Selection and Business Attraction Opportunities

Friday, August 25, 2023

Morrison County Community Development is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned website, developed in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency, to enhance its online presence. Located at http://www.cdc.morrison.mn.us/, the user-friendly economic development website prioritizes simplicity and accessibility, ensuring businesses can effortlessly explore growth opportunities. A standout feature is the demographic modules for each community, providing vital insights into workforce, consumers, and market trends. This user-centric approach streamlines the site selection process, enabling well-informed decisions backed by a deep understanding of local dynamics.

Roundabout is 'preferred option' for Little Falls intersection

Saturday, July 08, 2023

Love them or hate them, one Little Falls intersection could be controlled by a roundabout in the not-so-distant future. Monday, City Engineer Greg Kimman presented to the City Council the results of an intersection control evaluation (ICE) study conducted by Bolton and Menk. The study looked at the intersection of Trunk Highway 27 and 18th Street Northeast. The report concluded that the preferred option would be an “unbalanced roundabout.” “If you’ve driven through that intersection, you know that there’s issues with the U-turns in that intersection,” Kimman said. “The U-turns are causing a delay in traffic on the...

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