With  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits not being issued for November, area food shelves are working to meet increasing community needs. Patrick Felker, director of food equity and access at Family Pathways, discussed the shutdown's impacts on the nonprofit in an interview on Tuesday. Family Pathways has food shelves in Pine City, Sandstone, Cambridge, Chisago City, Forest Lake, North Branch, and Onamia, and two Wisconsin locations in Frederic and

North Branch hosted Grand Rapids on Monday night. These two teams had played twice during the regular season, something that doesn't happen to often. The first meeting was in late August, when the Thunderhawks won the match in 5 sets. The next meeting was at a big tournament down in Burnsville, where Grand Rapids won 2-0. This time the Vikings got to host the match in a win or go home situation.

Mora Public Schools is experiencing a significant shortage of substitute school bus drivers. According to a notice from Chip Brandt, the district's director of transportation, the shortage means that if even one of the regular drivers is unavailable, an entire route may be left temporarily without coverage. In situations where an unexpected absence isn't able to be immediately filled, a "double run" for morning and afternoon routes may be implemented. A driver would complete

MnDOT has completed bridge repairs on Highway 169 in Princeton, and all lanes, bridges, and access ramps are now open between Baxter Road and 313th Avenue. According to a MnDOT news release, the project repaired and replaced the surface on eight bridges over North Rum River Drive, the West Branch Rum River, First Street, and South Rum River Drive. The project took six months to complete and cost $7.3 million. The release states that the upgrades will reduce long-term maintena

Kanabec County is navigating impacts from the federal government shutdown, including a program that helps support more than 800 households. Due to the shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will not be issued for November. According to Kanabec County Family Services director Chuck Hurd, the county currently has 836 active households receiving SNAP benefits, which is about 1,355 people. Kanabec County also has about 60 households in the Minnes