The East Central Regional Arts Council will offer grant information sessions for artists and organizations in December, January, February, and March. According to a news release from ECRAC, the sessions cover basic information about grant programs, tips and best practices, and recent changes to the application process. Funds may be available for artists and organizations located in Pine, Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti, and Mille Lacs counties, with upcoming grant deadlines on Feb.

A 37-year-old Mora woman has been charged with two counts each of felony-level drug sale and possession after allegedly coordinating plans to smuggle narcotics into the Rush City prison. According to the criminal complaint, the East Central Drug and Violent Offenders Task Force had been investigating Kristi Tyler for reportedly communicating with Rush City inmates. A search warrant for Tyler’s residence and vehicle was approved on Nov. 17. Law enforcement officers conducting

The Mora City Council did not make a decision about the city administrator position after a second interview with human resources director Mandi Yoder last week. According to the draft minutes from last week’s special meeting, a second internal candidate submitted an application for the role on Nov. 25. The council reached a consensus to hold at least two interviews with the second applicant before making any decisions. An initial interview with Yoder was held at the council'

The East Central Regional Library will reduce service hours at six branches in 2026 in response to funding decreases. According to an update from the library system, Pine City, Hinckley, Sandstone, Cambridge, McGregor, and Aitkin will see reductions in hours starting Jan. 5. The Pine City branch will open two hours later on Mondays and Wednesdays, at noon instead of 10 a.m., and will only stay open until 5 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. It will also be open a half-hour

Area utilities are working to restore various power outages after Tuesday night's winter storm. According to a notice, Mora Municipal Utilities experienced outages on Tuesday night that will continue throughout Wednesday due to downed trees, which are being removed from power lines. MMU is asking residents for patience as crews work to safely restore power. Around 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, East Central Energy reported scattered outages impacting over 500 members, with most locate

A winter storm watch will take effect from 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, through noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26, in Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Benton counties. Rain is expected to transition to snow on Tuesday afternoon and evening, and snow rates could exceed 0.5 inches per hour. According to the National Weather Service, heavy snow is possible, with accumulation between 2 and 4 inches. Winds could gust as high as 40 miles per hour, and lead to reduced visibility and blowing snow du

The Mora City Council held an initial interview with an internal candidate for city administrator at Tuesday's meeting. Mandi Yoder, the city's Human Resources director, was the lone internal applicant for the vacancy. Mora's employee labor relations committee met on Oct. 29, and reached the consensus to recruit from within and invest in the city's employees rather than seeking a contracted administrator or hiring a recruiting firm. "We're all aware that Mandi has been doing

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is cautioning residents of east-central Minnesota that fire danger is predicted to increase over the next few days. As fall continues, dry vegetation and falling leaves increase, which help fuel wildfires. Information officer Philip Weyhe said the DNR has responded to over 20 fires during the last week. "Wildfires can start and spread quickly, especially in dry, windy conditions," Weyhe said in an email. According to DNR wildfire

A two-vehicle crash on Highway 95 in Isanti County resulted in a fatality on Monday night. According to an Isanti County Sheriff's Office news release, law enforcement responded to a crash involving a semi and an SUV at the intersection of Highway 95 NE and Hornsby Drive NE in North Branch Township just before 9 p.m. Emergency personnel determined the driver of the SUV was deceased at the scene. The vehicle had no other occupants. The release states that the incident is being

A student food shelf at the Mora High School has been providing 'Food For Friends' for 10 years. Food For Friends is managed and maintained by Mustang students, with oversight from Mora Alternative Learning Center coordinator Karen Felger. The donation-driven food shelf provides food resources for Mora students, as well as other necessities, including hygiene products. "We do apply for some grants from some local businesses, companies, or banks, but our funding is almost enti