Two years after graduating from Floodwood High School, Butch Sandstrom is ready to hit the road as a commercial truck driver and diesel mechanic. 

Sandstrom graduated from Hibbing Community College (HCC) this spring after completing the college’s Diesel Mechanic and Truck Driving courses. 

“I’m a fourth generation logger, so I will be working on my dad’s equipment and trucks,” said Sandstrom. “I really liked the courses. I like working on equipment and I learned a lot about all the electronics on the new trucks.”

High-tech training for truck, bus, and other types of commercial vehicle driving, has moved into high gear at HCC with acquisition of a state-of-the-art $117,000 commercial truck driving simulator. The simulator is being used by the college’s Truck Driving, Diesel Mechanic, and Advanced Minnesota customized driver training programs to train a variety of commercial vehicle drivers.

A grant to buy the simulator was provided by the IRRRB Education/Workforce Development Program. HCC is a member of the Northeast Higher Education District (NHED). Advanced Minnesota provides customized and continuing education training courses at all five NHED colleges.

Located within the HCC Diesel Mechanic, Truck Driving learning space, the simulator allows students the opportunity to learn truck driving skills without the costs or potential safety issues of operating a truck on public roads. Instructors can input real-life road situations into the simulator, including rain, snow, ice, traffic and flat tires.

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New learning opportunities will be available to more young children through a $9.1 million expansion and renovation of Virginia Public School facilities. Eight new classrooms, office space, cafeteria and a gymnasium will be constructed at Parkview Learning Center as part of the project, which also includes extensive renovations of the school. The project focus is to increase the district’s early childhood services programs in order to expand learning opportunities to four-year-olds.

“Four-year-olds are the new kindergarten,” said Deron Stender, Virginia Public Schools superintendent. “We had 20 students enrolled in our program this year. Our data shows that we have a number of young children out there that will enroll in the program. With the expansion, we expect about 100 to 120 children to be enrolled.”

Under the expansion, 25,900 square feet of new learning space will be built in an addition to the school. Within the existing school, 25,300 square-feet will be renovated. 

IRRRB issued $7.7 million in revenue bonds to help fund the project. It’s part of a $38 million bonding measure that assists schools within the IRRRB service area with building projects, technology, energy efficiency, infrastructure, health, safety and maintenance improvements. The bond is repaid with a portion of the Taconite Production Tax, a tax paid by Iron Range mining companies in lieu of property taxes.

A groundbreaking ceremony at the Parkview Learning Center was held Thursday, June 4. Construction is underway, and a grand opening is scheduled for the fall of 2016. That’s when the district’s early childhood program will expand. 

Virginia is on the leading edge of providing educational opportunities to four-year-olds, said Stender. “I’m proud of our community and the school board to have the vision to do this and stick to it," he said. "It’s going to do great things for this school district and this region.” 

Since its launch in February of 2014, the NORTHFORCE talent community has grown to 1,845 total members: 409 businesses from around the region, and 1,436 individual job seekers. There are 543 total active jobs posted, and 79 regional employers working directly with the NORTHFORCE to receive matching candidates. 

NORTHFORCE is a non-profit, community-based initiative created to help regional employers find the talent they need to thrive, and job seekers find their ideal professional environment. The website, NORTHFORCE.org, offers employer-employee “matchmaking” services for current and prospective residents of the region. To date, NORTHFORCE has sent more than 700 resumes to regional employers, and more than 12,000 matching jobs to individual job seekers, resulting in hundreds of interviews, and at least 36 hires. The initiative is in year two of a two-year pilot, and so far, the results have been both impressive and informative.

“The power of networking probably can’t be overstated," said Anna Tennis, NORTHFORCE talent community manager. "We wanted to help people find opportunities that they otherwise might have missed, and help employers form a clearer picture of how many skilled, qualified candidates were out there, looking for their opportunities. What we didn’t expect was how crucial personal interaction would be to connecting these employers and job seekers.”

NORTHFORCE is a collaborative initiative of APEX, The Northspan Group, IRRRB, the City of Duluth, and the City of Superior. To learn more about the NORTHFORCE system and how it can serve you, register as an employer or job seeker at NORTHFORCE.org.

The Duluth Superior Film Festival hosted a 10th anniversary screening of the film North Country on Sunday, June 7 in Eveleth. It was the culmination of a week-long celebration, spotlighting films made in the Arrowhead region. 

Approximately 100 were in attendance for the screening, which included live music by The Wheeler Dealers and a barbecue. A highlight of the evening was an appearance by actor Chris Mulkey who played Earl Slangley in the film. 

The event was sponsored by IRRRB, Smokey's BBQ & Cafe, and Wide Range Films.

Pictured left to right are: Troy Parkinson, director of production for Minnesota Film & TV; Richard Hansen, founder and director of the Duluth Superior Film Festival; Mary Somnis, IRRRB; Riki McManus, Upper Minnesota Film Office; Mike Forstein, producer of the film Heart of Wilderness; and Lance Karasti, festival staff member and Minnesota filmmaker.

Giants Ridge in Biwabik is hosting a Junior Golf Program this summer. The program is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 12. Participants will play games that focus on putting, short game, full swing, imagination, teamwork, competition, pace of play, etiquette, and fun. The final day of each 3-day session will be spent playing the golf course in small groups. Clubs are available to borrow at no charge. Each small group will be led by one instructor.

Cost is $89 for each 3-day session. Dates are June 22-24, July 13-15, and August 3-5. Sessions are held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

To register, email Mark Haavisto or Seth Dostal or call 218-865-8030. 

In other news, Giants Ridge is offering a Father's Day special, where dads play free on Sunday, June 21 after 10 a.m., if they golf with a daughter or son who pays full price. To book a Father's Day tee time, call the Golf Shop at 218-865-3030. 

Get more information on Giants Ridge golf specials.

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