The Journal revisits headlines from 2012 in this news and photo feature.

January

  • The Good Samaritan Society – International Falls selects Kraus-Anderson Construction Company as the main contractor to build new campus.
  • Area businesses report weak business with warmer-than-average winter temperatures.
  • Icebox Days draws a record number of participants.
  • Efforts from Borderland residents allow for two black Labrador puppies to enter training for America's VetDogs program.
  • Hiring for Ash River NoVA plant begins.

February

  • Rainy Lake water level drops below rule curve.
  • Life of former Falls resident, Lora Sinclair, is feature in Chicken Soup for the Soul book.
  • CEOs in the Classroom program is launched.
  • New district lines result in new leadership for Borderland.
  • Postal Service officials announce closure of Bemidji processing center,which impacts local mail delivery.

March

  • Local officials explore plan to help people with minor offenses cross the border.
  • Local musher Ryan Anderson finishes with perfect 2012 sled dog racing season.
  • Two former Falls residents discuss why the North Dakota oil boom got their attention.
  • The Falls School Board approvals layoffs and program reductions to avoid projected budget deficit.
  • Mediation continues between teacher's union and school's negotiating committee.
  • Brian Jespersen is appointed to serve as Koochiching County sheriff.

April

  • A Fort Frances man pleads for safe return of missing 7-year-old grandson.
  • JoAnn Bokovoy is named citizen of the year.
  • Ice out on Rainy Lake is declared April 6 – a new record.
  • DNR pinpoints walleye spawning sites on Rat Root River.
  • International Falls School District Superintendent Jeff Peura accepts jobs with Lake of the Woods School Board.

May

  • International Falls City Council announces it will hire an economic, community development director.
  • Falls Elementary School principal Jerry Hilfer prepares for retirement.
  • Indus teacher Lois Lewis is named “2012 National Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year.”
  • International Falls is awarded $650,000 grant for warehouse project.
  • Local attractions make 'Best of Minnesota' list.

June

  • A 22-week series on the journey of Ernest Oberholtzer begins.
  • A new law changes the face of school lunches.
  • Nordy Nelson is offered position as International Falls School District superintendent.
  • A bill to expand border protection is approved.
  • A kayaker stays with a Falls family while traveling from the Northwest Angle to the Florida Keys.
  • Canada proclaims July 2 as Peaceful Borders Day.

July

  • The second annual Riverfest featuring 38 Special is deemed a success by organizers of the event.
  • A grand jury is to be convened in Muggli case.
  • Falls Mayor Shawn Mason resigns to take newly created position of city director of economic and community development.
  • Carl Muggli is indicted on first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder charges.

August

  • Falls resident Mabel Carlson turns 100 years old.
  • Falls School Board approves the hire of Melissa Tate as Falls Elementary and West End Elementary principal.
  • A rat concern is investigated by city officials.
  • Members of the Koochiching County Board express concern about wetlands plan.
  • A second cold box at the Falls cold weather testing facility receives $200,000 grant.
  • Runner Mike Ehredt launches 2,100-mile journey from Borderland to Texas to honor fallen veterans.
  • Brothers Duane and John Peterson of Bemidji, capture the eighth annual International Falls Bass Championship title.

September

  • Rainy Lake Medical Center officials discuss status of integration with Essentia.
  • Rainy Lake Medical Center announces it will temporarily discontinue the service of delivering babies.
  • Carl Muggli's trial is set for Jan. 4 in Bemidji.
  • SkyWest Airlines will provide service to the Falls International Airport.
  • Airport safety drill exceeds expectations.

October

  • KDA representatives aska Boise to reconsider withdrawal from RECAP program.
  • Koochiching County Board members discusses voter identification concerns.
  • Citizens of Backus celebrate 10 years of saving historical building.
  • Duayne and Nancy Johnson open up about importance of organ donation.
  • A local judge orders $2 million bail in Carl Muggli case.

November

  • Election night results announce Bob Anderson as the mayor of International Falls and other election results.
  • Minnesota voters reject two Minnesota ballot amendments – and community members weigh in on how they voted.
  • Ranier residents express frustration over U.S. Postal Service decision to reduce window hours at Ranier Post Office.
  • Eric Walls is chosen by the Falls School Board as the new head boys baseball coach.
  • Resolute Forest Products Inc. kraft mill and No. 5 paper machine in Fort Frances is idled indefinitely.

December

  • Donald MacDougall, a convicted sex offender, is released from prison.
  • Local officials issue a thin ice warning.
  • The number of children in Koochiching County foster care hits all-time low.
  • A ceremony is held for grand opening of second cold weather testing cold box.
  • Local school officials react to the deadly Dec. 14 school shootings in Newtown, Conn.