BROWERVILLE FIRE

The Browerville Fire Department responded to a house fire early yesterday morning just after 12:30am and investigators suspect the fire was intentionally set. Todd County Sheriff's deputies said the house was owned by Lee and Lloyd Busch of Browerville but was vacant at the time. The Minnesota Arson Reward Project is offering a reward of $2500 for information leading to the identification of those responsible for the fire. Call the Arson Hotline 800-723-2020 or contact law enforcement.

DEMOCRATS MEET

The Crow Wing and Cass County DFL will hold a US Senate candidates forum on Sunday, October 28th at Breezy Point Resort. Candidates Mike Ciresi, Jim Cohen, Al Franken and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer are scheduled to be there. The event begins at 2pm and includes dinner at 5pm and a silent auction. Organizers are asking for a $30 donation.

BRAINERD LEVY CONVERSATION CONTINUES

Citizens for and against Brainerd Public Schools' levy referendum continue to present their sides of the issue. The League of Women Voters devoted their program this week to the top, The Brainerd Chamber will hold a forum on the subject soon, and area service clubs will continue to host those pro and con. Brainerd Superintendent Jerry Walseth said its important to spend more money on education because the vitality of the community depends on it. Taxpayer and referendum opponent Marv Begin said he feels the school board should have taken care of their budgeting, made the tough decisions years ago, without going back to taxpayers to bail them out again. Brainerd Schools are asking taxpayers for at least $5-Million a year for the next ten years. The levy referendum ballot question inludes an inflation factor so the amount could increase each year. Election day is November 6th.

WALLEYE GONE

Department of Natural Resources researchers completed a net test recently on the northern end of Mille Lacs Lake and found less than half as many walleye than average. The average net test has been just over 15 fish. The recent test was just over 7. DNR Fisheries Ron Payer said the decline is mostly on the northern edge, that the southern end of the lake showed minimal decline in fish population. Merrifield professional fisherman Gary Roach told the Brainerd Dispatch he didn't believe the report. He said everybody has been catching fish and October is always a tough time becaus they're not biting this time of the year. The DNR will make final decisions about winter fishing limits next week. Adjusting limits for next summer could be done in February, effective next spring with the opener.

EMILY MURDER SUSPECT'S NEXT HEARING NEXT YEAR

The next court hearing for the man accused of killing his father-in-law has been continued until next year, January 15, 2008. 37-year old Steven Radke faces a charge of first degree murder for shooting 57-year old Darrell Buesgens. Both men are from Emily. Radke allegedly shot Buesgens at his home. Radke's estranged wife and children had been living with Buesgens for several weeks. The Lakes Country Echo said the accused man is in Crow Wing county Jail in lieu of one million dollars bail.

FORESTS SMILE WHEN IT RAINS

Recent rains have been good for area forests. Area Department of Natural Resources Forester Mark Mortenson said it still doesn't make up for moisture we've not gotten for the last two years. Mortenson said this is the best time of year moisture recharge. He said trees are not actively growing like in summer and the more rain the better, as far as trees are concerned. And the two year lack of rain has been tough on new trees especially because they aren't able to establish deep roots quick enough. Mortenson said in some areas, 25 to 50% of young trees don't make it. But he said those areas are quickly replanted.