SA March Food Share Ends

Friday is the final day of the Salvation Army March Food Share project. Corps officer Captain Brian Reed said this year's goal was to raise 60-thousand pounds of food or dollars and as of Wednesday, they had received 36-thousand pounds. Everybody should bring their donations to the Salvation Army office on South Fifth Street in Brainerd by 4pm.

3rd Annual Bloom Fool's Fundraiser for Nisswa School

The Third annual Bloom Fool's Benefit for Nisswa School begins at 6pm Saturday night at Grand View Lodge. Spokeswoman Amy Getchell said there's musical entertainment by the band, The District, plus food and a live and a silent auction. Tickets in advance are $25 and $30 at the door. Pick up yours at Lakewood Bank in Nisswa or at Northern National Bank in Nisswa and Baxter.

Mill Avenue Mississippi River Bridge To Close April 14th

The Mill Avenue Bridge across the Mississippi River in Northeast Brainerd will close on Monday, April 14. Crow Wing County Highway Engineer Lyndon Robjent said the old bridge is going to get a new driving surface. Robjent said the morning rush hour traffic will be allowed across but the bridge will be closed later on that day. Traffic will be routed around the bridge, either through Brainerd or on Wise and Beaver Dam Road west to Brainerd and Baxter. Robjent said the work is scheduled to be done by June 27th in plenty of time of the Fourth of July weekend. Robjent said the bridge is supported by steel and concrete pillars and understructure and is not a suspension bridge so there are no gusset plates to be concerned about.

House Republicans Challenge Budget Bill

House Republicans including Big Lake Representative Mark Olson said during Thursday night's debate that the large budget correcting bill should be deemed unconstitutional under the state constitution's 'germane' rule. The constitution says "No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title." The 370-page House budget bill includes policy and finance issues as well as taxes, transportation, education, natural resources, same-sex domestic partner, and pro-choice legislation. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said the bill is about balancing the budget so there shouldn't be a problem. And besides, Republicans voted for similar bills when they were in the majority.

House, Senate Pass Budget Reduction Bills

The Minnesota House approved a budget bill that accounts for the $935-Million dollar shortfall in tax revenue. Brainerd lawmaker John Ward thinks it’s a good bill and includes a $51 per pupil increase for public education, no cuts to local government aid and a 2% increase for nursing home workers. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert thinks its not a good bill and it places the state's budget in jeopardy by "draining rainy day reserve funds when there is a tsunami forecast for next year." Seifert said the bill will raise taxes for 2009 by $232-Million and $416-Million in 2010 and 2011, and puts jobs in jeopardy by reducing tax advantages for Foreign Operating Corporations through the Foreign Royalty Subtraction provision. The bill reduces money to state agencies by $135-Million dollars, borrows $350-Million from the state’s budget reserve, and $250-Million from the Health Care Access Fund. Debate on the bill ended after 14 hours of debate at 2:30a this morning. A similar Senate bill passed last night on a voice vote. A conference committee will iron out the differences.

13th Annual Scandinavian Frokost, uh, Breakfast

The Sons of Norway Sagatun Lodge will serve its 13th Annual Frokost Scandanavian Breakfast Saturday morning at the Bethlehem Church in Northeast Brainerd. On the menu will be lefse, almond cakes, rosettes, fattimand, heart waffles, sandbakkles, kringler and perhaps jul brod, rommegrot, fruit soup and rice pudding. Spokeswoman Sharon Carlson said you should get your tickets right away at the church on Mill Avenue just north of Highway 210 or by calling 829-9632 or 764-3336. tickets are $10 and reservations are required. They have seatings at 9a and 11am.

Koering: We All Need To Look For Public School Funding Solutions

Fort Ripley lawmaker Paul Koering met with the group favoring more money for public education from Brainerd and Crosby Ironton earlier this week. And the Senator said he emphathizes with the group but wonders if there’s not a better way to solve the Minnesota public school funding problem. Koering said raising more taxes to put more money toward public education isn't always the answer. Senator Koering said the legislature and the governor have to put their heads together and develop a long-range plan, to decide where we want to be in five, ten, fifteen years. Koering said everybody needs to help find the solution because the future of public education in the state is on the line.

Charitable Gambling Results Down

A new report from the Minnesota Gambling Control Board said that income from pull-tabs and other charitable gambling activities dropped nearly 8% last year after the introduction of the smoking ban. The total decline in gambling receipts for the 1400 nonprofit groups was nearly 13% last year, roughly $40-Million. It was the largest drop in nonprofit gambling income since state regulation began in 1985. Charitable gambling officials expect revenue to continue to drop this year, by another 16 to 18%. Charitable gambling generates $1.2-Billion a year and pays for youth sports, veterans groups and volunteer firefighting, among other activities.

School Protest Group May Come To Breezy Point Next

The Brainerd woman who organized 60 life-jacket wearing protestors to talk to lawmakers on Tuesday said the next step may be to organize another group to protest at the governor’s fishing opener Pequot Lakes in May. Ann Holub said the state’s school funding system is broken and needs fixing. The group made its case to five area lawmakers during the trip to St. Paul. Holub said she's not sure it would be possible to organize another large trip to the state capital but perhaps smaller groups could travel on their own to talk to lawmakers. Someone suggested that Governor Pawlenty has not done all he could. Holub said perhaps the group could "pay a visit to the governor when he comes up here fishing in May." Area lawmakers told Holub they’re trying to convince other legislators of public education’s difficult situation. This legislative session is to end on May 19th.

Bowling For Good Samaritan May 5th

The 5th Annual Good Samaritan Bowling Fundraiser is looking for teams to have fun and raise money next month. Pine River Good Samaritan spokeswoman Pat Johnson said this is a chance to have a good time and raise money for a good cause. Johnson said teams will be rolling perfect strikes at two locations again this year, at Jack's House in East Brainerd and Community Bowl in Pine River. Right now, there are openings on two shifts in Brainerd, at noon and 2pm, and openings in Pine River on all four shifts, Noon, 2pm, 5pm and 7:30pm. If you'd like to bowl in Brainerd, call Liz Czanda at 825-2505. If you can bowl in Pine River, call Pat Johnson at 587-4433 to reserve a spot.

Underage Drinking Seminar

Crow Wing County Health Nurse Rose Hauge said the program about underage drinking Thursday night at Brainerd High School will take a look at the problem and explain how much worse it's become. Hauge said a 2007 survey said 47% of Crow Wing County 12th admitted to having a drink in the previous two weeks, and 31% of 9th graders. The 9th grade response for all of Minnesota was 24% and the Crow Wing County rate for high school freshman is the highest in the state. The program begins at 6pm Thursday night in the Brainerd Little Theater at the high school. It's sponsored by the county health department and coordinated by area Youth as Resources organizations.

Governor Gets Large Bonding Bill

The Minnesota House and Senate Bonding Bill committee sent their compromise to Governor Pawlenty yesterday but he seems less than pleased. The governor said to stay within the 3-percent debt service limit rule, a bonding bill should be no more than 825-million. The conference committee bill was 925-million. The governor added that lawmakers included 60-million in bonding money in the transportation bill and has suggested another 233-million for the University of Minnesota bioscience initiative. That would bring the grand total for bonding this year to more than 1.2-Billion. Governor Pawlenty said the bill is fiscally irresponsible and includes a number of new recreation centers but no new nursing home at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. The Governor said he would review the bill carefully and consider his options.

Underage Drinking Presentation

Crow Wing County Health Nurse Rose Hauge said the program about underage drinking Thursday night at Brainerd High School will take a look at the problem and explain how worse its become. Hauge said a 2007 survey said 47% of Crow Wing County 12th admitted to having an alcoholic drink in the previous two weeks, and 31% of 9th graders. The response for all Minnesota 9th graders was 24%. Hauge said the program will include a videotaped presentation as well as live reports from area experts, as well as suggestions to reduce underage drinking of alcohol. The program begins at 6pm Thursday night in the Brainerd Little Theater at the high school. It's sponsored by the county health department and coordinated by area Youth as Resources organizations.

Charitable Gambling Takes A Hit

A new report from the Minnesota Gambling Control Board said that income from pull-tabs and other charitable gambling activities dropped nearly 8% last year after the introduction of the smoking ban. The total decline in gambling receipts for the 1400 nonprofit groups was nearly 13% last year, roughly $40-Million. It was the largest drop in nonprofit gambling income since state regulation began in 1985. Charitable gambling officials expect revenue to continue to drop this year, by another 16 to 18%. Charitable gambling generates $1.2-Billion a year and pays for youth sports, veterans groups and volunteer firefighting, among other activities.

Area Citizens Talk To Lawmakers About More Money For Public Education

Roughly 60 Brainerd and Crosby Ironton citizens traveled to the state capital yesterday to talk to lawmakers about school funding. Speakers to the group tended to agree the the school funding formula in Minnesota is not only complicated but not doing what it was designed to do. Brainerd lawmaker John Ward said something he wants to do is remove a operating levy property tax exemption for those who own cabins but don’t live in them year-around. Ward said the bill he supports will repeal the exemption and put them back on the rolls. He said the bill is alive in both legislative houses. Lawmakers Larry Howes, Al Doty and Paul Koering all told the group from Brainerd and Crosby Ironton they would support the bill.

'Good Faith' Bill Presses On

The Minnesota legislature is considering what's referred to as a "Good Faith" insurance law again this session. Inver Grove Heights lawmaker Joe Atkins said the bill would require insurance companies to have a good-faith reason for denying a claim. If they don't, the bill would allow a person to sue and get legal fees and court costs reimbursed if they win the case. Atkins said Minnesota is the only state in the nation without the "Good Faith" law. He said most insurance companies pay valid claims and operate in good faith now but this law is aimed at those few who don't.

Ward Wants Seasonal Home Owners to Pay Their Share

State Representative John Ward of Brainerd says seasonal property owners must be brought back into the school funding loop. He tells KLKS, 55% of the net property worth in the Pequot Lakes school district is made up of seasonal homes, 35% for Crosby and 20% for Brainerd. He says the result is a one billion dollar shortfall in basic education funding statewide. Ward has bill in the legislature now that would repeal the seasonal exemption. He says that may not be all that's needed, but it would be a start.

Brainerd and Crosby Ask for School Help

Two busloads of parents, teachers and local business people from Brainerd and Crosby are heading to the state capitol in St. Paul today to protest the level of education funding. Event Coordinator Ann Holub tells KLKS, they will tell lawmakers that school funding is broken. To emphasise their point, they are wearing life jackets, and plan to tell lawmakers, the school districts are sinking. A rally is planned at the capitol rotunda at noon today.

Vulnerable Little Falls Adult Still Missing

Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel is still looking for a young Little Falls woman, missing since February 14th. 20-year old Allison Cristine Sipila was last seen at a medical appointment. Sheriff's Deputy Beth Rekstad said Sipila has disappeared before and has previosly checked herself into a hospital for mental health treatment. This time, authorities believe she may be heading to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Sipila is 5'4" tall, weighs roughly 140 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes. If you know the whereabouts of Allison Cristine Sipila who sometimes calls herself Kate, call the Morrison County Sheriff's Department.

Safe and Sober Speed Campaign Coming

Law enforcement in Crow Wing County will band together and concentrate finding those driving too fast for conditions. Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Curt Mower said officers from most cities in the county will participate in the crack down sometime in the month of April. Mower said the dates will not be announced ahead of time and the areas of concentration will be selected by officers who normally work in those areas. Mower said speed kills and for ever ten miles over 50 mph you're driving, your chances of getting seriously injured or killed in a crash double.

Last St. Paul Stockyard Closes in Mid-April

The last operating cattle stockyard in St. Paul will close in mid-April. Central Livestock will hold its last live cattle auction on April 11th. Bulldozers will flatten the grounds after the sale to prepare the land for an office park. South St. Paul was once one of the busiest livestock markets in the world.