Police Officers Partying Too Much

A couple of Minneapolis police officers have been charged with recklessly firing their guns while off-duty at a party. William Thornbury and Scott Mars are charged with intentional discharge of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, and also of carrying a gun while under the influence of alcohol.

Minnesota Man Shot in Philadelphia

There's a $20,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest in the shooting death of Beau Zabel in Philadelphia last weekend. Zabel was scheduled to start work in the Philadelphia Public School System in July. He had recently relocated from Austin, Minnesota, to Philadelpia.

Pawlenty Vice Presidential Candidate?

Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain was in Minnesota eariler this week for a fundraiser. A day after McCain's visit, Governor Tim Pawlenty said that, as far as he knows, he's not being considered for the Vice Presidential position.

Pillager Toddler Nearly Drowns

At two year old Pillager toddler was pulled from a foot and a half of water near his home Wednesday. Blair Hafften apparently wandered away from his mother's side while she was outside doing some yard work. His grandfather found him in a swampy back water at about 5 pm. Emergency personnel, who were just arriving on the scene, applied CPR. The boy was air-lifted to St. Cloud Hospital. His condition has not been reported.

Pequot Lakes Girl Injured in Accident

11-Year-old Emily Tischma of Pequot Lakes was air lifted to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Thursday afternoon, following a two car wreck at Highways 371 and 210. Her condition has not been reported. Three others injured were transported by North Ambulance to Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. The accident happened during afternoon rush hour when police say a car driven by 34-year-old Angie Johnson of Pequot Lakes was broad-sided while attempting to turn from 210 to 371. Police says the Johnson car failed to stop for a red light. The jaws of life were used to pull passengers from the Johnson vehicle. Rush hour was blocked during the rescue.

Pequot Lakes School Budget

The Pequot Lakes School Board is wrestling with a $177-thousand budget deficit. The 2008-2009 budget was set at $12.2-million. Following a one percent increase in student aid funding from the state, the local school district still finds itself coming up short. Increases in food and fuel costs are aggravating the situation. Fuel costs alone are expected to be up 56 percent over last year. As a result, activity fees may be increased.

DNR Deer Advice

This time of year there are a lot of young deer around. Fawns, in particular, can seem abandoned. Jean Goad, Public Information Officer for the Minnesota DNR out of Grand Rapids says that it's illegal to try to keep a wild deer as a pet. It's better to simply leave wild-life alone. For more information on the DNR visit dnr.state.mn.us

4th of July Parade--Pequot Lakes

Sue Galligan of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Pequot Lakes said that if you want to be in the Fourth of July "Red, White, and Blue" parade, you'd better get that registration in! Registration forms are available at explorebrainerdlakes.com or pequotlakes.com. Sue said you can also call the Chamber at 568-8911. The parade starts at 11 o'clock the morning of the 4th, with fireworks on Thursday night, July 3rd.

Amanda "Mandy" Amy, Long-Time Pine River Resident Dies at the Age of 92

Amanda Amy, a pillar of Pine River, passed away on Tuesday, June 17th at her home. Betty Ryan of the Lake Country Echo reminisced about recollections of "Mandy"; she said Mandy was, at various times, owner/editor/writer for "The Pine River Journal". Ryan mentioned that Amy was always dressed well, and always wore high-heels, regardless of the weather. A particular smile for Betty was that Mandy had a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Clark Gable in her living room, right next to the fireplace--said Amy had been a huge fan of "Gone with the Wind". Services are scheduled for Monday, June 23rd at the First Lutheran Church in Pine River.

The Deer are Out 'n About--Travel Safely!

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says that, as always, the deer are on the move. At this time of year, grass along the roadways can get long--which impairs a driver's vision. As always, Sheriff Dahl recommends slowing down and wearing your seatbelt. Arrive safely!

The Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Pequot Lakes Meets Tonight

Jack Schmidt with the Concerned Citizens of Pequot Lakes says that there is another meeting at 6 o'clock tonight at the Pequot Lakes American Legion. The primary goal of the meeting will be to decide what to do next. Mr. Schmidt expects to be in receipt of a letter of recommendation from the group's lawyer indicating whether or not the Coalition has legitimate concerns that merit legal procedings.

Public Education Funding--Another Option?

Seemingly always under discussion is the topic of funding public education. No doubt that's due to the fact that, by most accounts, the system we have is not working for the out-state systems like everyone would like it to. Democratic 12A House Representative John Ward is interested in enacting House File 4178, which would spread out state funding more evenly. Repblican challenger David Allan Pundt is not interested in enacting the "New Minnesota Miracle". He's been told that the total increase would exceed $1.6 billion, with an additional $600k in property tax relief. Not only is David unsure of where the money would come from, but he's concerned that doing away with school levy referenda would be like having taxation without representation.

A National Guard Unit being Welcomed Home!

A Roseville-based Minnesota National guard unit will be welcomed home tonight, after spending a year in Kuwait. Fourteen soldiers from the Roseville-based 347th Personnel Services Detachment Unit provided administrative support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Minnesota Man Killed for I-Pod?

Philadelphia police say a Minnesota man may have been killed for his I-Pod. Austin Native Beau Zabel was shot in the neck while walking home from his job at Starbucks. Friends and family say Zabel always had his I-Pod with him. The music player is the only item that appears to have been missing.

Outlaw Drag Racing at Brainerd International Raceway

Ear drums will vibrate and tires will smoke during the annual Show and Go at Brainerd International Raceway, June 27th through the 29th. The weekend will feature outlaw dragsters who will compete in the following classes: Outlaw, Pro Outlaw, King Street and Real Street. BIR Vice President of Operations Scott Quick expects 400 cars, trucks, bikes and sleds will thrill the fans. He says some have been beefed-up to hit speeds of 200 MPH, and will smoke the quarter mile in six to seven seconds. BIR is in its 40th season.

A Berry Good Year for Strawberries.

Strawberry farms are expected to open two to three weeks late this year, due to cold and rainy conditions. However, expectations are this will be a very good crop. KLKS Chief Meterologist Tony Schumacher says his home grown crop in Wisconsin is especially sweet and juicy. Apparently, strawberries like cool weather. So, while this bloom is late, it is uniform. Typically, the berry picking winds down by July 4th. But, this year it should just be picking up.

DNR Shoreline Management

The Northland Arboretum in Brainerd will host an open house June 17th on shoreline management standards. The Minnesota Department of Natural resources is holding this, and other "Open Houses" throughout the state, as part of a three phase approach to develop potential revisions to the statewide minimum standards for shoreland management. The meeting at the Arb will run from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Deer in Crow Wing County

Crow Wing County sheriff Todd Dahl says auto-deer crashes are up. He tells KLKS, with the recent rain there are more insects in the woods. As a result, fleeing deer are on the move, many times into the path of auto traffic. The sheriff says it is not uncommon to see 15 deer along 10 miles of road. Often, where there is one, there are more. Dahl says it's not the first one spotted that causes the accident, but the second or third. He says, like the weather, they are unpredictable. So, the county's top cop is urging motorists to slow down, especially at night when visibility is limited.