Enrollment Dips At Area Schools

With the new school year now a week old, some schools in the Brainerd area are seeing a noticeable dip in enrollment. School districts in Brainerd, Crosby-Ironton, Staples-Motley, and Pequot lakes are all reporting declining enrollments. Officials say the drop isn't as bad as initially feared.

Friday Night High School Football

Barnsville/Rothsay 46, Frazee 21
Brainerd 21, Bemidji 14
Delano 34, Perham 12
Detroit Lakes 27, Thief River Falls 14
Duluth East 39, Grand Rapids 0
Esko 34, Braham 26
Hawley 61, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 14
Hillcrest Lutheran 34, Bertha-Hewitt 0
Lake Of The Woods 19, Blackduck 13
Moorhead 17, Alexandria 7
New London-Spicer 35, Mora 20
Ogilvie 42, Onamia 0
Park Rapids 39, East Grand Forks 13
Pelican Rapids 39, Pequot Lakes 15
Rocori 35, Little Falls 7
Staples-Motley 28, West Central 14
Warroad 28, Wadena-Deer Creek 6
Isle 44, Nevis 20
Mahnomen 30, Cass Lake-Bena 0
Crosby-Ironton 26, Deer River 6
Delano 34, Perham 12
Isle 44, Nevis 20
Verndale 32, Underwood 24
Aitkin 28, Greenway 22
Mcgregor 26, Northland 24
Milaca 36, St. Cloud Cathedral 20
Pierz 55, Kimball 13
Wrenshall 40, Hill City 20
Pine River 18, Bagley 0

Reminder From Election Official

Deborah Erickson, Crow Wing County Auditor, reminds us that Minnesota Election Laws do state that you cannot vote for candidates of more than one political party in the Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, September 9. For more information, call Stella Hegg, Deputy Auditor for Elections in Crow Wing County at 218-824-1045.

Army Corps Looks at Area Reservoir Lakes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St will host public meetings next month to gather comments on the ROPE study. Reservoirs being evaluated include Cass, Leech, Whitefish Chain and Gull lakes.
The meetings will be held in an open house format with a short presentation followed by opportunities to ask questions and gather comments from those attending. Ideal Corners: Wednesday, Sep. 10, 1-3 p.m., Ideal Town Hall, 35458 Butternut Point Rd., Pequot Lakes Walker: Wednesday, Sep. 10, 6-8 p.m., Rotary Room, Walker Area Community Center, 105 Tower Ave. Aitkin: Thursday, Sep. 11, 1-3 p.m., 40 Club Convention Center, 1 mile west of Aitkin on Highway 210. Nisswa: Thursday, Sep. 11, 6-8 p.m., Nisswa Community Center, 25628 Main St.

CLC Library Named in Honor of Jon Hassler

The Central Lakes College Brainerd campus library will be officially renamed the "Jon Hassler Library" Sunday, Sept. 28, according to CLC President Dr. Larry Lundblad.
The late Jon Hassler, a nationally renowned Minnesota author, was an English and humanities instruction at Brainerd Community College from 1968 to 1980.
Hassler was born in Minneapolis in 1933 and spent 10 years of his childhood in Staples where his father owned a grocery store. Afflicted with a degenerative neuromuscular disease for more than a decade, he died March 20 just 10 days shy of his 75th birthday.
He had a string of novels to his name, many of them examining the intricacies of life in small Minnesota towns.
Prior to teaching at Brainerd Community College, Hassler taught high school English for 10 years, and later at Bemidji State University.
While teaching at BCC, he began his career as a novelist at age 37.
The dedication ceremony and celebration Sept. 28 will begin at 2 p.m. in John Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.

Thursday High School Scores

Girls Volleyball:

• Cass Lake-Bena 3, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 0
• Foley 3, Milaca 0
• Greenway 3, Crosby-Ironton 0
• Laport 3, Northome-Kelliher 0
• Moose Lake-Willow River 3, McGregor 0
• Osakis 3, Royalton 0
• Rocori 3, Little Falls 0
• St. Cloud Tech 3, Brainerd 0
• Wadena-Deer Creek 3, Park Rapids 0
• Menahga 3, Pillager 1
• Henning 3, Verndale 2
• Pierz 3, Kimbal 2

Boys Soccer:

• Brainerd 2, Willmar 1

Obama Leads McCain in Minnesota

A new CNN-Time Magazine poll indicates Barak Obama leading John McCain in Minnesota 53 to 49 percent. David Pundt, Republican Candidate for State House Seat 12 A, is not sure if there will be a "Coattail" effect this year. He told KLKS news, two years ago it was almost a bad thing to have an "R" behind your name.
Pundt says, historically, the party in power does not do well in non-presidential election years. He says the only poll that counts is the one on election day.

The Aitkin Chamber to Get Energy Saving Tips

The Aitkin Chamber of Commerce will be hearing about ways to save electricity, Saturday, from the Partners for Affordable Energy. Executive Director Christina Pierson tells KLKS News, phantom power accounts for about 10% all household electricity. She says that is all the pilot lamps you see glowing at night. She says turning electronics off with a power strip at the end of the day is the best way to save that electricity. The meeting will be held at the Westside Church in Aitkin Saturday morning.

Feds Say Rodriguez Got a Fair Trial

Federal prosecutors say they appeal on behalf of Alphonso Rodriguez Jr. should be denied. The Feds presented a 216 page report to the appeals court. They say any mistakes in his trial were minor and harmless. Rodriguez was convicted of Killing 22-year-old Dru Sjodin of Pequot Lakes, a University of North Dakota student. Defense Attorney Richard Ney says he hasn't seen the document and has no comment.

Burning Restrictions Around the Brainerd Lakes

Open burning restrictions are in place around the Brainerd Lakes Area, according to DNR Public Information Officer Jean Goad. She tells KLKS News, we are down about six inches of rain in Grand Rapids, and Brainerd that has caused drought conditions. Ms. Goad says that while restrictions require permits for open burning, campfires in designated areas and fire rings are still OK.

Republicans Get Ready to Hear from Palin

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be revealing more about herself tonight, according to David Pundt, Republican candidate for State House seat 12 A. He tells KLKS News, Republicans want to know a little more about her convictions. Pundt says her biggest challenge tonight is to avoid making a misstep.

Feds Respond to Rodreguez

Federal prosecutors have their response to an appeal filed on behalf of Alfonso Rodriquez Jr., convicted of killing Dru Sjodin of Pequot Lakes. The 22-year-old University of North Dakota Student was killed in 2003. U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says the response is a 40,000 word report, which he says will remain under wraps until it is released by the Appeals Court. Wriggley says, "What's really on trial now, is the trial."

Girl Dies After Lake Accident On Her Birthday

A 6-year old girl has died, weeks after she was pulled from a central Minnesota lake where she was celebrating her birthday. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office says Jessica Lindsey of Brainerd died Monday at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. She was celebrating her birthday at Whipple Beach park in Baxter on August 24th when she was found face down in Whipple Lake more than 60-feet from shore. She was pulled from the water and quickly transferred to the Minneapolis hospital.

Open Burning Restrictions Around Brainerd

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has burning restrictions in place for Crow Wing and Cass Counties.
Officials are concerned about the wildfire threat due to unusually dry conditions since mid-June.
The Brainerd Lakes Area has received nearly a half inch of rain in the past 24 hours. But, conditions are still described as extremely dry. As a result, the DNR has restrictions in place for open burning. However, they do not restrict campfires on state and private property.
People using barbecues or campfires are urged to be extra careful and never leave a fire unattended.
Many areas of the state have received only half the normal rainfall for this time of year.

The Brainerd League of Women Voters Supports the Clean Water Amendment

The Brainerd Lakes Area League of women voters is coming out in support of passage of The Clean Water, Land and Heritage Amendment, that will be on the ballot on November 4th. There will be a meeting Thursday September 11th at noon in the large meeting room of the Brainerd Public Library to learn more about the amendment and why the league is supporting its passage.
In a recent statement, the League said, wildlife can't vote, lakes can't vote and the arts and history can't vote. The area League has determined that a "yes" vote would be in the public interest.

Minnesota Sheriffs Offer Scholarships

Sheriff Wetzel of Morrision County announces the commencement of the Minnesota Sheriff's Association Scholarship Program for 2008. Wetzel explained that the MSA has established a scholarship fund of nearly $9000.00, for awarding up to 15 $600.00 scholarships for this year. This is possible due to the coordinated efforts of the 87 sheriffs of the State of Minnesota. For more information and application forms, visit www.mnsheriffs.org.

Pequot Theatre To Hold Auditions

The Pequot Lakes Community Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming presentation of "Bye Bye Birdie" on Monday, September 8 and Tuesday, September 9, starting at 7:00pm at the Pequot Lakes School Theatre. Everyone is welcome. Bring music if you have something to sing; otherwise, vocal director Lauren Nickisch will help you demonstrate vocal range and power.

Nisswa Lions Peaches Have Arrived

The peaches have arrived in Nisswa. Jim Dullum of the Nisswa Lions Club tells KLKS News, the peaches arrived a day early (yesterday). He says folks wishing to purchase a case can do so today at the Nisswa Elementary School. He says they will be available until 6 p.m. today, or until gone. The cost is $25 per case, and the proceeds will go toward Lions projects.

A Dry August

K-Lakes Chief Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says August was about normal temperature wise around the Brainerd Lakes, but a little dryer than usual. He says the area was down an inch or two in precipitation. Schumacher says the first 10 days of September should turn cooler than normal. However, he is predicting a warm-up for the second half of the month.