Triple Expresso Comes To CLC

Comedy fans can get another shot of "Triple Expresso." The highly caffeinated comedy returns to its former Minneapolis stage for a limited holiday run. After a 12-year run and more than 3-thousand performances, "Triple Expresso" closed its Minneapolis production last April. But due to popular demand, the show will return to the Music Box Theatre on November 7. The show also plans a tour or Minnesota this month with stops in St. Cloud, Duluth and at Central Lakes College in Brainerd on September 24 & 25th. The play features three hapless performers reuniting 25 years after a gig gone wrong.

Paul Bunyan Trail Continues Construction

The State Department of Natural Resources says construction of the Bemidji to Guthrie segment of the Paul Bunyan Trail started Monday. Anderson Brothers Construction of Brainerd has been contracted for the project. The trail will be paved for nearly 12 miles between the two communities, primarily along the old Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad grade. The anticipated completion date is November 1. The DNR plans to pave the Guthrie to Walker segment in 2009, which will provide a continuous trail from Bemidji to Brainerd. Future work will be required in the southern part of Bemidji and in the Crow Wing State Park to complete the trail. In the end, it will exten for aboutr 110 miles from Crow Wing State Park, South of Brainerd to Lake Bemidji State Park, North of Bemidji.

Friday Night High School Football

Albany 40, Mora 6
Barnesville/Rothsay 46, Blackduck 6
Bertha-Hewitt 18, Underwood 16
Brainerd 40, Willmar 0
Detroit Lakes 48, Grand Rapids 0
East Central 46, Onamia 0
Foley 34, Milaca 22
Fosston 42, Cass Lake-Bena 0
Hawley 54, Frazee 8
Hill City 40, Nevis 33
Hinckley-Finlayson 13, Braham 12
Pelican Rapids 40, Staples-Motley 0
Pequot Lakes 31, East Grand Forks 0
Perham 15, Crookston 0
Royalton 47, Pillager 6
Thief River Falls 14, Park Rapids 13
Verndale 56, Ashby 12
Deer River 29, Aitkin 6
Eden Valley-Watkins 41, Pierz 13
Kerkoven-Murdock-Sundburg 41, New York Mills 6
McGregor 44, Northome/Kelliher 8
St. Cloud Tech 38, Bemidji 20
Greenway 31, Crosby-Ironton 6
Moorhead 33, Little Falls 0
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 17, Pine River-Backus 14 OT
Wrenshall 36, Isle 34 OT

Red Cross Holds Blood Drives

The American Red Cross will hold blood drives on September 18 from 8:00am - 2:00pm at the Camp Ripley Armory off of Highway 371 North of Little Falls and on September 19 from 9:00am - 2:00pm at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. To make an appointment or more information, call 800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org.

Habitat Dinner & Auction Planned

Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity will hold its 11th Annual Dinner & Auction on Thursday, October 23 at Breezy Point Resort. Social Hour at 6:00pm with Dinner at 7:30pm. Cost is $60.00 per person with $35.00 tax deductible. For tickets call 218-828-8517. LAHFH has completed 64 homes in the Cass, Crow Wing and Hubbard Counties. The goal for 2008 is to complete at least 8 homes.

Crow Wing County to Cut 26 Full-Time Jobs

The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners is proposing a nearly three percent increase in the levy. The 2009 proposed budget is over $35-million. While the levy is going up, the number of county employees will be going down. The board is calling for the elimination of 26 full time jobs, 10 of which will be involuntary, and will take place immediately. County Board Chair Rachel Reabe Nystrum said, with reduced revenues and increased expenses, they had to make major cuts. Rising energy and road construction costs, combined with a decrease in building permit revenue, triggered the cuts.

Jason's Casual Dining in Little Falls Lost to Fire

Little Falls lost a restaurant to fire this morning. Jason's Casual Dining on Haven Road was a total loss. The Little Falls Fire Department received the call Just before 4:00 a.m.
By they time fire fighters arrived, flames were coming through the roof of the complex. There were no injuries as a result of the fire.

The Little Falls Fire Department remained on scene for approximately 7 hours and was assisted by the Royalton and Flensburg Fire Departments.

The incident is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshall and Morrison County Sheriff's Office.

Look for School Patrol Crossings

The second full week of school is coming to a close. Sergent Curt Mowers of the Brainerd office of the State Patrol, says they want to remind motorists to use caution and watch for school patrols. He says when the school patrol holds the flag at a 45 degree angle, motorists must come to a complete stop. When the flag is in the raised position, motorists should be prepared to stop. Sergent Mowers says there hasn't been a fatality at a school patrol crossing since the program was begun in 1920.

The Small Game Season Opens in Crow Wing County

The small game season opens this weekend. Gary Drotts, Area Wildlife Supervisor, says grouse numbers are the same this year as last, even though we are supposed to be on the upswing now. He tells KLKS News, there are always good pockets of birds. He says the best bird hunting is found in the Pine River, Backus and Remer areas.
Also, this weekend, the archery season begins for white tail deer. Drotts says there could be a lot of hunters in the woods, and is urging hunters be aware of where they are shooting before they pull the trigger.

Thursday High School Scores

Volleyball:

• Aitkin 3, Pequot Lakes 0.
• Alexandria 3, Little Falls 0.
• Browerville 3, Royalton 0.
• Esko 3, McGregor 0.
• Pierz 3, Eden Valley Watkins 0.
• Pine River-Backus 3, Northome-Kelliher 0.
• Sebeka 3, Pillager 0.
• Staples-Motley3, Menahga 0.
• Wadena-Deer Creek 3, Crosby Ironton 0.
• Detroit Lakes 3, Park Rapids 1.
• New York Mills 3, Verndale 1.
• Sartell 3, Brainerd 1.

Filings Completed for Area Councils and School Board

Come January, Pequot Lakes will have a new Mayor. It will be Nancy Adams, David Kennedy or Jack Schmidt, the three who filed for the office. Cathy Malecha has filed for one of two four year council seats along with incumbents Jim Oraskovich and Cheri Seils and challengers Mary Pfeiffer and Tom Ryan. Jerry Akerson and Craig Nagel are vying for one two year seat.

JoAnn Weaver is seeking reelection as Mayor of Breezy Point. She is being challenged by Doug Rach who lost to her last go around. Three are seeking two four year council seats: Gary Bakken, Tom Nelson and Otto Schmid.

Brian Lehman has no challengers for Mayor of Nisswa. Bob Draving, Tina Foster, Gary Johnson and former Mayor Harold Kraus will try for two four year council seats.

All incumbents will serve another term in Crosslake and Lake Shore, as no challengers stepped forward.

The Pequot Lakes School Board will look different next year. Jean Kraft and David Kennedy have opted not to seek reelection. Five have filed for four four year term seats: Kim Bolz-Andolshek, Mike Erholz, Curt Johnson, Dan Heggerston and Mark Liedl. Three have filed for two two year term seats: Mike Clasen, Valarie Wallin and Christina Woods.

Bear Hunting Success, Not So Good

The bear harvest is down this hunting season, according to Area Wildlife Supervisor Gary Drotts of the DNR. He tells KLKS News, the unusually hot and dry weather the first week of the season slowed the hunt. Drotts, does not expect the success rate to improve. He says they usually take about 150 bears a year, and about two thirds are taken in the first week. This year, only 34 were harvested.

Northland Arboretum Hosts Fund Raiser

Dale Brady, Executive Director of the Northland Arboretum told K-Lakes' News about their 3rd Annual "Blind" Wine Tasting event coming up this Friday evening, September 12th, at the Arboretum on Conservation Drive in Brainerd. He mentioned that the event will be held from 6-9pm, and includes an opportunity to compete against the experts, with winners receiving a chance at valuable prizes. There'll be hearty hors d'oeuvres and ballroom dancing demonstrations. Advanced tickets cost $35., and are available by calling 218-829-8770--$40. at the door. For more information, go to arb.brainerd.com.

Area Republicans Meet

Crow Wing County Republicans for McDain-Palin will meet September 16th at the Brainerd Public Library. Area candidates will be there along with Sportsmen for McCain. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Trusty and Ball Will Battle for District One

The stage has been set for the Crow Wing County District One Commissioner's race. Phil "P.J." Trusty will face Frank Ball to replace the retiring Dewey Tautges. Trusty, was the top vote getter with 574. Ball was the other finalist, out of the field of four, with 288. Trusty is a Fort Ripley Township Supervisor, and range mechanic at Camp Ripley. Ball is a former Crow Wing County Sheriff.

Tuesday High School Scores

Girls Volleyball:

• Carlton 3, McGregor 0
• Blackduck vs. Laporte PPD to Sept 10.
• Cass Lake-Bena vs. Pine River-Backus PPD to Sept 10.

BIR Celebrates 40 Years

Brainerd International Raceway will be celebrating its 40 anniversary this weekend. General Manager Scott Quick tells KLKS News, they will also have a ribbon-cutting for the revamped two and half mile road course. He says there will be racing, tours of the track, and food. Quick says there will be a pig roast Friday night and a banquet Saturday, featuring TV announcer Chris Economaki and legendary racer Bobby Unser.

Healthy Lakes Forum In Walker

State Senator Mary Olson expects a number of her colleagues to attend a regional "Healthy Lakes" legislative forum Tomorrow, at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker . The event will feature an hour of presentation by volunteers and watershed representatives, an hour for responses and questions from the legislators, and a reception where the public to will be able to provide informal input to the legislators. Senator Olson , a Bemidji DFL-er, will moderate the event.
The event was organized by area lake and watershed volunteers, headed by Pine River Watershed Alliance Chair Ron Meyer, is being hosted by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and is co-sponsored by the non-profit group Minnesota Waters. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the forum which runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Monday High School Scores

Volleyball:

• Onamia 3, Aitkin 0
• Pillager 3, Swanville 0
• Sebeka 3, Staples-Mostley 1
• St. Cloud Apollo 3, Brainerd 1
• Wadena-Deer Creek 3, Brekenridge 1
• Nevis 3, Verdale 1
• Pine River-Backus 3, Crosby-Ironton 2
• Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 3, Northland 2

Boys Soccer:

• Brainerd 1, Fergus Falls 1

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month according to Kerry Swenson, Cass County Emergency Management. NPM is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's READY Campaign. September 2008 is the 5th annual National Preparedness Month and this year's focus is on important preparedness steps we should all be taking including: Getting and Emergency Supply Kit, Make A Family Emergency Plan and Being Informed. If you need assistance in developing such a plan visit www.ready.gov or www.hsem.state.mn.us or contact the Cass County Office at 218-547-7437.

Teen Challenge Grand Opening

Minnesota Teen Challenge invites you to the Grand Opening as they celebrate the opening of their new men's facility on September 20. Take a tour of the building, meet the Minnesota Teen Challenge Staff and residents, find our more about the program and how they are positively affecting Central Minnesota. The event will be held from 1:00pm - 4:00pm with a ribbon cutting at 2:00pm at their location at 2424 Business 371 in Brainerd. For more information, call 218-833-8777.

District One Primary Tuesday

Voters living in southern Crow Wing County have a primary election Tuesday. Four will be battling for District One County Commissioner. They are: former Sheriff and Police Chief Frank Ball, Sawmill Inn owner Al Gmeinder, Township Supervisor Denny Schmidt and Phillip "P.J." Trusty.

Hunter Accidentally Shot Near Brainerd

A hunter was accidental shot in the leg south of Brainerd on Saturday, according to Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl. He tells KLKS News, a young man was plinking with a 22 caliber rifle, when the hunter was struck. The Sheriff says it was an accident and the hunter will recover. Dahl wants remind shooters that there are lots of folks in the woods with the hunting seasons now, and care is required.