Friday Night High School Football Scores

Bemidji 27, Alexandria 13
Brainerd 33, Moorhead 14
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 35, Wadena-Deer Creek 7
Ely 28, Onamia 6
Frazee 47, Bagley 8
Grand Rapids 8, Duluth Denfeld 6
Hawley 68, Pine River-Backus 0
Isle 80, Laport 8
Lake Park-Audubon 44, Cass Lake-Bena 0
Milaca 49, Melrose 7
Northhome/Kelliher 30, Nevis 13
Ottertail Central 35, New York Mills 13
Park Rapids 14, Roseau 12
Pequot Lakes 19, Crookston 6
Perham 18, East Grand Forks 7
Pine City 27, Braham 8
Rush City 35, Aitkin 6
Verndale 40, Bertha-Hewitt 6
Willmar 40, Little Falls 0

Aitkin Man Disappears

The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, is currently investigating the desappearance of Leroy Keith Boyd, age 67. Boyd is a local resident who lives south of Aitkin and has not been seen since the beginning of June. The Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help. Anyone who has had contact with Boyd in the past few months is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office. Residents are also asked to check any property in the area and look for signs of suspicious activity. Contact the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office at 888-900-2138.

Geritol Frolics Tickets Go On Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the 2008 production of the very popular Geritol Frolics in October. Singing, dancing, and comedy of the performers, all over 55, will be on display at the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd. Evening performances are at 7:00pm on October 16, 18 & 25, with 2:30pm matinee performances on October 17, 19, 24 and 26. Tickets are for reserved seating at $10.00 for regular and $12.00 for premium seats and are available at the Franklin Arts Center Box Office Monday - Friday from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Call 218-825-4993 to reserved tickets. For more information, call 218-825-3777.

Pequot Lakes Community Clean-up Saturday

The 9th Annual Pequot Lakes-Breezy Point Cleanup will be held tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tires, mattresses, appliances, furniture, scrap metal, demolition debris, fluorescent bulbs, computers, and electronics will be accepted at the drop-off point at the Pequot Lakes High School. Molly Ring of the Area Lions says a fee will be charged on a per item basis, but dump bucks will be accepted to help offset the cost. Ms. Ring says hazardous waste will not be accepted. The Salvation Army will also be on hand accepting gently used clothing and household items. For more information, call the Pequot Lakes Breezy Point Lions Club at 218-568-6842. Fees will be charged for items on a per item or load basis. Proceeds benefit the Pequot Lakes/Breezy Point Lions Club, which means that all income will stay to help our community.

Temperatures Should Be Up for Fall

The last of summer, and the first days of autumn look to be warmer than normal, according to K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher. He says weather patterns ought to keep the brunt of the polar weather north into Canada. Schumacher is predicting temperatures could average five to 10 degrees above normal through the first week of October.

Ageless Expo Saturday in Baxter

Over 40 exhibitors will be offering information at the Ageless Expo, Saturday, in Baxter. DeeAnne Barry, of the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, tells KLKS News, there will be some important information available about Alzheimer's Disease. She says there are a lot of misconceptions about the disease.
Barry says anyone over 50, or with elderly family members, should think about attending the event at the at the Forestview Middle School in Baxter, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. KLKS is a co-sponsor of the event.

Brainerd Airport Gets a Federal Grant

A federal grant will help the Brainerd Lake Regional Airport repair and rehabilitate its runway. Congressman Jim Oberstar announced that the airport will receive a grant of $1,087,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration."Brainerd's airport plays an important role in attracting new economic growth to the region. It is important to continue investing in this vital piece of transportation infrastructure," said Oberstar.This is the third grant award the FAA has made to the Brainerd airport this year, bringing the total to $2.8 million. Earlier grants were designated for snow removal equipment, runway and taxiway repair and improvements to the terminal building.

Thursday High School Scores

Girls Volleyball

• Aitkin 3, Rush City 0
• Chisholm 3, Hill City 0
• Crosby-Ironton 3, Cass Lake Bena 0
• Mora 3, Milaca 0
• Nevis 3, Clearbrook-Gonvick 0
• Pine City 3, Isle 0
• Pine River-Backus 3, Pequot Lakes 0
• Royalton 3, Swanville 0
• Sauk Rapids-Rice 3, Brainerd 0
• Thief River Falls 3, Park Rapids 0
• Wadena-Deer Creek 3, Detroit Lakes 0
• Pierz 3, Rockford 1
• Verndale 3, Pillager 0

Tuesday High School Score

Girls Volleyball

• Pine River-Backus 3, Cass Lake-Bena 1.

Traffic Deaths Down In Minnesota

There have been 301 traffic deaths in Minnesota so far this year. That's 14-percent less that this time last year. The number is as of Tuesday. Department of Public Safety officials say seat belt use, patrols, road safety improvements and other factors are contributing to the lower death count. Officials also say the spike in gas prices has led motorists to drive less and at safer speeds. The 2008 deaths include 52 motorcyclists, 17-percent of the total. In 2007, a total of 61 motorcyclist deaths accounted for just 12-percent of the total number of deaths. The deaths in 2008 include 19 pedestrians and 5 bycyclists.

A Dialogue With Steve Razidlo September 23

The Brainerd/Baxter Business Council of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber will host a roundtable discussion with Steve Razidlo, the Brainerd School District's Superintendent on Tuesday, September 23 from 7:30am - 9:00am at the Northland Arboretum. Businesses are invited to attend and listen as Razidlo shares information on the school district and changes in education. There is no charge for the event and coffee will be provided. RSVP is appreciated and can be done online at explorebrainerdlakes.com.

More Closures of Excelsior Road Planned

Excelsior Road from Cypress Drive to Conservation Drive will be closed from 12:00pm - 7:00pm on Monday, September 22 and from 7:00am - 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 23 with intermittent closures the remainder of the week for construction of the Paul Bunyan Trail Bridge. Please observe posted speed limits and truckers are advised the overhead clearance of the bridge is reduced to 14-feet during the entire construction period.

Take a Kid Hunting Weekend

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is having a positive impact on women's involvement in hunting and fishing, according to Mike Kurre, Hunting and Angling Program Coordinator with the DNR. He tells KLKS News her moose and elk hunting trips encourage women to take up the sport. Kurre also wants to promote outdoor opportunities for kids this weekend. He says the U.S. Sportsmens Alliance has a free hands-on experience at Camp Ripley Saturday. It is youth waterfowl hunting day Saturday, adults may assist, but may not shoot. And, it is Take a Kid Hunting Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, where kids may hunt without a license when accompanied by an adult.

Tuesday High School Scores

Girls Volleyball:

• Aitkin 3, Pillager 0.
• Sartell 3, Pierz 0.
• Staples-Motley 3, Crosby-Ironton 0.
• Upsala 3, Royalton 0.
• Wadena-Deer Creek 3, Pelican Rapids 0.
• Willmar 3, Little Falls 0.
• Bemidji 3, Brainerd 1.
• McGregor 3, Two Harbors 1.
• Nashwalk-Keewatin 3, Northland 1.
• Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 3, Clearbrook-Gonvick 1.
• Menahga 3, Verndale 2.
• Park Rapids 3, Pequot Lakes 2.
• Sebeka 3, Pine River Backus 2.

Nisswa Fall Festival

The air in Nisswa, Saturday, will be filled with pumpkin seeds and the smell of barbecued ribs for the annual fall festival. Chamber Executive Director Susan Mezzenga tells KLKS News, the kids pumkin seed spitting contest is a blast as the kids go for distance. She says they have team competition for the "Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge." She says they are still looking for competitive cookers for ribs supplied by Shaefer's Foods. Spectators will be able to sample the ribs in the afternoon.

Crosslake Dog Derby

While we may be in the middle of a resurgent summer, they're thinking sled dog races in Crosslake. Roger Roy is the Chairman of the Crosslake Dog Derby. He tells KLKS News, it is a two day event beginning Saturday, February 28th, at Cross Woods Golf Course. Roy is hoping it will be a little more spectator friendly this year. Last year some nasty winter weather put a chill on the event. He says the dogs can reach speeds of over 20 miles per hour. Also Saturday morning, there will be a collection of antique snowmobiles on display at the Town Square. They are currently seeking volunteers

Blue Thunder Rumbles for the Last Time

It appears the Brainerd Blue Thunder could not weather the storm. The team has announced that ownership of the team has been transferred to the Northwoods League. The club was apparently unable to pay the $29-thousand in league dues. The league will pay what is owed to local business. Director of Operations, Jason Huskey, feels the rainy June and road construction on Mill Avenue sealed their fate. The league has to decide if they will field a team in Brainerd next year when the average attendance never broke 500 per night. The Northwoods League features college players and wooden bats.

Aitkin County Killings Likely Murder-Suicide

It appears the deaths of three, in Aitkin County Saturday morning, were a case of murder-suicide, according to the Sheriff's office. Lawmen say they think 55-year-old John M. Brightman of McGregor shot two others with a .357-caliber hand gun. The other two have been identified as 32-year-old Jaime Gage of Minneapolis and 51-year-old Mark W. Root of McGregor. Witnesses have said there had been an argument the night before. The three bodies were found around a campfire in Shamrock Township.

Monday High School Scores

Girls Volleyball:

• Northland 3, McGregor 0
• Battle Lake 3, New York Mills 1
• Milaca 3, Pine City 1
• Pine River-Backus 3, Laporte 1

Boys Soccer:

• Brainerd 2, Alexandria 1

Shamrock Shooting Victims Identified

Aitkin County authorities have identified the three people found shot to death in Shamrock Township over the weekend. The Sheriff's Office says it appears that 55-year old John M. Brightman of McGregor shot two other people with a .357-caliber pistol then shot himself. The gun was recovered. The two others are identified as 32-year old Jaime Gage of Minneapolis and 51-year old Mark W. Root of McGregor. Witnesses told investigators Brightman and Root had argued the previous evening, and that the argument may have been over Gage. Autopsies showed that all three people died of gunshot wounds. Authorities were called to the a residence about 1:40am on Saturday by a caller who said two people had been shot. When deputies arrived, they found three people dead around a campfire.

Oberstar Pushes for More Funding for Failing Bridges

Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is pushing the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection act to invest in maintenance and reconstruction of infrastructure. He says $65-Billion could be spent on bringing roads and bridges up to standard.
Oberstar says too many bridges are stretched to their design limit.