Friday Night Sports Scores

Boys High School Basketball
Aitkin 71, Hinckley-Finlayson 64 OT
Cass Lake-Bena 89, Blackduck 52
Crosby-Ironton 64, Detroit Lakes 54
Cromwell 64, Silver Bay 26
Crosby-Ironton 64, Detroit Lakes 54
Deer River 74, Hill City 47
Parl (Cottage Grove) 65, Bimidji 60
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 60, Perham 49
Sauk Rapids-Rice 58, Brainerd 57
St. Cloud Apollo 67, Little Falls 60
Staples-Motley 66, Park Rapids 51
Upsala 58, Onamia 24
Wadena-Deer Creek 81, Pillager 30

Girls High School Basketball
Bertha-Hewitt 42, Henning 19
Deer River 65, Aitkin 62
Grand Rapids 52, North St. Paul 43
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 69, Mora 48
Nevis 68, Northome/Kelliher 33
New Long-Spicer 66, Milaca 19
New York Mills 70, Verndale 43
Pine River-Backus 47, Blackduck 38
Staples-Motley 69, Cass Lake-Bena 50
Zimmerman 64, Pierz 43

High School Wrestling
Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 45, New York Mills 26
Brainerd/Pillager Tournament
Foley, 122.5
Bold/Buffalo Lake-Hector, 63.5
Little Falls, 52
Frazee, 50.5
Brainerd/Pillager, 48
Pierz, 44
Becker, 36
Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus, 35
Burnsville, 32
Royalton/Upsala, 30
Grand Rapids, 30
Bemidji, 22.5
Osakis, 15

Milaca Triangular
Aitkin 46, Milaca/Faith Christian 26
Cloquet-Esko 45, Aitkin 18
Milaca/Faith Christian 69, Cloquet-Esko 7

Boys Hockey
Detroit Lakes/Perham 4, St. Paul Saints 2
Little Falls 4, Alexandria 3
St. Paul Como Cougars 5, Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis 3

Girls Hockey
North Wright County 8, Cambridge-Isanti/Mora/Pine City 2
Robbinsdale Armstrong 4, Brainerd/Little Falls 1

NBA
San Antonio Spurs 98, Minnesota Timberwolves 86

Driveway Snow Not Allowed in Streets

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds everyone, including commercial snow removal operators, that it is
against state law to deposit snow onto a public roadway. Doing so can create a slippery area, frozen rut, or bump that could contribute to vehicle or pedestrian accidents.
Minnesota state law and many local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots onto public roadways. This includes ditches, roadsides and boulevards. Violations are misdemeanors and liability can extend to both the property owner and the person or company who placed the snow improperly.
When a snowplow comes along after driveways are cleared, Mn/DOT suggests placing as much snow as possible from the end of the driveway downstream in the direction of traffic and clear an area upstream from the driveway to create an open "pocket."
Much of the snow pushed by the plow truck will empty into this pocket and less will wind up in the driveway entrance. The pocket needs to be maintained to be effective throughout the winter.

Downtown Brainerd Street Reconstruction Almost Done

The community is invited to the third and final Open House for the 2009 Downtown Street Reconstruction project, including work on the sanitary sewer, storm sewer, possible fire lines, streets, sidewalks, and street furniture. A 90% complete design of the streets and sidewalks will be presented at this Open House on Tuesday, December 16 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 424 S 8th Street, Brainerd.

90% Complete means that the proposed placement of items such as trees, benches, and trash receptacles will be shown, but with some room for final adjustments.

The next step after this Open House is for the City Council to review the final design and give approval so an advertisement of bids can occur. After advertisement, the consultants are hoping to open bids about February 2009. Construction on this exciting project is expected to start in Spring 2009.

Please R.S.V.P. by December 15 to Emily Roragen, Brainerd Lakes Chamber Main Street Coordinator, at (218) 822-7126 or eroragen@explorebrainerdlakes.com so that an appropriate amount of refreshments may be provided.

Pequot Mayor says LGA Cuts Would Hurt

Pequot Lakes Mayor Kathy Malecha says Local Government Aid from the state is very important to their budget. The LGA is on the chopping block as Minnesota comes to grips with huge revenue shortfalls this biennium and next.
Mayor Malecha says $109 thousand of the $1.4-million budget comes from the state. She tells KLKS News, they do not want to raise taxes to balance the budget during these difficult economic times.
Mayor Malecha suggests that if their LGA is cut, then city projects would be postponed.

Opposition to the Cap and Trade Policy

A coalition of electric utilities, iron mining, the print industry and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce are asking the legislature to put a cap on its "Cap and Trade" policy. That policy would require industry to limit the amount of carbon dioxide they emit. Christina Pierson, Executive Director of Partners for Affordable Energy, tells KLKS News, there would be little environmental benefit with tremendous cost. She fears the result would be a 33 percent increase in electricity prices by 2015, a 17 percent increase in residential electricity bills and a loss of 21,000 jobs.
Pierson says they are encouraging an international approach with more investment into renewable energy and use of more efficient lighting.

A Strong Winter Storm is Heading for Minnesota

Weathermen are getting ready for what could be a major late fall storm this weekend. A storm system could produce blizzard conditions from eastern South Dakota to northwest Minnesota Saturday and Sunday. K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says we could see three to six inches of snow around the Brainerd Lakes Sunday, followed by falling temperatures and strong winds that could cause blowing and drifting of the new snow.

Citizen League Charts Property Tax Rates

Crosslake saw the largest property tax increase in the Brainerd Lakes Area, from 2007 to 2008. The average home in Crosslake, valued at $406 thousand, experienced an increase of $140, according to the Minnesota Citizens League. On the other end, homeowners in Baxter saw a decrease of $76 on the average property there, valued at $198 thousand. The average home in Brainerd is valued at $122 thousand, and saw a reduction of three dollars from 2007 to 2008.

DNR Readies for Annual Bird Count

Birders are getting excited about the annual DNR Christmas Bird counts. Non Game Specialist Pam Perry, says birders will be assigned a section in the count area. She says it is important activity needed to determine bird populations. Perry says the count will be held in Crosby December 20th; McGregor, December 27th and Pillager, New Year's Day. For more information call: (218) 833-8728.

Suggestions for an Affordable Christmas

The founder of Mommy Saves.com says a good Christmas doesn't have to be an expensive Christmas. Kim Danger tells KLKS News, she goes to a local meat market in her town to create a food basket for relatives. She thinks people are being more practical this year.
Ms. Danger also suggests shoppers leave their credit cards at home. She says people tend to spend more with plastic than with cash.

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Wrestling:

• Frazee 48, Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale 21.
• Perham 58, Wadena-Deer Creek 15.
• Pierz 55, Crosby Ironton 6.
• Browerville/Eagle Valley 43, Royalton Upsala 21.
• Royalaton/Upsala 51, Osakis 28.

Boys Hockey:

• Alexandria 2, Brainerd/Pierz/Pillager 0.
• Little Falls 5, St. Cloud Cathedral 4.
• Northern Lakes 12, Walker-Hackensack-Akely/Cass Lake-Bena 0.
• Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis 5, Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin 2.

Girls Hockey:

• Brainerd/Little Falls 5, Alexandria 1.
• Morris/Benson 10, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Wadena-Deer Creek 4.
• Thief River Falls 7, Park Rapids/Menahga/Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 1.

Boys Basketball:

• Alexandria 61, Brainerd 44.
• Blackduck 85, Laporte 38.
• Cromwell 68, Hill City 46.
• Parkers Prairie 74, Verndale 57.
• Pequot Lakes 83, Deer River 50.
• Peirz 76, Little Falls 67, (OT).
• Pine City 50, Aitkin 49.
• Wadena-Deer Creek 66, Pine River-Backus 52.

Girls Basketball:

• Deer River 77, Northland 57.
• Henning 35, Verndale 24.
• Moorhead 53, Brainerd 42.
• Pequot Lakes 65, Park Rapids 42.
• Royalton 58, Swanville 27.
• Sebeka 74, Pillager 33.
• Staples-Motley 65, Crosby-Ironton 54.
• Wadena-Deer Creek 60, Menahga 37.

Osakis Man Killed In Auto Accident

A 34-Year-old Osakis man was killed in a one vehicle accident in Todd County early Sunday morning. He has been identified as Shannen Darwin Maus. The Sheriff's office says it appears he lost control of his car on County Road 4, one mile west of County Road 11 in Todd County, striking a tree and catching fire.

Whooping Cough Showing Up In Brainerd Area Schools

Sporadic cases of whooping cough are showing up at Brainerd area schools. Crow Wing County Public Nurse Manager, Joyce Mueller, is concerned, because Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, shows a spike every three to five years, and it has been four years since the last spike. She says it is not just a disease for children. Adults often don't treat the disease, but can pass it along to family members. Mueller says whooping cough can keep children out of school for up to three months. She is recommending inoculations for the kids, and tetanus booster shots for adults who haven't had one in the last 5 years, as a good way to avoid it.

A Good Attitude in Difficult Times

Rick Cole, a Brainerd area Dale Carnegie Trainer, says attitude can go a long way in over-coming uncertain economic times. He tells KLKS News, the times are only as challenging as we want to make them. Cole is encouraged by the strong showing at retail centers since black Friday. He recently spoke to Brainerd and Nisswa chamber members on the topic of "Survive or thrive: How to position your business for success.

Governor Touts His Highway Improvement

A project to reconstruction Highway 371 north of Little Falls and another to widen Highway 34 through Park Rapids were projects completed with more than $900 million in transportation funds authorized by the Governor in 2003. Through this funding, the Minnesota Department of Transportation accelerated 19 major highway capital improvement, safety and preservation projects statewide over 65 years ahead of schedule.
Governor Tim Pawlenty says his administration invested more in transportation in Minnesota than any other administration in the state’s history.
$12.9 million was spent to widen Highway 34 to five lanes through Park Rapids.
$20.5 million was spent to reconstruct Highway 371 north of Little Falls to a four-lane road surface. It was completed in 2005, and improved mobility on one of the fastest growing highways in the state.
The 2003 transportation bill authorized the sale of $400 million in highway bonds, which allowed the state to access $425 million in federal funds.

Buy Minnesota for Christmas

With the economy in mind, Minnesota holiday shoppers are being urged to show preference for gifts grown or made close to home. It's good for main street and cuts energy and transportation costs.
Doug Peterson, president, Minnesota Farmers Union says there are good gift choices at local grocery stores, suggesting Minnesota-grown cheeses and walnuts. Also, there are vegetables and winter squash. Peterson says there is a tremendous apple industry. And, there a budding industry of Minnesota-grown wines.
Peterson adds, another way to do the holiday season Minnesota-style, is to buy a state-grown tree.

G-Man to Address Rosenmeier

National security will be the topic when FBI Special Agent Paul A. McCabe addresses the Rosenmeier Forum Dec. 18th, at the Dryden Theatre on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College.
McCabe, who is currently the supervisor of FBI operation in greater Minnesota, has more than 22 years of experience with the agency. He is based in the Minneapolis regional office.
McCabe has supervised a cyber crimes squad, counter-intelligence squad and a joint terrorism task force squad. In addition, he has been a spokesman for the Minneapolis Division of the FBI from 1999 to 2008, serving most recently as media relations director.

Monday Night High School Scores

Girls Basketball

• Clearbrook-Gonvick 75, Nevis 58.

Protect Your Fish House

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl reminds residents to watch out and report any suspicious activities around fish houses on our area lakes. Each year the department receives numerous complaints of fish house break-ins and thefts. Dahl recommends you mark and photograph your property for later identification, take valuable items with you when you leave, secure other property to the floor or walls so it can not be removed, install battery or solar powered motion lights to deter thieves, For more information on how you can protect your property, check with local law enforcement and above all, call 9-1-1 to report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement.

Truck Weight Limits Imposed by MnDot

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Legal truck weight limits are in effect starting today, Dec. 8, in the north-central frost zone, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced.
Legal weight increases will be allowed in the central frost zone starting at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 10.
Winter load limits are also in effect in the north frost zone.
North-central zone
The north-central zone extends north from the northern limit of the central zone (Hwy 10, Hwy 210, Hwy18, Interstate 35 and Hwy 48) to a line following and including Hwy 1 at the North Dakota state line east to Hwy 89; Hwy 89 south to Hwy 2; Hwy 2 east to Hwy 33; Hwy 33 south through Cloquet to Interstate 35; I-35 north to the Carlton/St. Louis County line and continuing south to the Wisconsin state line.
Central zone
The central zone extends north from Hwy 12 to a line following Hwy 10 from the North Dakota state line east to Staples; Hwy 210 east to Brainerd, then Hwy 18 east to Interstate 35; I-35 south to Hwy 48, and Hwy 48 east to the Wisconsin state line.
State law allows a 10 percent weight increase on all state highways and unrestricted, nine-ton capacity county roads in the designated zones. However, trucks must comply with current registration weight laws and may not exceeded gross weight limits.
Gross vehicle weight is capped at 80,000 pounds on nine-ton township and city routes.
A winter weight load increase permit is required for truckers operating on interstate routes.
Mn/DOT advises that haulers check with local agencies (e.g., tribal, county, city and township officials) before carrying increased loads on their roads.

Backus Bust Nets Two

A Backus man and woman were arrested Thursday morning after law enforcement executed a search warrant at a rural Backus residence at approximately 10:45 AM. The two were arrested for possession of methamphetamine. The Cass County Shieriff identifies the pair as 40-year-old Stephanie Johnson, and 20-year-old Kevin Engelke, age 20, of Backus. The arrests were a result of an ongoing investigation by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Both have been criminally charged with one count of 5th Degree controlled substance crime and are being held on $20,000.00 bail.

Nisswa Woman Dies in Auto Accident

A 41-year-old Nisswa woman died in a single vehicle crash on County Road 77 Thursday night, December 4th. The Cass County Sheriff's office says her vehicle left the road near the junction of Maple Drive and over-turned around 9 p.m. She has been identified as Julia B. Evanson, and was believed to have been the driver, and sole occupant of the car.

Wood Burners Causing Fires Around Brainerd

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says there have been too many house fires recently. He tells KLKS News, the increase is due to homeowners "sparking-up" their wood burners and fireplaces. Sheriff Dahl says it is important to be proactive in checking the build-up of creosote in the chimney and replacing batteries in the smoke detectors.

Still No Winner in the U.S. Senate Race

All the ballots have been recounted in the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Norm Coleman and DFL challenger Al Franken. Now, The State Canvassing Board begins the process of reviewing the contested ballots. Political Reporter Paul Demko of the Minnesota Independent, says it is unlikely that the end of that process will generate a clear winner. He says it will likely go to either federal or state court. Senator Coleman's slim lead increased following the recount. However, a Frankin aide says, in their estimation, their guy holds a razor thin lean from the disputed ballots they have reviewed.

Fobbe Takes the Oath

State Senator Lisa Fobbe, DFL, Zimmerman, is one of two new members elected to the Minnesota Senate who took part in a swearing in ceremony. Fobbe was the winner of a special election held to replace Betsy Wergin who left the Senate to serve on the Public Utilities Commission.
The Legislature will convene for session on January 6, 2009.