Parks and Golf Courses in Fargo-Area Take a Hit

(AP) Golf courses and parks in the Fargo-area have taken a monetary hit from the Red River flooding, and officials are working on re-seeding and repairing them. Jim Larson, the park's District Finance Director, estimates about $450k in lost revenue, not including $600k spent on contractors, supplies, and labor. Larson says the Federal Government will cover some of those costs, but he doesn't know, yet, how much. The 4th of July weekend is usually the busiest camping weekend of the year at Lindenwood Park, but less then half of the campsites are useable. Some of the areas will open later this summer.

Plane Crashes Into Lower Hay Lake

On July 3, 2009 at approximately 1:30pm, the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an airplane crash on Lower Hay Lake in Ideal Township. It was determined that the float plane was attempting to land on the lake when it overturned. There were two occupants in the plane, pilot Jeffery Arndt age 47 Maple Plain MN, and passenger Benjamin Kodadek age 31 St. Louis Park. No serious injuries were reported.

The crash is being investigated by the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Ideal Fire Department and North Ambulance.

Franken Marches in 4th of July Parades

Senator-elect Al Franken will be marching in six 4th of July parades Friday and Saturday. Earlier this week the Minnesota Supreme court ruled the Democrat should be awarded an election certificate following many months of recounts and legal challenges. He is expected to take the oath of office Tuesday.

Franken says he regrets being unable to work on the nation's tough economic problems during the interim. He says unemployment on the iron range has put a heavy strain on families in northeastern Minnesota.

4th of July in Pequot Lakes

Pequot Lakes will blossom with 10 to 12 thousand happy 4th of July revelers today and Saturday. Chamber spokesperson Sue Galligan tells KLKS News, Saturday's events begin with a fireman's pancake breakfast at the fire hall. She says the big parade kicks-off at 11 a.m. with some 75 units pleasing the spectators.

Galligan says there will be no parking allowed on the parade route Saturday. There will be ample parking in the High School parking lot on the west side of Highway 371.
Friday has lots of events too, with a carnival on the high school grounds, and food vendors at the trailside park.
The fireworks will be staged at the high school football field at dusk tonight.

Brainerd 4th Of July Celebration

Brainerd-Baxter has two days of 4th of July celebrations, Friday and Saturday. Nancy Cross, Executive Director of Community action, tells KLKS News, they expect about 125 thousand spectators for the parade and fireworks on Saturday.

The Event begins today with a corn feed, Battle of the Bands at Don Adamson football field in Brainerd, and gospel music at Heritage Assembly of God Church.
The American Celebration Parade begins at 4 p.m. Saturday. The fireworks will be at 10:15 p.m. at Adamson field. Reserved parking will be available in the High School parking lot for $20.

Crosby-Ironton 4th of July

Crosby-Ironton comes alive with the sights and sounds of the 4th of July. Saturday begins with a pancake breakfast at the Ironton American Legion beginning at 7 a.m. The big two mile parade kicks off at 11 a.m. from Ironton. Cuyuna Range Chamber Spokesperson Kim Pederson says there will be music in the park following the parade.
There will also be a boat parade, street dance and fireworks at 10 p.m.

The fireworks will be over Serpent Lake.

Brainerd Area 4th of July Events

Aitkin:
July 4th: Independence Day Neighborhood Picnic Celebrations 4 p.m.
Aitkin City Park.

Brainerd-Baxter:
July 4th: Noon - JC's FREE corn on the cob feed at Don Adamson Field.
4pm - Parade
6pm - Entertainment MC & Opening Act
6:30pm - Bil "The King" as Elvis along with his Blues Brother Revue.
10:15pm- World Class Fireworks.

Bay Lake:
July 3rd: Fireworks at dusk, Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge

Breezy Point-Pequot Lakes Stars & Stripes Days:
Friday July 3rd.
Carnival Games by the Football Field:
-Dunk Tank
-Moonwalk
-Money Machine
-Fish Pond
-Duck Grab
-Shoot on the Goalie
-Plinko
-Hammerschlouggen
-Glow Sticks
-Popcorn & Pop
Pony Rides 6-9 p.m.
Fireworks by Zambelli will begin after dusk
Events in the Trailside Park
Food Vendors 6-10 p.m.
Fireman's Rodeo 6:30 p.m.
S.T.A.R.T Band 7:30 p.m.

July 4th:
Pequot Lakes Fire Department Pancake Breakfast (Firehall) 7-11 a.m.
Flea Market 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Trailside Park)
Baby Races 10 a.m. (Trailside Park)
Money in the Haystack 10-11 a.m. (Trailside Park)
Kiddie Parade 10:30 a.m. (Trailside Park)
Stars & Stripes Parade 11 a.m.
Karaoke Contest Registration (Bobber Park & Chamber Bldg) 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Moon Jumps & Pony Rides (Bobber Park) 12 - 4 p.m.
Bed Races 1:45 p.m.
Parent & Child Relay Races 2 p.m. (Trailside Park)
Karoke Contest 1:00pm (Bobber Park)
Flea Market and Food Vendors at the Trailside Park - All Day
The Pequot Lakes Historical Society will also be selling food at the Jack Pine Center.


Crosby:
July 4th: Parade 11 a.m.
Live Music and family fun in Crosby Memorial Park immediately following the parade.
Fireworks over Serpent Lake at dusk. Celebration sponsored by Crosby Fire Department.


Crosslake:
Friday, July 3rd Fireworks from Sand Island.
Best viewing spots from land:
From the bridge by The Wharf Restaurant on County Road 16
The beach at the Army Corps of Engineers Park in downtown Crosslake
From the dam in Crosslake next to the Army Corps of Engineers Park
Or launch your boat and watch them from the water.

Nisswa:
Friday, July 3rd.
Freedom Days Celebration.
1:00 pm: Water Wars,Pine Moon Farm Petting Zoo,Food Vendors.
1:00 pm: Face painting in the Nisswa Square
1:00 - 1:30 pm: Loon Calling Contest.
2:00 - 4:00 pm: Alpheus Ward Project in the Nisswa Square sponsored by Mills
2:30 pm: Outdoor Guitar Hero in the Gazebo.
4:00 - 6:00 pm: Latin Jazz Trio in the Gazebo.
5:00 pm: Kiddie Parade in the Nisswa Square.
5:00 - 8:30 pm: Pulled pork sandwiches, Nisswa American Legion.
7:00 pm: Parade - Main Street.
8:00 pm - Midnight: Nisswa American Legion, 50's, 60's & 70's music.

Outing:
July 4th: Fireworks at dusk at Lushers Park.

Walker:
July 4th: Parade and Kiddie Parade 2 p.m.
Firworks at the city park at dusk.

Lunkers Nip Moon Dogs

With men on second and third and two outs in the seventh, Stephen Wickens pasted a pitch into right field to score two runs and give the Lunkers the win, 4-3 at Franklin Rogers Park.

The Lunkers return home tonight against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. It's Go Green Night at Mills Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM.

New Brainerd Offices for LSS

Lutheran Social Service's financial counseling program and The Counseling Center have moved into new office space at 318 West Laurel Street in Brainerd.

Four other service areas provided by Lutheran Social Service, including Energy Assistance, Youth Services, Housing and Personal Support Services for people with disabilities will remain at 716 E. Street in Brainerd. The new office opening reflects Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota’s desire to better serve the community by expanding services.

Fireworks in Crow Wing County

It's the fourth of July weekend. That means parades, picnics and fireworks...fireworks both legal and illegal.

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl tells KLKS News, they will be busy enforcing the law. He says it can be confusing, but cautions revelers, they will be running on complaints.

Minnesota law allows sparklers and ground effects displays. Anything that launches into the air or explodes is not allowed.

Nisswa Freedon Days

Fourth of July festivities begin on the 3rd of July in Nisswa. Executive Director Teresa Faust tells KLKS News, the fun begins Friday at 1 p.m. with water wars and a petting zoo. The highlight will be the Freedom Days Parade through town at 7 p.m. She says something new this year is strawberries and cream offered by Wallin's berry farm.

Ms. Faust says there will also be music at both Nisswa Square and at the Gazebo next to the Chamber building beginning at 2 p,m.

Hibbing Taconite Delaying Re-Opening

(AP) Hibbing Taconite will not be re-opening until April, 2010, according to the owner. That means their 700 employees will be out of work longer than anticipated. The plant had been shut down in May, and originally planned to be closed for fifteen weeks.

More Black Top for Paul Bunyan Trail

The Paul Bunyan State Trail is now open between Bemidji and Guthrie

Construction on the segment of Trail is complete and the trail is now open to the public.

The trail is now paved for approximately 11.5 miles between the two
communities, primarily along the old Burlington Northern Santa Fe
railroad grade.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will construct the
Guthrie to Walker segment of the trail over the next two years to
provide a continuous paved trail from Bemidji to Brainerd.

Future trail and bridge construction will be required in the southern
part of Bemidji and in Crow Wing State Park to fully complete the Paul
Bunyan State Trail. Once finished, it will extend for approximately 110
miles from Crow Wing State Park south of Brainerd to Lake Bemidji State
Park north of Bemidji.

The Dogs Howl Past the Lunkers

The Mankato MoonDogs put up four runs in the third, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh to take Game One against the Brainerd Lunkers, 7-1 at Franklin Rogers Park.

The Lunkers return to action in the Northwoods League at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato tonight for Game Two against the MoonDogs. First pitch is 7:05 PM.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers host a two-game series against the Thunder Bay Border Cats beginning on Friday July 3. Friday's game is Go Green and Save Green Night where fans will receive "green" giveaways throughout the game and learn energy saving tips to help save "green." Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

Hann's Contemplating a Run

(AP) State Senator, David Hann--a Republican, says that he's considering running for Minnesota Governor in 2010. Hann says he filed the necessary paperwork with State Campaign Finance Regulators yesterday. Hann is joining a pack of candidates--or potential candidates--from both sides of the aisle.

Fishing Without a License

Beginning today. fishing without a license is OK in state parks. You must be a state resident, and either fish from shore or on a lake that is surrounded by state park land.

Jean Goad of the DNR office in Grand Rapids tells KLKS News, it's a way to encourage Minnesotans to wet a line.

Goad says there are a number of state parks in the area. To find out where, she suggests a visit to the DNR website.

The Mille Lacs Band Gets Into Wind Power

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe opens a wind turbine manufacturing plant July 9th in McGregor.

The Mille Lacs Band's new Chi Noodin, or "Big Wind," manufacturing plant will produce components for vertical wind turbines called Windspires. The Windspire is described as a low-cost, ultra-quiet vertical wind turbine made by Mariah Power of Reno for residential and commercial use. The Windspire is unlike traditional wind turbines that feature rotating blades, but instead generates power by spinning on a center pole. The Band's Corporate Commission, which invested in Mariah Power earlier this year, has a three-year contract to assemble Windspire parts at the Chi Noodin facility.

The Band has also installed a Windspire on the Mille Lacs Reservation to study its energy output for potential use with both Band homes and facilities.

Outlaws at BIR

Round 2 of the Outlaw Drag Racing Series will be featured this weekend during the 23rd Annual Show & Go at Brainerd International Raceway.

The Show & Go features some of the best Outlaw drag racing in the Upper Midwest, as well as a classic car show, a spectacular fireworks display, live music by Rockfist and games and activities for the whole family.

The Show & Go will feature Sportsman drag racers. In all, more than 400 cars are expected to compete this weekend. Qualifying is Friday and Saturday, with eliminations on Sunday.

The action continues off the track this weekend. A classic car show gives fans the chance to vote for their favorite car. Saturday night, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display, followed by live music by Rockfist. Activities and games will be available for all ages throughout the weekend.

The Lunkers Silence the Honkers

The Lunkers put together timely hitting, stellar pitching, and shutdown defense to knock off the Rochester Honkers, 6-1 in Game Two of their series at Mills Field Tuesday night.

The Lunkers improve to 15-16 on the year with the win. They head to Mankato to meet the North Division-leading MoonDogs for a two game set at Franklin Rogers Park tonight.

Coleman Concedes

(AP) The court fight that has gone on for eight months is over. Norm Coleman conceded to Al Franken after the Minnesota Supreme Court decided unanimously that the DFL opponent should be certified the winner.

Grand Rapids Swimmers Drowned in Pokegama

(AP) Two swimmers drowned in Pokegama Lake near Grand Rapids over the weekend. The last of the pair was recovered from the northern Minnesota lake Monday night.

Authorities say 30-year-old Nathan Radall Junker was pulled from the water around 6 p.m. yesterday. 63-year-old Albert John Hermiston was found a little later. Both men were from Grand Rapids.

Fishermen reported the incident to authorities about 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Lead-Foot Drivers Beware

Minnesota motorists will face enhanced speed enforcement patrols throughout July. During the last three years, speed was a contributing factor in nearly 400 deaths statewide. According to Minnesota Department of Public Safety, speed contributes to about 150 traffic deaths and 7,000 injuries each year.

A typical 10 mph over the limit speeding ticket can cost an average of about $117. "Speeding motorists are a serious threat to everyone on the road," says Brainerd Police Deputy Chief Corky McQuiston. "When speed increases, so does the chance for a violent crash."

On this project, State Patrol troopers will work with deputies from the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department, and officers from the police departments of Baxter, Brainerd, Breezy Point, Crosby, Crosslake, Cuyuna, Deerwood, Emily, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes.

More than twice as many speed-related fatal crashes occur on rural roads than major urban roads.

Rochester Honks Past the Lunkers

Michael Gedman threw eight strong innings, struck out seven, and only allowed one run in a pitcher's duel that lasted eight innings. It was in the ninth though, that the Rochester Honkers pulled ahead to score the 3-1 victory at Mills Field.

The loss sends the Lunkers to 14-16 on the season. Game Two against Rochester begins tonight at 7:05 PM. The first 300 kids 14 and under receive certificates to Nickelodeon Universe inside the Mall of America as part of Nickelodeon Universe Night.

Booster Seats for Kids

The second new seat belt law in a month goes into effect Wednesday. The new law requires booster seats for kids ages 8 and under and standing less than under 4 feet 9 inches.

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl tells KLKS News, the devices will do a better job protecting kids in an accident. He says regular seat belts don't as well on young people as they do on adults.

Sheriff Dahl says his deputies will be educating the driving public on their use.

Just recently, state law was changed to allow law enforcement to pull over motorists not wearing a seat belts as a primary offense.

Some Oppostion to Energy Pipeline

(AP) The tribal council of the Leech Lake band of Ojibwe has given approval to an energy pipeline. However, there are members who don't agree.

The oil would come from tar sands in Canada. The dissidents say the oil is among the dirtiest in the world and would damage the environment for the native tribes in Canada.

The project has won approval from not only the Leech Lake Tribal Council, but also the Fond Du Lac Tribal Council.

Efforts to Protect Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake Property Owners Association and the Minnesota Elks are partnering to restore the border shoreline of the Minnesota Elks Camp. The restoration will compliment the existing natural landscape of the camp and serve as an important demonstration site on the lake.

The sugar sand beaches are a recreational attraction on the shores Pelican Lake, a premier Minnesota vacation spot.

Many of the lake residents till or otherwise maintain a sandy shoreline up to a manicured lawn. The lake association has actively promoted shoreline restoration with limited success to the homeowners on the lake. The Elks Camp site will provide a very visible example of a quality shoreline restoration project and demonstrate how native plants can create a nice buffer around a sandy beach area and protect water quality.

The Lunkers Swallow a Duck

In their five previous chances, the Lunkers fell short of winning in Wisconsin. That all changed Sunday with their 7-4 victory over the Madison Mallards at Warner Park.

The Lunkers return home tonight against the Rochester Honkers. First pitch is 7:05 PM and the first 300 kids 14 and under receive a Lunkers pennant as part of Lunkers Pennant Night at Mills Field.