Marty Seifert in Brainerd

State Representative Marty Seifert has brought his campaign for governor to the Brainerd Lakes Area today. The former House Minority Leader from Marshall is making several media stops today, followed by a picnic of hot dogs and chips at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd this afternoon.

The last legislative session ended with train wreck as Governor Pawlenty vetoed the legislative approved budget package. The DFL controlled legislature wanted to raise taxes as one means to balance a budget, short of money from the recession. The Governor chose to cut spending.

Seifert says he wants to grow Minnesota business, thus providing the revenues needed for state programs

Seifert tells KLKS News, "Common Sense" is his campaign theme.

Geocaching in Crosslake Saturday

The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway will come alive with "Geo Hunters" Saturday. Kathy Moore of the Scenic Byway Committee tells KLKS News, they will be Geocaching, a sport in which GPS devices are used to locate a container. The container will hold a card which will be exchanged for a wooden nickel at a community picnic Saturday afternoon.

Moore says they expect several hundred participants for the event, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Crosslake Community Center. The picnic will be held at the at the community center at 4 p.m.

Brainerd Pilot Escapes Harrowing Experience

A 59-year-old Brainerd pilot had some anxious moments Thursday night. Rory Fredstrom says his Piper P-18 lost power just moments after taking off from the Brainerd Regional Airport just before 8 p.m. last night.

Fredstrom put down in a rice paddy on the Mississippi River near Greens Bar, off of Sorenson Lake Road in Center township.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's office says the pilot of the light plane was assisted to shore by several fishermen who were in the area at the time.

Fredstrom was uninjured.

Todd Co Teens Hurt in ATV Accident

A pair of Todd County teenagers were injured in an ATV accident Thursday afternoon. 14-year-old Nicole Lebrun of Osakis lost control of the vehicle just before 2 p.m. on County Road 57. The machine slid off the roadway and overturned. Lebrun and her passenger, 16-year-old Abby Lebrun of Clarks Grove, were taken to Douglas County Hospital.

No Luau for Hecker

(AP) While former auto mogul Denny Hecker tries to vacation in Hawaii with his family, the FBI is raiding his home office in St. Louis Park. Hecker's attorney received a call from the Feds informing him of three search warrants.

The government is looking for evidence of bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

The attorney for Hecker says Hecker has done nothing wrong and is cooperating with investigators.

Hecker filed for bankruptcy following the failure of his business. He reportedly owes creditors $767 million. He has not been charged with a crime and denies any wrongdoing.

Battle Creek Bomb the Lunkers

The Battle Creek Bombers drew four walks, got one hit, and scored three runs against starter Brad Mergen in less than an inning to pick up the 6-0 victory over the Brainerd Lunkers in front of 598 home fans at Mills Field.

The Lunkers fall to 27-30 overall and 11-13 in the second half with the loss. They head to Mayo Field to square off against the North Division-leading Rochester Honkers for a three-game series. Game One of the doubleheader tonight night starts at 6:05 PM while Game Two will begin shortly after.

Texting Illegal in Minnesota

A recent national survey found that truck drivers who text message while behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to have an accident than attentive drivers.

Sergent Curt Mowers of the Brainerd Office of the State Patrol tells KLKS News, texting while driving is a particular problem with young people. However, he says it is illegal for anyone driving in Minnesota.

Mowers says traffic fatalities are up in Minnesota for Motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Oaks Suffer from Recent Dry Spell

The dry spring has put red oak trees under stress around the Brainerd Lakes Area, according to Len Nelson of the Deblen Service Company of Pequot Lakes. He says pockets of oaks have died along West Shore Drive in Crosslake, on the West side of Gull Lake and along the Mississippi River around Brainerd.

Nelson tells KLKS News, the dry conditions have made the trees vulnerable to the Two Line Chestnut Borer.

He says a mature oak can consume 100 gallons of water a day.

Deblen Service Company is hosting a seminar on tree care, 7 p,.m. Monday, August 3rd, at the Cole Memorial Building in Pequot Lakes.

Nisswa Woman Wins a Lottery Prize

Bonnie Kuzyk of Nisswa has a little more pocket jingle. She was $10 thousand in the Minnesota Lottery Powerball game. She claimed her prize on July 10th. The ticket was purchased at a Brainerd convenience store.

Bemidji Anti-Pipeline Protest

As promised, protesters made their presence and opinions known in Bemidji Wednesday.

A group of dissidents on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation gathered along Highway 197 in Bemidji to express their opposition to an oil pipeline proposed to connect Alberta, Canada with Superior Wisconsin via northern Minnesota. They have been mounting a petition drive against it, fearing contamination of wetlands from pipeline leaks.

The Leech Lake Tribal Council has already approved the plan, and says it will accept $10 million in exchange for needed permits and leases.

Lunkers Outlast Bombers

With the rain falling in the bottom of the 12th inning, David Valesente lambasted his biggest hit of the year to the leftfield wall to bring home pinch-runner Brian Garman to give the Brainerd Lunkers of the Northwoods League a 5-4 victory over the Battle Creek Bombers at Mills Field in Brainerd.

The Lunkers improve to 27-29 overall and 11-12 in the second half, and remain alive in the North Division playoff race. They meet the Bombers in Game Two tonight at Mills Field and kids will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with Spiderman as part of Marvel Comic Character Spiderman Night. First pitch is 7:05 PM.

Search Continues For Missing Man

(A) - Searchers continue looking for an 82-year old rural Staples man who missed a family wedding.

Peter Achermann has been missing since Friday. He was supposed to attend the wedding on Saturday.

Achermann's car was found Saturday evening stuck in a dirt trail mudhole northeast of Staples. Cass County Sheriff, Randy Fisher, says there was no sign of Achermann.

Achermann is white, about 5'9", 175 pounds with a gray beard and generally walks with a cane.

Authorities are continuing an air and ground search. Volunteers and family members also are searching for the man.

Sluss Will Run Again for State Senate

Terry Sluss, says he will seek the District 12 State Senate representing portions of Crow Wing and Morrison Counties.

The seat is currently held by Republican Paul Koering, who is exploring a run for Governor.

Sluss, a former Crow Wing County Commissioner says he can no longer tolerate the state of the economy, local unemployment, the lack of commitment toward education, serious reductions in local government aide resulting in likely future property tax increases, and deteriorating health care for both children and vulnerable adults.

Sluss ran an unsuccessful campaign against Koering in 2006. Koering says if he receives a lack of support for Governor, he will run for reelection to the State Senate.

A Bemidji Protest Over a Pipeline

(AP) State Highway 197 through Bemidji will be the site of a protest today.

A grassroots group from the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is mounting a petition drive to oppose an oil pipleline that would cut through northern Minnesota. The pipeline planned by Enbridge Energy would run a line from Alberta, Canada to Superior, Wisconsin.

Opponents fear leaks which would harm wetlands in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Small MN Cities Focus on Cuts

(AP) Brainerd will be the site of a gathering of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities who are grappling with the impact of state aid cuts and declining property values. Seventy-seven cities make up the coalition which is meeting through Friday.

They will considering what to do about the $200 million in local government cuts ordered by Governor Tim Pawlenty to balance the state budget.

Lunkers Swept by Chucks

In front of 3,486 home fans at Athletic Park, the Wisconsin Woodchucks offense busted out for nine hits, including four doubles, to knock off the Brainerd Lunkers of the Northwoods League, 6-1 to complete the series sweep.

The Lunkers scored their only run in the seventh as Shon Roe brought home Mike Gedman.

The Lunkers return to Mills Field tonight to face the Battle Creek Bombers. First pitch is 7:05 PM.

Downtown Brainerd Open for Business

A summer of construction in the downtown Brainerd business district is done ahead of schedule. A ribbon cutting for the completed street and sewer project was held this morning. Mayor James Wallin says the project was as much about what goes on under ground as on the surface.

Mayor Wallin says it's business as usual once again in the downtown area, with new streets, sidewalks and lighting.

Nisswa Garden Show Wednesday

Nisswa comes alive with color Wednesday for the 71st Annual Garden Show sponsored by the Nisswa Garden Club. Members and non-members will display "fruits of their labor" in artistic, horticulture, potted plants, fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Club spokesperson Barb Bogdanovich tells KLKS News, the vegetable displays are always a surprise, because gardens will yield only what the weather allows.

The event will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa from 2:00pm to 7:00pm.

Changes in Deer Hunting Permits

(AP) Getting a deer hunting license won't be as easy this fall. The DNR says there will be significantly fewer over-the-counter either sex permit areas, especially in northern and southwestern Minnesota.

Also, muzzleloader hunters must apply for an either-sex permit if they want to bag an antlerless deer.

The DNR suggests hunters check the regulations before the September 10th application deadline.

Hecker Auction

(AP) Personal items from Denny Hecker will be auctioned off to help satisfy some of the $767 million debt to creditors. In bankruptcy proceedings, the former auto dealer reported personal assets of $18.5 million.

Among the things up for bid will be golf clubs, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, personal water craft and ATVs.

The auction will be held in New Germany August 19th.

At one time, Hecker boasted $6.8 million in annual revenues.

Woodchucks Take a Chunk Out of Lunkers

A two-out 2-RBI double by Ben Long in the fifth inning gave the Wisconsin Woodchucks their only lead of the game, and helped set the pace for their 4-2 victory over the Brainerd Lunkers Monday night.

The Lunkers fall to 26-28 overall and 10-11 in the second half. They meet the Woodchucks tonight at Athletic Park at 6:35 PM.

Spiderman will throw out the opening pitch as the Lunkers take on the Battle Creek Bombers Thursday, July 30 at Stewart C. Mills Field in Brainerd. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Spiderman will be the honorary guest and will sign autographs and meet and greet the fans.

Jumping for Parkinson's

Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau was among those parachuting for Parkinson's Disease awareness at Brainerd International Raceway Sunday. Former State Representative Dale Walz of Baxter and 77-year-old Nonie Stumvoll also joined in the tandem jump to bring attention to, and raise money for the Michael J Fox Foundation.

A parachute had to be cut away during one of the jumps and floated away. If anyone finds it, please call Gary Curtis at B.I.R. (866) 511-7606.

Brainerd Motorcycle Crash Victims Identified

The names of two Brainerd motorcycle crash victims have been released. 22-year-old Adam Yezek was the driver. His 21-year-old passenger was Bianca Stanifer.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's office says it appears the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Woodrow Road, Friday evening, when the driver lost control. Sheriff Dahl tells KLKS News it is always tragic when a road accident takes a life. But, especially so, in this case, because the victims were so young.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Funeral arrangements for Yazek are being made by Halvorson Johnson in Brainerd. Arrangements for Stanifer are being handled by the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter.

Lunkers Can't Make Their Hits Count

Even though the Brainerd Lunkers outhit the Mankato MoonDogs, they allowed six runs between the fourth and sixth innings and fell in Game Two at Mills Field Sunday, 6-1.

The Lunkers, of the Northwoods League, finish their regular season series with Mankato tied at 4-4. The loss drops the Lunkers to 26-27 overall and 10-10 in the second half. With only 15 games remaining, they head to Wausau tonight to meet the Wisconsin Woodchucks. First pitch from Athletic Park is 6:35 PM.