Veterans To "Run For The Fallen"

Veterans from St. Cloud State University's Veterans Center will "Run for the Fallen" on Sunday, August 23 at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. "Run for the Fallen" is a national effort, in which runners across the nation run one mile to honor every service member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The event will begin at 3:00pm at Building-96 on the VA Campus. Runners will run on two main medical center roads, between the Avenue of the Flags.

Anyone who wishes to run is welcome to participate. If you're interested in participating or if you have questions, call Joshua John at 320-237-4224.

Pawlenty Makes More Budget-Balancing Cuts

(AP) Another round of budget cuts has been out-lined by Minnesota Management and Budget to meet Governor Pawlenty's budget-balancing plan. Human Services and Natural Resources departments, and Metro Transit will see the biggest reductions in the latest round of cuts.

A Search for Hecker Money

(AP) Close friends and associates of former auto mogul Denny Hecker may soon be hearing from the court.

The U.S. Trustee in the case is getting subpoenas from the bankruptcy court to approach those close to Hecker. He's attempting to determine if there is undiscovered money to help pay the many creditors in the case.

Late last year, Plymouth police discovered $100 thousand in the trunk of Hecker's SUV involved in an accident. Hecker was taken to the hospital, but his wife took the money home. An attorney for the family says the cash was being moved from one safe to another.

Extra Patrols for BIR Weekend

Motorist's driving in the Brainerd Lakes Area during the 28th Annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway will be greeted extra State Troopers. They are part of the so-called R.A.I.D. team, which stands for Remove Alcohol Impaired Drivers.

They will be looking for impaired drivers. However, troopers will be stopping motorists for a variety of reasons, including not wearing the seat belt and other traffic violations they may spot through Sunday, August 16.

Motorists traveling through the area can expect some minor traffic delays, especially on Sunday during the crowd release at B.I.R. Motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes if possible during the whole event.

Swanville Man Killed in Roll-Over

A 67-year-old Swanville man was killed in a one vehicle accident in Swanville Township in Morrison County Thursday afternoon. Lonnie Guthrie was ejected from his pickup truck on 30th Avenue, south of Badger Creek Road shortly after 5 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office says Gutherie was pulling a trailer when the rig left the road. He apparently over-corrected resulting in a roll-over. He was dead at the scene.

Minnesota Native American Tribes to Receive Federal Grants

(AP) $14.6 million dollars in federal grants to improve housing, energy efficiency and creating jobs will be shared by six Native American groups in Minnesota. The most money is being received by the Leech Lake Reservation and the White Earth Reservation, with $3 million each.

Walters Roller Blades to Washington

Gary Walters of Brainerd has picked the hottest time of the year to start his roller blading trip to Washington D.C. The journey should take 21 days, getting him on the capitol steps on September 9th.

The former Crow Wing County Commissioner says he is doing it to raise awareness and money for Kinship Partners.

Walters says if an average, over-weight, middle aged guy can do this for kinship, then maybe more people can be mentors for Kinship Partners.

Walters hopes to cover 50 to 70 miles a day.

Kudos for St. Joe's

St. Joseph's Medical Center recently received an "Excellence in Birth Registration" award from the Office of the State Registrar in the Minnesota Department of Health. The award recognizes hospitals for their accurate and timely registration of newborns through the state's electronic registration system.

Connie Beto, Ashley Korhonen and Jessica Andrews, Ward Clerks in Family Birthplace/Pediatrics at St. Joseph's Medical Center received the award. This is the second year they have received an award for Excellence in Birth Registration.

Best Buy's Website had a Boo-Boo

(AP) Richfield, Minnesota-based Best Buy said that it will not honor the $9.99 price accidentally posted on its website earlier today for a 52-inch Samsung flat-screen TV, normally valued at almost $3400. Earlier this afternoon, the elctronics retailer altered their sale price to almost $1800. Best Buy said it corrected an on-line pricing error, and will not honor the $9.99 price that had first been posted.

Ideal Beef Feed Tonight

The Ideal Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the 32nd annual Beef Feed today at the Ideal Fire Station on County Road 16. Spokesman Rob Birkland says they are cooking up two thousand pounds of beef and shucking 800 dozen ears of corn which were hand picked last night.

Birkland tells KLKS News, the proceeds go for equipment purchases. Last year they were able to buy a fire boat for the whitefish chain.

Typically over 2000 attend the event, although Birkland figures that number could be higher today. He says it's too hot to cook, so folks may be willing to let the firemen do the cooking for them

Brainerd Highways Busy for Weekend Drag Races

Motorists should plan for heavy traffic volumes this weekend on Brainerd Lakes Area highways, especially Highway 371, due to visitors attending the 28th Annual NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals at the Brainerd International Raceway through Sunday.

More than 100,000 visitors attend the event each year.

MN Dot spokesperson Judy Jacobs is asking motorists to be patient, expect delays, and be prepared for sudden stops on Highway 371. Motorists are urged to take alternative routes around the area, if possible.

Koering Shelves a Gubernatorial Bid

State Senator Paul Koering of Fort Ripley has abandoned his dream of occupying the Governor's Mansion. The two term Republican says he will, instead, run for reelection to his District 12 Senate seat.

Koering cited multiple reasons for pulling the chain on Minnesota's top spot. He said there was a lack of money, lack of support and a potential challenger for his current seat from with in the party. He says others have told him that former State Representative Paul Gazelka may challenge him for the party's standard. Gazelka served one term in House District 12 B, before being replaced by current State Rep. John Ward.

Paquin to Challenge Senator Olson

Looks like State Senator Mary Olson of Bemidji will face a challenge from within the party next year. 47-year-old Gregory Paquin plans to seek the District 4 State Senate seat as a DFL-er.

Paquin is a pipefitter, and member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe. He says native Americans need representation in the state legislature, because Minnesota tribes control a $19 billion casino industry.

Talking Public Pensions in Bemidji

The Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement is meeting in Bemidji today to focus on the current state of Minnesota's public employee pension plans.

They will be meeting in the council chambers at Bemidji City Hall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

State Senator Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji is hosting the meeting. She has proposed legislation to add a second retired member to the Teachers Retirement Account Board of Trustees.

The LCPR is a joint agency of the Minnesota Legislature which reviews and makes recommendations to standing legislative committees on pending proposed public pension legislation, and provides oversight for Minnesota's system of over 700 public employee pension plans.

A Minnesota Man Wins Some Money

(AP) A winning $200,000 Powerball ticket purchased by a Dilworth man was bought in Fargo. Clay Kuhlemeyer says he'll use some of the money to pay off student loans and credit cards--then save the rest. After taxes, Kuhlemeyer is getting $138,000.

Some Area Schools Don't Make the Grade

(AP) Twenty lakes area schools are not making adequate progress, according to the Federal No Child Left Behind Law. Included are high schools in Brainerd, Crosby-Ironton, Pierz Healy, Little Falls and Walker-Hackensack-Akely.

The list of underachieving Minnesota schools is longer than many other states, because officials here set tougher standards than other states.

Schools that fall short can be ordered to divert money to outside tutoring, pay to bus students who transfer schools or replace staff.

CLC Successful Scholarship Fund Drive

The Central Lakes College Foundation closed out its 2009 fiscal year with more than $300,000 in donations to new and existing scholarship funds.

Diane Scearcy, executive director, said the Foundation processed nearly 500 student applications for scholarships last year. The Bremer Foundation contributed $10 thousand and the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation $5 thousand.

The Foundation is pairing with the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters to bring the "Married Alive!" musical comedy to the area Sept. 11 and 12 as a dinner show. This event, which includes a silent auction of Jon Hassler prints and two of Rose Edin's latest works, is a major fund-raiser.

The event will be held in the new Gull Lake Center at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa.

The Lunkers Season Comes to a Close

A pivotal RBI double hit in the bottom of the eighth lifted the Thunder Bay Border Cats over the Brainerd Lunkers of the Northwoods League, 5-4 in the 2009 regular season finale.

The Lunkers scored one in the second and three in the fourth to take the initial lead, but allowed four runs in the bottom of the fourth to give up the advantage.

The Lunkers finish the season at 34-34 overall and 18-17 in the second half.

Pine River Historic Building Makes A Move

The historic move of the Pine River Depot will happen on Tuesday, August 11 beginning a approximately 8:00am. The depot will be moved across the Paul Bunyan Trail and be prepared to be set on a new basement that has been constructed.

You're invited to take pictures of the depot where it now sits on its original site until the time it's moved.

A special recognition and ribbon cutting will be held on September 12 during Heritage Days in Pine River, even though, restoration will not be completed for some time by the city of Pine River.

NHRA's At BIR This Week

Brainerd International Raceway comes alive with big speed and big noise this weekend. The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will be held Thursday through Sunday on the strip north of Brainerd. Some 50 thousand race fans are expected. Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says they are ready for the influx.

There are several classes of competition making a money run, from Top Fuel to Motorcycle. The drags have been a featured event at the track for nearly 40 years.

High Pollen Levels for the Next Two Weeks

The next couple of weeks may not be that fun for hay fever suffers, according to K-Lakes meteorologist Tony Schumacher. He says says the warm sunny days ahead will allow pollen to remain suspended in the air, where rain tends to wash the pollen from the air.

Schumaker says those with allergies are being affected by pollen from grass, nettles and chenopods. There are some 30 varieties of chenopods including pigweed, lamb's-quarters and stinking goosefoot.

Pollen levels are in the moderate to high level today. They are expected to be in the high level by Thursday.

Lunkers Claw the Cats

The Brainerd Lunkers of the Northwoods League pounded out 14 hits on the night, including three long balls, to paste the Thunder Bay Border Cats, 14-3 in front of 1,128 fans at Port Arthur Stadium.

The Lunkers return to Port Arthur Stadium tonight for the regular season finale against the Border Cats. First pitch is 6:05 PM CST.