Haze Reduction over BWCAW Requested

(AP) According to environmental groups, Minnesota should be doing more to reduce haze over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and other national parks and wilderness areas in the State. They are asking state officials to require pollution sources, including power plants, to curb air emissions and up-date pollution controls.

Finalists Chosen for Crow Wing County Judge

Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the finalists for the Ninth Judicial District trial court bench in Crow Wing County. The seat became vacated with the retirement of the John Leitner on May 31st. The finalists are Erik J. Askegaard, David F. Hermerding, and Diana M. Sweeney.

Askegaard, of Brainerd, is an attorney and president of the Askegaard and Robinson law firm in Brainerd.

Hermerding, also of Brainerd, is an assistant Crow Wing County Attorney, a position he has held since 2007. He was the managing attorney of the Ninth Judicial District Public Defender's office in Brainerd from 1998 to 2007.

Sweeney, of Bemidji, is an assistant Ninth Judicial District Public Defender in Bemidji, a position she has held since 1996.

Thursday High School Scores

Football:
Aitkin 20, Two Harbors 13
Cass Lake-Bena 18, Pine River Backus 14
Farmington 37, Grand Rapids 14
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 20, Pillager 6
Northland 30, Floodwood 22 OT
Pierz 41, Hibbing 0
Royalton 44, New York Mills 0
Staples-Motley 24, East Grand Forks 6

Girls Volleyball:
3-0 Albany Def. Milaca
3-0 Bemidji Def. Detroit Lakes
3-0 Bertha-Hewitt Def. McGregor
3-0 Cromwell Def. McGregor
3-0 Park Rapids Def. Pequot Lakes
3-0 Sebeka Def. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
3-0 Wadena-Deer Creek Def. Crosby-Ironton
3-1 Little Falls Def. Holdingford
3-1 Northhome/Kelliher Def. Cass Lake-Bena
3-2 Verndale Def. Eagle Valley

Environmental Groups Challenge Pipeline

(AP) A lawsuit challenging a U.S. State Department's permit allowing an oil pipeline to be built in three mid-western states--including Minnesota--has been filed by a coalition of environmental groups. The groups argue that processes related to the pipeline being built for Enbridge, Incorporated's Alberta Clipper Pipeline will contribute to pollution and global warming.

Health Care Reform Debate Comes to Brainerd

Dr. Paul Milloy, a retired internist from Brainerd, does not like the news that the Obama Administration may be seeking a compromise on national health care reform.

The President may be willing to pull the public option from the table in favor of a proposal that would require insurance companies to work to get more Americans covered. If they don't, only then would the public option come into play. Dr. Milloy considers this to be a delaying tactic. He says they have waited long enough.

Dr. Milloy, coordinating with the progressive group, MoveOn.Org, organized a vigil at Gregory Park in Brainerd Wednesday on behalf of health care reform. He says about 150 attended the event from both sides of the issue. Brainerd was one of 300 cities staging such events.

Tour of Lakes Bicycle Ride

The Tour of Colors Bicycle Ride is becoming a little more kid friendly this year. Event Coordinator Jim Oraskovich tells KLKS News, they have added a 12 mile bike ride for the younger peddlers.

The bike tour will be held the same weekend as Crosslake Days on September 26th. In addition to the 12 mile ride, distances of 25 and 40 miles will be offered.

Registration will be accepted right up to the start of the tour. However, those who register by September 11th will get a T shirt. The proceeds go the Patriot foundation for the Pequot Lakes School. Registrations can be found on the school's web site. for more information call 568-4774.

Cummins will Run Again

Michael Cummins says he'll try again to unseat 18 term Congressman Jim Oberstar. The Republican construction executive finished a distant second with only 32 percent of the vote in 2008.

Cummins says Oberstar has lost touch with his district during his time in office, and needs to hold more town hall meetings.

Oberstar, who has a home is Chisholm, is chairman of the powerful Transportation Committee and influences spending nationwide.

New Rules for Antlerless Deer

Taking an antlerless deer may not be as easy this year, around the Brainerd lakes, as it has been in previous years. Minnesota DNR Big Game Specialist Lou Cornicelli, tells KLKS News, hunters need to keep some upcoming dates in mind. He says in many cases they have seen the reduction of deer numbers to manageable levels. As a result, there are more lottery areas for 2009. That means hunters who want a chance at an antlerless deer, must apply for one by September 10.

Cornicelli says hunters need to check the DNR maps closely to determine how the new regulations will affect them

260 Miles Left for Gary Walters

It may have taken the distance to get to Pennsylvania, but Gary Walter of Brainerd says he has become a roller blader. He is blading his way to Washington D.C. to raise money and awareness of Kinship Partners.

Walters says they have passed through tunnels three quarters of a mile long. He says they are eerie, with the only light coming from reflectors on the pavement.

Walters expects to make Washington D.C. on time on September 8th. He has raised $10 thousand so far. Anyone wishing to make a donation should call Kinship Partners at (218) 829-4606.

Old Farmer's Almanac vs. El Nino

The Old Farmer's Almanac is suggesting a colder than normal winter for the nation's midsection.

K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says, given a choice between the Almanac and the effects of El Nino, he'll go with El Nino. He says the historical track record of El Nino suggests a 60% chance of a warmer than average winter, with less snow.

One thing Minnesotans know, there will be snow, and it will be cold.

Conservation Officer Busted

(AP) A 22 year veteran of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has paid a heavy price for illegal drug use.

47-year-old Brian Patrick Buria, a Conservation Officer from Bigfork, was arrested in February after valium, steroids, marijuana and oxycodone was found in his home. He was dismissed by the state agency following the discovery.

Buria has now pleaded guilty to felony drug possession. He has been sentenced to five years of supervised probation.

Tuesday Area High School Scores

Girls Volleyball Scores:

3-0 Bemidji Def Fergus Falls
3-0 Bertha-Hewitt Def Browerville
3-0 Deer River Def Cass Lake-Bena
3-0 Greenway Def Crosby-Ironton
3-0 Nevis Def Park Rapids
3-0 New York Mills Def Frazee
3-0 Parkers Prairie Def Verndale
3-0 Staples-Motley Def Aitkin
3-1 Eagle Valley Def Menahga
3-2 Brainerd Def Pequot Lakes
3-2 Pierz Def Little Falls

Loss Covered for Stockmen

The Livestock Indemnity Program compensates livestock owners for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather.

Eligible losses must have occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011

Questions should be directed to the Crow Wing-Cass FSA Office in Baxter or the Aitkin-Itasca FSA Office in Aitkin or call with questions to 218-829-5965 Baxter or 218-927-2912 Aitkin.

Delays Slated Next Week for Business 371

Motorists need to be prepared for delays on Business Highway 371 from one mile north of Highway 371 to the junction of Highway 210 in Brainerd starting on September 8th. Crews will be resurfacing the roadway, including shoulders and turn-lanes--apply pavement markings, and continue installing loop detectors. Traffic will be single-lane through the work-zone, controlled by a pilot car and flaggers in the rural portion of the project. Traffic will be one-lane in each direction in the urban portion of the project, with intermittent lane-closures and lane-shifts. Work will be done during daylight hours, only. Tri-City Paving of Little Falls is the prime contractor for the $1.5 million road-improvement project. The project is expected to be completed by mid-October. For up-dated state-wide traffic, construction, weather, and travel information, go on-line to www.511mn.org

Bear Season Opens Today

The Davy Crockett's of Minnesota are heading into the woods today for the start of the bear hunting season. The Minnesota DNR has requested that hunters not shoot bears wearing orange collars. Attached to the collars are radios, which wildlife managers us to track the habits of the bruins.

There are about 30 bears carrying the radios. Most of the them are in the Northwestern part of the state. However, there are a few in and around the Chippewa National Forest and Camp Ripley.

Marijuana Farm Busted in Crow Wing County

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says a marijuana farm has been shut down in the county thanks to a concerned citizen. He tells KLKS News, a bow hunter was out scouting for the upcoming season when he spotted a large grow operation.

Sheriff Dahl says the farm was discovered last week. He says the value of the crop has not yet been determined. Sheriff Dahl extends his thanks to those to who call in when they spot something that just isn't right.

Campsites Available for Holiday Weekend

(AP) Campers still have opportunities under the stars for this Labor Day weekend, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In fact they say there are plenty of reservable campsites available, especially in southern Minnesota.

For those who are willing to take their chances, 25% percent of the camp sites are first come first served on site.

The reservation line is 1-866-85PARKS.

Good Eatin' at Mille Lacs

(AP) The students at the Nay Ah Shing Schools on the Mille Lacs Ojibwe reservation are learning the value of cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and other veggies.

The garden was planted last spring, was tended by day care kids this summer, and will be used in student's lunches and nutritional programs when they get back to school this fall.

Community members and businesses have all helped the project.

A Labor Day DWI Crack Down

Lakes Area motorists should be spotting more state patrol cruisers on the road. It's part of the Labor Day DWI Mobilization through the Labor Day holiday with a focus on the weekends.

Law enforcement officers from over 400 agencies will be cracking down on impaired drivers as part of the statewide enforcement effort with a goal aimed toward getting impaired drivers off the road and encouraging motorists to make safe driving decisions. In 2008, 163 motorists were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which is a record-low for alcohol related deaths.

Working this project from the lakes area will be troopers from the State Patrol, deputies from the Crow Wing County Sheriff's department and officers from the police departments of Brainerd, Baxter, Breezy Point, Cuyuna, Crosby, Crosslake, Deerwood, Emily, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes.