Al Lindner Announces 2nd Annual Fishing Challenge

Honory Tournament Director, Al Lindner, has announced that registration is open for the 2nd Annual Minnesota Fishing challenge, presented by Mills Fleet Farm. The tournament, to benefit Minnesota Teen Challenge, will be held on June 5th on Gull Lake. Sign up at www.mntc.org/fishingchallenge or call 612-238-6184 for registration forms.

Mayors Making Cuts

(AP) According to some Minnesota Mayors, cuts in State aid have forced many of them to trim services. At a news conference in Moorehead, they say they've had to reduce parks programs, street maintenance, or library hours.

Nisswa Winter Jubilee This Weekend

This is the weekend for the Nisswa Winter Jubilee. Events are planned all weekend. It begins tonight with the Miss Nisswa Pageant at the Lutheran Church of the Cross and a dance at the American Legion.

Saturday holds a full day of events including log splitting snow sculpture judging and the parade at 1 p.m.

The lucky treasure hunter, who can decipher the clues and find the medallion, will win $200.

An ice fishing derby will be held Sunday on Nisswa Lake at noon.

For a full list of events go to KLKS.com and click on events.

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend

This is "Take a Kid Ice Fishing" weekend. It's three days when those over 16 can take someone under 16 fishing with out the need to purchase a license.

Nadine Meyer of the MinnAqua program tells KLKS News, it's a time to get the kids excited about fishing. She says it's important to keep it fun, and maybe play some games on the ice.

Meyer says it's important the kids stay warm and dry while out of the ice. She says layering clothes is always a good idea.

Some of the state parks have special programs for the event. Passes are required to enter state parks.

Conerns About 3rd Hand Smoke

A new worry in the world of smoking is third hand smoke. ClearWay Minnesota spokesman Mike Sheldon tells KLKS News, third hand smoke is chemicals left in curtains, upholstery and clothes after the smoker has left. He says researchers are trying to determine how potentially hazardous it is.

Sheldon says it might be wise to have smokers hang their coats away from other coats and where people might congregate.

Rodrequez Loses Another Appeal

(AP) A Croookston man continues to lose his appeals in the death of a 22-year-old Pequot Lakes woman in 2006.

Alfonso Rodrequez Jr. has failed in an attempt to gain a rehearing of his appeal before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In September a three judge panel of the court affirmed his death sentence. Thursday, the full circuit court rejected his request. Rodrequez has been sentenced to death.

Dru Sjodin was a University of North Dakota student when she was kidnapped from a shopping mall just before Thanksgiving. Her body was found in Minnesota the following spring.

Hecker says He Is Not Guilty

(AP) From the showroom to the courtroom, Denny Hecker continues his trek through the legal system. The former auto mogul is accused of funding a lavish lifestyle by defrauding lenders out of millions of dollars.

Hecker says the truth will come out during the court proceedings. His attorney says Chrysler Financial is responsible for the collapse of his empire, not his client.

Hecker will have to turn in his passport, remain on electronic monitoring and continue with mental health therapy.

Hecker owned both the Toyota and Hyundai dealerships in Baxter. Both are under new ownership.

Thursday High School Scores

Wrestling:
New York Mills 58, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley/Nevis 16
Park Rapids 40, Fosston/Bagley 28
Royalton/Upsala 60, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 15

Boys Hockey:
Brainerd/Pierz/Pillager 2, Sauk Rapids-Rice 1
Northern Lakes 4, Wadena-Deer Creek 1
Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis 5, Detroit Lakes/Perham 3

Boys Basketball:
Longe Prairie-Grey Eagle 48, Wadena-Deer Creek 46
Nevis 79, Verndale 45
Red Lake 57, Northome/Kelliher 56
Staples-Motley 94, Pierz 60
Upsala 50, Browerville 34
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 66, Park Rapids 56

Girls Basketball:
Bertha-Hewitt 71, Menahga 22
Bigfork 68, Hill City 41
Brainerd 56, Rocori 38
Nevis 42, Pine River-Backus 39
Northland 80, McGregor 47
Park Rapids 74, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 70
Pequot Lakes 59, Crosby-Ironton 40
Sartell 58, Little Falls 30
Wadena-Deer Creek 66, Breckenridge 35

Koering says Cities and School will See More Cuts

State Senator Paul Koering of Fort Ripley says local government and school districts are going to have to go on a financial diet. He says the Governor and legislature are going to have to make $1.2 billion in spending cuts to balance the budge this year. He says cities, counties and schools are not exempt from economic pain.

Senator Koering figures the legislature will have to pair another $5-billion from the budget during the next biennium.

Hecker Indicted

(AP) Denny Hecker, former auto magnate, has been indicted on Federal money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy charges in an alleged scheme to defraud lenders of millions of dollars. Before his businesses collapsed, Hecker was one of Minnesota's largest auto dealers.

Republican Challenges Ward

Ryan Hartwig, a lifelong Brainerd resident and small-business owner, is running for State Representative for District 12A. Hartwig will challenge the two-term incumbent Democrat John Ward.

Hartwig says he is running because he believes the people of Crow Wing County deserve strong and better representation on the critical issues and problems facing our area and the State of Minnesota,

Tuesday High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Bertha-Hewitt 63, Henning 48
Brainerd 66, Sauk Rapids-Rice 52
Cass Lake-Bena 82, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 42
Cromwell 53, Northland 45
Crosby-Ironton 86, Deer River 49
Detroit Lakes 72, Park Rapids 21
Floodwood 71, Hill City 53,
Isle 58, Aitkin 22
Little Falls 72, St. Cloud Apollo 67
Menahga 81, Pillager 47
new York Mills 56, Verndale 52
Pequot Lakes 58, Wadena-Deer Creek 53

girls Basketball:
Aitkin 60, Onamia 38
Brainerd 56, Sauk Rapids-Rice 34
Crosby-Ironton 62, Deer River 52
Little Falls 54, St. Cloudy Apollo 45
Upsala 74, Eagle Valley 53
Wadina-Deer Creek 54, Frazee 44
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 66, ClearBrook-Gonvick 45

Boys Hockey:
Brainerd/Pierz/Pillager 6, Fergus Falls 4
Northern Lakes 4, Becker/Big Lake 2
St. Cloud Tech 7, Little Falls 5

Wrestling:
Border West 51, Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale 18
Fosston/Bagley 55, Blackduck/Cass Lake Bena/Indus 19

Democrats Trying to Limit Governor's Power

(AP) Plans are under-way by the Democrats to limit the Governor's power to cut the budget without legislative consent. Republican Governor, Tim Pawlenty, used that authority to trim the budget and erase a $2.7 billion deficit. Pawlenty is currently appealing a lower court ruling that said he'd exceeded his authority when he balanced the budget on his own.

Howes Supports Bigger Bonding Bill

State Representative Larry Howes is one who believes a bigger state bonding bill is better. The Republican from Walker says it will get workers back on the job.

Howes says only half the money from the bonding bill will be spent during the year it is passed.

Howes expects Governor Pawlenty to say the state is in better shape than the national economy, but has a long way to go, during his State of the State address on Thursday. He also expects the Governor to say the economy is too fragile to pass any new tax increases this year.

Sign-up for USDA Production Loss Assistance Underway

the USDA has implemented the new Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program in accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill. FSA county offices began accepting producer application for benefits in January for crop production losses suffered during the 2008 crop year.

No sign-up deadline has been set for 2008 crop losses because FSA offices are waiting for automated computer software to be released.

Monday High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Blackduck 52, Pine River-Backus 51
McGregor 78, Ogilvie 61
Northhome/Kelliher 75, Lake of the Woods 54

Girls Basketball:
McGregor 51, Ogilvie 32

Oklahoma Man Injured In Train/Car Accident

Cass County authorities report that an Oklahoma man received minor injuries in a train/vechicle crash south of US Highway 2 on the US Forestry Road #2910 at the train crossing. The victim, who has not been identified, was transported by ambulance to the North Country Hosital in Bemidji with minor injuries. No further details are available.

Brainerd Avoids Brunt of Storm

The Brainerd Lakes Area has avoided the brunt of the winter storm that began its march across Minnesota Sunday.

The lakes could see up to 5 inches of snow by the time it all ends Tuesday. K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says the wind will cause some problems here, but nothing like other parts of the state.

The south and western parts of the state may see up to 11 inches of snow mix with strong winds.

Dahl Says Slow Down in the Snow

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl is reminding motorists that the speed limit may not be a good idea on snowy days like this. He tells KLKS News, going the speed limit, when the roads are slippery, may be unsafe.

The county's top cop says he had trouble bringing his vehicle to a stop this morning when a woman entered a cross walk.

Dahl says there were some spin-outs, and cars in the ditch from the recent snow, but no major accidents.

More May Qualify for Earned Income Credit

More Minnesotans may be eligible to file for the earned income tax credit this year.

St. Paul IRS Spokesperson Carrie Resch tells KLKS News, the credit is for working people who don't make a lot of money. She says says those who care for grand children may qualify. And those who had their hours or pay cut last year, may be eligible for the credit this year.

Resch says 25 percent of those who are eligible for the earned income tax credit do not file for it.

Crosslake Man Dies in Snowmobile Accident

A 46-year-old Crosslake man died in a snowmobile accident just after midnight Sunday morning on Cross Lake near the Ye Olde Wharf Bar and Restaurant. Stephen Zilka sustained head injures and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Crow Wing County Sheriff says he struck a tree that was hanging out over the ice.