Hecker's Fraud May Have Started a Decade Ago--

(AP) Recently unsealed documents in the Federal fraud case against Denny Hecker show investigators are looking into his business dealings stretching as far back as 10 years ago. According to the Star Tribune, the FBI affidavits show some of the suspected fraud took place well before the former auto mogul's auto empire collapsed in late-2008.

Thursday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Section 6 2A
Pierz 64, Paynesville 50
Staples-Motley 80, Benson 58
Section 7 2A
Rush City 66, Aitkin 44
Section 8 2A
Crosby-Ironton 64, Park Rapids 27
Hawley 90, Wadena-Deer Creek 48
Pequot Lakes 55, Pelican Rapids 48
Red Lake 87, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 66
Section 5 1A
Barnum 64, Royalton 50
Bertha-Hewitt 55, Swanville 46
Cromwell 66, Hill City 64
Isle 62, East Central 41
Nevis 77, Menahga 61
Northland 58, McGregor 48
Sebeka 68, Pine River-Backus 30
Section 8 1A
Cass Lake-Bena 75, Win-E-Mac 40

Pawlenty Gets Constructions Projects Bill

(AP) A billion-dollar construction projects bill has been sent to Governor Tim Pawlenty by the Minnesota legislature. Pawlenty has said that he's inclined to sign the bill that includes hundreds of projects, but may well cut it down using his line-item veto.

Itasca County Worker Sentenced in Cass County

Yesterday, the 9th, Koochiching County District Court Judge Charles LeDuc sentenced Gregory Snyder to approximately 12 years in prison, and additional time on supervised release. In January, Snyder had pled guilty to six felony counts of sexual misconduct, including one count of first degree. The offenses involved abuse of a teenage victim occurring over several years. Snyder worked for Itasca County for two decades. He resigned last year after the offenses were reported. The case was transferred to Judge LeDuc after the Itasca County judges recused themselves, as is customary. The matter was prosecuted by the office of Cass County Attorney Christoper J. Strandle at the request of the Itasca County Attorney.

Turkey Prospects

The statewide prospects for wild turkey hunters continue to grow, according to DNR Youth Mentor Mike Kurre. He tells KLKS News, 57 thousand permits will be issued for the spring season including the Brainerd Lakes Area. He says the big game bird has weathered this winter well.

Kurre says hunters under 17 will be able to buy a turkey license over the counter and avoid the lottery system. The season runs mid April through May.

A Busy Tornado Season?

This could be a busy tornado season, according to the National Severe Storms Forecast Center. K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says says the conditions are right for a stormy spring. He says the jet stream is lining up over the southern U.S. because of the El Nino effect. That could bring a lot of moisture and wind energy our way.

Schumacher says we shouldn't have to worry about the storm potential until late
April or May.

More Legal Trouble for Hecker

(AP) The charges keep piling up on Denny Hecker.

A Federal Grand Jury indicted the 57-year-old former auto dealer with eight additional counts of wire fraud, and 10 counts of bankruptcy fraud.

The indictment alleges he created a scheme to fund an extravagant lifestyle.

Hecker owns a multi-million dollar house on the Whitefish Chain, and owned two auto dealerships in Brainerd. The dealerships have new owners, and Hecker has been denied access to his lake home.

Mille Lacs Man Violates Wife's Privacy

(AP) The conviction of a Mille Lacs County man has been upheld by the State Court of Appeals.

Richard Perez was convicted of violating his wife's privacy by video taping her while in she was in the bathroom. The Court ruled she had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The couple was in the process of a divorce.

Area Unemployment Remains High

The unemployment news from Brainerd did not get any better in January. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security says the jobless rate in Brainerd jumped to 19%, the highest among any Minnesota city with a population of 10 thousand or more.

The unemployment numbers weren't quite as dismal at the county level, but still above national and state averages: Crow Wing, 11.4%; Cass, 13.3%, Aitkin, 12.4%; Morrison, 12.2%, Mille Lacs, 14.4%

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Quarterfinals
Section 8 4A
Buffalo 37, Brainerd 33
Sectiion 8 3A
Little Falls 83, Sauk Rapids-Rice 50

Girls Basketball:
SemifinalsSection 6 2A
Staples-Motley 56, Benson 52
Section 7 2A
Brainerd 70, Two Harbors 37
Section 8 2A
Hawley 59, Pequot Lakes 44
Section 5 1A
Barnum 69, Northland 44
Sebeka 63, Bertha-Hewitt 55

Howes Welcomes Health Coverage for the Poor

The Republican Governor and DFL controlled legislature have come to an agreement over insuring 30 thousand poor Minnesotans. The two sides agreed to a new program which will cover the costs while saving some money.

State Representative Larry Howes of Walker says it's good news for both hospitals and counties.

If the program had not been replaced, St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd stood to loose $800 thousand a year. And, the counties would have had to raise property taxes to pay their costs of medical care.

A Year After the Market Meltdown

Investors are feeling a lot better about their retirement plans today. A year ago, the Dow Jones Industrial Averages were at 6,500, compared to 10,500 now. The market has gained back 60 percent from its all time high.

Financial Advisor Steve Hanson of Pine River Investments says there are still opportunities for investors to jump in now. He says it is a long term opportunity for people who will be in the market for five to six years.

Hanson says the dip since the first of the year is typical of a market recovery, as investors look to see if the recovery is coming along as expected.

Nathan Will Ride the Pines

Twins pitcher Joe Nathan is on the shelf. K-Lakes Sport Guy in the Twin Cities Dan Hill says Manager Ron Gardenhire and Pitching Coach Rick Anderson told reporters this morning that their closer has an injured elbow that will keep him on the bench for at least two weeks. At that time they will decide if he needs Tommy John surgery. Hill says Nathan has been having trouble with this for the last couple of years.

Hill thinks the Twins may look at the current staff for a replacement, if Nathan can't return this year.

Air Pollution Alert

An air pollution alert has been issued for the southern portion of Minnesota. The alert stretches from Rochester to Brainerd. K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says sensitive populations may want to restrict their outdoor activities.

Schumacher says the stagnant air is expected to stick around through the work week, and improve by Saturday.

The most sensitive groups are those with respiratory or cardiovascular disease, young children, the elderly and those who participate in activities that require heavy exertion.

Bogus IRS Emails

The St. Paul office of the IRS is warning taxpayers about bogus emails. Spokesperson Carrie Resch tells KLKS News, there are some things they just don't do that should indicate the emails are bogus. She says if you get an email about your tax account that asks for personal or financial information, you can bet that it's a scam.

Resch says the con artists are looking for identity theft.

Monday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Section 8 2A Play-in
Park Rapids 75, Frazee 58

Section 5 1A Play-in
Menahga 87, Verndale 65
Pine River-Backus 60, Browerville 44
Royalton 46, Onamia 34
Swanville 69, Pillager 63

Section 8 1A Play-In
Blackduck 72, LaPorte 52
Red Lake County 74, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig 27

Cass Lake Man Charged In Cass Lake Shooting

A 22-year old Cass Lake, William Earl Morris, has been charged as a result of a shooting incident that occured last week near Cass Lake in which 31-year old Amos Ervin Laduke was shot. According to the complaint, Morris has been charged with one county of attempted murder in the first degree, along with two counts of attempted Intentional Murder in the 2nd degree. Morris was arraigned on March 8 in Cass County District Court where bail was set at $500,000 dollars. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 22.

Road Restrictions Now In Force

The Crow Wing County Highway Department reminds motorists that Seasonal Load Restrictions are in effect on county roads March 9 until removed later in the season. For a complete list of roads and restrictions, contact the Crow Wing County Highway Department at 1-866-824-1110 or visit www.co.crow-wing.mn.us.

Hecker Can't Pay Attorneys

Former auto mogul Denny Hecker says he will have to have a public defender, because he cannot afford his two criminal attorneys.

U.S. Magistrate Susan Nelson excused Bill Mausy. Marsh Halberg also wants off the team. Hecker told the Star Trib that he doesn't have any money to pay them.

Stevenson Wins Dist 12 DFL Endorsement

22-year-old Taylor Stevenson of Brainerd won the DFL endorsement for State Senate from District 12 Saturday. The Brainerd native easily outdistanced former Crow Wing County Commissioner Terry Sluss, who won the endorsement four years ago.

Stevenson told the delegates, the people are counting on their political leaders to improve the political discourse in the state capitol.

The Stevenson for Minnesota campaign chair is former congressman Richard Nolan.

Home Fire in St. Cloud

(AP) One man has died, and two others have minor injuries after a fire swept through a home, according to St. Cloud police. Six people in the home were assisted in evacuating the home by firefighters. According to police, a preliminary investigation suggests that the fire was not suspicious.