Girlfriend Of Denny Hecker Also In Trouble

The girlfriend of fallen auto mogul Denny Hecker has been charged with fraud. Prosecutors say Christi Rowan of Wayzata lied under oath during Hecker's bankruptcy case. She's accused of defrauding a credit union while seeking an automobile loan, by claiming she was an attorney making $189,000 annually, while she was essentially unemployed.

Bumper Stickers For Jack

A 66-year-old Crosslake summer resident will spend 30 days in jail for vehicular homicide in the death of 3-year-old Jack Larson of Buffalo. Sherman Fredrick could have gotten more time in jail, but the family of the youngster wanted Fredrick to spend more time performing community service, according to Jack's Grandmother Donna Larson of Merrifield. She feels it is important for Fredrick and the Larson family to tell their stories to high school students and senior groups.

Mrs. Larson tells KLKS News, they are selling bumer stickers at area businesses, including Reed's in Crosslake. Proceeds will be used to pay for additional billboards warning drivers of the dangers of passing on the right.

Jack Larson was killed while crossing the highway in Merrifield May 9th of last year. He was in the ditch when he was struck by the Fredrick vehicle. Fredrick claimed he was drowsy at the time.

New Lights Installed on State Hwys

Motorists can expect delays at the intersection of Highway 10 and 210 in Motley on Thursday, April 22. Crews will begin installing new signals. This work is expected to be completed by mid-May.

Lighting installations are also scheduled for various locations on Highway 371 in Crow Wing County. This work is expected to be completed by early June. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says lighting intersections at night in rural areas improves safety by helping motorists see they are approaching an intersection.



Motorists should slow down and watch for intermittent lanes closures in areas where crews are working.

Little Falls Man Faces Drug Charges

A 34 year old Little Falls man was arrested on drug charges, Wednesday, by the Morrison County Sheriff's Office. Charges of 3rd degree drug sales are pending against Steven Anthony Guck for alleged drug sales in the Royalton area.

The Central MN Drug and Gang Task Force, Little Falls Police Department, and the Morrison County Sheriff's Office participated in this case.

Koering Supports Racino Money for Vikes Stadium

State Senator Paul Koering says the only way he could support a new Vikings football stadium is if the bonds are funded by adding slot machines at Canterbury Downs in Shakopee. The Fort Ripley Republican says he won't subsidize millionares while Brainerd has a 19 percent unemployment rate, unless racino money is used.

Koering likes the idea of using gambling money as a benefit to taxpayers, when there is no such benefit now from Indian casinos.

Koering thinks any stadium proposal is a long shot. He thinks lawmakers will be unwilling to get on-board during an election year.

Bus Driver Accused of Sexual Assault

(AP) Authorities say a school bus driver in Northern Minnesota has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting four female elementary school students. A news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says the 62-year old man was arrested at his home in Two Harbors on Tuesday after a nearly three-week police investigation. The man has not made his first court appearance. He remains in the St. Louis County Jail. The man worked part-time as a school bus driver before being put on administrative leave on March 19. Police say that it was during his duties as a bus driver that he allegedly assaulted the girls, who were between six and ten years old.

Community Notification Meeting Scheduled

Cass County authorities report a Risk Level 3 Sex Offender, identified as Daniel Paul Tomann, born April 21, 1963, is scheduled to be released from custody on April 19th and has disclosed he plans to reside in the 400 Block of 5th Street in Pine River from April 19th to May 1st. On May 1st, he plans to move to the 1100 Block of North River Road in Backus. Chief Deputy Tom Burch reports that a Community Notification Meeting has been scheduled for April 12th at 6:30pm at the Pine River-Backus High School Gym. Law enforcement personnel and Department of Corrections staff will attend the meeting to discuss offender status and to answer questions.

Morrison County Sheriff's Arrest Two

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Monday, April 6, 46 year old Leslie Diane Fix, and 39 year old Travis Lee Winscher were arrested following a traffic stop in Benton County. A search warrant was also executed at a residence in Buckman Township where Fix and Winscher had been living. Charges are pending against Fix and Winscher for alleged 2nd degree drug sales in both Morrison and Benton Counties. The Central MN Drug and Gang Task Force, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrison County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the investigation. Fix and Winscher are being held in the Morrison County Jail.

As You Know--Opener is Later This Year--

(AP) According to the State Department of Natural Resources, Walleye Opener will be later this year--on Saturday, May 15th. Following State Law, the Opener is set two Saturdays before the Memorial Day weekend. Statewide, Stream Trout season will open on Saturday, April 17th. The early catch-and-release Trout season opened in southeastern Minnesota on April 1st, and runs through April 16th.

Walleye Eggs Harvest Slow on Pine River

The walleye egg harvest on the Pine River as it empties into Upper Whitefish Lake, has been slow so far this spring. Brainerd Area DNR Fisheries Supervisor Tim Brastrup tells KLKS News, they have stripped 44 quarts of eggs so far. They are looking to take 650 quarts.

Brastrup says the eggs are taken to a Brainerd hatchery. Five million of the fry are reintroduced into the Whitefish Chain. The rest go into other area lakes.

Brastrup says the harvest should pick-up soon. The public is encouraged to observe the operation on the Pine River. The DNR will be on the scene for the next 10 days from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Our Savior's Gets a New Pastor

Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes welcomes a new pastor.

The Reverend Donna M. Olsen comes to Pequot Lakes from Hoyte Lakes where she was pastor of Faith Lutheran Church.

Reverend Olsen will be installed in her new postion on Sunday, April 18.

She moves into the area with her husband, John. The couple has two daughters who live in Minneapolis .

Two Killed in Auto Accident South of Brainerd

33-year-old Natasha R. Merrill of Isle and 32-year-old Daniel Weyaus of Onamia were killed in a roll-over accident last night near Brainerd.

The pair who were killed when they were thrown from the 1998 Mercedes they were in just before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The Patrol says the vehicle was five miles south of Brainerd on Highway 25, when it ran off the road, traveled into the west ditch, struck an approach and overturned. The Merrill, the driver and Weyaus, a front seat passenger were ejected.

A third passenger in the car, 39-year-old Gordon T. Weyaus sustained non life threatening injuries.

Favre is a Grandpa!

(AP) Brett Favre has announced that he's a grandfather. Brittany, the Favres' 21-year-old daughter, has given birth to a baby boy, Parker Brett. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces. Brett and his wife, Deanna, state on their website that they are very proud to welcome their first grandchild.

Howes Says Health Care Reform to Cost MN $400-Mill

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has told Governor Pawlenty that she will not challenge the new federal health care reform package, as requested by the Governor. Instead, she says she will file a friend of the court brief on behalf of the legislation.

State Representative Larry Howes, a Republican from Walker, says the unfunded federal mandate will cost Minnesota about $400 million a year.

Governor Pawlenty, considered to be likely candidate for President, says he will file his own challenge of the new legislation, claiming people should not be required to have health insurance.

April Showers a Week or So Away

We should not worry about a prolonged fire danger threat this spring, according to K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher. Despite the fact it has been dry recently, the next couple of weeks should bring a good chance of rain.

Schumacher says the warm weather and early exit of snow cover should promote an early green-up, which should reduce the threat of wild fires.

Cass Lake Woman Convicted of Sexting

(AP) They call it sexting, sending sexually explicit photos or text via cell phone or internet.

A 33-year-old Cass Lake woman has been put on three years probation for texting 1,600 graphic messages to a 15-year-old boy she worked with at a grocery store last August.

Maria Kremper was sentenced to 15 months in prison. However the sentence was stayed in exchange for 60 days home monitoring, completion of a sex offender treatment program, register as a predatory offender and the probation.

Sex Offender to Move Into Buckman

The MN Dept of Corrections and the Morrison County Sheriff's Office will host a community notification meeting next week to provide area residents information about a Level III sex offender who will be moving into the City of Buckman. The meeting will be held at the St. Michael Parish Hall, 9251 Highway 25, Buckman on Monday, April 12th at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will give concerned citizens information about the offender and will allow residents to ask questions about what they can do to safeguard their families.

Early Ice-Off Could Effect Opener

The early ice-off area lakes could throw a curve at area anglers for the mid May walleye opener. Walleye Dan Eigen tells KLKS News, there are plenty unknowns between now at then, particularly when it comes to air and water temperatures.

Eigen says the male could be agressive, because they haven't seen bait since the end of February, creating the possibility of a fantastic opener.

Mills Ford in Brainerd is hosting "Let's Go Fishing Day," Saturday, April 17th, with fishing seminars. For more information go to lgfws.com.

Tax Deadline in 10 Days

There are only 10 days left to file income tax returns, or file for an extension.

St. Paul IRS Spokeswoman Carrie Resch tells KLKS News, about a third of the filers have yet to face the task. She tells KLKS News, electronic filing is a good way to avoid mistakes. She also says e-filing and direct deposit can get refunds into taxpayer accounts in 10 days, where paper filing can take six to eight weeks.

Resch says taxpayers have been averaging refunds around $3,000.

Crosby Woman Injured in ATV Rollover

A 41-year-old Crosby woman was hospitalized with serious injuries from an ATV accident, Saturday. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's office says Jodi Nelson was thrown from the machine following a sharp turn Saturday morning.

The Sheriff's office says she was motoring up her driveway was she suddenly swerved. Authorities don't know why. Nelson was taken to Cuyuna Regional Medial Center then airlifted to an unknown hospital. She was not wearing a helmet.

Deerwood Girl Struck on Bicycle

A 14-year-old Deerwood girl was struck by a van while riding her bicycle on County Road 12 near Beach Road just west of Deerwood Sunday afternoon.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says Naomi Margaret Swanson was taken to Cuyna Regional Medical Center in Crosby just before 3 p.m. While the extent of her injuries were not known at the site of the accident, Sheriff's deputies say she was conscious and able to answer questions about the accident.

No charges are expected against the 89-year-old Deerwood man who was driving the van.