Prep Football Scores from Friday

Barnesville 54, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley-LaPorte 0
Crosby-Ironton 36, Rush City 20
Dilworth-Glyndon-Feolton 27, Wadena-Deer Creek 6
Pelican Rapids 31, Staples-Motley 20
Pequot Lakes 14, Perham 7
Pillager 16, Royalton 14
Red Lake County 52, Pine River-Backus 21

New Web Service From Secretary of State's Office

The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office has launced a new web site to help voters check the statust of their absentee ballots.  It's estimated that nearly 6,000 Crow Wing County residents will vote by asbsentee ballot this year.  This is a simple way to check the status of absentee ballots, 24 hours a day, any day of the week.  The site is located at: www.mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/absenteeballotstatus.aspx.

Hunters Survival Kit

The woods are never more active than they are now, with many hunting seasons underway.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging the use of basic survival skills if hunters become lost. 

Jean Goad, DNR Public Information Officer for the northeast region, says all hunters should have a survival pack.  It should include a lighter and cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly to start a fire, snacks and water, and two large garbage bags with rope to make a shelter. 

Goad says if hunters do become disoriented, they need to sit down, think about what resources they have, observe their location and plan what they are going to do to survive.

Oktoberfest at the Arb

The Northland Arboretum of Brainerd holds its first annual Oktoberfest Celebration from 5:00-8:00 p.m. this evening.

Spokesperson Becky Eckelman tells KLKS News, there are two parts to the festival.  The first is beer sampling.  The second part is a hammerschlagen contest, in which participants must try to beat a nail into a log using the wrong side of a bricklayer's hammer. 

Tickets for the event are $15 and are available at the door.

A Wet and Cool September

September was cool and damp, according to KLKS Meteorologist Tony Schumacher.  He says the month was about 4 degrees cooler than average, and 1 to 2 inches wetter. 

September reversed the summer trend of temperatures a couple of degrees warming than usual.

As much rain as we saw last month around here, it did not compare to portions of southern Minnesota, which measured rain up to seven inches above normal.

Schumacher says the first full work week in October should be mild, with the mercury possibly hitting 70. 

PFDs Urged for Waterfowlers

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking duck hunters to make sure they pack their most important piece of equipment; their life jackets.  The waterfowl season opens Saturday.

Tim Smalley, DNR boating safety specialist says the lack of flotation devices is still one of the most common law violations among waterfowl hunters, and the most common cause of duck hunter deaths.

Thirteen hunters have drowned in boating accidents since that time. Before life jackets were mandated, three to six hunters died in duck boat accidents nearly every season.

National statistics indicate more hunters die every year from cold water shock, hypothermia and drowning than firearms mishaps.

Big Winnie Walleye Regs Discussed

Anglers who fish for walleye on Lake Winnibigoshish and connected waters will have a chance to discuss experimental fishing regulations with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff at two meetings in October.The first will be held Monday, Oct. 11, 6 to 8 p.m., at Bug-O-Nay-Gee-Shig School, on Highway 2 between Cass Lake and Bena.  The second will be held Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6 to 8 p.m., at Minnesota Interagency Fire Center Training Room, 402 SE 11th Street, in Grand Rapids.

The meetings will begin with a short presentation describing changes in the walleye fishery since 2000, when the DNR implemented regulations requiring anglers to immediately release all walleye 17-to 26-inches in length. Staff will explain several options to change the regulations. DNR Fisheries staff will be present to answer questions and take comments about whether to continue or modify the regulation.

The current protected slot limit of 17- to 26-inches has resulted in increased angler catch rates, increased spawner stock biomass and increased consistency of walleye recruitment, according to Chris Kavanaugh, DNR area fisheries supervisor. He said that a number of regulation scenarios have been modeled to estimate the long-term effect on the walleye population. Four regulation options would maintain the benefits achieved and will be discussed.

Written comments may be submitted through Friday, Oct. 22, to the DNR Area Fisheries office, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, or by e-mail to chris.kavanaugh@state.mn.us.

Thursday High School Scores

Volleyball:
3-0  Bertha-Hewitt def Staples-Motley
3-0  Deer River def Hill City
3-0  East Central def Aitkin
3-0  Henning def Menahga
3-0  Nevis def Blackeduck
3-0  Onamia def Hinckley-Finlayson
3-0  Pierz def Rockford
3-0  Pillager def Verndale
3-0  Pine River-Backus def Northome/Kelliher
3-0  Sebeka def New York Mills
3-0  Upsala def Royalton
3-0  Wadena-Deer Creek def Sauk Centre
3-1  Walker-Hackensack-Akeley def Pequot Lakes
3-2  St. Cloud Apollo def Brainerd
3-2  Virginia def Crosby-Ironton

Crosby Woman Hits a Bingo

A Crosby woman is walking around with a little more pocket jingle.  Kris Rustad claimed over $11 thousand by playing the Minnesota Lottery's Progress Print-N-Play Bingo game.

The winning ticket came from U-Pump-It on Main Street in Crosby.

Area H.S. Football Continues to Wow

The Pequot Lakes High School football team has moved up a notch in the rankings.  This week, the Patriots are second in the prep football poll in Class 3A.  The team is undefeated at 4-0.  This Friday, they travel to Perham.  KLKS will broadcast the game at 7 p.m.

The Brainerd Warriors, also undefeated, are 9th in the 5A rankings the same as last week. 

The Pierz Pioneers are ranked 8th is Class 2A, with a 3-1 record.  Royalton is also ranked 8th in 1A.  And, McGregor polls at number 7 in Nine Man football

CW Board Could Tackle Muskie Issue

The Crow Wing County Board may review the DNR proposed stocking of muskies in area lakes. 

Lakeshore owners on South Long Lake have asked the board to get involved.   The proposed stocking has drawn the ire from those who feel Minnesota's top predator fish would be too hard on existing fish populations, result in too much traffic on the lake and boat access, and could potentially introduce invasive species.

DNR Northeast Region Public Information Officer Jean Goad, tells KLKS News, if boaters are careful, invasives should not be an issue.

P.L. Council Fires Police Chief

The Pequot Lakes City Council Tuesday made permanent the dismissal of Police Chief Jerry Braam. 

The Chief was temporarily relieved of his duties on August 16th.  Mayor Nancy Adams says the action was taken following a complaint filed against the Chief.   Details of the complaint have not been released to the public. 

The Mayor says because Braam was an "At-Will" employee, the council doesn't need to release that information.

Officer Kate Peterson is the Acting Chief.  Braam was hired in 2005.

Verdale Girls Struck Getting Off School Bus

(AP)  90-year-old Ruth Beaver of Verndale is expected to be charged in connection with the  injury of a 5-year-old girl getting off a Wadena-Deer Creek school bus in Verdale. 

Police say Myah Nelson was crossing in front of the bus with her two sisters when she was struck. 

The girl was hospitalized overnight for observation.

Beaver is expected to be charged with gross misdeamnor, violation of school bus stop arm.

Tuesday High School Scores

Volleyball:
3-0  Hinckley-Finlayson def Isle
3-0  Menahga def Staples-Motley
3-0  Nevis def Cass Lake-Bena
3-0  Onamia def Pine City
3-0  Pierz def Pequot Lakes
3-0  Pine River-Backus def Park Rapids
3-0  Wadena-Deer Creek def New York Mills
3-0  Walker-Hackensack-Akeley def Laporte
3-1  Pillager def Crosby-Ironton
3-2  Brainerd def Fergus Falls
3-2  Browerville def Royalton
3-2  Little Falls def Sartell

Muskie Comments Due Thursday

Interested individuals have until Thursday, to comment on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources proposals to stock muskellunge in five new waters starting in the fall of 2011. The proposals are in response to a growing interest in muskellunge fishing.

Lakes included for proposed muskellunge management are Roosevelt Lake in Cass and Crow Wing counties, Upper South Long Lake and Lower South Long Lake in Crow Wing County.

Additional information about the proposals, as well as an online survey on the issue, are available at mndnr.gov/muskie. Comments also may be emailed to muskie.comments@state.mn.us, or sent via regular mail to Muskie Stocking Proposals, Minnesota DNR, 1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

The DNR is proposing five new muskellunge waters because interest in muskellunge fishing has risen substantially in recent years. The best science indicates stocking muskellunge in low densities in these lakes will not harm existing fish populations.

The DNR will review public input during October and November. Decisions on each stocking proposal are expected in December. If the DNR decides to move forward, stocking would begin in 2011 or 2012. Some 12 to 15 years afterward, the fish would reach the 48-inch minimum size to be kept by anglers.

Pine River Sailor Helps in Pakistan Relief

Navy Airman Recruit Brady W. Hopkins, Pine River,alongside 2, 800 sailors, conducted their first humanitarian and relief missions while on a regularly scheduled deployment aboard USS Peleliu.


As Pakistan continues to combat floods from monsoon rains that flooded the region displacing millions of people, the USS Peleliu assisted by dispatching several Marine helicopters which transferred up to 16 tons of food and supplies at a time.

League of Women Voters Brainerd Lakes to sponsor Pequot Lakes Candidate Forum on Monday, October 4th.

At 5:00 on Monday, October 4th, League of Women Voters Brainerd Lakes will sponsor a forum for the Pequot Lakes Mayor and City Council. All candidates have been invited to participate. The forum will be held at the large meeting room at Pequot Lakes High School.

LWV Brainerd Lakes is a nonpartisan political organization with a strong 90-year history educating Minnesota’s voters. “LWV Minnesota has been sponsoring debates for voters for 30 years,” said Sally Jacobsen, Voter Services Chair. “This forum continues a strong tradition of getting trusted information out for voter education.”

LWV Brainerd Lakes will be sponsoring forums for local elections. Other forums planned include: Brainerd and Baxter Mayor and City Council on Monday, October 11th at Brainerd High School Little Theater and Minnesota House, Senate and Crow Wing County races on Monday, October 18th at BHS. “Our debates provide an opportunity to provide nonpartisan information on candidates and creates accessibility for people to compare candidates on the same issues,” said Sandra Reuther, LWV Minnesota Brainerd Lakes President.

Leech Band Ivestigates Possible Diversion

(AP)  The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe have hired former federal prosecutor David Lillehaug to invesitgate if $2.4 million may have been diverted away from the tribe in a pipeline construction project.

Enbridtge Energy is expected to pay $10 million to the band in exchange for permits and leases needed for the 1,000 mile pipeline that crosses tribal land. 

David Lillehaug is a former U.S. Attorney. 

Chairman Arthur Larose says if Lillehaug finds payment has been "Misapplied or diverted," the tribe will take action to recover the funds.

Area Candidate Debates

 The League of Women Voters Brainerd Lakes will sponsor a forum for the Pequot Lakes Mayor and City Council. All candidates have been invited to participate. The forum will be held at the large meeting room at Pequot Lakes High School at 5:00 on Monday, October 4th.

Other forums planned include: Brainerd and Baxter Mayor and City Council on Monday, October 11th at Brainerd High School Little Theater and Minnesota House, Senate and Crow Wing County races on Monday, October 18th at BHS. “Our debates provide an opportunity to provide nonpartisan information on candidates and creates accessibility for people to compare candidates on the same issues,” said Sandra Reuther, LWV Minnesota Brainerd Lakes President.

LWV Brainerd Lakes is a nonpartisan political organization with a strong 90-year history educating Minnesota’s voters. “LWV Minnesota has been sponsoring debates for voters for 30 years,” said Sally Jacobsen, Voter Services Chair.

Monday High School Scores

Volleyball:
3-0  Bertha-Hewitt def Eagle Valley
3-0  Braham def Royalton
3-0  Crosby-Ironton def Aitkin
3-0  Milaca def Pine City
3-0  Northland def Black Duck
3-0  Sebeka def Browerville
3-0  Upsala def Onamia
3-0  Wadena-Deer Creek def Breckenridge

Infested Waters

The Minnesota DNR is taking steps to stop the movement of an exotic species linked to waterfowl deaths.

The DNR says Faucet Snails have been discovered in parts of the Mississippi River, Leech River and Little Winnibigoshish Lake.  Those areas will be designated as infested waters later this month.

The designation will include the Mississippi River downstream of the Lake Winnibigoshish Dam in Cass and Itasca Counties, including Little Winnibigoshish Lake, to just before White Oak Lake.  The designation also includes the Leech River downstream of the Mud Lake Dam in Cass County.

Faucet Snails are host to a paraside linked to waterfowl deaths.

State law prohibits transporting water from "Infested waters" without a permit.  State law also bars anglers or commercial bait harvesters from harvesting bait from those waters without a permit. 

Backus Man Found Guilty of Spiking Trees

According to the Cass County Attorney, 52-year old Stephen Thomas Olson of Backus was found guilty on Friday of Felony Criminal Damage to property and of a Gross Misemeanor Damage to Timber, following a 3-day trial in Walker.  In November 2009, it was discovered that over 500 trees had been spiked with 6-inch long ring shank pole barn nails.  At trial the jury heard evidence that Olson was angry that red pine trees on county land were going to be logged and he told others that he was going to spike the trees. According to court records, Olson was aided in his crime by two teenage boys who had close ties to the defendant.  Olson will be sentenced on October 8 by Judge John P. Smith.

Cravaack Opposes Stimulus

The Republican candidate for 8th District Congress is an opponent of the stimulus package.  While some say it has lessened a deeper recession, Chip Cravaack says it was a bad idea because it has widened the federal deficit.  He says the stimulus money is costing future generations more than the Iraq war. 

Cravaack appeared on KLKS as part of our meet the candidate interviews.

MN Man Wins Leech Tourny

Pro Chris Gilman of Chicago, City, caught two walleyes weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces Saturday to win the 2010 FLW Walleye Tour Championship earning $42,676. Gilman had a four-day catch of 16 walleyes weighing 42-15. 

Gilman was rigging with redtail chubs, a 1 ½-ounce sinker a six-foot Suffix leader and a minnow.

Gilman was the 2009 Angler of the Year.

Brainerd Lure Books Combined into One

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber says it is combining four of its products into one publication, the 2011 Brainerd Lakes Area Guide.

The Guide will replace the Brainerd Lakes Visitor Guide, the Fun Guide, the Business & Relocation Guide, and the Brainerd Lakes Area Map.

“The 2011 Brainerd Lakes Area Guide gives us an opportunity to showcase the many assets of the Brainerd Lakes Area in one publication,” said Lisa Paxton, Brainerd Lakes Chamber CEO.

The 2011 Brainerd Lakes Area Guide will include community information clustered into geographic sub-regions within the Lakes Area, a calendar of events, community maps in collaboration with Crow Wing County and listings of area accommodations, activities and attractions.