Prep Scores from Friday

In a game that was carried live last night on KLKS, in Girls' Basketball;  Pequot Lakes 85, Hibbing 63

In other Girls' Prep Hoops:
Aitkin 74, Hinkley-Finlayson 34
Barnum 96, Onamia 15
D-G-F 69, Ulen-Hitterdal 47
Isle 70, East Central 35
Lake of the Woods 60, Cass Lake-Bena 40
Little Falls 63, Pierz 47
Mora 76, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 39
Pine River-Backus 73, Litchfield 56
St. Cloud Cathedral 56, St. Cloud Apollo 44
Staples-Motley 69, Park Rapids 26
Verndale 44, Swanville 40
W-H-A 49, Bagley 39

Boys' Prep Hoops :
Blackduck 77, East Grand Forks 55
Cass Lake-Bena 61, Lake of the Woods 23
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 55, Sauk Centre 35
Pequot Lakes 81, Deer River 50

Girls' Prep Ice:
Bemidji 1, North St. Paul 0
Hibbing/Chisholm 3, Princeton 2

Boys' Prep Ice:
Bemidji 6, M-A-M/L 3
Wadena-Deer Creek 5, Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin 0

Wrestling:
Belgrade-Grooten-Elros Tournament;
Willmar in 6th Place, with 110 points

C.W. Prosecutor Finds No Evidence Of Voter Fraud

A prosecutor in Brainerd says he won't file charges in a complaint that two disabled voters had their ballots filled out by a group home worker.  Crow Wing County Attorney, Don Ryan, says there's no evidence the worker influenced the clients' votes.

Ryan says the voters filled out their absentee ballots and the worker merely darkened the ovals so scanning machines would read them.

The Brainerd man, Monty Jensen, filed the complaint over what he claimed he saw at the courthouse on October 30th.  Jensen believed what he observed crossed the line from proper assistance to manipulation of vulnerable adults.  The ballots were all cast for DFL candidates.

Jensen wants to talk to the county attorney and review the investigative report before offering any further comments.

Snowmobile Trails Not Quite Ready

Snowmobile trails became available for sledding December 1st.  However, trails may not be open yet, according to Jean Goad, Minnesota DNR Information Officer. 

The spokesperson for north east Minnesota tells KLKS News, there hasn't been enough snow for good grooming.  She says the DNR and snowmobile clubs have been out working on the trails, but they need about a foot of snow.  Once compacted, that results in only an inch or two.

Goad also says, the trail system crosses private property.  In some case, work on clearing the trails with downed trees is just beginning now. 

Snowmobilers are urged to check with local snowmobile clubs, or the DNR website to learn more on current trail conditions.

Fatal Traffic Accidents are Up

The Brainerd office of the Minnesota State Patrol is in the midst of their December DWI enforcement program.

Sergent Curt Mowers tells KLKS News, they find impaired drivers also do not use good judgment when it comes to using a seat belt. 

Mowers says there have been eight more fatal accidents on Minnesota roads this year compared to last.  He says one third of those were alcohol related.

Mowers also wants to remind SUV owners, that their vehicles are as prone to accidents on icy roads, as any other vehicle.

Area Challenged Votes

As the statewide recount continues in the contest race for governor, few vote challenges have been deemed as frivolous by local elections officials in the Brainerd Lakes Area.  All challenges deemed to be frivolous in the area were lodged by the campaign for Republican Tom Emmer.

Aitkin County posted the most with 10, Crow Wing had four.  The other counties did not find the challenges to be frivolous. 

Pictured is a ballot from Cass County which was found to be a legitimate challenge.

All ballots have been forwarded to the State Canvassing Board for final determination.

Oberstar May Join Humphrey Institute

Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is thinking about what he will do following 36 years in the U.S. Congress. 

The University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute has expressed an interest in tapping in to his many years in developing transportation policy.  Oberstar, outgoing Chairman of the powerful Transportation Committee indicates he may be interested as a visiting scholar, lecturer or author. 

Oberstar was upset by political novice Chip Cravaack in November.  Since then, Oberstar has said he wants to play a part in shaping public policy after leaving office in January

Kudos for Two Pequot H.S. Seniors

Two Pequot Lakes High School seniors have been named winners of the High School Heisman Award. 

Emily Lueck and Kurtis Moody were chosen for their excellence in academics, athletics and community/school leadership.

Lueck carries a 3.83 grade point average.  She participates in Cross Country, Basketball and Track.  Emily is a three year all conference athlete in basketball, and will finish near the top of the school's all time scoring list.  She set records in the 800 and 1600 meter events in track, and was part of record setting relays in the 4x800 and 4x400.

Moody holds a 3.78 GPA.  He was all conference in basketball and will be team captain this year.  Kurtis is also a two time letter winner in baseball.

Thursday Night High School Scores

Girls Basketball:
Bertha-Hewitt 61, Browerville 47
Crowmwell 62, Northland 52
Fergus Falls 50, Straples-Motley 45
Kimball 50, Royalton 32
Upsala 65, Pine River-Backus 50
Wadena-Deer Creek 74, Sebeka 64

Girls Hockey:
Brainerd/Little Falls 3, Sartell/Sauk Rapids-rice 3, OT (Tie)

Wrestling:
Little Falls 42, Apollo 26
Sauk Rapids-Rice, 42, Staples-Motley 27
Staples-Motley 46, Rocori 21

Another Hecker Auction

(AP)  More of Denny Hecker's toys go on the auction block to pay some of the debt owed by the fallen auto mogul.  The list includes scooters, segways, all-terrain vehicles, shotguns and luxury watches. 

The proceeds will be used to pay some of the huge bills he owes as a result of his bankruptcy. 

At one point Hecker owned 26 auto dealerships including 2 in Baxter. 

Previous auctions have raised a half million dollars.

Brd Kettle Collections Down

With approximately 4 weeks remaining until Christmas, The Brainerd Area Salvation Army is far from reaching their goal.  So far, $15 thousand has been raised toward a $110 thousand kettle goal, or about $1,000 behind last year at this time

Major Jeff Strickler says over 15 hundred volunteer hours are available for bell ringing.  He says giving at the kettle locations has been good, but it will be very hard to achieve the goal without additional volunteers to ring bells.

For more information call: (218) 829-1120.

Don't Dump Snow in the Road

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds property owners it is unlawful to deposit snow on or next to a public highway or street.

Minnesota law and many local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow onto public roads. This includes the ditch and right of way area along roads.

Violations are considered misdemeanors, but civil penalties also apply if the placement of snow creates a hazard, such as a slippery area, frozen rut or bump, that contributes to a motor vehicle or pedestrian crash. The civil liability can extend to both the property owner and the person who placed the snow.

Improperly placing snow on or near a public road creates hazards including drainage problems, drifting, sight obstructions and unsafe access. Special attention should be made to keep crosswalks, intersections, entrances and exits clean and unobstructed.

Oberstar Winds Down His D.C. Office

(AP)  When you lose an election, out-going congressmen are moved to the basement.  That true for the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee.  8th District Congressman Jim Oberstar has vacated his Washington D.C. office for something below grade for his last month on Capitol Hill.

The Congressman's staff has to depend on cell phones and laptops to conduct official business. They are also busy shredding constituent cases, as is required by law.  Any unresolved cases will be handled by his successor Chip Cravaack, or one of Minnesota's two Senators. 

Oberstar leaves office after 36 years of public service. 

Cravaack says he has tried unsuccessfully to contact Oberstar.

Red Lake Man Gets 61/2 Years

(AP)  A Red Lake man will spend over six years in prison for a stabbing death last February. 

20-year-old Ryan Roy Cloud was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the death of a 27-year-old man at a party on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. 

Police say the two had been wrestling and that cloud stabbed the man twice.

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Girls Basketball:
Chisholm 89, Hill City 27
Isle 93, Hinckley-Finlayson 25
Minahga 71, Park Rapids 42
Pequot Lakes 71, Little Falls 43
Perham 65, Staples-Motley 49
Pillager 71, Swanville 33
Wadena-Deer Creek 61, Pierz 49

Little Change in C.W. Recount

Crow Wing has completed the recount of ballots cast in the county in the contested race for Governor. 

Auditor Debra Erickson tells KLKS news, there was little change.  She says Republican Tom Emmer lost 3 votes, while Mark Dayton lost 2.

Emmer out polled Dayton 13,439 to 10,557. 

Only seven ballots were described as questionable.  Erickson says that's a positive reflection on both the voters and poll workers here.

Auto Crash Kills Crosslake Woman

A 57-year-old Crosslake woman was killed in a single vehicle accident Sunday afternoon.  She has been identified as Diane Larae White.

The woman was northbound on County Road 66 when she left the road and struck a tree.  She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Surviving Winter Ditch Life

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says the recent harsh weather is a reminder for motorists to be prepared for disagreeable conditions. 

The Sheriff tells KLKS News, pack extra blankets in the car, along with a shovel, some water, flares, and make sure the cell phone is fully charged.

Warming the car every 15 minutes is a good idea, but only if the tail pipe is clear. 

Sheriff Dahl says staying out of the ditch is the best plan.  He says that can be avoided by slowing down when the roads turn slippery.

Breezy Point Man Charged in Hunter's Death

(AP)  A Breezy Point man is facing more serious charges following the death of a deer hunter last week.

Keven McCormick has already been charged with first degree assault and hunter harassment.  He is accused of pulling a deer stand out from underneath Jerry Benedict during the rifle season.  Benedict was taken to a Fargo hospital where he died last Wednesday.

The two were hunting in Clearwater County near Bagley when the incident happened.  McCormick claims Benedict was trespassing on his property.  Benedict said he was hunting on White Earth Tribal land and had permission to be there.  McCormick says he was extending his business card to Benedict when the tree stand tipped.

The Clearwater County Attorney says more serious charges may be filed once she has a chance to review the medical reports.

Brainerd Native Dies In New York City

Byron Gustafson, former managing partner of the firm that managed the careers and tours of performers from Suzanne Vega to Patti Lupone, has died in Manhattan.  He was 56.

Opus 3 Artists says on its website that the Brainerd, Minnesota native died at his home on November 22, a year after he retired from his position with the company due to complications from Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Gustafson spent 22 years as director of ICM Artists' Touring Division and expanded the company's touring roster to include the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the Vienna Boys Choir and others.  He also managed performers including James Galway and Wynton Marsalis.

DWI Taskforce Working Hard This December

Officers in the Brainerd Lakes area will be working extra patrols together statewide with other deputies, officers and troopers during the month of December for a crackdown on impaired drivers. According to Department of Public Safety records, even with a record low number of fatalities since 1944, out of the 421 deaths on our roadways in 2009, alcohol was still involved in at least 140 of those crashes. At least 2,592 people sustained injuries in alcohol-related crashes. “Motorists who are driving impaired are still a serious threat to everyone on the road,” said Brainerd Police Chief Corky McQuiston. “People need to learn to plan ahead so they won’t drink and drive, it’s that simple.”

Chief McQuiston also said, “All motorists need to be on the lookout for drivers who appear to be impaired, and report them.” Officers statewide are encouraging all drivers to take that personal responsibility for their own actions behind the wheel and make that decision not to drink and drive. In 2009 officers in Minnesota arrested an average of 90 persons a day for impaired driving, and at least 41 percent of those drivers had a previous DWI on their record. Also in 2009, eight percent of the drivers arrested for DWI were under age 21. One out of seven current Minnesota drivers has at least one DWI.

Law enforcement agencies in the Crow Wing County area working this project will be Minnesota State Patrol troopers, Crow Wing County Deputies, and officers from the police departments of Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Deerwood, Emily, Crosby, Cuyuna, Crosslake and Breezy Point. Safe & Sober is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety and is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death initiative (TZD).

Ice Thickness Guidelines From Crow Wing County Sheriff

Sheriff Todd Dahl reminds everyone that ice is just beginning to form on area lakes and not lakes have enough ice to support fishermen or motorized vehicles.  He passes along these Ice Thickness Guidelines from the Minnesota DNR:

2" or less - STAY OFF
4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5" - Snowmobile or ATV
8" - Car or small pickup
12" - 15" - Medium Truck

If you venture out on unsafe ice, you are putting the lives of first responders and yourself at great risk.  No recreational activity is worth taking this chance.

New Walleye Regs on Mille Lacs

(AP)  When the ice fishing season opens on Lake Mille Lacs, anglers will find a change in the walleye regulations. 

Beginning Wednesday, all walleye between 18 and 28 inches must be released immediately.  That's two inches less than what had been in place since mid July.

One walleye of more than 28 inches is still OK to keep.