Prep Scores from Friday

Wrestling:
Milaca Tournament;
Milaca 39, St. Cloud Apollo 33
Pierz 37, St. Cloud Apollo 30
Pierz 39, Milaca 27

Girls' Hockey:
Cooper/Heritage/Providence 3, Crosby-Ironton/Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus 2
Park Rapids Area 6, Princeton 1

Boys' Hockey:
East Grand Forks 3, Warroad 0
Ely/Babbitt-Embarrass/Tower-Soudan 8, Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin 4

Girls' Basketball:
Aitkin 57, Greenway 23
Hibbing 66, Thief River Falls 59
Isle 64, Carlton 28
Morris Area/Chokia-Alberta 52, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 41
Nevis 73, Clearbrook-Gonvick 60
Parkers Prairie 60, Underwood 47
Pelican Rapids 49, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 48
Wadena-Deer Creek 69, Frazee 37
Pact Tournament;
Royalton 45, Pact/Spectrum 44

Boys' Basketball:
Alexandria 50, Brainerd 38
Barnum 59, Aitkin 42
Bertha-Hewitt 72, New York Mills 57
Crosby-Ironton 62, Park Rapids 40
Deer River 77, Nashwauk-Keewatin 53
East Central 68, Hinckley-Finlayson 47
East Grand Forks 48, Thief River Falls 45
Kittson County Central 69, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 55
Little Falls 68, Fergus Falls 59
Littlefork-Big Falls 75, Blackduck 70
McGregor 48, Floodwood 19
Nevis 80, Northland 32
Pequot Lakes 69, Pierz 58
Roseau 73, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 32
Sebeka 74, Pillager 42
St. Cloud Apollo 66, Rocori 54
St. Cloud Cathedral 65, Mora 57
St. Cloud Tech 65, Sartell 60
Wadena-Deer Creek 66, Staples-Motely 39
Willmar 71, Sauk Rapids-Rice 60

St. John's Prep Tournament;
Second Round--
Rush City 56, Royalton 55

Swanville Tournament;
Henning 61, Swanville 38
Pine River-Backus 76, Menahga 58

Feds Shutter A Bank In Minnesota

Regulators have shuttered banks in Georgia, Florida, Arkansas and Minnesota raising to 157 the number of U.S. Banks brought down this year by the struggling economy and soured loans. 

In Minnesota, the FDIC took over the Community National Bank of Lino Lakes with 31.6-million dollars in assets.  No further word if the bank will be taken over by another institution. 

Absentee Ballots Ready for PL School Bond

Absentee ballots are now available for those who wish to vote on the $33-million Pequot Lakes School bond referendum.  The vote is scheduled for February 8th. 

The same referendum failed last spring by a few hundred votes. 

School board member Curt Johnson tells KLKS News, the growing pains the district experienced earlier this year have not diminished, and they don't want to compromise the quality of education.  He says Eagle View Elementary has the biggest over-crowding problems. 

Johnson says the district has to add classrooms to both Eagle View Elementary and to the middle school located in the high school building.
Construction costs can be borne by either levy or bond referendum.  He says the bond referendum is the most cost effective.

Application for an absentee ballot can be made at the district office, 568-4996.  Or online.

Parade of Lights Saturday In Pine River

The Parade of Lights festivities will be held Saturday in Pine River.  The event was postponed for a week because of the dangerous wind chills last Saturday. 

Chamber Executive Director John Wetroski tells KLKS News, there are lots of fun activities planned, like a roving Santa Claus, wagon rides, the parade at 5 p.m. and fireworks display at 6:30 p.m.

Wetroski says the parade only lasts about a half hour, about right for the chilly time of year.  He says the fireworks can be viewed from chamber building just west of the stoplight on Highway 371.

A Bell Ringing Marathon in Baxter

For the past four years, Helen McCombie of Hudson, Wis. has volunteered to bell ring 30 hours straight in Hudson, Wis. to raise $30,000 for The Salvation Army. With recent snowstorms crippling donations to The Salvation Army, this year her son in Rapid City, S.D. and close friend in Brainerd, Minn. have agreed to do the same.


Starting at 5 a.m. on Dec. 20, all three will bell ring nonstop until Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. Shonna Baldwin, will ring in Baxter.

Their goal is to each raise at least $30,000 for their local Salvation Army.
Donations to The Salvation Army have fallen about 10 percent compared to last year.

Donations for Shonna in Brainerd can be made online at www.thesalarmy.org/brainerd or mail a check to The Salvation Army, 208 South Fifth Street, Brainerd, MN 56401.

Cass Lake Man Stabbed

An 18-year-old Cass Lake man was airlifted to a Duluth hospital following a stabbing Wednesday. 

The Sheriff's office says Jeffery Scott Donnell was stabbed at a residence about 3 p.m. Wednesday.  His condition is not known.  No arrests have yet been reported.

Deputies were assisted by the Leech Lake Tribal Police.   The incident remains under investigation.

Christmas Rip-Offs

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says people who would spoil your holiday, are not taking a holiday.

Area lawmen continue to receive reports of emails and phone calls to the senior population reporting their grandchild is in jail and needs money.  Dahl says it is most likely bogus.

Another favorite Christmas-time rip-off involves secret shopper scams.   Fake cashiers checks sent out by money gram.  In return, the victims are asked to send money by wire or money gram.  The victims are led to believe they are employed by Walmart. 

And yet another con involves legitimate homes for sale being copied from realtor's websites and placed on Craigslist for rent.  The funds are requested to be sent out of the country.

Thursday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Albany 60, Milaca 34
Pierz 69, Becker 38
Upsala 75, Norwood-Young America 63

Girls Basketball:
Albany 55, Milaca 33
Browerville 57, St. John's Prep 28
Eagle Valley 51, Royalton 27
Little Falls 69, St. Cloud Apollo 53
Northland 66, Hill City 38
Pillager 44, Menahga 38
Pine River-Backus 63, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 55
Red Lake 66, Cass Lake-Bena 51
Sauk Rapids-Rice 61, Brainerd 60
Upsala 70, Swanville 38
Verndale 56, New York Mills 38
Wadena-Deer Creek 70, Breckenridge 51

Boys Hockey:
Brainerd/Pierz/Pillager 7, St. Cloud Apollo 3
Little Falls 3, Alexandria 2 (OT)

Girls Hockey:
Brainerd/Little Falls 5, St. Cloud Icebreakers 2
Park Rapids Area 10, LPGE/WDC 0
River Lakes 1, Crosby-Ironton/Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus 0

Wrestling:
Brainerd/Pillager 55, Sartell-St. Stephen 15
Little Falls 51, Alexandria 20
Pierz 64, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 18

Memorial Service for Hackensack Mayor Rateike

A memorial service for Hackensack Mayor Mel Rateike will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 18th at Spartz Theater in Pine River.  He suffered a heart attack at home on November 28th. 

Rateike died Monday at St. Cloud Hospital without regaining consciousness.

In addition to serving as the city's highest elected official, Rateike had been the town's Police Chief.  Originally a Chicago policeman, he moved to Hackensack about 20 years ago.
The Spartz Theater is located at 1354 24th St SW Pine River.

There will be a lunch at the Hackensack American Legion at 2:30 p.m. following the services.

Area Teams Ranked in State

After getting off to a fast start, the Pequot Lakes girls basketball team has finally broken into the state's top 10 teams.  The undefeated Patriots are ranked number 10 in Class 2A with a 6-0 record.   Top ranked in the division is Braham, also at 6-0.  Ranked at number 10 in Class 1A is Sebeka with a 3-0 record.

In the boys state rankings, Sebeka comes in number 3 in class 1A.

In the boys hockey standings, the Little Falls Fall Flyers are number 14.

Trails Ready for Snow

Area snowmobile trails are ready for a winter of fun.  All they need is a little more snow, according to DNR Trails and Waterways Specialist Wade Miller. 

However, Miller cautions against spending too much time on the ice.  He says the DNR considers the ice, never safe.

Miller also wants to remind snowmobilers that is is illegal to operate on the road ditch, against car traffic, after dark. 

Hackensack Mayor Rateike Dies

The Mayor of Hackensack died Monday.  Mel Rateike passed away at St. Cloud Hospital following a heart attack November 28th. 

In addition to serving as the city's highest elected official, Rateike was the town's Police Chief. 

Family members say he never regained consciousness.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Pequot Approves the Hwy 371 Bypass

It only took seven minutes last night for the Pequot Lakes City Council to approve the controversial Highway 371 Bypass project.  It was an ironic close to an issue that has split the town for years. 

Business interests had wanted to keep the highway in its current location.  However, most wanted the the highway to skirt town for safety reasons.  The bypass will course a half mile east of the current stoplight on County Road 11.

The final vote was 4-1. 

Mayor Nancy Adams says now that the Minnesota Department of Transportation has the so-called municipal consent, they contractually can proceed with the project.   She expects the agency to begin purchasing the right way in five years. 

Adams says last night decision is final, and will not be reviewed.

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Aitkin 60, Ogilvie 36
Brainerd 53, St. Cloud tech 50 (2OT)
Detroit Lakes 73, Pequot Lakes 66
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 69, Park Rapids 57
Hill City 45, Northland 42
Hinckley-Finlayson 62, Onamia 54.
Little Falls 72, Alexandria 54
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 68, Melrose 42
McGregor 61, Isle 40
New London-Spicer 88, Milaca 54
Royalton 52, St. John's Prep 46
Sebeka 89, Menahga 61
Wadena-Deer Creek 54, Pine River Backus 35

Girls Basketball:
Aitkin 67, Ogilvie 34
Crosby-Ironton 47, Staples-Motley 39
Detroit Lakes 46, Wadena-Deer Creek 36
Nevis 61, Blackduck 46
Pequot Lakes 94, Park Rapids 28
Pierz 56, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 48
Royalton 53, Pine City 36
Upsala 77, Pillager 45

Boys Hockey:
Alexandria 3, Brainerd/Pierz/Pillager 0
Fergus Falls 4, Little Falls 4 (Tie)
Prairie Centre 6, Wadena-Deer Creek 3

Girls Hockey:
Brainerd/Little Falls 6, Alexandria 2
Park Rapids 5, Detroit Lakes/Perham 1

Wrestling:
Brainerd/Pillager 37, Sauk Rapids-Rice 33
Pierz 56, Royalton/Upsala 14
Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus 42, Wadena-Deer-Creek 37
Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus 59, Crosby Ironton 18
Wadena-Deer Creek 68, Crosby-Ironton 10

Award to CLC's Mary Sam

Mary Sam, Director of Diversity and Student Affairs at Central Lakes College, is a 2010 recipient of the Minnesota League of Human Rights Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions concerning human rights issues.

Described as a “seasoned activist,” Sam received the award Dec. 3 from the Minnesota League of Human Rights Commissions at the Minnesota Department of Human Rights Conference at the Crowne Plaza in St. Paul.

This is the second such statewide honor for Sam. She was the recipient of the 1997 League of Human Rights Commissions Award for her distinguished service at Armstrong High School in Plymouth.

Among previous winners is the Mille Lacs Area Human Rights Commission (2005), the first regional human rights commission to include an American Indian Reservation. Sam helped form that organization.

“This is a great honor and acknowledges Mary’s many contributions in helping to make Minnesota and this area a better place in which to live and work,” said Dr. Larry Lundblad, president of Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples.

Pequot Hwy 371 Vote Tonight

A special Pequot Lakes City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight for a decisive vote on the controversial Highway 371 bypass. 

The so-called municipal consent would give the city's blessing to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to move forward on future construction of a new road surface around town.

Pequot Lakes Mayor Nancy Adams is expected to address the gathering  before the final vote.  A public hearing was held earlier, so it is unlikely public comments will be received tonight.

The bypass would move the highway a half mile east of the current stoplight. The work is to begin in 2018.

Wadena Tornado Survivors Gather

Some 30 families affected by the June 17th tornado in Wadena gathered  last night for a Camp Noah reunion at the Wadena Elementary School.

Camp Noah, a program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, is a week-long day camp that helps children recover emotionally after a natural disaster. The therapeutic camp generally serves 50 children, but there was so much interest following the Wadena tornado in June that 70 children signed up for the camp that was held in August.

The LSS Disaster Response office in Wadena also reports that 92 families have been served with case management services. To date, through donations of $175,000, 88 families have received help with unmet needs in areas of loss that insurance has not covered. Some of those unmet needs have included sheetrock, shingles, windows, furniture, beds and car repairs.

Case Manager Wendy Molstad says there continues to be $900,000 in unmet needs and that financial donations are still very much needed.

Crosby Man Arrested on Drug Charges

A 26-year-old Crosby man was arrested on drug charges following a routine traffic stop in Breezy Point. 

Police Chief Kevin Mershmann says Eric William Laborde was pulled over December 5th for a broken tail light.  During the stop, Officer Josef Garcia discovered slightly less than a gram of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia.

Laborde faces drug possession  and intent to sell charges.  He could face up to 30 years in prison and a $250 thousand fine.

Laborde has a previous felony conviction on controlled substances charges.

Monday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Bertha-Hewitt 59, Verndale 43
Crosby-Ironton 60, Aitkin 38

Girls Basketball:
Brandon/Evansville 54, Browerville 51
Floodwood 74, Northland 37
Isle 59, McGregor 47
Pine River-Backus 68, Verndale 40

Kettle Collections Down

At the halfway point, the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign is slightly behind, according to Major Jeff Strickler. 

Collections are about $35 hundred shy of where they hoped they would be as of late last week.   The kettle goal is $110,000. 

Strickler Hopes they will be able to make this up, but says they need more bell ringing volunteers during the remaining weeks before Christmas.


In addition to raising funds at Christmas through its kettles, The Salvation Army also raises funds through the mail. The mail donations this Christmas are behind by almost $18,000.

The Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army raises approximately $100,000 through the mail at Christmas time in addition to what it raises through its Christmas kettles.

Dahl Reports An Uneventful, If Cold, Weekend

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says lakes area residents stayed  indoors during the brutal weekend.  As a result, there was a lack of cold weather incidents.

The Sheriff tells KLKS News, this isn't the last encounter we will have with the tough side of winter, and he is urging preparedness.  He says it is important to make sure the cell phone is fully charged, you let others know where you are going, and pack extra blankets and cold weather gear. 

Sheriff Dahl says it doesn't take long for frost bite to set in during the severe cold.

Ice Shelter Regs

Conservation officers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are reminding ice enthusiasts, all shelters placed on the ice must display either the complete name and address, a driver’s license number, or the nine-digit DNR number on the license of the owner.

The information must be plainly and legibly displayed on the outside of the shelter, in letters and figures at least 2 inches high. The requirement includes ice skating warming houses and other traditional structures placed on the ice, either temporarily or overnight.

Also, any shelter (fish houses, dark houses, warming houses, etc.) left on the ice at any time between midnight and one hour prior to sunrise must have a shelter license.

The Department of Public Safety now requires the registration of trailers used to haul ice fishing houses or dark houses, and enclosed trailers or recreational trailers used for fishing. Registration can be done at a local deputy registrar.

Shelters left on the ice overnight need to have at least 2 square inches of reflective material on each side of the house.

A shelter may not be erected within 10 feet of an existing shelter.