Pierz Students Face Charges For Alleged Hazing

(AP) Five Pierz high school students who were suspended after an alleged hazing incident last month have been charged with fifth-degree assault.

Two students are 18 and the other three are juveniles.  They were suspended for three days.

The charges stem from an alleged incident in which the Pierz boys basketball team was returning from a game in Maple Lake.  One of the players reported that he was inappropriately touched and told authorities he felt violated.

The 18-year old will be tried in adult court.  If convicted they face a maximum penalty of 90 days in prison and a $1-thousand dollar find.

The three others will be seen in juvenile court.  Morrison County Attorney, Brian Middendorf, said on Friday, they will not face jail time. 

Alleged Racial Attack Could Cost Man His Eye

(AP) A man who claims he was beaten at a Brainerd bar because he's black says the assault may cost him the vision in one eye.

Fifty-three year old Willie Navy says he was at a bar near closing time on February 6 when one white man called him the N-word and another knocked him out with a blow to the back of his head.

He says the only thing he could feel was his face getting kicked in.

Police arrested the suspects, two Pequot Lakes men, ages 29 and 27.

Navy says his eye will need multiple surgeries, and the prognosis is unclear.  He says the attack shows that race relations haven't changed since the 1950's.

Friday's Prep Scores

Wrestling:
Detroit Lakes Triangular;
Frazee 63, Detroit Lakes 28
Wadena-Deer Creek 39, Detroit Lakes 28

Great River Conference Tournament;
Aitkin 262
Mille Lacs 243.5
Hinckley-Finlayson/Pine City/East Central 165
Ogilvie 154
Rush City/Braham 64
Cloquet-Esko-Barnum 44

Boys' Hockey:
Little Falls 7, Alexandria 1
Roseau 6, St. Cloud Tech 0
St. Cloud Cathedral 9, Waconia 0

Girls' Basketball:
Crosby-Ironton 39, Wadena-Deer Creek 37
Isle 45, Hill City 44
McGregor 54, Cook County 52
Pequot Lakes 70, Pillager 40  (note:  Emily Lueck finished the game with 2007 career points!)
Pine River-Backus 69, Bagley 37
Royalton 62, Browerville 51
Sauk Centre 77, Milaca 36
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 52, Nevis 48

Boys' Basketball:
Bertha-Hewitt 64, Pillager 31
Isle 45, Hill City 44
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 53, St. Cloud Cathedral 44
McGregor 42, Cook County 41
Nevis 57, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 50
Pequot Lakes 90, Roseau 46
Rocori 79, Little Falls 62
Sartell 68, Fergus Falls 48
Sauk Centre 70, Milaca 32
St. Cloud Apollo 57, Brinerd 56 OT
St. Cloud Tech 78, Sauk Rapids-Rice 66
Swanville 73, Verndale 63
Thief River Falls 65, Crosby-Ironton 63

No Break For Hecker

A federal judge has sentenced former Minnesota auto magnate Denny Hecker to a maximum of 10 years in prison on fraud charges.

U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen granted prosecutors' requrest for the most severe sentence.  The said Hecker lied to lenders and hid assets from a bankruptcy court.  Ericksen told Hecker she agreed with them and as a result he wouldn't be getting a break. 

Hecker's attorneys had asked for 8 years.

Hecker, 58, built a business empire that grew to 26 auto dealerships and an assortment of other enterprises before it imploded in 2008.

He pleaded guilty last September to conspiracy and bankruptcy fraud charges.  Prosecutors said he cheated Chrysler Financial and other commercial lenders of tens of millions of dollars so he could support a high-flying lifestyle. 

Thursday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Browerville 68, Upsala 57
Cass Lake-Bena 79, Clearbrook-Gonvick 31
Maple Lake 62, Pierz 56
Menahga 56, Wadena-Deer Creek 50
Pine River-Backus 59, Blackduck 48
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 56, Park Rapids 44

Girls Basketball:
Bertha-Hewitt 50, Menahga 46
Brainerd 61, Rocori 48
Clearbrook-Gonvick 62, Cass Lake-Bena 39
Crosby-Ironton 54, Esko 53
Isle 93, Swanville 32
Pequot Lakes 69, Staples-Motley 57
Pillager 52, Henning 38
Rush City 38, Onamia 35
Sebeka 69, Verndale 27
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 80, Park Rapids 39

Boys Hockey:
Brainerd/Pierz/Pillager 7, Fergus Falls 3
Little Falls 3, Rogers 2
Northern Lakes 9, Wadena-Deer Creek 3
Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis 7, Bagley/Foston/Clearbrook-Gonvick 4

Wrestling:
Brainerd/Pillager 67, Rocori 8
Little Falls 57, St. Cloud Tech 22
Park Rapids 46, Fosston/Bagley 27
Royalton/Upsala 67, Crosby-Ironton 11

Sen Carlson Proposes Tuition Freeze

State Senator John Carlson of Bemidji has introduced a bill to freeze tuition increases at state colleges and universities.  It would be a two year freeze and an increase limitation thereafter.

The Republican member of the Higher Education Committee tells KLKS News, They can cover the costs of the freeze by removing the administration bloat.

The tuition freeze would be in place between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2013. After that, tuition increases from could not exceed the annual increase in inflation.

Reaction to Dayton State of State Address

Mark Dayton has delivered his first State of the State address before a combined chamber of state senators and representatives.  He says he would still like to raise taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans to help balance a budget that is showing a $6.2 billion revenue shortfall.

The Governor also said he would like to increase funding for primary education.  And, he asked legislators not to shut down government in June as they battle over how to best solve the state's budget woes.

Reaction to the Governors followed party lines.  DFL State Representative John Ward of Brainerd said he liked it, impressed by the effort to find common solutions  However, Republican State Representative Mike LeMieur is a little more skeptical.  He says he is concerned about any increase in spending, even if it is for education.

High School Rankings

Boys Basketball:
Class 2A
1.    Plainview-Elgin-Millville (20-1)
5.    Pequot Lakes (14-4)
7.    Perham (17-1)

Class 1A
1.    Sebeka (17-0)

Girls Basketball:
Class2A
1.    Braham (20-1)
8.    Pequot Lakes (18-1)

Class 1A
1.    Parkers Prairie (18-0)
6.    Upsala (19-0)

Boys Hockey:
Class 1A
1.    St. Thomas Academy
15.  Little Falls

P.L. School Board Makes Plans for Construction

Voters in the Pequot Lakes School District approved a $33 million bond referendum by a wide margin Tuesday.  The same measure failed by about 250 votes last spring.

School Board member Curt Johnson tells KLKS News, it may have taken eight months for voters to become comfortable with the message that the elementary school was too crowded.

Johnson says the school board plans to review current needs of the school before awarding contracts to add space to the elementary school and repair the high school.

Region 5 To Study Area's Competitiveness

The Region Five Development Commission will use a HUD grant to study population growth, loss of family farms, pressure on natural resources,
access to public transportation choices and affordable housing in area counties.
The commission wants to determine how the area compares with the rest of the state.

A kick-off meeting will be held on February 23rd from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at The Lodge in Baxter. Interested citizens in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties are encouraged to attend.

Those who attend will be asked to share their views and ideas on a wide variety of topics.

Outdoor Fun for Kids

Take a Kid Ice Fishing weekend is February 19th-21st. 

DNR Youth Mentoring Coordinator Mike Kurre tells KLKS News, there are benefits for the adult mentor.  He says those 16 and older, when accompanied by a youngster, may fish without a license.

Kurre says the ice is up to two feet thick, although the DNR never considers the ice to be safe. 

Kurre also says Monday is the deadline for kids 12-17, who have not hunted turkey before, to register for the lottery to hunt the southern half of the state.

Two Charged in Brainerd Beating

 (AP)  What appears to be a racially motivated attack in Brainerd over the weekend has left a black man hospitalized with severe injuries.
Police say an employee at a local bar overheard two men discussing the attack of Willie Navy because he is black.   The man was found on the sidewalk early Sunday morning nearly incoherent.  He is hospitalized in stable condition after being hit and kicked in the head.  Navy is reportedly in danger of losing his eye sight.

Police grabbed the two suspects in a near-by residence following the attack.  Lucas Eastwood is charged with assault and kidnapping, Travis Campbell is charged with assault.

P.L. School Bond Passes

The second time was the charm for the $33-million Pequot Lakes School District bond referendum.

Voters approved the question Tuesday, 1352 yes, 910 no. 

There were two polling locations.  At the Pequot Lakes High School the vote was 1031 yes, 560 no.  At Crosslake City Hall the vote was 236 yes, 184 no.  Absentee ballots broke 85 yes, 166 no.

The same referendum failed last spring by about 250 votes. 

The school district had requested the bond because Eagle View Elementary School in Breezy Point had become over-crowded.  The school was built seven years ago to house 28 sections, however the school now has 32 classes.

The funds generated from the bond may not be used for staff salary.

The school board must still canvass the election results before they become official.

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Aitkin 61, Isle 46
Brainerd 71, Willmar 64
Cromwell 80, Northland 51
Deer River 72, Crosby-Ironton 65
Detroit Lakes 81, Park Rapids 35
Hill City 57, Floodwood 54
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 58, Albany 52
McGregor 82, East Central 55
Menahga 51, Pillager 47
Nevis 60, Browerville 57
New York Mills 70, Verndale 60
Pequot Lakes 77, Staples-Motley 61
Pierz 71, Wadena-Deer Creek 61
Pine City 76, Onamia 59
Sebeka 95, Eagle Valley 76
St. Cloud Cathedral 64, Milaca 46
St. Cloud Tech 65, Little Falls 50

Girls Basketball:
Aitkin 46, Onamia 44
Crosby-Ironton 60, Deer River 37
Holdingford 66, Pierz 55
Isle 84, Ogilvie 55
Menahga 83, Browerville 74
Nevis 61, Verndale 26
Parkers Prairie 71, Sebeka 60
Pine River-Backus 80, Park Rapids 45
Royalton 48, St. John's Prep 26
Upsala 79, Eagle Valley 71

Boys Hockey:
Little Falls 2, St. Cloud Apollo 2 (Tie)
Northern Lakes Lightening 4, Red Lake County Central/Red Lake Falls 4 (Tie)
Prairie Center 11, Wadena-Deer Creek 4

Wrestling:
Frazee 67, Park Rapids 6
Pierz 46, Aitkin 21
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley/nevis 46, Hawley/Lake Park-Audubon 21
Little Falls 37, Dassel-Cokato 36
Little Falls 37, Mora 36
Royalton/Upsala 46, Albany 27
Royalton/Upsala 48, Osakis 18
Royalton/Upsala 63, Ogilvie 12

P.L. Health Fair Thursday

The 2nd Annual Complete Wellness Health Fair will be held Thursday in the commons area of the Pequot Lakes High School. 

Food Services Director Patty Buhl tells KLKS News, there will be something for everyone, including checks for blood Pressure, glucose, eyes and oral cancer. 

Buhl says there will be 22 vendors in attendance. 

The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., just before the Pequot Lakes girls basketball game against Staples-Motley.  Chicken-rice soup and yogurt parfaits will be served.   Door prizes will be given away during the game.

There is no admission charge to attend the health fair.

Howes Favors Photo I.D.

State Representative Larry Howes of Walker says he supports an effort to require photo I.D. in order to vote in Minnesota.

The Cass County Republican tells KLKS News, they will be easy to get and will have minimal if any cost.   He rejects the argument that minorities or the poor would be most affected.  He says if they don't have cars to get to a location for a photo I.D., then they wouldn't be able to get to the polling places anyway.

Howes says there are always complaints following elections, and this is one way to make a change.

Pequot School Referendum Today

The polls are open for the $33 million bond referendum in the Pequot Lakes School District.  The same referendum failed last spring.

Middle School Principal Randy Hanson tells KLKS News, the elementary school has become over-crowded.  He says Eagle View was built seven years ago for 28 sections.  However, he says there currently are 32 class in the building.

The impact on a on a $200 thousand dollars house would be about $46 per year.

Voting is being held at the Pequot Lakes Senior High School and Crosslake City hall until 8 p.m.

Monday Night High School Scores

Girls Basketball:
Clearbrook-Gonvick 64, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 47
Nevis 63, Northland 33
Pequot Lakes 88, Esko 64
Royalton 53, Ogilvie 49

IRS Recommends E-Filing

Midwest Regional IRS Spokesperson Sue Hales says it is too soon to tell what the average tax refund will be, for those who have one coming.  But, she tells KLKS News, for those who file electronically, it won't take long to get it.

Hales says employees should have received their W2s by now.  If not, check with your employer.  If all else fails, the IRS can issue a form 4852, which can substitute for a W2.

Dahl Recommends Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl is asking residents to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.  He tells KLKS News, heating plants have been stressed during this cold winter. 

Sheriff Dahl says a house was destroyed by fire over the weekend on County Road 103 near Crosslake.  He says no one was at home at the time of the blaze.

DNR Gears-Up for CWD Fight

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a plan to deal with deer in southeastern Minnesota which may have been subjected to Chronic Wasting Disease. 

A deer feeding ban is in place, and area landowners have been asked to participate in a deer sampling process.

Landowners who obtain shooting permits from the DNR will be authorized to take deer in a portion of southeastern Minnesota within roughly 10 miles of where a CWD positive wild deer was found near Pine Island.

Brainerd DNR Non Game Specialist Pam Perry tells KLKS News, this is a tough disease.  She says it is difficult to tells where an outbreak began, and eliminating it once a case has been reported.
 
CWD can be transmitted between elk and deer.

Howard Miss Nisswa

The new Miss Nisswa is Rachael Howard.  She was crowned in ceremonies Saturday night at the Lutheran Church of the Cross.  Rachael is a Senior at Brainerd High School.

First runner-up was Maggie Clement, a Senior from Pequot Lakes High School. 

Rachael will get $2 thousand worth of scholarships, Clement $14 hundred.

Town Hall Meeting Saturday in Pequot

State Senator John Carlson and State Representative Larry Howes will host a town hall meeting in Pequot Lakes Saturday.

The Event will be held at noon at city hall. 

Carlson and Howes are both Republicans representing District 12.  Carlson is from Bemidji, Howes from Walker. 

Gov to Attend CLC Expo

Governor Mark Dayton plans to attend the Ag and Energy Expo at the CLC Campus in Staples February 18th, a free event that features a farmer-professor as keynote speaker.

Randall Reeder of Ohio State University, who has been involved in agriculture his entire life, will discuss soil management, food/agricultural and biological engineering, water quality, and other current topics regarding trends in agriculture.

Exhibitors include several companies emphasizing conservation and natural resource stewardship with wind energy and solar power considerations.

Julia Palmer says they have many exhibitors rwho will promote a variety of products, from wind towers and turbines, solar heat, and energy efficiency equipment, to grain drying crop demonstrations and bio equipment.

Local GOP to Meet Saturday

Crow Wing County Republicans will meet on Saturday, February 12th to elect officers and hear from elected leaders.

The list of those expected to attend include 8th District Congressman Chip Cravaack, State Senators John Carlson and Paul Gazelka, and State Representatives Mike LeMieur and Larry Howes.

Registration begins at 8:30a and the convention begins at 9:30am in the Central Lakes College cafeteria in Brainerd. The meeting is open to everyone but only elected delegates will be able to vote for 2011-2012 officers.

A Reminder for Snowmobilers

These are some of the best snowmobiling conditions the Brainerd Lakes Area has seen for years.  While it has been a blast for snowmobilers, and a boon to the local economy, it has been a pain for some property owners.

Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel has received several complaints from various parts of the county of snowmobilers driving off the trails onto private property. Wetzel reminds snowmobilers that such conduct could result in closing of trails and is disrespectful to the landowners.