1st Anniversary of Wadena Twister

It was one year ago today that a devastating tornado ripped through Wadena.  Leveling buildings and trees, the town continues to recover from the havoc.

Lost to the storm was the Wadena-Deer Creek High School.  Students have been educated in other buildings, but are scheduled to be back in their own school next year.  The new facility will be built at the site of the destroyed building.

A new book preserves the stories of the survivors.  A book launch is set for this afternoon at the Wadena County Historical Society for "Twisted Together by an EF4. 

June 17, 2010 began as a humid day and ended with a power tornado.

Vice Lord Fined $4.2 Million

(AP)  A member of the Vice Lords gang has been hit with a $4.2 million judgement. 

Keith Wayne Reynolds had been convicted of the 2006 assault on Cody St. John.  A tribal court on the Mille Lacs reservation assessed the huge damages to deter gangs from attempting to intimidate others from joining their ranks.

According to the complaint, St. John, who was 22 at the time, was dragged behind a car by Reynolds and another man, and had the initials "VL" carved on his face and arm. 

The Tribal court awarded St. John $1.2 million for medical expenses and $3 million in punitive damages.

Walters To Bike Across U.S.

Gary Walters, who has accomplished amazing feats for Kinship Partners in the past, is at it again.

In the past, the Brainerd man swam across Mille Lacs Lake, Roller Bladed to Washington D.C. and Bicycled from Louisiana to Brainerd, to raise awareness for the need for more mentors for Kinship Partners.

He tells KLKS News, he is getting back in the saddle again.  This time Walters will bike from Brainerd to the east coast, take a plane to the west coast and bike back to Brainerd through the northern U.S.  He plans to leave July 16th and is scheduled to arrive back in Brainerd September 16th.

Walters says, "If a short, middle aged fat guy can peddled across the U.S., then more people can step up to be mentors for the kids of Kinship Partners."  There are 53 kids currently on the waiting list.  

Information on how to participate as a mentor, or contribute money can be found on kinshippartners.org. 

A Fun Saturday at C.W. State Park

The Crow Wing Canoe and Fur Trade Encampment will be held at the Crow Wing State Park south of Brainerd Saturday.

Amy Matter-Heins tells KLKS News, the camp will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and visitors will be able to enter without a permit.  She says there will be demonstrations of black powder rifles, moccasin making and hatchet throwing.

Matter-Heins says the Canoe Day will be held on the same day, with paddlers leaving from Kiwanis Park in Brainerd at 11 a.m. and arriving at the state park 3 hours later.

MNDot Plans L.F. Road Work

Motorists will encounter a road closure at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks on Highway 27/Broadway Avenue in Little Falls when a track repair project begins at 6 a.m. Monday, June 20.

Traffic will be detoured on Highway 27 to Paul Larson Drive, 9th Avenue, Lindbergh Drive and back to Highway 27. Temporary four-way stop signs will be placed at Paul Larson Drive, 9th Avenue and Lindbergh Drive.

Work is scheduled to be completed by 6 p.m. Friday, June 24, weather permitting.

MnDOT is telling motorists to expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

Gray Wolves Under Attack

(AP)  Grand Rapids was the site of the latest anti-wolf efforts. 

About 200 attended last night gathering to support a proposal to remove the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list. 

Conservation groups have challenged the move in court and have won the last two times.

There are about 4,200 wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

County Asked to Pay for Injured Dog

(AP)  Wadena County has been given a bill to pay for the injuries caused to a service dog. 

Patti Jones says her dog was attacked by a pit bull from the Humane Society last weekend at the county fairgrounds. 

Jones says he dog named Cheyanne received puncture wounds and possible nerve damage.

Browerville Woman Gets Prison Sentence

A 57-year-old Browerville woman will spend four years in prison for selling the pain killers that killed Jason Ramsdell of  Fort Ripley last year.

Patricia Taylor had a prescription for injuries sustained in a traffic accident.  The prosecution says Taylor sold the powerful painkiller to Ramsdell.  Taylor will get credit for the 14 months already served in the Morrison County Jail. 

Ramsdell worked for the family landscape business, which he took over from his older brother Shawn after he drowned in 2009.