Pine River Summerfest This Weekend

There are a lot of happy smiling faces in Pine River for the weekend Summer Fest. 

Chamber Executive Director John Wetroski tells KLKS News, he couldn't stuff more fun events into the three days if he tried.  Highlights include the flea market, duck races, Legion steak fry, and of course the big parade.

Wetroski says the parade kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday.  New this year is a 5K run at 8 a.m Sunday.  Registration will be at the information center in town.

Summerfest buttons are $2 this year.

Little Falls Road Work Completed

Crews have completed work earlier than expected on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks on Highway 27/Broadway Avenue in Little Falls.

The detour has been lifted and the roadway is now open to motorists.

Brainerd Planned Parenthood to Close

The Brainerd office of Planned Parenthood will be closed August first.

Because of cuts to the nation’s 41-year-old Title X family planning funding program, Planned Parenthood is moving forward with a plan to consolidate its clinical services.

In addition to the office in Brainerd, the Planned Parent Clinics in Thief River Falls, Red Wing, Owatonna, Albert Lea and Fairmont will be closed.

“The decision to close our doors is heartbreaking,” said President and CEO Sarah Stoesz. “We know that both state and federal governments are struggling to balance their budgets, but we also know that public funding for family planning services is a cost-saving and vital service for tens of thousands of women in our state, especially in rural areas. This was a short-sighted blow to a much-needed program.”

To continue to serve the women and families of Greater Minnesota, staff will be increased and evening and weekend hours will be added to Planned Parenthood clinics in Rochester, Mankato, Moorhead, Duluth and St. Cloud. Planned Parenthood will continue to operate clinics in 20 locations across Minnesota and South Dakota.