Cravaack's Opposition

(AP)  Minnesota's 8th District Congressman Chip Cravaack is considered the most vulnerable of the state's delegation. 

The freshman Republican knock-off 36 year veteran Jim Oberstar last year.  Now, DFL-ers are getting in line to challenge him, including former Congressman Rick Nolan and former state Senator Taryl Clark. 

Outside groups are organizing opponents to attend his events at local appearances.  Cravaak's family has moved to New Hampshire, raising pressure to show he remains connected to the 8th District.

Cravaack would be helped if the courts redraw the state's northern congressional districts to put him in a new more conservative central Minnesota district.  It will be several months before the court's decision is handed down.

Friday Night Football

Bagley 43, Cass Lake-Bena 0
Brainerd 31, Willmar 7
Browerville 19, Upsala/Swanville 7
Deer River 40, Crosby-Ironton 16
Floodwood 42, Hill City 6
Hawley 26, Staples-Motley 14
Isle 53, Northland 6
Nevis 48, Wrenshall 0
Onamia 41, McGregor 26
Pequot Lakes 8, Detroit Lakes 7
Perham 34, Park Rapids 14
Pierz 20, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 6
Pillager 35, Blackduck 0
Pine River-Backus 36, Walker-Hackensack-Akely-Laporte 6
St. Paul Harding 33, Aitkin 7
United North Central 20, Royalton 19
Verndale 60, E.C.H.O. Charter 0

Fall Colors

Minnesotans are encouraged to keep the camera batteries charged and to not put the tent or the picnic basket away just yet, because the upcoming fall color season could be the best it has been in 10 years, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources .

“With adequate rain during the growing season for two consecutive years and recent weather patterns that have included the ideal combination of warm, sunny days and cool evenings, we’re predicting an especially vivid display of color across the state in the weeks ahead,” said Jana Albers, DNR forest health specialist.

Colors typically peak between mid-September and early October in the northern third of Minnesota, between late September and early October in the central third, and between late September and mid-October in the southern third.

C.L. Man Get 11 Months in Jail

A 68-year-old Crosslake man is being sentenced to 11 months in jail in connection with the death of a three year old Buffalo boy in 2009. Last may a jury found Sherman Bernard Frederick guilty of  Criminal Vehicular Homicide in the death of Jack Larson.

The boy was crossing County Road 3 in Merrifield during Mother's Day weekend with other children when he was struck. He was in town visiting grandparents.

Frederick is alleged to have gone onto the shoulder to pass other vehicles which had stopped to let the children cross.  His defense claimed a medical condition may have resulted in the accident.

Sentencing guidelines recommend a 4 year jail term.  He will serve a fraction of that, and will be under supervised probation for 10 years.

Dayton at CLC Today

Brainerd will be the site of the Governor's jobs tour today.  Mark Dayton will make Central Lakes College the next stop for his job summit.  The state's chief executive has been in the midst of a much publicized mission for job creation.

Governor Dayton will hold his Jobs & Economic Development Forum in the Chalberg Theatre from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  The first 30 minutes of the program will feature three minute overviews from panelists in our region about opportunities and challenges. The final hour will be an opportunity for audience participation.

Legislative committees will be cruising the state as well, focusing on jobs, higher education and the environment.   The environment panels are joining Bemidji State Senator John Carlson in a forestry tour with stops in Hackensack, Cass Lake and Bemidji.

Thursday High School Scores

Girls Volleyball:
3-0  Blackduck def Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig
3-0  Brainerd def St. Cloud Apollo
3-0  Nevis def Pine River-Backus
3-0  Onamia def Ogilvie
3-0  Park Rapids def Staples-Motley
3-0  Pequot Lakes def Crosby-Ironton
3-0  Pierz def Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted
3-0  Upsala def Browerville
3-0  Verndale def Menahga
3-0  Wadena-Deer Cred def Detroit Lakes
3-1  McGregor def Floodwood
3-1  Sebeka def Bertha-Hewitt

Highway 371 Construction Update

Crews completed paving operations late this afternoon on the north end of this year’s work on the Highway 371 Corridor.


Left turn lanes were constructed at Upper Roy Lake Road, Crow Wing County Roads 29 and 168. The remaining driving lanes will be resurfaced as part of the Corridor improvement project in 2012.

Motorists can expect to see some remaining finishing work in the next few weeks including shouldering, striping and sign installation. Please slow down when traveling in the work zone and expect lane closures in the areas where crews are working. The finishing work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

MnDOT wishes to thank motorists for their patience and cooperation as we worked on this section of the roadway this summe

Lund Boats To Expand In New York Mills

The Brunswick Corporation has announced plans to expand its Lund Boats plant in New York Mills.

Brunswick, which owns and operates Lund Boats, plans to add 22-thousand square feet to the western Minnesota plant.

The company says that demand has been high for both the Crestliner and Lund boat brands.  Crestliner production began at the New York Mills plant last year and the company says the expansion will help facilitate Crestliner production at the plant.  The company plans to break ground this month and could be completed by the end of the year. 

Tree Frogs on the Move

Tree frogs are having a good summer, according to MN DNR Non Game Specialist Pam Perry.  She tells KLKS news, during the summer rains, they could be spotted climbing up patio doors to escape the damp forest floor.  Now, she says they are up in the trees looking for insects and making a shrilling noise that can be mistaken for a bird.

Perry says you may wish to check your outdoor plants before you bring them inside, they could be harboring a tree frog.  The frog survives the winter under leaves in a semi frozen state Perry calls a "frogcicle."

A Good Start to the P.L. School Year

The new school year starts with almost 30 students more than last year for the Pequot Lakes School District.  Superintendent Rick Linnell tells KLKS News, the additional kids, with the $50 per student increase from the legislature, helps their financial situation.

Linnell says the legislature has shifted about a million dollars meant for the school district to another year.  He tells KLKS News, that's why they have a reserve fund, and are OK for now.  He worries that some year state lawmakers will just decide cancel the back payments.

The Pequot Lakes School District is undergoing a two year remodeling project.  The elementary school in Breezy Point will see the additional space added this school year.  The  high school will get its face lift the following year.

Sid Walker Dies

A familiar face around Crosslake is gone.  Sid Walker died Sunday at the age of 74. 

Walker was the stepfather of 22-year-old Drew Sjodin, who was kidnapped and killed in 2003. 

Walker was actively involved in the search for the Pequot Lakes High School graduate.  Her body was later found in a ravine near Crookston.

Alfonso Rodriguez is on death row following conviction in the case.

Sjodin's mother, Linda Walker, said Sid new about about the cancer when Sjodin was kidnapped.  Doctors say Walker lived longer than they thought he would.

Funeral Services will be 3 PM, Thursday, September 8, at Crosslake Lutheran Church. Family and friends will gather this evening from 5-7 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Girls Volleyball:
3-0  Becker def Milaca
3-0  Long Prairie-Grey Eagle def Holdingford
3-0  Nevis def Menahga
3-0  New York Mills def Staples-Motley
3-1  Frazee def Park Rapids
3-1  Pequot Lakes def Pillager
3-1  Pierz def Crosby-Ironton
3-1  Swanville def Verndale
3-2  Brainered def Sauk Rapids-Rice
3-2  Onamia def Aitkin
3-2  Sebeka def Osakis

1ST Day of School

Most schools open for the year the day after Labor Day.  Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl says drivers need to be reminded that busses and students will be heading to school.

Sheriff Dahl urges patience.  He says drivers need to be looking out for children who may be in the streets while walking to school or waiting for the bus.  He also reminds drivers that when the bus stop arm is out, drivers in both directions must come to a complete stop, and leave at least 20 feet between vehicles.  Drivers should also treat the orange lights on a bus the same way they would an orange light at an intersection, as a time to prepare to stop.  And, absolutely no passing on the right shoulder.