Cravaack Reports Campaign Collections

Yesterday, we heard that DFL 8th District Congressional hopeful Tarryl Clark had raised $228 thousand during the last quarter in her effort to unseat incumbent freshman Republican Chip Cravaack. 

Today, we learned that Cravaack raised less during the same period, but still holds $150 thousand more in his war chest.  That is a slimmer edge than most incumbents typically hold over their challengers.

Clark still faces competition from within her DFL party; including Rick Nolan, a Brainerd Lakes Area resident and former congressman.

Friday High School Scores

Football:

Bagley 50, Walker-Hackensack-Ackeley-Laporte 7
Big Lake 36, Milaca 0
Browerville 36, New York Mills 0
Cass Lake-Bena 37, Lake of the Woods 12
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 41, Staples-Motley 14
Eagle Valley 28, Verndale 0
East Grand Forks 32, Park Rapids 8
Hawley 35, Pequot Lakes 0
Hill City 42, Northland 22
Hillcrest Lutheran 39, Bertha-Hewitt 18
Hinckley-Finlayson 22, Aitkin 8
Isle 36, Nevis 20
Little Falls 36, Mora 34
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 38, United North Central 6
McGregor 43, Wrenshall 0
Moorhead 17, Brainerd 7
Northome/Kelliher 36, Onamia 21
Pierz 27, Maple Lake 6
Pillager 16, Pine River-Backus 10
Pine City 34, Crosby-Ironton 7
Royalton 48, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 33
Upsala/Swanville 27, Wadena-Deer Creek 12

Candidates Report Campaign Funds in the 8th District

(AP)  The candidates are beginning to build bank accounts in the 8th District Congressional campaign.

Former State Senator Tarryl Clark reports that she has raised $228 thousand in the 3rd quarter. 

Incumbent freshman Republican Chip Cravaack has yet to report.  His campaign says he finished the previous quarter with $269 thousand. 

Another the other DFL candidates is former Congressman Rick Nolan, who makes his home in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Burning Restrictions Lifted

Recent widespread precipitation and cooler temperatures have eased the critical fire danger across the state, so the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources lifted restrictions on open burning

this morning.

Campfires will be allowed throughout the state and permits for open burning of debris will be issued once again.

The DNR reminds everyone that, although the statewide restrictions are lifted, local areas, counties or municipalities may have specific regulations or restrictions that affect burning operations.

The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center advises anyone burning should keep their burn piles small, have a water supply nearby, and stay with the fire until it is completely out. If fire escapes, the homeowner is responsible for damage and suppression costs.

Burning permits are available through state and federal forestry offices, township fire wardens.

Thursday High School Scores

Volleyball:

3-0  Browerville def Eagle Valley
3-0  Henning def Staples-Motley
3-0  Little Falls def Princeton
3-0  Maple Lake def Pierz
3-0  Nevis def Lake of the Woods
3-0  New York Mills def Pillager
3-0  Onamia def Aitkin
3-0  Pequot Lakes def Pine River-Backus
3-0  Upsala def Swanville
3-1  Crosby Ironton def Hill City
3-1  Sebeka def Verndale
3-2  Bemidji def Wadena-Deer Creek

NISSWA PARK PLAN COMMUNITY WIDE SURVEY

Nisswa is seeking input from residents regarding the local parks and recreation programs.

The City is in the process of creating a park plan which will be used to improve both the recreation program and the public park systemwithin the City.

The survey can be found online at www.nisswaparks.info or itmay be completed at City Hall during normal business hours.

Students Observe Justice In Action

Over 800 students watched as the Minnesota State Supreme Court convened Wednesday at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd in an effort to open the doors of the judicial branch to the public.

The state's highest court heard oral arguments of an actual case - Christopher John Daly, Respondent vs. Zachary John McFarland, Petitioner, which originated in Rock County District Court.  The court generally issues its opinions four to six months following oral arguments. 

As part of the local volunteer effort, attorneys from the Crow Wing County/Aitkin Bar Association partnered with Brainerd High School to conduct classroom discussions at the school in order to prepare students and staff for the visit. 

CLC Students Benefit from Bequest

The Central Lakes College Foundation next fall will award up to five student scholarships to Brainerd High School graduates attending CLC, thanks to a $65,000 bequest from a retired elementary school teacher.

Erma Feriancek of Nisswa, who died last March at age 86, taught at Harrison School in Brainerd for 22 years. Several years after she retired, Erma purchased a life insurance policy with the CLC Foundation as beneficiary.

Her bequest has created an endowment from which annual scholarships are to be distributed to eligible students.

Erma was a native of Blackduck who attended Bemidji State University twice – first to earn her AA degree in 1944 and later her bachelor’s in 1961. She also taught elementary school in Walker for 10 years. She was very active in numerous organizations following retirement.

Jail Time for Browerville Woman

(AP)  A Browerville woman is going to jail for causing an auto accident that took the like of a Parkers Prairie woman.

19-year-old Kayla Carry will serve one year in the Otter Tail County Jail.  She was also fine $1 thousand and placed on 10 years probation.

Authorities say she was texting September 16th, 2010 when her car crossed the center line resulting in a head-on crash that killed 77-year-old Lucille Vogt.

The complain said Carry sent 15 text messages in the 40 minutes before the fatal accident.

What OccupyMN Wants

Some Minnesotans have joined the demonstration against Wall Street, occupying the plaza outside the Hennepin County Government Center.

Co-organizer of OccupyMN Tony Boicourt says there are many different points of view expressed among the protesters, maybe too many. 

Boicourt tells KLKS News, he thinks bankers who cause the economy to fail should be punished.

Boicourt says there has to be more than three kinds of economies; capitalism, socialism or communism.  He just doesn't know what a more fair economy might be. 

Time for Furnace Check-up

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl is urging folks to perform routine maintenance on furnaces prior to the heating season.  He says every year houses are lost to fire that may have been prevented.

Sheriff Dahl also urges caution with space heaters and wood burners.  He also encourages working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Drug Raid inTodd County

Two Todd County residents are in the county jail today on drug charges.

36-year-old Jason Burton and 31-year-old Cari Crooker were arrested Friday.  The Central Minnesota Drug and Gang Task Force raided a house in Stowe Prairie Township and seized methamphetamine and marijuana, a sawed-off shotgun and stolen property. 

The pair are accused of possession with intent to sell the narcotics.

The Todd County Attorney's Office is handling the case.