Ice Anglers Stranded on Mille Lacs

(AP)  Trolling while ice fishing is typically not what anglers expect.  That the situation some found themselves in earlier this week.

A large chunk of ice broke away stranding a group of fishermen. 

Rescuers from three fire departments used a hovercraft and boats to get more than a dozen to shore.  Fortunately, no one fell in the water.  Unseasonably warm weather has officials warning people to stay off the ice.

MN Will Control the Fate of Wolves

Minnesota’s gray wolves will be removed from the federal government’s threatened species list and returned to state management in January.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it will publish a final delisting rule in the Federal Register on Dec. 28. After a 30-day period, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will reassume management of this species.

The state’s wolf management plan, created in 2001 after extensive public input, is designed to protect wolves and monitor their populations while resolving conflicts between wolves and humans.

Minnesota’s management plan establishes a minimum population of 1,600 wolves to ensure long-term wolf survival. Estimated at about 750 animals in the early 1970s, the state's wolf population has stabilized at about 3,000 animals today.

Cravaack Bill Heading to the President

A bill sponsored by 8th District Congressman Chip Cravaack would require the Transportation Security Administration to develop a separate screening process for military personnel flying on civilian aircraft. The Clerk of the House will now send the bill to the President to be signed into law.
Cravaack says an expedited, risk-based TSA screening process is the least we can do for men and women in uniform and their families who sacrifice so much.

Donations Doubled at Mills Fleet Farm Tomorrow

The Brainerd area Salvation Army Red Kettle drive is getting a boost from the CEO of Fleet Farm Thursday.

Stewart Mills III will be ringing the bell outside the Baxter store from noon to 2 p.m.  He will be joined by Brainerd Mayor James Wallin, Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson and Nisswa Mayor Brian Lehman.

Fleet Farm has pledged to match all kettle donations, dollar for dollar, Thursday at the store.

Salvation Army Captain Scott Strissel says this strong community support will go a long way toward helping reach a $117 thousand.

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Boys Basketball:
Eagle Valley 62, Verndale 52
Barnum 71, McGregor 52
Pequot Lakes 74, Park Rapids Area 31
Northome/Kelliher 51, Hill City 45
Aitkin 57, Onamia 34
Rush City 57, Isle 52
Brainerd 71, Staples-Motley 31
Little Falls 83, Sartell-St. Stephen 52
Pine River-Backus 54, Nevis 51
Browerville 64, Parkers Prairie 44
Pierz 68, Paynesville Area 55

Girls Basketball:
Paynesville Area 52, Pierz 48
Verndale 66, Pillager 20
Crosby-Ironton 44, Aitkin 28
Willmar 55, Brainerd 47
Kelliher/Northome 72, Hill City 50
Wadena-Deer Creek 62, Pelican Rapids 57
Nevis 56, Bertha-Hewitt 51
Sebeka 71, Browerville 26

Boys Hockey:
Brainerd/Pillager/Pierz 6, Willmar 1
Northern Lakes 9, Wadena-Deer Creek 5
Crookston 5, Park Rapids/Menagha/Nev/WHA 4

Wrestling:
Frazee 63, Wadena-Deer Creek 9
Wadena-Deer Creek 39, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 9
Frazee 65, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 9
Perham 58, Park Rapids Area 19
Little Falls 36, Big Lake 28
Little Falls 81, Zimmerman 0

Brainerd Man Dies in ATV Accident

A 47-year-old Brainerd man was killed yesterday, a passenger on his ATV was injured, following an accident in a remote area of Deerwood Township.

Craig Rye died when his vehicle rolled on top of him while he was attempting to descend a steep hill.  His passenger, 21-year-old Erik Rye of Shepard, Montana was seriously injured.

The accident happened North West of Clearwater Lake off Crow Wing County Road #8, shortly before 3 p.m. Monday.  Others in the party called for help.

The riders were unable to give their location because of the remote area they were in. 911 dispatchers with the Crow Wing county Sheriff’s Office were able to determine the riders general location from their cell phone. North Ambulance Air Care helicopter was able to locate the ATV’s from the air and direct rescuers to the scene.

When rescuers arrived the operator of the rolled ATV was dead and his passenger was badly injured. Deerwood Fire and Rescue was able to transport the parties from the scene.

Salvation Army Needs to Raise $40K

The Red Kettle collections are going fairly well this year, according to Captain Scott Strissel of the Brainerd Salvation Army.

So far, $70 thousand has been raised.  Captain Strissel hopes the final week of the drive will see them reach their $117 thousand.  He says there has been great generosity locally, even though they haven't found any diamond rings at the bottom of the kettles.

Drive officially ends at noon on Christmas Eve.

Deer Baiting Up During Hunting Season

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says Deer baiting was pervasive during the 2011 big game season.

DNR conservation officers issued 144 citations, issued 24 warnings and seized 134 firearms/bows in baiting relation investigations during the 2011 bow, firearms and muzzleloader seasons. It’s the highest number of baiting citations issued during the deer hunting seasons since the DNR began tracking these violations in 1991.

“It seems that every year our officers are spending more and more time responding to complaints about baiting or discovering it while on patrol,” said Lt. Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement assistant director. “It’s become a very common violation.”

Deer baiting is strategically placing a pile of food near deer stands or clearings with the intent of luring a deer into close hunting range. It has been illegal to bait deer in Minnesota since 1991.

Strike Ends at Polar Tank

(AP)  Some 360 union workers are getting ready to return to work in the Little Falls area.

The International Association of  Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 165 have ratified a contract to end a 19 day strike and return to Minnesota's Polar Tank Trailer LLC.

Polar Tank makes aluminum, stainless steel and carbon-steel tank trailers. 

Monday Night High School Scores

Girls Basketball:
Swanville 63, Pillager 34
Eagle Valley 62, Verndale 52
Aitkin 43, Onamia 41
Milaca 49, Spectrum 28

Boys Basketball:
Browerville 57, Eagle Valley 39