PEQUOT LION PROGRAM HELPS RETURNING VETS AND FAMILIES

Pequot Lakes Lion Bruce Billington started Project New Hope recently, a program to help returning combat veterans and their families get life back to what it was before their military experience. Billington said families are invited to spend a weekend at one of three camps in Minnesota to talk to counselors, other combat vets with similar experience or just to chill out and go fishing with the kids. Billington said after the retreat, members of Project New Hope keep in contact with the veterans and military families, to finetune the program. Lion Billington said something he's heard more than once is that its nice to know other military families are having the same issues, the same hurdles that they're experiencing. Pequot Lakes Lions are selling wristbands emblazoned with the words "Project New Hope" to raise money for camp expenses. Billington said there is no charge to military families and the exercise is all-volunteer. Bruce said program organizers are looking for Vietnam Vets and combat vets from other wars willing to share their experiences. Contact him through the program's website, info@projectnewhope.net.

CAREY ON CAUCUS

Minnesota Republican Party Executive Director Ron Carey is doing what he can these days to convince as many citizens to go to their precinct caucus meetings next Tuesday night. Carey said he and DFL Executive Director Brian Melendez have even made joint public appearances to try to sell the message. Carey said too many Minnesotans believe a small, dedicated core of party faithful make all the decisions in politics but because so few show up to caucus, a relatively small number end up forwarding party platform ideas and suggesting candidates. Carey said technology has made finding your precinct caucus location easier than ever. Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State's web site at www.sos.state.mn.us. Independence, Republican and DFL parties will caucus on Tuesday, February 5th. The constitution Party will caucus on Saturday, February 2nd. The Green Party will caucus on March 4th.

BENTON COUNTY DRUG DOG DISPUTE

Benton County authorities are holding an on-line contest to name their new drug dog and one deputy may have ruined it all. The deputy went to an on-line chat room and mentioned his favorite name. Votes for that name shot up shortly after. Some county residents think he may have influenced the vote but the deputy insists it was an innocent mistake. Voting ends on January 31st. Students in the DARE program suggested the names; Ben, Chase, Cody, Copper, Max and Sarge. The one who suggested the winner will get his picture taken with the dog. You may still be able to get in your vote. Check it out at www.co.benton.mn.us.

PINE RIVER MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER

19-year old Matthew Michael Martin pleaded guilty this week for the murder of 15-year old Molly Jean Rice of Backus. Court documents say that Martin stabbed Rice in the head, then found a .22-caliber pistol and shot her in the early morning hours of August 4th. Her body was found four days later. The Lake Country Echo reported that Martin will be sentenced on March 21st. A first-degree murder charge can carry a penalty of life in prison.

OBJIBWE POLICE INVESTIGATE SEXUAL ASSAULT

Mille Lacs Objibwe Tribal Police are investigating the possible sexual assault of a three year old boy last week at the Kids Quest child care center at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. The lawyer for the tribe said the suspect is another boy who is between 8 and 10 years old. The attorney for the victim said the 3-year old had bruises on his arm and finger marks on his neck and face. A doctor who examined the child the next day said there may have been a sexual assault. The child care facility is operated by a private firm that leases the space from the casino.

MICHIGAN MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER

40-year old Richard Derek Wright of Belleville, Michigan was charged Wednesday with the strangulation death of 40-year old Sonya Marie Hennagir of Park Rapids. Wright allegedly strangled the woman early Tuesday morning, then allegedly attempted to sexually assault her child. A friend of Hennagir's said she had gotten a frantic text message, found the dead woman, discovered Wright upstairs with the child, and was struggling with him in the driveway when police arrived. Hubbard County Attorney Don Dearstyne says Wright had worked as a foreman for a Park Rapids area pipeline company and knew the victim. He's waiting his next court appearance in the Hubbard County Jail on $750,000 bail.

C-I BOARD CUTS $750,000

The Crosby Ironton School Board official trimmed its budget for next year by $750,000 at this week's meeting. Superintendent Jamie Skjvelund and Business Manager Bill Tollefson had suggested cutting more, at least $1-Million and maybe even $1.3-Million in order for the board to re-institute an adequate 'rainy day' fund balance in case of emergencies, but the board decided the lower amount was all they wanted to trim. Skjvelund said the lower amount will have to work and that the cuts came up to the board's expectations. Skjvelund added working in a district that's going through hard times would seem a bit depressing to some on the outside. Superintendent Skjvelund said that's hardly the case in Crosby-Ironton because people in the community are stepping forward, every day, and asking "how can I help?" The Crosby Ironton School Board removed the district from statutory operating debt in the recent past with a positive fund balance.

ENVIRONMENTAL SEMINAR THURSDAY NIGHT

The Brainerd Area Environmental Learning Network will sponsor a presentation Thursday night on how ecosystems connect from one area to another. Mike Duval is the Lakes Management Coordinator of the DNR's Fish and Wildlife Division. He said there will be three speakers talking about how the Brainerd Lakes Area fits into the larger global environment. The seminar runs from 7-8:45pm Thursday night at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd. Doors open at 6pm. There's no charge for the program.

FARM BILL DEADLINE TWO WEEKS AWAY

Both US House and Senate have passed new farm bills but so far, the differences have not been ironed out and President Bush has threatened to veto the bill if it's cost is higher than he wants to spend. Minnesota Farm Bureau President Doug Peterson hopes the new Farm Secretary, former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer can help. Peterson said Schafer is familiar with the crops grown in the Midwest and that's an advantage. Peterson hopes to gain access to the new Secretary and thinks he's a fair man but understands he's part of the administration that's threatening a veto. If there is no new farm bill by March 15th, farm policy reverts to a 60-year old Agriculture Law, which both Peterson and House Ag Committee Chair Colin Peterson say is not a bad option.

WHITE BEAR LAKE SNOWMOBILER DIES SUNDAY

The St. Louis County Sheriff has identified the woman who died Sunday afternoon in a snowmobile accident. 25-year old Jessie Lynn Arnsdorff of White Bear Lake drove off the Arrowhead Snowmobile Trail about five miles northwest of Cook. She was taken to Cook Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

CASS COUNTY HOSPITAL TAKES ONE STEP FORWARD

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced this week that the proposed hospital in Walker can use an adjusted mileage standard when applying for a critical access hospital. Current rules say hospitals can't be closer than 35 miles; Walker and Park Rapids are 32 miles apart. Task Force Chairman John Warren said because the main roadway between Walker and the nearest critical access hospital in Park Rapids is not a major roadway, CMMS said a 15 mile separation factor can be used in the application. Warren said this is a great step forward but just one more step. Both Walker lawmaker Larry Howes and US Senator Norm Coleman said there seems to be no more governmental obstacles for the hospital.

PARK RAPIDS WOMAN MURDERED

Hubbard County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 40-year old Richard Derek Wright from Bellville, Michigan Tuesday morning in connection with what may be a murder in a Park Rapids home. Officers were called to the home around 3:45am Tuesday morning. When they arrived, they witnessed the suspect struggling with a woman in the driveway. The woman said she had just returned to the home and found a dead woman in the living room. Suspect Wright is in the Hubbard County Jail waiting charges. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine cause of the woman's death. Sheriff Gary Mills said he won't release her name until her relatives can be notified.

MN BUDGET GAP MAY GET BIGGER

State Economist Tom Stinson said Minnesota tax revenues continue to lag and the projected $373-Million shortage forecast in November may become larger. Stinson said he won't be able to make a good budget prediction until the next economic forecast numbers are released in late February. Stinson told those attending a Minnesota Council of Nonprofits meeting yester that there will certainly be less money flooding into Minnesota government but the question is how much. The state ecnomist said he'll have a better idea when he gets a look at last month's sales tax totals and some income tax numbers from this month.

CASS COUNTY PREPARES FOR PRECINCT CAUCUSES

Cass County political parties are also getting ready for precinct caucuses. DFL County Chairman Dan Bye said this is his first year of taking on the top job. Bye said unfortunately the job doesn't come with an instruction manual but he did learn quite a bit when his parents were involved in county politics. Bye said this year, there are 11 precinct caucus locations. The Cass County Republicans are going through some re-organization themselves and state party official Tim Gould said his team is seting up the four locations in Cass County. To find your precinct caucus location, call your county auditor. If you have computer access, check the Minnesota Secretary of State's page or the county auditor's web site.

2008 MISS NISSWA PAGEANT

10 senior high school girls and 18 Nisswa and Pequot Lakes second graders will glide across this year's 36th annual Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant Saturday, February 2nd. Nisswa Women of Today spokeswoman Penny Stomvoll said the contestants have been rehearsing the opening number and they're ready to go. Stomvoll said the pageant is pretty much like it was last year and the year before as far as the program is concerned. The Nisswa Women of Today have been able to raise the total amount of money for scholarships to $5,300 this year, $2,000 goes to the winner of the pageant. The event begins at 7pm at the Lutheran Chruch of the Cross in Nisswa.

FAIR TAX PROGRESS

Supporters of the Fair Tax proposition continue to work toward more public exposure for the idea. The Fair Tax would abolish the Internal Revenue Service and other federal taxes and replace them with a nationwide sales tax on purchases of new products. Ashby resident Dick Grinnell is one of three area managers in Minnesota. Grinnell said the number one roadblock for the Fair Tax is elected officials. Grinnell said federal politicians don't want the Fair Tax because it would take away erode their ability to reward their friends and punish their enemies with the tax code. The Fair Tax amendment was first introduced in the US House of Representatives in 1999 by Georgia Congressman John Lindner and co-authored by Minnesota Congressman Colin Peterson.

LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE DEADLINES ESTABLISHED

The 2008 hald of the Minnesota State Legislature begins in two weeks but House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich announced yesterday that committees already have deadlines to get potential laws approved. Committees are supposed to "act favorably" on bills that originate in the House by March 14th and by March 19th on bills that come from the Senate. Committees have until March 28th to act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills. Lawmakers are to return to session on Tuesday, February 12th at noon and committees are to begin meeting. They won't meet the next day until 3pm because of the State of the State address in St. Cloud. House leaders have scheduled an Easter Break from March 19th to the 25th.

FARM ACCIDENT KILLS SWANVILLE MAN

52-year old Daniel Elmer was apparently cutting down a tree on his property near Swanville late Saturday afternoon when he was struck by a tree limb and killed. His body was discovered by a neighbor. Todd County Sheriff's Deputies assisted in removing Elmer's body just before 6:30pm. The incident is under investigation.

TWO MEN ARRESTED FOR METH POSSESSION, USE

A Todd County Sheriff's Deputies noticed a car driving erratically on Highwy 71 south of Long Prairie Friday afternoon. Deputies stopped the car and arrested 36-year old Mark Lester Johnson of Park Rapids and 33-year old Timothy Eugene Richards of Menahga for possession of methamphetamine. The men spent the weekend in the Todd County Detention Center, had their first court appearance yesterday, and are back in the jail waiting for their next appearance.

SOME BIG DOCK ENFORCEMENT BUT NOT TOO MUCH

Department of Natural Resources Pulic Water Hydrologist Tom Hovey said the dock size permit announced last week is meant to fine-tune the rules about lake shore dock walkways and platforms that have been on the books for decades. And because the rules are not new, didn't require public hearings. Hovey also said lake home owners should expect Conservation Officers targeting larger docks, primarily because there won't be any new personnel. CO's will still be the same people assigned last year and they still have the same priorities and workloads. Hovey said much will depend upon which county they're in and how County Attorneys want to react to this. Hovey added that if someone has as oversized dock platform and if a neighbor complains about nother neighbor who has a dock that's too large, "I suppose they are susceptible." Hovey said he doesn't expect "loads and loads of citations will be written" but large docks are more noticeable now. The dock size rules went into effect last week and restrict docks and platforms to be no larger than 120 feet square, 170 feet square including a walkway no more than five feet wide.

WARD ATTENDS CHILD DEFENSE FUND MEETING

Brainerd Lawmaker John Ward said he'll have to miss Presidential candidate John Edwards appearance to do it but he intends to be at Tuesday night's Child Defense Fund meeting about a child care investment proposal. Ward said he was a co-sponsor of the Children's Health Security Act passed last year by the House. Representative Ward said we made some headway on early child care and he intends to mostly listen and learn about parents who are having difficulty paying for child care. Ward said he's heard of wages that make it difficult for parents to survive, personal stories of hardship he can take to the legislature "and try to improve those areas." The meeting Tuesday night will be at the First Lutheran Church in Brainerd and starts at 6:30pm.

TEACHER SENTENCED

A former Montgomery-Lonsdale teacher and coach was sentenced on Friday to 12 years in prison for having sex with a 14-year old student. 38-year Troy Bernard was a fifth-grade teacher and coached high school track and volleyball. Montgomery-Lonsdale is 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis.

ST. PAUL BASEBALL PARENT CONVICTED

A Ramsey County jury found 47-year Wade Campbell guilty on Friday of making terroristic threats to his son's baseball coach. Court records show that Campbell shouted at his son for striking out in a game last June. Campbell later threatened his son's coach, Noel Ambriz and said he was going to shoot him. Two days later, Campbell allegedly called the coach and said he was going to shoot him down like a dog. Campbell said the coach wasn't giving his son enough playing time. The judge in the case ordered Campbell wait in jail for his sentencing on March 26th.

UPS DRIVER IDENTIFIED

The State Patrol has identified the UPS driver who died when his truck collided with a train last week in Cook. 37-year old James Richard Kiel of Hibbing died at the scene of the crash Thursday afternoon. No one else was injured.

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SCHOOLS TRY AGAIN

Voters in the Walker Hackensack Akeley School District will go to the polls on February 12th for a second operating levy attempt this winter. The district's last attempt to raise money failed in mid-December. The ballot measure would increase the school's per-pupil spending by $550 for the next eight years. A taxpayer who owns a $150,000 home would see a property tax increase of $97 per year. The district is in statutory operating debt. The school board has promised to get out of SOD by 2010 and have money in reserve the year after.

THIRD MEETING ON STAR LAKE PROPOSAL

Bemidji lawmakers will hold another public hearing on District 4 State Senator Mary Olson's Star Lake Proposal this week. Olson said she continues to be overwhelmed by the interest and support the plan has generated. Olson said lake shore owners are committed to the health of their lake. The proposal would tap into existing water management expertise and experience and promote the hard work already done by Minnesota lake associations. The meeting on Friday at 6:30pm will be in the Lumberjack Room at Bemidji High School. Lakes associations with the Star Lake designation would get faster assistance from state agencies to help them keep their lake clean.

ROYALTON MAN ACCIDENTALLY SHOT, DIES

19-year old Cody Michael Waytashek died Friday night of a gunshot wound to the chest. Stearns County Sheriff's Deputies went to a home north of St. Stephen around 5pm and found Waytashek and three other young men and a .22 caliber rifle. Deputies said the man who pulled the trigger believed it was not loaded. Waytashek was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital where he died. Results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Stearns County Attorney.

HENNING MAN DIES IN SNOWMOBILE CRASH

33-year old Mark Allen Shaw of Henning died Friday night when the snowmobile he was driving crashed into a number of trees on the south shore of Big Pine Lake in Crosslake. The Crow Wing County Sheriff said Shaw died at the scene around 11pm Friday.

OBERSTAR THREATENS NTSB CHAIRMAN'S POSITION

Congressman Jim Oberstar said Friday morning that "in my mind, Resenker's chairmanship is in jeaopardy." Oberstar criticized the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board earlier this week for saying recently that a design flaw caused the I-35W bridge collapse. Oberstar said he wants Mark Resenker to change his statement because the board has not yet arrived at a probable cause standard. Oberstar said he will meet with Resenker next week and ask him to recant his statement. The company that designed the bridge no longer exists. If a design flaw if found to be the cause of the collapse the legal liability of the construction company repairing the bridge and State of Minnesota may be diminished.

AL FRANKEN IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA

Entertainer and US Senate candidate Al Franken will appear in Onamia on Saturday to begin a week-long, eleven Northern Minnesota city campaign tour leading up to the precinct caucuses on February 5th. Franken said most of the campaign stops are 'Meet and Greet' appearances, not necessarily formal speeches but a chance to meet voters face to face. Franken said he likes his chances against the other three DFLers running for the party endorsement, Mike Ceresi, Jim Cohen and Jack Palmeyer-Nelson. The winner of the primary runs against incumbent US Senator Norm Coleman in November. Franken will be in Esko, Virginia, Grand Rapids, Walker, Crookston, Park Rapids, Wadena, Brainerd/Baxter, Little Falls, Fergus Falls and Alexandria between Tuesday January 29th and Saturday, February 2nd.

UPS DRIVER DIES IN COOK CRASH

The driver of a UPS truck died Thursday afternoon after colliding with a southbound CN freight train travelling through Cook. The driver died at the scene of the crash. No one else was injured. The driver's name has not been released and the investigation continues.

CERISI CAMPAIGNS IN BRAINERD

Former State Senator Don Samuelson, former State Representative Kris Hasskamp and Rolf Westgaard will host a 'Meet and Greet' session at the Brainerd Library Saturday afternoon for DFL Candidate for US Senate Mike Ceresi. The Minneapolis attorney who participated in the Minnesota Attorney General's suit against tobacco companies will be at the library from 1-2:30pm. He's competing with entertainer Al Franken, lawyer Jim Cohen and St. Thomas professor Jack Nelson-Palmeyer for the party endorsement to run against incumbent Norm Coleman.

CUYUNA COUNTRY ICE FISHING CONTEST

Organizers of the Cuyuuna Country Icefishing Conteat and Scorpion Snowmobile Reunion hope anglers will flock to Serpent Lake next weekend, February 2nd for the annual event. Chamber exec Johnna Johnson said she's looked at a long range weather forecast and it should be a bit nicer than last year. Johnson said last year's contest temperatures hovered around -17 and this year's should be warmer. Organizers hope the Scorpion Snowmobile Reunion part of the event will also be 'hot'. Johnson said lots of snowmobile owners bring their refurbished machines made in Crosby, some even in semi-loads from as far away as Alaska and Illinois. Get more information on the Cuyuna Country Chamber web site, www.cuyunacountry.net.

BACK TO HACK!

This is Back to Hack Weekend in Hackensack. Chamber Director Jean Dawson said the events begin Friday night with the Parade of Lights at 6:30pm, the Community Bonfire with free hot dogs, pop and hot chocolate at 7pm and fireworks on Birch Lake at 7:15pm. The theme for the parade this year is Viva Rock Vegas. The Snowflake Royalty Pageant begins at 7pm Saturday night at the Fire Hall. This year, all the contestants are couples. The dance begins right after the pageant. Sunday's events include ice racing in cars on Birch Lake and the Hackensack Lions breakfast in the Community Building from 8:30-11:30am.

WANTED: GOVERNOR'S FISHING OPENER SPONSORS

Organizers are still looking for businesses or individuals to help sponsor the 2008 Governor's Fishing Opener at Breezy Point Resort May 8-11th. Event Co-chair Dr. Ryan Buell said there are levels of sponsorships from the Sunfish level up to $500 to the Platinum Walleye level at $20,000 in cash or in-kind donations. The event usually hosts 200-300 media guests who then spread the word about the fantastic fishing beautiful surroundings in the Lakes Area.

DNR ISSUES NEW DOCK REGS

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released its 2008 dock platform general permit on Wednesday. The permit says a platform can't exceed more than 120 square feet, 170 square feet including the walkway, and the walkway can't be wider than five feet. The permit is effective immediately. DNR Waters Divsion Manager Tom Hovey told the Brainerd Dispatch that owners of larger platforms can apply for a special permit. It would cost between $150 and $1,000 depending on its size, but owners need a good reason and Hovey said "I don't know of any good reason." The DNR will also issue a permit for an 'aquatic impact area' that could be no more than 50-feet of shoreline wide and extends into the water to a 4-foot depth. You can find the permit and other information on the DNR web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us, look for the Public Info button, then the Issues column and bring up the page titled 'Issues Related to Docks'.

OBERSTAR CRITICIZES NTSB CHIEF

Congressman Jim Oberstar criticized the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board yesterday for suggesting that a design flaw was the critical factor in last summer's bridge collapse. Chairman Mark Rosenker said gusset plates connecting steel beams on the bridge were roughly half the thickness they should have been. Oberstar said that statement was inappropriate. Congressman Oberstar said the NTSB does make announcements like that when it finds significant factors before they reach a finding of probable cause. Oberstar said Rosenker reported no finding of probable cause during hearings but at a news conference afterward, the Chairman said "this is why the bridge collapsed and corrosion had nothing to do with it." Oberstar said no NTSB Chairman over the last 25 years has made such a public statement while the investigation is ongoing.

SEIFERT IN NISSWA

Minnesota House Republican Leader Marty Seifert attended Wednesday night's Crow Wing County Fundraiser and said he was impressed by the size of the crowd. Seifert said the main business of the upcoming session will be the bonding bill and dealing with a deficit of at least $373-Milllion. Other speakers at the fundraiser inlcuded State Senators Betsy Wergin, Amy Koch and Paul Koering and Taxpayer League President Phil Krinkie.

SHERIFF HAS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl has been on the job for a bit over a year and change has come to the department. Beyond the internal management changes Dahl's has made himself, the new jail has expanded county law enforcement's impact. Dahl said there are still other things he wants to get done in his time in office, like continue to improve communication between the department and citizens, take a look at certain computer programs, and develop a reserve officer program to expand the reach of his active duty officers. Dahl said he's been planning for these years during most of his career in law enforcement and now he's "living the dream."

A KINDER, GENTLER PLANNING AND ZONING

Crow Wing County District Two Commissioner Paul Thiede shared some positive news with the rest of the board and members of the Planning and Zoning Department this week. Thiede said a contractor friend of his had gone to the department recently with the usual trepidation. The contractor of 20 years said he'd been there before and always felt there was an adversarial relationship in the department. Thiede said the contractor was pleasantly surprised this time, that he went through the process, got the help he needed, made the application and everything went smoothly. Thiede said there's been a cultural change in the department over the past year and he's happy to see it.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

The family of a Steele County man who died in a fish house Sunday night is urging anglers to install carbon monoxide detectors in their own fish house. 47-year old Daniel Erickson of Owatonna and 53-year old Ronald Dunford Senior of Holt died when fumes from their LP gas furnace apparently blew back inside. The men were found in their house on Lake of the Woods.

NEW FARM BILL STALLED

Minnesota Congressman Colin Peterson work on the new farm bill continues but he sees possible road blocks ahead. Peterson said President Bush has suggested he may veto the bill because of its $286-Billion price tag. Peterson said if he vetoes the bill, all bets are off. If a new farm bill isn't signed by mid-March, farm policy will go back to 1949 price standards known as 'permanent law'. Peterson said that wouldn't be all bad. Food prices could drop and the federal tax burden could lessen. The Congressman said 'permanent law' is very workable in the current market situation because most price support levels are below current prices.

HOUSE BILL ENCOURAGES ADOPTION, CARRYING CHILD TO TERM

A group of DFL lawmakers unveiled a package of bills yesterday they say would take some of the economic pain out of unplanned pregnancy. Long Prairie lawmaker Mary Ellen Otremba said the Pregnant Women and Parent Support Act will encourage more women to choose life for their unborn child. Royalton Representative Al Doty said the bill should help a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy. The bill would outlaw health insurance waiting periods for maternity benefits and require insurance companies to offer coverage to already pregnant women. Insurance companies now consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition. Another bill in the package would set up day-care centers in Minnesota colleges. Another would offer pregnant women a $1,000 tax credit for adoption-related expenses and spend state tax money on the federal Women and Infant Children food and health care program.

ONE MORE TB-INFECTED HERD

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced yesterday that one more beef cattle herd in Roseau County has tested positive for tuberculosis. This is the ninth herd confirmed for TB. The USDA has begun to put a value on the cows. The agency then pays the farmer and the herd is put down. Testing continues statewide in nearly 1600 cattle herds in other parts of the state. So far, all of them have tested negative.

YELLOW RIBBON IN DEFENSE BILL

The Defense Authorization bill Senator Amy Klobuchar voted for this week includes the language that would make the Minnesota's Yellow Ribbon program federal. The program helps National Guard members transition back to civilian life. The Defense bill includes money to expand the program to other states. The program includes family and marriage counseling, financial planning an education, small business planning, community outreach, and health care and veteran's benefits education. The Defense bill also includes money for the Wounded Warriors program to help recovering veterans.

SEARCH FOR OLD FARMS

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is looking for 150-year old farms to feature during the state's sesquicentennial celebration this year. Minnesota turns 150 years old on May 11th when it became the 32nd state in the Union. Officials would like to talk to landowners who have had farms in their families for at least the last century and a half. If that happens to be you, contact Allen Sommerfeld at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. You can email him at asommerfeld@state.mn.us.

CROW WING REPUBLICANS MEET TO RAISE MONEY

The Crow Wing County Republican Party is hosting a fundraiser Wednesday night, January 23rd at the Nisswa American Legion. County Chairman Dale Walz said the evening will feature a number of speakers as well as food and a good time. Walz said speakers include House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, State Senate Minority Leaders Betsy Wergin and Amy Koch, former US Senator Rod Grams, and Minnesota Taxpayer League Executive Director Phil Krinkie. But Walz said the most important part of the evening is for people to relax, share some ideas, and get ready for the campaign season ahead. The event runs from 5-8pm, includes hot hors d'oeuvres, and costs $10 per person.

MN SUPREME COURT JUDGE ON BRAINERD PANEL

The Brainerd Lakes Area League of Women Voters will co-host a panel discussion titled "The Importance of an Independent Judiciary" Wednesday night, January 23rd. Panelists will include Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell Anderson, Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea and District Court Judge John Leitner. League spokeswoman Patty Aanes said the panel will talk about the the role of judges and is it important how judges are selected and kept. A Minnesota election law banning judges from campaigning was recently overturned and that has changed the judicial election landscape. Aanes said the next question is should the landscape be changed anymore. The program begins at 6pm in the Brainerd High School Little Theater.

CROW WING DFL HOLDS CAUCUSES

All 62 DFL precincts in Crow Wing County will meet at the Brainerd High School. County Chair Marcia Ferris said it worked well to have everybody meet at the same place two years ago and even though each precinct gets its own table, Ferris said "its like a big pep-fest." The DFL precinct caucuses will include a presidential preference ballot to allocate Minnesota's delegates at the convention in August as well as delegates to the district convention on Saturday, March 1st, also at the Brainerd High School.