Cass County authorities report that an Oklahoma man received minor injuries in a train/vechicle crash south of US Highway 2 on the US Forestry Road #2910 at the train crossing. The victim, who has not been identified, was transported by ambulance to the North Country Hosital in Bemidji with minor injuries. No further details are available.

The Brainerd Lakes Area has avoided the brunt of the winter storm that began its march across Minnesota Sunday.

The lakes could see up to 5 inches of snow by the time it all ends Tuesday. K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says the wind will cause some problems here, but nothing like other parts of the state.

The south and western parts of the state may see up to 11 inches of snow mix with strong winds.

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl is reminding motorists that the speed limit may not be a good idea on snowy days like this. He tells KLKS News, going the speed limit, when the roads are slippery, may be unsafe.

The county's top cop says he had trouble bringing his vehicle to a stop this morning when a woman entered a cross walk.

Dahl says there were some spin-outs, and cars in the ditch from the recent snow, but no major accidents.

More Minnesotans may be eligible to file for the earned income tax credit this year.

St. Paul IRS Spokesperson Carrie Resch tells KLKS News, the credit is for working people who don't make a lot of money. She says says those who care for grand children may qualify. And those who had their hours or pay cut last year, may be eligible for the credit this year.

Resch says 25 percent of those who are eligible for the earned income tax credit do not file for it.

A 46-year-old Crosslake man died in a snowmobile accident just after midnight Sunday morning on Cross Lake near the Ye Olde Wharf Bar and Restaurant. Stephen Zilka sustained head injures and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Crow Wing County Sheriff says he struck a tree that was hanging out over the ice.

The Annual Crosslake Winterfest medallion hunt was won by Jimmy Martin of Crosslake with a purse of $675.00. In the Soup Contest, in the professional category, Riverside Inn won the trophy. This is the 3rd year in a row that Riverside has won the honor. In the Amateur division, Lakes Area Gallery was the winner.

Regulators have shut down a small bank in Minnesota, bringing to 16 the number of bank failures so far in 2010 following 140 brought down last year by rising loan defaults and the recession.

The FDIC Friday took over the 1st American State Bank of Minnesota, located in Hancock with about $18.2 million dollars in assets and $16.3 million dollars in deposits. Community Development Bank of Ogema, Minnesota has agreed to assume the assets and deposits of the failed bank.

The winter wonderland in Crosslake turns into a festival this weekend. Winterfest runs today and Saturday. Chamber of commerce spokesperson Annie Woog says Friday gets going in a big way at the Crosslake Community Center with a bonfire, horse-drawn hay rides, smores and more.

Saturday features a soup fest at area businesses and ice car races.

For more information go to KLKS.com and click on events.

Wrestling:
Staples-Motley 44, Aitkin 21
Royalton/Upsala 47, Albany 12
Royalton/Upsala 63, Sartell-St. Stephen 9

Boys Hockey:
Northern Lakes 7, B-F-C-G 0
Willmar 5, Wadena-Deer Creek 0

Girls Hockey:
Thief River Falls 3, Park Rapids 1

Boys Basketball:
Blackduck 57, WHA 52
Brainerd 55, Alexandria 47
Isle 68, Pine City 35
Little Falls 71, Fergus Falls 56
Menahga 72, Henning 67
Mora 64, Aitkin 51
Northome/Klliher 80, Greenway 46

Girls Basketball:
Bemidji 71, Pequot Lakes 53
Braham 75, Aitkin 30
Crosby-Ironton 55, Northland 45
Eden Valley-Watkins 39, Pierz 32
Isle 59, Onamia 26
Nevis 61, Park Rapids 38
Parkers Prairie 84, Verndale 33
Perham 58, Wadena-Deer Creek 41
Royalton 51, Eagle Valley 49
Upsala 94, Swanville 29
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 66, Blackduck 37

State Senator Mary Olson of Bemidji says the legislature faces a budget fix even worse than last year. Lawmakers convened in St. Paul today.

The District 4 DFL-er tells KLKS News, she expects her party to suggest more cuts than the Governor again this year. She hopes to save some costs by streamlining the operations of the DNR.

Senator Olson says the legislature and Governor have to decide if it is better to push the pain of cost controls on to local units of government and the school districts, or spread it equally to taxpayers across the state.

(AP) Maybe it's frostbite of the brain. Minnesota's conservation officers are seeing more violations among ice fishermen this winter.

The DNR says they are writing citations for too many lines in the water, no fishing licenses and over-limits.

Sportsmen are encouraged to read the rules that effect the lakes they are fishing.

According to the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office, 26-year old Joshua Paul Barron was arrested after a 20-minute chase in Aitkin early this morning. Barron is accused of shooting another man Monday in Northfield. Barron was arrested after his snowmobile crashed into trees and brush. Also arrested from the residence where Barron had been before the chase were 27-year old Shanessa Ceplecha and 34-year old Randall Wang--both of rural Aitkin. They were arrested on un-related charges of 5th Degree Controlled Substance charges.

Riverwood Foundation exceeded its goal of $350,000 for Unlocking Secrets fundraising campaign for the MRI project and Imaging Center expansion at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. Several hundred individuals and organizations in 2008-2009 contributed to the final campaign total of $363,372.

The campaign's goal was to raise $100,000 toward the estimated $3.2 million cost of purchasing and implementing a fixed station MRI machine.

Area folks interested in learning about, or commenting on, the DNR's strategies for managing Brainerd Area lakes have until early March to ask questions or submit comments.

Tim Brastrup, Brainerd Area Fisheries Supervisor says plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters. He goes on to say, the plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake in the next five to 20 years.

Area lakes include: Bay Lake, Borden Lake, East and West Fox Lakes, Upper Hay Lake,
Serpent Lake, Sagamore Mine Pit Lake, Nokay Lake, Mitchell Lake, East and West Twin Lakes and Lake Edward.

Public comments on management of these lakes will be taken through March 3, 2010.

The Nature Conservancy is donating 69 acres of property along Egg Lake to Cass County. Combined with land already owned by the county, more than three quarters of the lake's shoreline is now preserved.

The Cass County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously late last year to accept the land, which is located near Outing.

The property includes a mature black spruce bog, a regenerating aspen forest and stands of half-century old red pine trees, all of which provide wildlife habitat.

As a result of the Conservancy's gift, an additional 1,400 feet of shoreline along Egg Lake has been protected, which will help preserve the lake's high water quality.

Cass County is now able to provide more public access to Egg Lake for outdoor recreation including fishing, berry picking and hunting for deer, grouse and ducks.