Olson Does Not Want to Sell State Land

State Senator Mary Olson says the idea of selling state assets, to solve Minnesota's financial crisis, is going over like a lead balloon in her district. The DFL-er from Bemidji tells KLKS News, she has serious concerns over the Governor's idea of selling the airport and state parks. She says asset sales in the past have actually cost the state more in the long run. Senator Olson says they must think about the long term financial health of the state.

It's Just a Good Old Winter

It's just a good old Brainerd winter, according to the Area DNR Trails and Waterways Supervisor. Lowell Jaeger tells KLKS News, this is the kind of winter we used to see decades ago, when people could ski and snowmobile from December through march. He reminds cross country skiers they need a trail pass that can be purchased from any DNR license vendor. He says the money is passed along to area clubs to maintain the trails.

Local Real Estate Showing Increased Activity

A local realtor says he is seeing an increase in buyer interest. Jim Fogerty of Lakes and Leisure Realty of Breezy Point says the first of the year has brought lower interest rates and added excitement. He tells KLKS News, borrowers don't necessarily have to have 20 percent down. He says the most important asset is an income ability to repay the loan. Fogerty suggests doing business with local banks.

Plenty of Snow Around Brainerd

The recent heavy snow has created slushy conditions on area lakes, as water seeps through cracks in the ice. Lowell Jaeger, Brainerd Area Trails and Waterways Supervisor, tells KLKS News, the slush was over his boots while ice fishing on Gull Lake Sunday. Despite those conditions, he does not expect any problems with the Ice Fishing Extravaganza coming up January 24th on Hole in the Day Bay.
The snow has created excellent snowmobiling and cross country skiing conditions around Brainerd. Skiers are reminded to purchase a trail pass at any DNR license vendor.

Breezy Point Ice Fest

The ice on Big Pelican Lake will come alive with winter fun this weekend. The last couple of years, Breezy Point Ice Fest had to be canceled because of thin ice. This year, the ice is thick. Jim Fogerty, of the Pelican Conservation Club, says Saturday events will begin with breakfast featuring french toast.
Other highlights, include a radar run from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., and the Power Ice Auger Championships 2 to 4 p.m. Registration will be noon to 2 p.m. Fireworks cap the night at 7 p.m.

Tuesday Night High School Scores

Wrestling:
Mille Lacs 40, Cloquet-Esko 35.
Wadena-Deer Creek 40, Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale 39.
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 51, Pierz 30.
Park Rapids 46, East Grand Forks/Sacred Heart 15.
Thief River Falls/Goodridge 49, Park Rapids 24.

Boys Hockey:
Little Falls 5, Brainerd/Pierz.Pillager 3.
Northern Lakes 7, Moose Lake Area 1.
Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis 9, Bagley/Fosston/Clearbrook-Gonvick 1.
Wadena-Deer Creek 4, Prairie Centre Area 3.

Girls Hockey:
Brainerd/Little Falls 9, LPGE/WDC 2.

Boys Basketball:
Aitkin 59, Ogilvie 34.
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 65, Pierz 59.
Bertha-Hewitt 64, Wadena-Deer Creek 61.
Blackduck 53, Pine River-Backus 50.
Crosby-Ironton 63, Deer River 49.
Fergus Falls 82, Brainerd 76, OT.
Isle 96, Hill City 83.
Little Falls 61, Sartell 51.
Nevis 55, Menahga 30.
Northome/Kelliher 51, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 48.
Royalton 64, St. John's Prep 43.
Staples-Motley 74, Fargo Shanley 60.

Girls Basketball:
Aitkin 74, Braham 73.
Bertha-Hewitt 78, Menahga 34.
Fergus Falls 71, Brainerd 48.
Northland 85, LaPorte 40.
Pequot Lakes 70, Crosby-Ironton 64.
Sebeka 60, Verndale 42.
Thief River Falls 51, Park Rapids 42.
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 74, Northome/Kelliher 36.
Willmar 53, Little Falls 52.

Too Much Snow Cancels Dogsled Race

It's been cancelled twice before due to a lack of snow, but this year, the annual dogsled race near Frazee is being cancelled for the opposite reason - too much snow. Eddy Streeper, organizer of the event, said there is so much snow that officials can't groom the tracks and that poses a danger to the dogs. The race, The Third Crossing Sled Dog Rendezvous, was scheduled for January 23-24.

Ward Predicts a Challenging Session

State Representative John Ward of Brainerd says this legislative session will be a challenge. Lawmakers must fix a $500 million revenue shortfall through the end of June, and a $5 billion shortfall for the next biennium. Ward tells KLKS News, cities, counties and townships will feel the pain. He says they must prepare for the worst, and propose revenue raising ideas for the legislature to consider.
Ward says everything they do must be designed to keep jobs or create jobs.

Oberstar Says the Recount is Clean

Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is confident the recount process in the Minnesota Senate race has been clean and fair. The 8th District lawmaker tells KLKS News, he has spoken to a Washington Attorney, who has represented 200 Republican candidates in recounts, and says this is the cleanest he has ever seen. Oberstar says Senator Coleman ought to exhaust all legal remedies available. But, when it's all said and done, he expects that Al Franken will be the next Senator from Minnesota.
Oberstar says the 1962 recount in the race for Governor between Karl Rovaag and Elmer Anderson lasted from November to March, when Rovaag won by 92 votes.

Bertha Barn Burns

A barn in Bartlett Township near Bertha was lost to fire Saturday. Gary Johnson had left his property at about 10 am. When he returned around 1:30. the structure was fully engulfed. The building and contents were considered a total loss. Law enforcement is asking for public help on information leading to the blaze.

Franken Has Been Certified

A Minnesota Board has certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state's U.S. Senate recount over Republican Norm Coleman, but a legal challenge could keep the race in limbo. The Canvassing Board's declaration Monday starts a seven day clock for Coleman to file a lawsuit protesting the result. If he doesn't, Franken will get the election certificate he needs to take the seat in Washington. The former "Saturday Night Live" personality ended the recount up by 225 votes. Franken trailed Coleman by a little less than that heading into the recount. A lawsuit would extend the fight over the seat for months.

Friday Night Sports

Girls Basketball
Staples-Motley 64, Foley 52
Totino-Grace 47, Brainerd 44

NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves 115, Golden State 108

Emily Receives FEMA Grant

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Managment Agency (FEMA) has awarded over $300,00 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program to local fire departments and organizations in the State of Minnesota. Included is $36,889 to the Emily Fire Department for Operations and Safety. The Assistance to Firefighters grant programs are the result of a major effort by the Federal Government to ensure the nation's firefighters have the basic tools and resources necessary to safely perform their responsibilities.

Toys For Tots Has Successful Campaign

Heartland Detachment of the Marine Corps League ended its 2008 Toys For Kids Campaign on December 18 with the distribution of toys to more than 465 Crow Wing County families. Program Chair Jack Huber, said applications for assistance increased slightly over 2007 and that a total of 973 children received gifts this year. In addition to the many individual volunteers who worked to fill the family gift bags, several organizations and businesses provided important services or support.

A Safe Highway Landing for a Small Plane in Duluth

Highway 61 on the northern fringes of Duluth was used as a landing site yesterday morning for a small Cirrus plane. The SR22 was carrying 3 people that were headed up the North Shore. Apparently the plane threw a rod shortly after take-off. The highway was not busy at the time, and no one was injured.