The Pine River Watershed Alliance received $35,000 in grants from three non-profit foundations and three citizens recently. The grants will allow the Watershed to conduct a soils phosphorus study to determine the historical and current land uses of lands in the Bungo Creek area.

This is the second phase of a multi-year program to identify the non-point sources of phosphorus flowing down the Bungo, into the Pine River and then into the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. This first phase of the PRWA research project determined the amount of phosphorus exported from Bungo Creek into the South Fork of the Pine River.

Pet owners are being advised to keep an eye on their dogs when they are either running loose or chained out. According to Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel, there is some indication that dog thieves may be active in Central and Northern Minnesota.

The Sheriff says there does not appear to have been any thefts within Morrison County, but a series of emails received by the Sheriff indicate that dogs may have been taken east and north of the county.

While not officially confirmed, the emails indicate that smaller breeds seem to be particularly vulnerable.

Three Swanville students have admitted they were responsible for a bomb threat at the Swanville School March 9th. According to Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel, deputies conducted numerous interviews with students; and during follow-up interviews with the the 9th grade suspects, they admitted to participating in placing a message on a bathroom wall stating the school was going to blow up.

The case file has been forwarded to the Morrison County Attorney's Office for a determination whether charges would be filed

The Morrison sheriff's office says water levels are rising along sections of the Mississippi River near Belle Prairie. The break up caused several ice dams to form in the Belle Prairie area, causing water to rise quickly.

No significant structural damage was reported, however, several residents reported their septic systems backed up into their basements.

In addition, crews from the City of Little Falls Public Works Department shut down a portion of Mississippi Boulevard near the Grace Covenant Church. Crews at that location utilized sand and plastic to protect a pumping station for the city's sewer system.

The Sheriff's office is requesting Minnesota Power and Light allow as much water as possible through the Little Falls dam to reduce the water level pool north of Little Falls.

State Senator Paul Koering is holding two town hall meetings Saturday, March 27th.

The first meeting with the Fort Ripley Republican will be 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce.

The second meeting will be from 11AM - 1PM at Central Lakes College, Multi-Purpose Room E-101, Brainerd, MN 56401.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol have closed Highway 10/east Mississippi River Bridge on the Little Falls by-pass due to an ice jam in the main channel, and erosion to the over-flow bridge. The road is closed at County Road 113 and County Road 76. MN/Dot crews and State Patrol Troopers are on the scene to direct traffic at the closure. The closure will remain in place until the floodwaters recede, and any necessary repairs to the bridge are complete.

The stock market has seen a 60% recovery from bottom a year ago. Bruce Helmer, President of the Wealth Enhancement Group, says the discussion now is, will the market be a "V" or a "W."

A "V" would be continued sharp upward movement for stocks, a "W" would be another decline. Helmer tells KLKS News, he doesn't think it will be either. He predicts will instead be a zig-zaggy line with lots of volatility, but a slight increase at the end of the year.

Helmer thinks there is opportunity for those who want to get back in the market.

Helmer will be in Brainerd Thursday to discuss the advantages of Roth IRA's at the Lodge in Brainerd, 4-6 p.m.

State Representative John Ward says if the Minnesota Supreme Court Rules that Governor Pawlenty's unalottment last spring was unconstitutional, it will have a devastating effect on the state.

The Brainerd DFL-er says cutting $2.7 billion on top of the $900 million they are currently trying to solve would be extremely difficult.

Ward tells KLKS News, lawmakers need a balanced approach to the problem, including tax increases, which the Governor says he will not approve.

The Brainerd City Council cut six full time fire department positions from the budget, Tuesday night, in anticipation of $680 thousand dollars in expected cuts from the state.

(AP) The spring run-off is creating some trouble in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

A Pillager woman had to be rescued from her home Tuesday night as rising waters from the Crow Wing River threatened her home. Firefighters used a boat to rescue Mary Rudolph and her three dogs.

The river rose eight inches during the half hour the firefighters were at the Rudolph home.

The National Weather Service says more troubles are possible as ice makes its way from Lake Placid through the area, and dams-up water behind the ice jams.

(AP) Now Denny Hecker has been found in contempt of court for failing to pay alimony to his second ex-wife. He owes $8,200 to Sandra Hecker.

The fallen auto mogul says he has no money to pay her. However, if he doesn't, he faces 90 days in the Hennepin County jail.

Boys Basketball:
Section 6 2A
Semifinal
Staples-Motley 57, Morris 43
Section 8 2A
Crosby Ironton 53, Hawley 46
Section 5 1A
Isle 57, Barnum 49
Sebeka 68, Nevis 48
Section 8 1A
Cass Lake-Bena 86, Mahnomen 74

The Brainerd Lakes League of Women Voters Area will present a discussion on "Redistricting" Thursday at the Brainerd Public Library at 6:00 p.m.

Florence Hedeena of Park Rapids, will lead the discussion. Redistricting happens after each census. It is the process of redrawing the lines of the legislative districts. The eight Congressional seats for Minnesota may be seeing a change to align with the population distribution according to the 2010 Census.

The meeting is open to the public.

State Representative John Ward is disappointed the governor chose to delete two bonding projects in the Brainerd Area. He says the governor eliminated $320 million dollars from the bonding bill including the Cuyuna Area Trail and a multi use trail from Little Falls to Camp Ripley.

Ward says in an area where new jobs are important, the cuts are particularly painful.

Ward says this is a good time for projects, because the cost of materials and bids are lower. He says the Cuyuna Recreation Area bonding did make the cut, because it contained stimulus dollars.

Now that the snow pack has receded, snow mold is revealing itself. K-Lakes Meteorologist and Master Gardener Tony Schumacher says there are two kinds, gray and pink snow mold. The pink is the more serious.

Tony says unless it is serious, it should be left alone. He says it is certainly unsightly, but sunshine and warm weather is all your lawn needs.

Tony says to avoid it in the first place, do not use nitrogen on your yard in November. He says if it snows before the ground freezes, there will be lush growth underneath, promoting mold growth. He also says it is a good idea to remove dead leaves.

The Minnesota Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development says the jobs picture will improve in the Brainerd Lakes Area, but it will take time. Dan McElroy says the area took a hit in construction and natural resources jobs.

McElroy tells KLKS News, there is room for optimism. He says job search firms are posting more jobs. He says the average number of hours worked has increased from 31 to 33 per week and that has made a big difference.

McElroy says the investment Wausau Paper is making in the Brainerd plant is another reason for hope. The expansion should be complete early next year.