NEWS --The Minnesota DNR has confirmed Zebra mussels have turned up in two Crow Wing County lakes, Lower Cullen Lake and Lake Hubert. A resort owner alerted the DNR when several zebra mussels were found on a boat moored at a Lower Cullen Lake resort. DNR staff found no other zebra mussels when they inspected adjacent docks and a nearby stream. A DNR-trained county watercraft inspector and lake service business found zebra mussels on a boat lift being removed from Lake Hubert. DNR staff found more on an adjacent dock and in the water up to 3 feet deep. State law requires docks and boat lifts to be out of the water for at least 21 days before putting them in another water body. The aquatic invasive species zebra mussels competes with native species, cuts swimmers' feet, clogs boat motors and damages water intake pipes.
--Two people were hurt in a head on crash on Highway 64 north of Motley Sunday. Shortly before 7:30pm 54-year-old Benjamin Ameyan was on 64 when another vehicle driven by 52-year-old Michael Lyle of Laporte crossed the centerline and the vehicles collided head on. Lyle was not hurt. Ameyan and his 18-year-old passenger Michael Tieku were injured. Ameyan had serious injuries and was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale while Tieku was taken to the Staples Hospital for treatment.
--A 76-year-old from Pierz was injured when his vehicle slid into the ditch and struck a tree around 2:00pm Sunday in Crow Wing County. George Dambowy was on County Road 23 when he left the roadway. Dambowy was taken to the Brainerd hospital with minor injuries.
--The 25-year-old man injured Saturday after his firearm disharged is facing charges for giving a false report to police. The police responded to Wilson Street at 7:40pm to a man being shot. The man told officers that he was shot by an unknown suspect while sitting in his vehicle. The man was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for his injuries which were deemed non life threatening. An investigation found later that the man lied to officers as the gunshot was caused by the man playing with the gun in his vehicle as it shot him in the leg. Police said the man faces charges of giving a false report.
--A key member of a group that advises Minnesota regulators on walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake has resigned. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Government Affairs Director Jamie Edwards says the Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee has "devolved into an anti-science, anti-treaty rights forum subsidized by state resources." Reports stated that Edwards made the claim in a letter to state Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr. Edwards was the only tribal representative on the 17-member panel. The DNR formed the group a year ago to help guide management decisions on the lake, after the state took the unprecedented step of closing the Mille Lacs walleye fishery early. The shutdown came after anglers exceeded the agreed upon quota for the non-tribal harvest. DNR fisheries chief Don Pereira called Edwards' resignation disappointing, but he rejected Edwards' claims. He said he hopes to replace him on the committee with another tribal representative. Mille Lacs was once considered Minnesota's premiere walleye fishery, but the species has been on a long-term decline.
--A Harvest Festival is Thursday from 5:30-8:30pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman. Auction, talent or no talent show and potluck meal will all take place.
--Little Falls Community Ed. Director Steve Larsen last week received an award as the Regional Community Educator of Excellence by the Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA). He received his award last week during their Fall Conference in St. Cloud. MCEA recognizes, thanks, and celebrates the outstanding contributions made by practitioners and supporters of community education from across Minnesota. Nominees represent the best of the best in persons committed to working together, creating opportunities, persisting through challenges and partnering with others.
--A Veteran's Retiree Breakfast will be held Thursday morning at Camp Ripley from 8:30-11am. A breakfast is served for $6.75, otherwise the event is free. Learn about benefits and opportunities for retired and current veterans around central Minnesota. For more information on the event call (320) 266-7627.
--A vehicle fire on Interstate Highway 94 east of Albany and west of Avon, between exits 147 and 153, closed eastbound lanes around 10:45am Tuesday. 35-year old Joseph Kellen of South Dakota heard a loud pop from the right back of the trailer. He attempted to extinguish the fire, which started from either the tire or the brakes. When that didn't work, he unhooked the trailer, which became engulfed in flames. By 1:30pm Tuesday the left lane of eastbound Interstate 94 had reopened.
--Two 19-year-olds were charged after drug agents found marijuana, methamphetamines and other drug paraphernalia in their Brainerd residence. Elijah Van Natter of Baxter and Bionka Chamberlin of Brainerd were charged with felony third degree possesion of narcotic drugs and intent to sell charges. Van Natter admitted to a drug agent that the marijuana inside the home was being sold to several individuals around the area.
NATIONAL NEWS --The third and final Presidential Debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is tonight 8:00pm in Las Vegas, Nevada.
DEATH NOTICES --Lauren “Zippy” Shore, age 83 of Onamia. --Marge LeBlanc, age 83 of Little Falls. --Harvey Fritz, age 77 of Randall.
WEATHER TODAY= mostly sunny, high 55. TONIGHT= clear, frost late, low 29. THURSDAY= partly sunny, colder, high 44, clear night low 27. FRIDAY= sunny and high near 50, clear night low 38.
SPORTS HS FB= Foley at Little Falls tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF HS FB= Holdingford at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML HS FB= Parkers Prairie at Royalton tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ MLB= Toronto avoided elimination beating Cleveland 5-1, Indians lead series 3-1, game 5 today in Toronto. Dodgers shut out Cubs last night 6-0 and Dodgers lead series 2-1 in the NLCS. Game 4 today. NHL= six different players score as Wild beat LA last night 6-3. WNBA= Minnesota Lynx host LA Sparks Thursday in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals where winner takes the championship. The game is at 7pm at the Target Center. Lynx going for back to back titles.