Todd Olson Sr. of Brainerd increased his pocket change. He won $10,000 playing the Minnesota Lottery's Extravaganza scratch game. Olson picked up his winnings August 20th. He picked up his winning ticket at Pine Square on Oak Street in Brainerd.

The Hackensack Fire Department has received a federal grant to purchase new high-tech thermal imaging cameras. The Hackensack Fire Department will receive $10,000 from the Department of Homeland Security. Hackensack Fire Department Treasurer, Jim Schneider says thermal cameras like these have saved hundreds of lives across the country. Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar, who announced the grant, considers this to be one of the Department of Homeland Security's most important programs.

No muskies will be stocked in Gull Lake. Tim Brastrup, Area Fisheries Supervisor says the decision was made at the highest level of the DNR. He tells KLKS, he thought Gull Lake would be a good choice to ease muskie fishing pressure on other area lakes. However, he says there was significant opposition from other anglers. Brastrup says it turned out to be a political decision, but he respects the hard decisions the guys at the top have to make.

The Morrison County Sheriff's Office is looking for help locating suspects involved in theft of several rifles and handguns. A residence in rural Bellevue Township was broken into Friday, August 22nd. The owner is offering a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The Morrison County Sheriff says all information will be kept anonymous.

An apartment fire in Little Falls has claimed the life of a 61-year-old man. The blaze was reported about 6:20 Tuesday morning. Fire fighters found John Abram Hergaugh Jr. inside when they arrived. Two other residents were taken to the Little Falls Hospital with minor smoke inhalation. There was minor smoke damage to other apartments in the northeast wing. The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

State Representative John Ward of Brainerd, says his mission at the Democratic National Convention in Denver is to press for more education funding. The delegate to the DNC says education is the source of economic strength. He tells KLKS News, he is reminding national leaders of their educational promises particularly in the field of special education.

Motorists driving through Pequot Lakes will have a new turn lane to hasten their way through town. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has installed a left-turn lane and traffic signal on west bound County Road 11. Motorists will be able to turn south onto Highway 371 from Main Street from the designated left-turn lane.

An 11-year-old Long Prairie boy was taken to St. Cloud Hospital Tuesday after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle. The Todd County Sheriff's office says the boy was struck by a vehicle driven by a rural Long Prairie woman on County Road six about 12:30 pm.

The 3rd Annual Breezy Point Fest took place last Saturday on the grounds of the Community Center in Breezy Point. Hundreds of residents, as well as visitors, enjoyed the sunny afternoon--framed around activities and kids' games. All guests that registered were treated to a complimentary soda and hotdog, and the little ones had a variety of games to play, including a duck pond, a bean bag toss, and "fishing". Other activities for the kids included face-painting, bird-feeder making, and other crafts. Mayor Jo Ann Weaver, Teri Slipy, and KLKS' "Blenda" all took turns handing out door prizes. Other diplays/ informational booths included Crow Wing County Sheriff's equipment, Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes emergency equipment, MADD, and Smokey the Bear.

With the "going back to school" season upon us, there will be increased foot traffic around schools. Sheriff Todd Dahl told K-Lakes' News that motorists need to remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way in cross-walks, and that they should always be mindful and considerate. "Safety First" is always something to bear in mind, and--motorists--slow down.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office and Baxter Police responded to a drowning at Whipple Beach in Baxter early Sunday evening. A 6-year-old girl had been swimming with friends and became lost. She was located in the water, unresponsive, face-down, 60-75' from the water's edge. She was transported to St. Joseph's Medical Center, then air-lifted to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis where her condition is listed as critical. The name of the 6-year-old has not been released. The accident is under investigation by the Crow Wing County Boat and Water Division.

WASHINGTON - It took seven years, but Charles Ulrich did something many people dream about, but few succeed at: He beat the IRS in a tax dispute.
Not only that, but tax experts say potentially millions of other taxpayers could benefit from his victory. The accountant from Baxter, Minn., challenged the method the IRS has used for more than 20 years to tax shares and cash distributed by mutual life insurance firms to their policyholders when they reorganize as public companies. A federal court recently agreed with his interpretation. "There's a tremendous amount of money at stake," said Robert Willens, a New York City-based tax analyst at Robert Willens LLC. "Tens of thousands of people could be in line for a refund." The dispute arose when more than 30 mutual life insurance companies became publicly traded corporations in the late 1990s and earlier this decade, in a process known as "demutualization." Mutual companies are owned by their policyholders, so the companies provided stock and cash to compensate them for the loss of their ownership interests when they went public. All told, roughly 30 million policyholders received distributions, Ulrich estimates. Charles Miller, a spokesman for the Justice Department, said the government hasn't yet decided whether to appeal. Still, taxpayers should request refunds if they're eligible, the tax experts said, because even if the IRS rejects the claim, doing so extends the deadline for a potential refund for two more years.