Area news briefs

A third victim of a two-vehicle head-on crash Jan. 8 south of Brainerd near Fort Ripley was identified Thursday as a Twin Cities woman.

The woman was Kahtia Zee Maine, 32, Minnetonka. She died at the scene.

The Maine vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Tanya Struthers, 16, Brainerd.

Struthers and her passenger, Michael Pohlkamp, 20, Brainerd, died at the scene as well.

Furnace problem closes C-I school

CROSBY -- As a result of a furnace problem, school was closed today for Crosby-Ironton junior and senior high school students.

The boiler was being repaired today.

School was expected to resume Monday for junior and senior high students.

Grant awarded

EMILY -- Emily Charter School has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Center for School Change to support planning projects over the next few months.

A committee of teachers, parents and community members will look at three issues: increasing interaction between the school and community, expanding parent involvement opportunities and developing a comprehensive technology plan for the school.

Committee members will be seeking ideas from area residents and other schools in the state. The school will then be eligible for an additional $35,000 in implementation funds through CSC.

DNR meeting

ST. CLOUD -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Kelly Inn in St. Cloud to explain the DNR's funding needs, including the proposed fee increases in hunting and fishing licenses.

DNR Commissioner Allen Garber and other DNR officials will be available to discuss the potential impact of funding shortfalls on DNR services, as well as answer questions.

The DNR is asking the Legislature to increase license fees and provide some matching dollars from the state's general fund. The increases will pay for improvements in fish and wildlife habitat and enforcement.