Local briefs

ONAMIA -- Grand Casino Mille Lacs is preparing for the sixth annual Minnesota Vikings Arctic Blast, one of North America's largest participant snowmobile rallies.

The rally, which runs Thursday through Sunday, raises money for the Viking Children's Fund.

More than 30 current and former Vikings players will attend the event, including Gary Anderson, Matthew Hatchette, Jim Kleinsasser, Moe Williams, Kailee Wong, Anthony Carter, Carl Eller, Steve Jordan, Jim Marshall and Bob Lurtsema.

Festivities begin Thursday with an invitation-only welcome for the Vikings at Eddy's Resort from 7 to 9 p.m. At 10 p.m. the public is welcome to join the Vikings at The Blue Goose Inn, where they will serve beverages to raise money for the children's fund.

The Arctic Blast rally beings Saturday. More than 1,500 people are expected to drive or snowmobile to area restaurants, called blastpoints, during the event to meet Vikings players and play games for prizes.

All participants who check in to a minimum of three blastpoints are eligible to win prizes at the wrap-up prize party at Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events and Convention Center at 5:45 p.m. Hundreds of prizes will be given away, including a pair of 2001 Vikings season tickets.

Entertainment will be provided by comedian Scott Hansen.

Registration for Arctic Blast is $30. For more information on the event or to register call (952) 828-6577.

Walz seeks tax incentive for military personnel

ST. PAUL -- Rep. Dale Walz, R-Brainerd, is seeking to implement a state tax incentive for military personnel to enlist or continue their service.

He has proposed a bill that would exempt the first $5,000 of compensation for active duty military personnel, members of the Minnesota National Guard and the armed forces reserves, and would exempt an additional $3,000 of compensation for services performed outside Minnesota.

Under current law, military pay, other than combat pay, is subject to income tax at both the state and federal levels.

"This exemption is something that other states have enacted," Walz said. "And the fact that we don't have it here in this state discourages military personnel from declaring Minnesota as their state of residence."

Walz presented his bill to the House Income Tax Division, which held it over for possible inclusion in the final tax omnibus bill.

Dairy Association

to meet Feb. 9

The Crow Wing County Dairy Association will hold its annual meeting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 9 at Bonanza restaurant in Baxter.

All dairy farmers in the county are encouraged to attend.

Sherry Newell, industry relations manager, will give a presentation highlighting dairy promotion activities. Directors from the Midwest Dairy Association Corporate Board will discuss ways the check-off program is raising consumer demand for dairy products.

The meeting will then open for general discussion and questions. Local county board business and elections will precede adjournment.

Current representatives of Region 2 serving on the Midwest Dairy Association Corporate Board and Minnesota Division Board are Kay Henninger, Carlton, and Kathleen Skriba, North Branch.

Crow Wing County ADA board members are: Diane Segler, Brainerd, chairperson; Rosanne Caughey, Fort Ripley, vice chair; Richard and Eileen Leino, Deerwood, secretary; Ron and Barb Nelson, Brainerd, treasurer; and Al and Marie Jabs, Brainerd, Steve Koering, Fort Ripley, and Gerald and Sandy Foust, Pierz, board members.

Discussion on farm crisis to be Feb. 8

The League of Women Voters will host a discussion titled, "The Farm Crisis: Reaching consensus. Can we offer solutions to the farm crisis?" at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 8 at the Brainerd Public Library.

Jean Prickett and Allan Eliason will lead small groups in the discussion.

Bring a brown bag lunch to the meeting, and coffee and cookies will be available from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Small group discussions will be held from noon to 1 p.m.

Visitors are invited to attend