LOCAL BRIEFS

Senate District 4 DFLers will endorse candidates for House Districts 4A and 4B on Saturday.

The endorsing convention is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School in Walker.

Meg Bye of Pequot Lakes is a candidate for the District 4B seat currently held by Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker.

Rep. Frank Moe, DFL-Bemidji, represents District 4A and is expected to run again, party officials said. Sen. Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji, represents Senate District 4 and isn't up for re-election until 2010. Senate District 4 includes parts of Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard and Itasca counties.

Guest speakers who are expected to attend include Olson and representatives for U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

The agenda will include election of officers and DFL State Central Committee members.

Opportunities to put voice to work offered

Central Lakes College in Brainerd will host a two-hour workshop for those interested in an introduction to voice acting and voiceover opportunities in activities such as documentaries and audio books.

The workshop is 6-8 p.m. April 21 in the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus. More information is available by calling 855-8142.

Morrison County to meet Friday

LITTLE FALLS - The Morrison County Board will meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the board room for a planning session.

The agenda includes:

1. Public health issues - Bonnie Paulsen.

2. Carey Group report - Tim Houle.

3. Property discussion - Tim Houle.

4. Schedule budget committee meeting and next planning meeting.

5. Other business.

6. Adjournment.

Motorcycle safety course scheduled

Central Lakes College is hosting "Street Smarts-Plus," a three-day motorcycle safety course from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 22-24 in the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus.

The course will answer the question "What do expert riders know that average riders don't?" The first two hours review the basic elements of a sound, safe-riding strategy. The second part is a four-hour "refresher" course of selected riding exercises.

For more information, call 855-8142.

Cemetery meeting scheduled Monday

The annual meeting of the Bethel Cemetery Association will be 7 p.m. Monday. Potluck lunch to follow.

Jacks and Jills spring meeting set

The BNSF Jacks and Jills spring meeting will be 7 p.m. Friday at the Eagles Club in Brainerd. Hall on Highway 25 for its quarterly meeting.

Dennis Myers, administrator of the Crow Wing County Sanitary Management District, will discuss county sanitary management practices that will be used in the watershed area.

All area residents, farmers, lakeshore owners, township officials and any interested persons are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Sons of Norway to meet Friday

Sons of Norway will meet 7 p.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd. The movie "Sweetland" will be shown on the large screen in the church sanctuary. "Sweetland" is a story about Olaf, a Norwegian immigrant in 1910, and his mail order bride. Includes movie treats at intermission.

Civil service panel to meet Monday

The Brainerd Police and Fire Civil Service Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday at Brainerd City Hall to elect officers, certify an updated police officer eligibility list and discuss any other business that may come before the commission.

MnDOT urges that right-of-way be clear

ST. PAUL - It's the season for garage sales, open houses and auctions but placing signs promoting them in the highway right-of-way creates potential hazards, the Minnesota Department of Transportation warned.

Signs in the right-of-way, especially at intersections, can distract drivers and obstruct their vision, MnDOT officials advise. Highway right-of-way include driving lanes, shoulders, ditches, clear zones and sight corners at intersections.

Placing signs or objects in the right-of-way is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum $1,000 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

State law also specifies that signs and other items cannot be placed on private property outside the right-of-way limits but in close proximity to a roadway without consent from the landowner.

MnDOT maintenance staff will remove signs located within right-of-way without notice.

If there are large objects which cannot be easily removed, MnDOT may issue a notice requiring the removal.

Items commonly found in right-of-way include cars and other vehicles, boats and motors, campers and travel trailers, produce stands and large bales of hay.

These objects also pose a danger if a vehicle accidentally veers of the highway. In addition, they also can collect debris, block proper drainage and hamper maintenance work such as mowing and spraying.

For information about roadway regulations, right-of-way boundaries, or where to find signs and items that have been removed, contact the MnDOT district office in Baxter at 828-5700.