Local news briefs

Motorists should expect lane closures Thursday on the Highway 210/Washington Street bridge over the Mississippi River because of a routine bridge inspection.

Minnesota Department of Transportation officials said right lane closures where crews are working can be expected from 7:30 a.m. to late afternoon on Thursday.

Updated statewide traffic, construction, weather and travel information, visit www.511mn.org.

Mounted Patrol fundraiser Saturday

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol is hosting a fundraising game show starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds.

The cost for competitors with a horse is $3 an event or $40 for all day. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Used tack will be on sale during the show. Admission for spectators is free.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol includes about 20 volunteer members and about eight auxiliary members. The patrol is part of the sheriff's search and rescue team and also provides crowd control, security and public relations.

The patrol is funded by tax-deductible donations and fundraising events put on by members. The donations provide the funds for equipment, tack and training.

DWI crackdown set Friday through Labor Day weekend

Minnesota's 2009 Labor Day DWI Mobilization will feature enhanced patrols Friday through the Labor Day holiday with a further focus on the weekends.

Law enforcement officers from more than 400 agencies will be cracking down on impaired drivers as part of this statewide enforcement effort to get impaired drivers off the road and encouraging motorists to make safe driving decisions.

Working this project from the lakes area will be troopers from the State Patrol; deputies from the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department; and officers from the police departments of Brainerd, Baxter, Breezy Point, Cuyuna, Crosby, Crosslake, Deerwood, Emily, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes.

In 2008, 163 motorists were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which is a record low for alcohol-related deaths. In spite of the drop in deaths, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported that alcohol-related crashes still accounted for more than one-third of all traffic fatalities.