Local briefs

LITTLE FALLS - The Morrison County Board will meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday in a planning session in the county board room in the Morrison County Government Center in Little Falls.

The agenda includes: Public health report by Bonnie Paulsen; planning and zoning report by Mark Anderson; teleconference grant equipment by Mike Disher; MCIT claims report by Steve Messerschmidt; administrator's report that includes discussing the South Country Health Alliance space rental, Buckman building update and the mini truck ordinance; and other business.

Sandy Lake band files for federal recognition

The Sandy Lake Band of Mississippi Chippewa has filed suit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs to regain federal tribal recognition, the Aitkin Independent Age reported.

The lawsuit says the BIA has not included the group on its list of federally recognized tribes since 1980. The suit says that because of this its members can't get services.

In the lawsuit, filed Sept. 1, the band said treaties dating back to 1825 recognize the group as its own tribe and set up a reservation in Aitkin County. The lawsuit says Congress never terminated the tribe's status.

The Sandy Lake Band is considered a splinter group of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, not as the historic Sandy Lake Band. Sandy Skinaway, the Sandy Lake Band chairwoman, told the Aitkin Independent Age there are roughly 90 people in her group. She also said the lawsuit isn't about money but about maintaining members' identities and giving their children a sense of history.

According to the Aitkin Independent Age, in 1991 the band initiated a federal court action against the Secretary of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs but the case was dismissed. In 1992 and 1996 the Aitkin County Board passed resolutions in support of the Sandy Lake Band.

Weekend patrols result in more than 550 traffic stops

The Labor Day Safe and Sober saturation patrols in the Brainerd area resulted in more than 550 traffic stops, several arrests and numerous warnings.

Participating law enforcement agencies in the Crow Wing County area were Minnesota State Patrol troopers, Crow Wing County Sheriff's deputies and officers from the police departments of Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Deerwood, Emily, Crosby, Cuyuna, Crosslake and Breezy Point.

Activity for all agencies in Crow Wing County, except the State Patrol, included at least 399 traffic stops. Of those stops, about 15 were DWI arrests, at least 89 speeding warnings, eight seat belt citations, and at least four contacts involved drugs. There also were at least 57 other citations and a host of other warnings and citations, including two warrant arrests, two zero tolerance charges and officers reported at least one DWI related vehicle forfeiture.

Activity from troopers in the Brainerd State Patrol District included at least 151 traffic stops. Of those stops, 13 were DWI arrests, 11 speeding citations, at least 76 warnings for speeding, at least 47 equipment warnings as well as a host of other citations and warnings. At least two motorists were contacted in reference to the Ted Foss Move-Over law. Some of the traffic stops included motorcyclists.

Healthy Lakes Legislative Forum set for Sept. 24 at Walker casino

WALKER - Legislators plan to attend the third annual Healthy Lakes Legislative Forum from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker.

Jerry Lerom, the Association of Cass County Lakes president, and Molly Zines of Minnesota Waters will moderate the event. The forum was organized by area lake and watershed volunteers, headed by Pine River Watershed Alliance Chair Ron Meyer and Minnesota Waters.

Legislators who are planning to attend include Sen. Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji, Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, Rep. John Persell, DFL-Bemidji, Rep. Brita Sailer, DFL-Park Rapds, Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, Rep. Al Doty, DFL-Royalton.

Topics include shoreline management, aquatic invasive species, septic systems and land conservation.

Tea party to mark Constitution Week Tuesday at Brainerd courthouse rally

The Tea party will mark Constitution Week with "one last blow-out before Nov. 2" - a pre-election rally from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the steps of the old Crow Wing County Courthouse.

Speakers ill include Leon Moe from the 10th Amendment Center, Minnesota Supreme Court candidate Tim Tingelstad and Brainerd mayoral candidate Guy Green.

Moe will discuss nullification of federal mandates and laws. Tingelstad will discuss judicial issues related to unfunded mandates and federal controls.

Those attending are encouraged to have a sign or poster ready and to learn about the Brainerd chapter of the Founding Fathers Society.

The tea party announcement said the gathering is nonpartisan advent. Those attending were encouraged to leave campaign literature, hats, signs, shirts, buttons at home or in their vehicle. According to the announcement, campaign speeches or testimonials for candidates are not needed.

The schedule calls for socializing at 5 p.m., the Pledge of Allegiance and opening devotions at 5:15 p.m.; guest speakers at 5:25 p.m.; and rants by 6 p.m. Those who would like to give rants are asked to e-mail George Burton, the Constitution Party's 8th Congressional District candidate at norpac@brainerd.net. The maximum length of the rants was listed at three minutes.