Local news briefs

LITTLE FALLS - Morrison County will drop its treasurer position, as it will be combined with the auditor position beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

The Morrison County Board Friday passed a resolution to consolidate the two positions into one elected position.

The Morrison County Board has been looking at consolidating its services with the treasurer, recorder, auditor and administrator ever since county administrator Deb Gruber, who was the county's treasurer, was considered for the administrator position last year. Consolidating the services will help county offices become more cost-effective, efficient and increase the quality of customer service for its county citizens.

Gruber became the county administrator Jan. 31 and Bunny Johnston, the county recorder, was appointed interim treasurer. Johnston will fill the remainder of Gruber's term.

Sheriff warns residents against scams

LITTLE FALLS - Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel Monday reminded residents to be extremely cautious when buying or selling items on Craigslist, e-Bay, or other Internet-based trading sites.

Recently, a resident lost a large sum of money when she sent a check out of state to an individual whom she had agreed to buy a car from, the sheriff's department reported. The car never arrived and the money will never be recovered.

According to Wetzel, Internet trading or selling sites are filled with thieves and scammers.

"I personally found this out while looking to purchase a vehicle for my son," Wetzel said in a news release. "The deal seemed to be too good to be true and as I checked into it further it became clear that the person I was dealing with was a scammer."

Wetzel said offers of 100 percent guaranteed, prices below the actual value, free shipping or overpayment with a request that the excess amount be returned are all clues that the deal may not be legitimate.

Wetzel recommends that buyers only purchase vehicles that they are able to personally inspect and take custody of at the time of the money transfer.

Brainerd School Board Finance Committee to meet

The Brainerd School Board Finance Committee will meet at noon Sept. 29 in the board room at Washington Educational Services Building, 804 Oak St., Brainerd.

Agenda items include a review of pre-audit fiscal year 2009 year-end results, a review of Other Post Employment Benefit Trust disbursement projection model, the first reading of the investment policy statement amendment, a review of the liaison officer contracts with cities of Baxter and Brainerd and a review of discussion from the Sept. 24 community budget committee meeting.

Cass County Board to meet in Bena

The Cass County Board will meet as the Unorganized Township Board Sept. 22 at the Bena Activity Center in Bena.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

Fast Cop season completed

Fast Cop Inc. ended its 2009 Legal Street Drags season at Grove Creek Raceway in Grove City and Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd.

The Legal Street Drags involved hundreds of youth drivers from all over the state. Fast Cop Inc. is a nonprofit organization that travels throughout the state with lifesaving educational programs, promoting safe and responsible driving. For more information go to www.fastcop.com.