AREA BRIEFS

The Minnesota Department of Transportation office in Baxter announced the Highway 371 South and Highway 115 intersection, which leads to Camp Ripley, is now open to traffic.

Staples area candidates' session scheduled for Nov. 3 at high school

STAPLES -- The Staples Community Foundation will host a "Meet the Candidates" night at 7 p.m. Nov. 3, in the Staples-Motley High School cafeteria. The purpose of the forum will be to help voters become familiar with the candidates running for positions on the Staples City Council and the Staples-Motley School Board.

The first hour will be dedicated to the candidates running for school board and the second hour will focus on the city of Staples.

The format for the night will consist of opening statements, a question and answer session, and closing statements. All questions will be submitted in writing at the forum.

Questions can be directed to all, or any one of the candidates. If a question is directed to a single individual, however, any other candidate also may respond if they wish.

The event will be moderated by Brenda Halvorson of the Staples World. Questions about the forum may be directed to Alan Judd of the Staples Community Foundation at (218) 894-2497.

2005 Brainerd diabetes walk raises record sum

Brainerd's Walk for Diabetes recently raised nearly $29,000, with 108 people participating in the event.

The American Diabetes Association expected to raise more than $21 million during this year's event. Funds raised through America's Walk for Diabetes support diabetes research, advocacy and education.