Colorful kites will fill Lake Mille Lacs for the annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing March 1-3.
The 15th annual event in Garrison, about 100 miles north of the Twin Cities, claims to be the longest-running snowkite event in the U.S. Racers speed by on snowboards or alpine skis, riding the wind across the lake while harnessed to large kites. The event typically draws athletes from 14 states and Canada.
Organizers say it's the longest distance snow kite endurance race in the U.S.
The niche sport — the winter counterpart of kitesurfing on open water — is growing in Minnesota. It's similar to windsurfing, which can also be done on snow and ice. Spectators can watch the races free of charge from the shoreline or by driving on the frozen surface of the 132,500-acre lake.
Kelly Smith
Montevideo
Police chief resigns in wake of complaint
Adam P. Christopher, facing allegations that he harassed a teenage girl with unwanted text messages, has resigned from his jobs as police chief in Montevideo and as an on-call deputy with the Lac qui Parle Sheriff's Department.
The Montevideo Police Commission accepted Christopher's resignation Jan. 7, and his last day on the job was Tuesday — the 19th birthday of Kylie Dann, who had filed a request for a restraining order against him in November. Dann said that Christopher's unwanted, incessant text messages began when she was 17. She said she put up with them until after she turned 18, when they turned "sexual in nature."
A Chippewa County district judge issued a restraining order Nov. 15, and Christopher went on medical leave.
He resigned from the Lac qui Parle Sheriff's Department effective Dec. 31. Janice Nelson, Montevideo city attorney, said she didn't know he had been working both jobs until recently.
