A familiar mug in Brainerd is getting a facelift. The city's chamber of commerce says the Paul Bunyan statue at the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center is getting refurbished after six years and thousands of climbing visitors. The center says 133,000 visitors have come through its doors this year, and many of them get pictures with the Bunyan statue.

A Paul Bunyan statue in Akeley has been damaged by vandals, but repairs have been put on hold until the city council hears from the League of Minnesota Cities regarding who holds proprietary rights to its upgrades. The Krotzer family, who built the 63-foot high statue in 1984, alleges that hiring another source to complete work on it is a copyright infringement.

Authorities say someone shot up the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox signs along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway with a rifle. Nearly all the signs along the walking trail near Brainerd were also shot.

Volunteers who toiled for several years to create a World War II glider out of restored parts unveiled it in Eagan on Wednesday. During the war, Minnesota was the second-largest manufacturer of the aircraft, which were used to quietly move men and materials into enemy territory. On Thursday, the glider will be moved to the Fagen Fighters World War II Museum in Granite Falls.

Mayor Dave Larson is proclaiming the next 12 months "The Year of the Legend" in honor of the famed Minnesota statue. The Pioneer reports the Beltrami County History Center also has an exhibit featuring more than 400 pieces of Paul Bunyan memorabilia.

Bemidji's birthday party for the landmark statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox has some big names on the guest list. The Jolly Green Giant will make the trip up from Blue Earth. Hermann the German is coming from New Ulm. Big Ole from Alexandria and Iron Man from Chisholm. Highway officials warn gawkers could cause traffic jams as all those big statues make their way into town.