Local public television might suffer some lean times, but "Mystery" isn't in danger of being canned . . . yet.

WPSX-TV fell $22,000 short of its recent fund-raising goal of $190,000, said Greg Petersen, the station's head of promotions. The station raised $168,000 in pledges from 2,500 families, individuals and businesses in the area during a 20-day fund drive that ended Sunday, Petersen said.

"(The shortfall) is a concern," he said, adding that he believes it may have been caused by the weather or the local economy.

The station receives 20 percent of its funding from public contributions.

The station will consider other fund-raising efforts, including another on-air fund-raiser, direct mailing campaigns and telemarketing, he said. If the shortfall isn't covered, the station will have to take a close look at programming costs, he said.

But no programs have been targeted for elimination, Petersen said.

"We haven't gotten that far yet," he said.

"It'll be what they don't see; they won't be able to see the next set of British comedies . . ."

Programming packages can quickly eat up the station's budget. A package of children's programming, which includes "Sesame Street," "Mister Rogers" and "3-2-1 Contact," costs the station $81,000.