NEWS
--A Stormy week as back on Tuesday, wind gusts near 70 miles an hour went through St. Cloud, over 50 miles an hour in Brainerd and in both cases knocked out power to over 2,500 customers that morning in St. Cloud, and another 1300 in Brainerd. Power was restored before noon in most cases. Little Falls had a peak wind gust of 48 mph on Tuesday morning with around 1 inch of early morning rain. More storms moved in on Wednesday morning and dropped heavy rain, strong winds across the state including downed trees in southern Cass and parts of Crow Wing County with large hail.
--Stearns County, Benton County and Mille Lacs County have also stated along with Morrison County that they have no wake warnings on area lakes due to the high water. For more information on the wake warnings near the shoreline, information has been placed on local law enforcement websites and facebook. Morrison County stated earlier this week Shamineau and Crookneck has very high water and with more storms yesterday the high water levels have risen more.
--Two men in separate investigations face felonies in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd for allegedly soliciting children for sex. 39-year old Brock Morgan Jones of Aitkin, made his first appearance June 29 and 29-year old Alexander John Coyne of Detroit Lakes, made his first appearance June 28. Both were charged with soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct, soliciting a child or believing to be a child through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct and engaging in electronic communication relating or describing sexual conduct with a child. On June 27, law enforcement in Crow Wing County conducted a proactive undercover chat operation, as stated in a court document. As part of the operation an investigator, posing as a 14-year old juvenile female, communicated with Jones via an internet application. After a short conversation the investigator requested to switch to another media site. Jones said he would text and provided the "girl" with a phone number and conversation switched to text messaging. Jones asked the "girl" if she was 19 and the investigator responded she was not. Jones asked for a photo. After more conversation, Jones asked her how old she really is and the "girl" responded "14." After more discussion Jones suggested they could hang out and try having sex if the girl wanted. He asked how she could get out without getting caught. The "girl" explained she was home alone. Arrangements were made for Jones to meet with the "girl" at a location in Crow Wing County. When Jones arrived he was arrested. Jones admitted to law enforcement that he engaged in the discussion with a girl he believed to be 14. On June 26, law enforcement conduct another proactive undercover chat operation and an investigator posed again as a 14-year old female. The investigator, posing as the girl, contacted Coyne via an internet application and told him she was 14 and she had a friend as well. Coyne then initiated communication concerning the girl's sexual experience, as well as that of her friend. He volunteered to meet with the girl and her friend, and Coyne sent photos of himself as well, the complaint stated. Arrangements were made to meet and Coyne was arrested. He also admitted to law enforcement that he engaged with a girl he believed to be 14.
--The 2nd Rock, Roll and Stroll event of the year is tonight in Pierz from 5-8pm, classic cars, poker walk, and lots of fun tonight in Pierz.
--LF Radio Cash Cube at Pierz Veterinary Clinic Friday from 12-2.
--A St. Cloud man has pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year old girl Tuesday. 31-year old Chad Nelson pleaded guilty to 3rd degree sexual conduct and being a felon in possession of ammunition in Stearns County Court. As part of the agreement Nelson will serve no more than 4 ½ years in prison. According to the criminal complaint Nelson met the girl online and arranged for her to meet him at his house, after she ran away from home. Court records show he gave the girl methamphetamine and alcohol before having sex with her. Nelson was arrested at his home after police received a call the girl was inside. Police also found 139 .22 caliber rounds of ammunition inside, which Nelson is prohibited to have because of a 2003 conviction of 3rd degree sexual conduct in Mille Lacs County. He will be sentenced in October.
--A Brooten man faces five total felony counts on suspicion of soliciting and promoting prostitution and engaging in sex trafficking in two separate incidents starting in October 2016 with a 17-year old girl. 24-year old Christopher Jason Barkley Jr. faces two charges of soliciting/promoting an individual to practice prostitution and three charges of engaging in the sex trafficking of an individual. Barkley made his first court appearance on Monday. The maximum sentence for each charge is 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
DEATH NOTICES
--Delores Klisch, age 82 of Royalton
--Margaret Novakoske, age 86 of Sobieski.
--Kervin L. Warnke, age 83 of Little Falls
--Derrick Geshick passed away in Minneapolis.
--Judith Shaugobay-Hirsch passed way in St. Paul.
--Nancy Starr, age 83 of Chaska formerly of Little Falls.
--Mary Freudenrich, age 67 of Little Falls.
--Agnes Thoma, age 102 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 78, clear skies tonight, low 55.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high 79, clear night, low 60.
SATURDAY= sunny and warmer, high 83, clear night, low 67.
SUNDAY= chance of isolated T-storms, high 83, low 65.
SPORTS
TWINS= Brewers shut out Twins Tuesday 2-0 in Milwaukee. Brewers finish the sweep Wednesday beating the Twins 3-2, Dozier got robbed of a homer in the 9th while Escobar made it a one run game with a homer but the rally fell one run short. Twins return home to host Baltimore tonight with pregame 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Indiana snapped the Lynx 7 game winning streak Tuesday with a 71-59 win. Rebecca Brunson only Lynx player in double figures with 13. Lynx host the LA Sparks tonight in Minneapolis.
VL= Lastrup at Buckman Saturday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1841= first official travel agency opens in the U.S. in Boston.
IN 1865= the U.S. Secret Service began, first to help with the stealing of the U.S. mail, after 1901 to protect the U.S. President.
IN 1954= the B-52 bomber made its first flight.
IN 1963= the Beatles recorded their first songs for George Martin including Please Please Me, For Me to You and Love Me Do.