[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Friday, March 18th 2016[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–The Morrison County Dairy Princess Banquet and Coronation is tomorrow night at 8:00pm, social at 7pm at the Falls Ballroom. Three princesses will be chosen from the five candidates who are Taylre Stumpf, Nicole Meyer, Rebecca Tretter, Rebecca Smude and Amy Zehowski. Those crowned will go on to the regional competition in May to possibly become one of 12 finalists for Princess Kay of the Milky Way in August the night before the Minnesota State Fair. Morrison County has had one Princess Kay that was Mary Zahurones of Pierz who was crowned Princess Kay in 2011.
–On Tuesday night around 6:30pm agents from the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division executed a search warrant at a residence located on the 800 block of Pine Street in Crosby which resulted in the arrest of 4 individuals. The search warrant was in connection to an ongoing investigation involving the sale and distribution of methamphetamine. As a result of the search warrant, agents located approximately 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, numerous baggies and scales related to drug sales, a video surveillance system which was active at the time agents made entry into the house, a firearm and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. There were four children present at the house ranging in age from 2 to 11 years old. The children were placed in emergency foster care. The street value of the seized meth is approximately $9,000. Arrested in connection with the drug investigation are: 32-year old Curtis Lee Hiltbrunner of Crosby, 28-year old Melissa Sue Hiltbrunner of Crosby, 35-year old Nicholas John Schuman of Crosby, 30-year old Trishanda Joelle Rude of Garrison. The suspects are currently being held in the Crow Wing County Jail. Charges range from 5th degree possession of controlled substance to 1st degree possession of controlled substance along with child endangerment and weapons charges.
–Long lines and a number of complaints made to state representatives and senators after the March 1st Minnesota caucuses have some state leaders putting together a bill to change the state caucus into a primary election process in years to come. Some state lawmakers said that this year being a presidential election with a number of high profile candidates might be the exception to the rule. It was reported that nearly 300,000 Minnesotans turned out for the volunteer run caucues earlier this month that would bring momentum to move it to a presidential primary election in four years. State Senators and Representatives stated this week they would take the specifics and questions under advisement but would not say if any vote would be held. First all the information on it must be gathered.
–The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office received a call on a suspicious semi truck that had been parked for a couple days at the Brainerd Welcome Center south of Brainerd on Highway 371. When deputies arrived, they located a 55 year old Wisconsin man deceased in the cab of the semi truck. Deputies had to break a window to gain access into the cab of the semi-truck. He was transported to the Ramsey County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy. There is no foul play suspected in the man’s death.
–Another busy weekend of events, a concert tonight at Great River Arts, Journey with Jesus to Calvary performances tonight, Saturday and Sunday in St. Francis, bingos Sunday in Royalton, Sobieski, Buckman and Motley. A Spring Fling in Hillman on Saturday get more info at fallsradio.com then community calander.
–The three finalists for the opening as Mille Lacs County judge has been announced. The three finalists include Assistant Stearns County Attorney Shan Wang, administrative law judge Amy Chantry and former state representative Gail Kulick. The opening in Mille Lacs County occurred when Morrison County District Court Judge Conrad Freeberg announced his retirement this year. Mille Lacs County District Court Judge Leonard Weiler asked to be transferred to Little Falls to fill the opening created when Freeberg retired. The 7th Judicial District consists of Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena counties.
–A flood watch goes into effect Saturday afternoon until further notice for the Mississippi River in Crow Wing and Aitkin County. Forecasters are stating with the rain and snow this week and melting temperatures forecasted this weekend, the river could meet and get above the flood stage of 13 inches by late Saturday afternoon.
–The St. Cloud school board on Wednesday night heard from many on the potential cooperative boys hockey program for Apollo and Technical high schools and faces a decision at their next meeting on March 31st at city hall. According to the materials to be presented at a board work session at Apollo, there will not be enough returning student-athletes to support two varsity teams. The discussion lasted for more than an hour with about 40 listeners at Apollo High School. Activities directors from Apollo and Tech, Dave Langerud and Andrea Swanberg, addressed the board with the proposal, which has been approved by officials from the Minnesota State High School League’s section 8-2A and the Central Lakes Conference. The MSHSL also must approve the move if it is to happen. If the proposal is voted in then the two teams would have to be combined for at least 2 seasons.
–Baxter City Administrator Gordon Heitke announced this week he is retiring in April. Heitke started in 2009 and made the announcement at the city council meeting on Tuesday. His retirement will take effect on April 29th. The city will now look for his replacement.
–The Morrison County Breakfast on the Farm has been set for Saturday, June 11th from 7:30-11:30am at the Dave and Betty Czech farm on Highway 238.
WEATHER
TODAY= a few snow showers, cloudy, high 37.
TONIGHT= a few snow showers, cloudy, low 23.
SATURDAY= a few snow showers early, high 37.
SATURDAY NIGHT= clearing skies, low 22.
SUNDAY= partly to mostly sunny, high near 40, low near 20.
MONDAY= partly cloudy skies, high near 40.
SPORTS
BIG 10= The Big 10 Hockey Tournament continues today in St. Paul, Michigan and Penn State are in the first semi final while the #1 seed Gophers take on Ohio State who defeated Michigan State last night to advance to semi finals tonight at 7:30pm, pregame 7pm on AM960 KLTF. The winners to todays matches will play Saturday at 7pm.
GOPH= Rachel Banham scored 48 Wednesday to lead Minnesota over UW-Milwaukee 87-80 at Williams Arena. The Gopher women are in the WNIT and host South Dakota Sunday at 2pm in second round.
NFL= offensive tackle Andre Smith announced on social media that he has agreed to a 1 year deal to play with the Minnesota Vikings. The 29 year old played 7 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
GBB= State Girls Tournament continues today and ends on Saturday.
TWINS= catch Twins baseball Saturday & Sunday at noon on Q92.
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