Friday, July 11, 2025

Canadian wildfire smoke as prompted an Air Quality Alert from Moorhead to Brainerd today. The alert is in effect through 6pm tonight with the poorest air quality from Bemidji to Moorhead. Unhealthy air conditions is likely from Bemidji south to Brainerd and off to the east that could cause breathing issues for some with health symptoms like COPD, Asthma and other lung and some heart conditions. Prolonged activity outside may not be advised at times today. Though Morrison County is not included in the air quality alert some of the smoke is likely to been or smelt in the area today before thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight will help move the smoke off to the east and south of the region. 

A Darwin man faces criminal charges after a high-speed chase through Meeker County Wednesday night. The sheriff's office says a deputy spotted a motorcycle speeding and tried to make a traffic stop just before 7:30pm. The bike was speeding in the area of Highway 22 and 150th Street in Cedar Mills Township. The location is south of Litchfield. The rider, 35-year-old Cody Jackson, allegedly accelerated away from the deputy and led them on a high-speed chase reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles-per-hour. The chase lasted 14 miles before Jackson went into the ditch at the intersection of 200th Street and Meeker County Road 18. Jackson tried to flee on foot but was arrested near the crash scene. He faces charges of fleeing police in a motor vehicle and reckless driving. This has prompted a concern from Meeker County as there were two other motorcycle chase incidents since early last week. More law enforcement is expected to be in the Meeker County area the days ahead to watch for speeding motorcyclists on their roadways. 

St. Cloud State University is in pursuit of a new President.  Interim President Larry Dietz announced in a letter to campus July 9 that he will be leaving the position by December 31 to attend to family health challenges. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson has announced a national search will begin immediately for the next president of St. Cloud State University, with the goal to have a new leader in place by January 2026. Dietz says he appreciates the relationships he's built in the past year with community members, business leaders and alumni.  He says the environment within the campus has improved and he's pleased with the progress the school has made under his leadership.  When Dietz came to St. Cloud in July of 2024, the expectation is that he wouldn't stay longer than 2 years.  He says he really enjoyed his time in St. Cloud while working with great staff, students and community.  Dietz indicates his personal priority has always been faith, family and friends... in that order.  He says 2 members of his family have encountered health issues and he feels he should go home (Illinois) soon to help with that.

A motorcycle rider has died after his bike collided with a deer. The Isanti County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened on Tuesday at about 11:15pm in Stanford Township. First responders from the Sheriff's Office and the Zimmerman Fire Department began life-saving measures. Fifty-eight-year-old William Windhauser of rural Cambridge was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital. On Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office was notified had died due to the extent of his injuries.

The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the District Office in Riverwood Drive. There will be a presentation on grade level banding year in review from this past year and a presentation for the upcoming trip to London in 2026. Action on an agreement with Widseth, take action on a long term facility maintenance agreement for the next 10 years and get the latest Superintendent report at the meeting Monday. 

For anyone who has ever wondered what police work is really like, get an inside look with the Sartell Police Department’s Metro Citizens’ Police Academy. The program offers insight into modern-day policing through classroom instruction and hands-on training from area police officers. Training topics include laws and ethics, criminal investigations, firearms training, emergency driving techniques, and a variety of other subjects. The academy is open to all Sartell residents 18 and older. Applicants must undergo a background check as part of the process. It begins September 4th and meets every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. through November 6th. Classes will be held at the Sartell Police Department and other area facilities over the 10 weeks. Apply online by or pick up an application in person at the Sartell Police Department.

Five breast cancer survivors will take center stage at Joe Faber Field later this month, as the St. Cloud Rox host their 2nd Annual Pink in the Park event. The survivors will be recognized in a special pre-game ceremony before collectively throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Adding to the evening’s tribute, the entire St. Cloud Rox team will wear pink jerseys to show solidarity with the honorees and raise awareness for breast cancer. Community members are encouraged to attend and join in celebrating these inspiring survivors while supporting breast cancer awareness efforts. The game is scheduled on Friday, July 25th at 7:05 p.m. at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud.

On Thursday, Camp Ripley First Responders and Morrison County Sheriffs were presented with certificates from the Mayo Clinic and awarded pins for their rapid support in delivering a baby in Little Falls on April 13th, 2025. Supported by the Minnesota State Patrol and Little Falls Police, their actions helped successfully deliver the baby, and both the mother and child were safely transported to a hospital.