Thursday, June 5, 2025
Firefighters from numerous agencies were called Wednesday to downtown Brainerd after a fire started in a building on Front Street. The fire was reported about 11 a.m. Wednesday on the 600 block of Front Street. The Brainerd Fire Department responded to the fire and mutual aid was provided by fire departments from Little Falls, Deerwood, Pequot Lakes and Nisswa. According to emergency services radio traffic over the police scanner, the fire appeared to have started in the apartment area or attic above the businesses, but smoke had entered the businesses below. Firefighters had to cut holes in the roof to ventilate the building and check for the spread of fire. There were no reports of injuries in the fire and firefighters were able to rescue a cat from one of the apartments. Workers at Thairapy Lash and Beauty Bar, 618 Front St., said they saw smoke in their back room and called 911. Firefighters had to cut holes in the roof of the building to try and get to the fire. The State Fire Marshall has been called into investigate. Further information about the cause of the fire or extent of damage to the building was not available Wednesday. The city of Brainerd announced it will be closing Front Street and the Front Street parking lot until further notice. The Front Street closure extends between South Sixth Street and South Seventh streets. During this time, traffic is able to use alternative routes on Laurel and South Seventh streets, and no date has been determined on when the street and parking lot will be reopened, the city reported. People and motorists are asked to not travel around barricades and cones into closed areas as it can create a safety hazard. Anyone with questions regarding the closure can contact the city of Brainerd at 218-828-2307.
The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man who was killed as 80-year-old Larry Alstead of Paynesville. The BCA says Alstead suffered multiple gunshot injuries but died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Stearns County Sheriff's Sergeant Paul Orvis fired his gun and was placed on standard administrative leave. Orvis is a 23-year veteran of law enforcement. Paynesville Police Chief Paul Wegner says the incident started at about 9:00 Monday night when they received a report of a domestic dispute involving a man and a woman in the 600 block of Stearns Avenue. The woman told officers Alstead was locked in the basement with a gun. Police tried to arrest Alstead when he appeared at the bottom of the stairs with a handgun. Sergeant Orvis fired twice, and Alstead then fired a single self-inflicted fatal shot. Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. The BCA's investigation is ongoing.
A bridge replacement project in Morrison County is finished, and the detour has been lifted. Highway 27 north of Hillman is open to traffic again after a month-long detour through Onamia. The $1.5-million project replaced a bridge over a stream, revised the signal approach system at County Road 8, and updated the shoulder barriers, railing, and ditch slopes. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the new box bridge will last more than 60 years. That is one project completed as many other started this week around the state.
One person was hurt in a two-vehicle crash in Wright County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened on Tuesday at about 3:40pm at the intersection of Highway 241 and Melby Avenue in St. Michael. Twenty-one-year-old Daniel Alexander of Golden Valley was taken to North Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Forty-two-year-old Eric Hermes of St. Michael was not hurt.
Have you recently received a text or email from the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (DMV)? You might be the victim of a scam. The Department of Motor Vehicles has been made a aware by a number of county sheriff's offices including Stearns and Benton of several complaints about text scams. The fake messages claim you have an outstanding traffic ticket and action may be taken against you if you don't pay on an embedded website. The Minnesota DMV will not text or email you asking for payment or personal information. If you receive a text or email like this, delete the message and do not respond. Do not click on links or attachments or set up any new profiles due to scam messages. If you have given out money or personal information to a scammer, contact your bank and report the incident to law enforcement.
Jorden Borders, the 34-year-old Crosslake woman on trial for torturing her three children, was found guilty on all criminal charges. Borders, appearing Wednesday in Crow Wing County District Court, was found guilty on all 11 counts in which she was charged, one count of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of child torture, three counts of stalking and four counts of theft of medical costs. Borders was ordered to be taken into custody and her bail was revoked following Wednesday’s verdict. Sentencing would be at a future date. Borders requested a bench trial instead of a jury trial that started May 12 and featured two weeks of testimony by witnesses for prosecuting attorneys both of whom are with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Borders’ defense attorney, Mark Hansen, called no witnesses to testify. The investigation into Borders had revealed by investigators she allegedly tortured her three young children through actions like withdrawing blood, forcing them to wear casts and neck braces despite not having injuries, and inflicting frequent physical abuse as punishment.
A saddened St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson is speaking out after what should have been a celebration turned into chaos Saturday afternoon at the River’s Edge Convention Center. While Tech High School’s graduation was wrapping up, fists were flying in the back of the ceremony as a group of people began fighting. Video footage captures the disturbing scene showing adults punching and pulling hair while graduates, who should have been enjoying their milestone moment, shake their heads in disgust and walk out. “Completely unacceptable,” Mayor Jake Anderson said “Especially when it’s parents fighting or adults fighting that aren’t even students. The fact that this is somehow being normalized is also completely inappropriate.” For Anderson, the incident reflects growing tensions in St. Cloud between longtime residents and the city’s expanding immigrant population. “Usually first and second generation immigrants have found it difficult. Assimilation means adapting to how things are done in your new country. But we also have to be welcoming. That’s a two way street.” The mayor believes healing requires a direct, honest conversation between different groups in the community. Police are still investigating what triggered the brawl, but have identified several people from the video. Charges may be filed.
First United Church in Little Falls is inviting all to their car wash, brat and bake sale 11am-2pm on Saturday. The event is raising funds for church projects. All is a free will offering and all are invited. The church is located across the from the Hospital and Convent on the south end of Little Falls.
Weather- today sunny skies high 77, afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms possible after 4pm, storms likely tonight with some heavy rains low around 58. Showers and storms at times on Friday, breezy, high around 70 storms possible Friday night low around 50. Sunny Saturday warmer, high 78, with a slight chance of afternoon or evening shower, storms likely overnight, some strong, Saturday night low near 53 then cooler and showers at times on Sunday, partly cloudy and breezy, high near 70.
Sports- Another Twins win this time 6-1 last night over the A's. Twins (34-27) go for the sweep of the series with Athletics today pregame at 2pm on Q92 WYRQ. The NBA Finals begin tonight with Oklahoma City and Indiana. Edmonton won 4-3 in overtime over Florida last night in Game 1 of NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Albany eliminated Royalton in baseball playoffs Wednesday 5-1 then Albany beat Cathedral 4-2 to advance to the championship today against Pierz. Albany will need to beat Pierz twice today to advance to state while Pierz only needs one win at 4:30pm today on AM960 KLTF to head to the State Tournament next week. If a second game is needed it will be around 7pm tonight on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.