NEWS
--A 21-year-old Baxter man faces attempted murder and assault charges following a shooting on Sunday in Brainerd. Ridge Kinney was charged Tuesday in Crow Wing County District Court with several felonies including premeditated first degree attempted murder, second degree attempted murder in a drive-by shooting, first degree assault, second degree assault with a dangerous weapon, second degree assault causing substantial bodily harm and dangerous weapons violation in a drive-by shooting toward an occupied vehicle. According to the criminal complaint filed against Kinney, about 2:18pm Sunday, a vehicle was found with the driver's side front window shot out. Officers located a victim, a 29-year-old Brainerd man, in a residence at a nearby apartment complex. The victim had a grazing gunshot wound to the right side of his head just below the hairline, his right eye was swollen shut and his face suffered multiple cuts due to shards of glass from the vehicle driver's door window being embedded in his face and right eye. It was later reported that due to the injuries he lost sight in the eye. The victim said his ex-girlfriend had recently begun a romantic relationship with Kinney and the victim had received text messages and phone calls after the argument from Kinney wanting to “discuss things.” The victim replied to Kinney that he would meet him on the 700 block of West College Drive. Following the shooting, the suspect vehicle fled the scene. A police officer reviewed surveillance video from the apartment complex, which corroborated the victim's report. Assisting officers located the ex-girlfriend’s vehicle at her residence. Kinney also was located at the residence and arrested when he tried to run out the back door. Officers located two 9-millimeter handguns hidden in the wooded area where foot tracks led them. A black ski mask was located in a bedroom of the home. While being interviewed at the police department, Kinney denied involvement in the shooting and said he had not spoken to the victim in months.
--The cause of a large barn fire in Le Sauk Township Wednesday night is under investigation. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Department says about 11:15, a 911 call came in about a building fire in an abandoned barn. The sheriff’s office, Sartell Police Department, and Sartell Fire Department all responded to the scene. It was discovered a smaller barn behind the old round barn near the Pinecone Road Business Center near Scout Drive was on fire. When they arrived, the building was fully engulfed and had collapsed. No one was hurt.
--More accidents in central Minnesota, about 8:30pm Wednesday on Highway 15 in Maine Prairie Township near Kimball, 20-old Savana Qualle of Gaylord was driving north when she went into the ditch and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One person was hurt in a chain reaction crash on Interstate 94 Wednesday night in Monticello. A car driven by 60-year-old Keith Thompson of Alexandria was going east when it crashed into the median barrier. A second car driven by 37-year-old Kayla Rengel of St. Cloud then crashed into the median barrier and then into the first car as well. Thompson was taken to the hospital in Monticello. And two men were hurt when the motorcycle they were riding crashed just after 11pm Tuesday on County Road 13 in Melrose Township. 21-year-old Jose Camacho Junior of Minneapolis was driving the bike. 24-year-old Christofer De Jesus of Paynesville was a passenger. The motorcycle went off the road prior to 400th Street hitting an approach and launching the motorcycle airborne for about 25 yards. All three men were taken to the hospital for injuries.
--A Sauk Centre man has pleaded guilty for his role in an ATV crash that killed another man in August 2021. Twenty-one-year-old Wilder Kuhlman pleaded guilty to Criminal Vehicular Homicide Operation of a Motor Vehicle in a Grossly Negligent Manner. As part of the plea agreement several other charges will be dropped. He will be sentenced on June 22nd. The report stated a caller said several people were hurt including one person who wasn't breathing. Records show Wilder Kuhlman was driving a four-wheeler westbound on the trail with 23-year-old Kolten Kuhlman riding on the front rack. The ATV then struck 50-year-old Scott Nathe and 35-year-old Margaret Stepan who authorities say were walking down the trail in the same direction. The collision sent both parties down a steep embankment on each side of the trail. All four people were taken to various hospitals, where Nathe later died. Records show motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail in the summertime and authorities believe alcohol may be a contributing factor.
--Morrison County 100 Women you Care will be holding their initial event at the Falls Ballroom on Monday at 4:30pm. The event is for women who are interested in making a bigger impact as a Woman in Morrison County? 100 Women Who Care was originally founded in Michigan where women would come together on a quarterly basis for a night of visiting, contributions, and nominating a local non-profit in need. A local non-profit is awarded a collective contribution during the event. The event begins with registration, nominations, refreshments, social hour then a welcome at 5:15, nominees presentation, voting, check presentation and announcement of the next event will all take between 5:15-6:30pm on Monday.
--Minnesota is getting a new area code for the first time in more than 20 years. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission says the 507 area code covers roughly the southern third of the state and will run out of numbers in two years. The new 924 area code will launch immediately. Customers with the 507 area code will get to keep it, but any new customers will get 924. A reminder still that you will need to enter the ten-digits when dialing out for local calls.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday night 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Margaret “Muggs” Newman, age 80 of Little Falls formerly Royalton.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7PM.
TODAY= snow showers, up to 1 inch, windy, high 35.
TONIGHT= snow showers ending, windy, low near 23.
SATURDAY= cloudy and windy, high 32, low near 20.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high near 40, low near 18.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high 48, low near 30.
SPORTS
TWINS= Boston beats the Twins 11-5 Thursday to take series. Twins open a series at home tonight against the Washington Nationals. Pregame tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday is at 12:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins begins at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
NBA= Wolves and Denver continues series games Friday and Sun.
NHL= Wild continue their series with Dallas games Fri and Sun.
PIERZ= Congratulations to Emily Ann Dehler daughter of George & Becky Dehler of Buckman named Female Student Athlete of the Year at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls.