--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm. During the meeting there will be a public hearing by the Pierz Police Department. The Pierz Police Department and the Pierz City Council will hold a public hearing to solicit public comments on adoption of a Body Worn Cameras Program. The 2016 Minnesota Legislative Session as well as the League of Minnesota Cities provided certain requirements and guidelines for Minnesota law enforcement agencies who are looking at implementing a BWC program at their agencies. Requirements as well as guidelines on policy development were also provided. One of the requirements that was identified is that agencies need to provide opportunities for public comment. Those persons having an interest in said meeting are encouraged to attend. Public comments will be accepted on the above subject at this meeting. Questions and comments may be submitted to the Pierz Police Chief at erich@pierzmn.org or by calling 320-630-1510.
--A man wanted for sex trafficking and promoting prostitution in Stearns County was booked into the county jail Wednesday. A number of arrest warrants were issued for 36-year-old Antonio Clark who has former addresses in Brooklyn Park and St. Cloud. He is accused of trafficking three separate women for sex and taking the profits from the prostitution. Court records show Clark trafficked two of the women in 2019 and the third victim in 2020 and part of 2021.
The arrest warrants were issued after Clark failed to appear for court hearings. Investigators were able to track Clark to an apartment complex in Rochester where he was allegedly trafficking the third victim. Clark is charged with four counts of engaging in sex trafficking, promoting prostitution and receiving profits from prostitution. He also faces charges of violating a domestic abuse no-contact order and fleeing police. Clark is back in court December 27th.
--A Holdingford man accused of causing a fatal crash last year has been found incompetent to face the charge against him. A mental competency evaluation on 22-year-old Jacob Westbrock has determined he is unfit to aid in his defense. Westbrock is charged with criminal vehicular homicide - operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner for the death of 33-year-old Russell Heitzman of Avon. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 42000 block of 190th Avenue in Holding Township on August 27th, 2020. The caller reported one of the two vehicles involved was on fire, and the other vehicle was nearby with the driver unresponsive and trapped inside. The Holdingford Fire Department responded to the scene and began life-saving efforts. Deputies arrived and spoke with witnesses on the scene. Deputies determined that Westbrock was northbound on 190th Ave. in a pickup. Westbrock allegedly tried to pass another northbound vehicle and crashed head-on with Heitzman's southbound car. Heitzman was pronounced dead at the scene. Westbrock was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The criminal case against Westbrock is on hold until Westbrock can be restored to competency.
--Governor Tim Walz announced that he is preparing the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance if necessary during the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter. The mobilization to readiness follows a request made by the City of Brooklyn Center and Hennepin County. At this time, the Minnesota National Guard will not be proactively assuming posts throughout the Twin Cities. Should they be needed, Guard members will operate in support of local law enforcement.
--A Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sponsored Pfizer COVID 19 Clinic will be held at Morrison County Government Center next Wednesday from 3:30-6:30pm. This clinic is focusing on pediatric vaccination for children ages 5-11, but will also offer initial doses (ages 12 and older) and booster doses (ages 18 and older) for anyone interested. Parents must give consent for all minors and are required to be present for children ages 5-15. The vaccine clinic will take place at the Morrison County Government Center, Garden Level, 213 First Ave. SE, Little Falls. Appointments MUST be scheduled online by using the link: https://my.primary.health/r/little-falls?registration_type=Ages+5-11+%26+12%2B.
--A Stearns County judge has found a St. Cloud woman guilty of murder. 41-year-old Lindsay Shelltrack-Miller has been convicted of 2nd-degree murder without intent while committing a felony. Shelltrack-Miller declined a jury trial and instead chose a bench trial where the judge determined the verdict. St. Cloud Police were called to a home on 9th Avenue North on April 19th. Officers found 36-year-old Justin Berge with a stab wound and making gasping sounds. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. According to the charges, Shelltrack-Miller called 911 to report she stabbed Berge after an argument. It started when she said she threw water on Berge two or three times. Berge allegedly then threw a can of pop at her.
--The Melrose fire department responded to a fire early Thursday morning. Fire Chief Tom Budde says his department got the call just after 5:30am of a fire at Munson Feed Mill. The fire was in the upper storage space in the back of the warehouse. The owner of the business and one worker tried to put it out prior to the fire crews arriving. It was contained to the upper storage space. It was caught in the early stages and did minimal damage.
--A reminder from Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber that today is a 2 hour early release day for the Pierz Public Schools. Also parent-teacher conferences for the High School will be next Wednesday and there is the book fair going on at the high school media center, contact the school 320-468-6458 for more info.
--There are more winter concerts in the next week in Little Falls, Pierz, Swanville and other schools. Parents/guardians are asked to check with your students as information on time and location are coming home with them leading up to concert times next week.
DEATH NOTICES
--Denise V. Hurdt, age 65 of Bowlus.
--Dorothy M. Baron, age 96 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, snow after 4pm, high 28.
TONIGHT= snow showers in evening, coating to ½ inch, low 18.
SATURDAY= partly sunny skies, high near 30, low around 20.
SUNDAY= sunny skies and milder, high 38, low around 26.
MONDAY= sunny and hazy, high near 40, low around 25.
SPORTS
NFL= Dalvin Cook returns to the lineup and rushes for 222 yards and two touchdowns but Vikings have to hold on to beat Pittsburgh last night 36-28 at U.S.Bank Stadium. The Vikings 6-7 are off until Monday, December 20th when they face Chicago on AM960 KLTF.
HS BBB= Princeton at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ
BOYS HK= Flyers win 6-3 last night 7-0 under Joey Hanowski.
COL FB= the Army Navy Game is Saturday at 1pm on AM960 KLTF