NEWS
--On Thursday the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force seized approximately 11 ounces of methamphetamine and $1,000 cash during a search in Sartell. During the search at 130 Hi Vue Drive in Sartell two people were home with one being the homeowner 37-year old Alfredo Medina of Sartell. The suspected methamphetamine has a street value over $12,000. Medina was taken to Stearns County Jail and booked for 1st degree possession of a controlled substance and held for his first court appearance. The other individual at the house was not charged and released.
--Around 5:00am Thursday authorities executed a search warrant at a residence on the 21000 block of Wood Avenue in Irondale Township. The search warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division. One male suspect, 53-year old Andrew Torgerson was arrested and booked into the Crow Wing County Jail. Investigators confiscated psilocybin mushrooms, methamphetamine and over $6,700 in cash. This investigation remains open and other arrests are possible. These investigations are often initiated by reports from the public. Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl reminds all residents and visitors to report any suspicious activity in our communities.
--The Brainerd Police Department has received notification from the Minnesota Department of Corrections regarding two Level 3 Predatory offenders in Brainerd. 31-year old Joshua Tromblay will be relocating from the area of Gillis Avenue in Brainerd to the 200 Block of 4th Avenue NE in Brainerd. Because Tromblay is not a new release to the community, there will not be a community notification meeting. Also, 22-year old Joel Greenough is scheduled to be released from incarceration and is intending to reside in the area of the 100 block of Gillis Avenue in Brainerd. Greenough has a history of sexual contact with 14-year old and 10-year old female victims. A community notification meeting regarding Greenough will be held on Monday, February 27th at 6:00pm in the Brainerd Police Department. The meeting is open to the public. Members of the Brainerd Police and Minnesota Department of Corrections Staff will be at the meeting to provide information and answer questions.
--Minnesota Republicans announced this week they want stiffer penalites for people who block highways, airports and mass transit as part of protests. Protests in the past year for many reasons have blocked major interstates and brought large costs for policing, or other resources for protecting the public during those times. Governor Mark Dayton stated he has a willingness to consider measures that would increase penalities if there is endangerment to the public. The bill is currently in committee.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Freeport Fire Department, and Melrose Ambulance responded to a barn fire Wednesday night after 11:00pm at 25785 368th Street in Oak Township. The address was about 2 miles east of Freeport. A family member noticed the fire when she arrived home. The homeowner and fire department extinguished the flames. The shed was a total loss. 16 calves and 2 goats perished. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
--Spring load restrictions for the north-frost zone will begin tomorrow morning. The entire state will be in load restrictions and for some about 3 weeks earlier than average. It is due to warming conditions causing roadway strength to become an issue earlier than expected.
--The State Patrol responded Wednesday around 5:40pm to a rollover accident with injuries on Highway 371 near Lawson Road southwest of Brainerd. A truck south on 371 left the roadway due to the large snowflakes, went into the median and rolled. The driver Carlos McClure of St. Cloud was not injured. There were five passengers in the truck, 44-year-old Kristine Boser of Oglivie, 53-year-old Raylynn Butzbach of St. Cloud, 18-year-old Okello Gillo of St. Cloud, 20-year-old Tykwon Johnson of St. Cloud and 13-year-old Dylan Knute of St. Cloud. All five were treated at the scene. Butzback and Knute were taken to the hospital for their injuries sustained in the accident.
--A bicyclist was dragged 15 feet from a vehicle Tuesday while riding his bike in Crosby. Police stated that 57-year-old Keith Corey of Crosby was biking on Main Street at a four way stop when 93-year old Howard Hutchins of Merrifield was south on Third Avenue. Hutchins stopped at the stop sign and as he pulled forward struck the bicycle in the crosswalk. The impact caused the bike to get pinned under the right tire of the car. Corey had to get help from first responders for a leg injury, as his leg was pinned between the bike and the vehicle. He was taken to the Crosby Hospital for treatment of what police stated was non-serious injuries.
--Fires started in two separate storage rooms at St. Cloud Hospital on Wednesday morning, but caused minor damage. There were no injuries. The St. Cloud Fire Department responded to a call about 9:00am and was on scene in a little more than a half hour. Overheated motors in faulty heaters caused both fires. The heaters were in separate storage rooms in the south parking ramp of the hospital. There were no other disruptions to the parking ramp. Damage, estimated around $1,000, was only to the heating units.
--A busy weekend of events include Boys and Girls fundraiser tonight at Falls Ballroom, St. James Church fund raiser in Randall, Tonic Solfa tonight at GRA and Jason Schommer Saturday night at Great River Arts, Mardi Gras dinner and music at Black and White Sunday for Heartland Symphony Orchestra, Quilt or Cash Bingo Sunday at St. Rita's in Hillman, Pork Chop dinner Sunday at Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls, FFA pancake breakfast Sunday at Little Falls VFW and the large fishing tournament Saturday at Long Lake with the Swanville/Sobieski Lions. No vehicles will be allowed on the lake during the fishing tournament that starts at noon.
DEATH NOTICES
--Sister Elizabeth Stanoch, age 95 of St. Francis Convent in Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, breezy, high 27, wind chills 5-10 above.
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, breezy, low around 12- wind chils -10
SATURDAY= sunny, breezy, high 32, snow showers late night, low 20.
SUNDAY= early flurries, then partly sunny, high 30, low around 14.
MONDAY= mostly cloudy, warmer, high 42, rain/snow late night.
SPORTS
HS GBB- Holdingford at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML
HS BBB= Fergus Falls at Little Falls Saturday 7:15pm on Q92
TWINS= Twins start spring play tonight with Tampa Bay, 6pm and then hear Twins Baseball this weekend Saturday with Boston and Sunday with Pittsburgh at 12pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL BB= Gophers vs. Penn State Saturday 1:30pm AM960 KLTF.