NEWS
--Camp Ripley leadership begins annual community updates “Camp Ripley 101” to surrounding communities starting next week. “Providing the Camp Ripley 101 to our local communities is essential to us,” said Army Brigadier General Lowell Kruse, the Minnesota National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General and Camp Ripley's Senior Commander. “We recognize how our neighbors support us, and we appreciate our partnerships with these communities.” The Camp Ripley 101 is a presentation created each year highlighting Camp Ripley’s mission, construction updates, current leadership, accomplishments, and partners both on and off base. The brief covers the larger public and training events occurring for the remainder of 2022. Additionally, the 101 covers Ripley’s economic impact on the area and the environmental program’s efforts to support conservation for the base and the surrounding area. “One way to show our appreciation is to engage with the community,” said Kruse. “These engagements provide the yearly opportunity to meet our communities and to communicate with our partners about what is happening at Camp Ripley." The meetings are planned for tonight at 7pm at Green Prairie Township Hall, Tuesday night at 7pm at Scandia Valley Town Hall, Wednesday at 6pm at Randall City Hall, April 19th at the Crow Wing County Courthouse at 10am, May 2nd at 7:30pm at Brainerd City Hall, May 3rd at the Cass County Courthouse in Walker at 9am then that night at 7pm at the Fort Ripley Town Hall, there will be a meeting at 7pm May 3rd at Baxter City Hall. May 10th at 9am at the Morrison County Government Center, May 10th at 7pm at the Pillager Fire Hall for Rosing Township officials and residents, May 12th at the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce building the Cass Gilbert Depot in Little Falls at 11am and May 19th at the Sylvan Town Hall. All are welcome and hear from General Kruse at these area updates.
--Many Brainerd Public School employees go above and beyond assigned job expectations every day to ensure students receive a high-quality education in a safe and positive learning environment. The Brainerd Public Schools Above and Beyond Award is intended to annually recognize employees who demonstrate a positive attitude that inspires others and consistently go above and beyond what is expected so students can be successful. Eligibility: All employees, full- or part-time, are eligible for this award regardless of their job classification or other awards received. Nominations: A student, parent, staff member, or community member can nominate an employee. Nominations can be completed online and submitted electronically or completed by hand and mailed in. To submit an electronic nomination go to www.isd181.org. To receive a copy of the nomination form to submit by mail, contact Janet Horn at Washington Educational Services Building, 804 Oak St., Brainerd, MN 56401. Nominations will be accepted through May 15. The selection process will involve a committee, made up of district staff and administrators, to review nominations, and make recommendations. Each winner will receive an award during the district-wide Back to School Celebration. In partnership with the community, Brainerd Public Schools will ensure all students achieve their individual potential by providing the highest quality programs and resources to prepare learners for an ever-changing global society. For more information about Brainerd Public Schools, please see www.isd181.org
--On Thursday, Little Falls graduate, Frank Wachlarowicz, was inducted into the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. As a senior, Wachlarowicz led the Flyers to the AA state championship.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office and Pierz Police Department as asking the public's help in identifying subjects of an apparent burglary at a business in Pierz on Thursday around 5:30am. The pictures were posted on the Sheriff's and Pierz Police Facebook Page. There are also looking for a greyish colored 2011Dodge Ram Pickup with license plate number FWG-583. Any information can be called in to the Sheriffs' Office at 632-9233 or Pierz Police Chief Eric Hanneken at 320-630-1510. The sheriff's office also posted pictures of a burglary on Sunday, April 3rd around 4:30am in the city of Royalton any information can also be called to their office at 632-9233.
--The Little Falls School Board meets today at 5pm at the Middle School Media Center. Camilla Larson and Ellis Meyer will recap the band/choir recent Disney Trip along with approval of the 2022-2023 school calendar. There will also be a number of 2022-2023 procedures guidelines and budget bylaws and adjustments for the upcoming school year are on the agenda.
--Authorities are investigating an afternoon fire that damaged a detached garage. The St. Cloud Fire Department says all units responded to a fire at a home in the 1400 block of 9th Avenue North around 4:30pm on Saturday. Authorities say the fire was contained to a detached garage on the property. Crews were able to put out the flames using a fire extinguisher. No one was hurt and the damage is estimated at around $5,000. The cause is under investigation by the St. Cloud Fire Marshal’s Office.
--A Deer Creek man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman and holding her hostage in Belgrade has been sentenced. A Stearns County judge has sentenced 36-year-old Christopher Shepersky to 23 months in prison. Shepersky pleaded guilty in February through a Norgaard plea to 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon causing substantial bodily harm. A Norgaard plea is where a defendant claims they were too drunk or under the influence of chemicals to recall the facts of what happened.
--The Pierz School District will be moving the regular school board meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday, April 27th to Thursday, April 28th at 6:00pm in the High School Media Center.
--Due to inclement weather on Thursday this week, the Pine Grove Zoo announced their opening day will now be on Friday April 15th with a Golden Egg Hunt event scheduled on Easter Sunday.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM rain/snow then sunny in afternoon, high 54.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, rain overnight, low 37.
TUESDAY= cloudy and windy, rain likely, some heavy, high 47, low 34
WEDNESDAY= rain likely, gusty winds, changing to snow, high 40.
SPORTS
TWINS= Mariners beat the Twins in the opener Friday 2-1. Seattle gets 2 in the 9th to beat the Twins Saturday 4-3 after a Buxton homer gave the Twins a short lived lead. Twins go long ball on Sunday with two homers from Buxton, a grand slam from Gary Sanchez and three more dingers to win 10-4 over Seattle. The Twins wrap up series with Seattle Mariners at tonight, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL HK= Denver wins the NCAA Frozen Four over Minnesota-State Mankato Saturday 5-1 in Boston for the national title this year.
GOLF= Scottie Scheffler wins the Masters in Augusta, Georgia.
HS BAB= Wadena-Deer Creek at Pierz scheduled at 4:30pm in baseball action live on 94ROCKS KFML.