NEWS
--Authorities say the man shot and killed by law enforcement on Wednesday in Chisholm was armed with knives. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said 38-year-old Michael David Johnson left his home in Chisholm "with knives in his hands," when he was killed in a fatal shooting involving two St. Louis County Sheriff's deputies and one officer with the Virginia Police Department.
Deputy Cody Dillinger with the sheriff's department and Virginia officer Nick Grivna each fired their handguns, while Deputy Gavin Nichols of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office fired "non-lethal foam impact rounds," according to a press release from the BCA. All three law enforcement officials are on standard administrative leave. According to the BCA, Johnson had multiple felony charges out of Morrison County. Deputies located Johnson's vehicle outside a home in Chisholm, and called multiple law enforcement agencies to assist. After attempting to take him into custody, officials say that at one point, Johnson left the house "with knives in his hands." The release goes on to say that officers first fired "less lethal rounds, then lethal rounds," striking and killing Johnson. The BCA said two knives were recovered near Johnson's body. The incident was captured on body-worn cameras and squad cameras which have been taken as evidence by the BCA as their investigation continues.
--Senator Paul Gazelka announced via video that Mary Giuliani Stephens is the lieutenant governor candidate in his campaign to win the Republican endorsement for Governor. In the video, Gazelka prefaced his announcement by stating that “Times like these call for tested leaders.” He went on to cite Stephens’s ability to get things done without compromising her values when she was mayor of Woodbury. For her part, Stephens referenced several key issues for voters in November, including crime, inflation, high taxes, and a lack of respect for parents and business owners. She contrasted that with Gazelka’s “bold, conservative agenda that lifts up Minnesota families” and praised Gazelka as a “rock-solid, principled conservative” with a “real record of getting results. Stephens grew up in Rochester and after finishing law school at William Mitchell College of Law, settled in the Twin Cities. She was a Woodbury city council member and then the popular mayor of Woodbury for two terms.
--The ice is almost completely gone from Central Minnesota lakes. The Department of Natural Resources Conservation report on Friday says crappie fishing can be had right now with the most success happening in deeper water and in bays where the water may be a bit warmer. Fish will start moving into the shallow water to spawn in the weeks ahead leading to a good start for shore fishing. However, in northern Minnesota as of Easter Sunday there are still ice fishing and driving ATVs on lakes in the Ely and Hibbing areas. The DNR also stated that the first turkey hunting season finished last week and it wasn't real successful. The DNR reported 2,800 turkeys shot which is 45% down from last year's first season. As of last Wednesday 4,400 fewer licenses were sold this year for the first hunt. The walleye fishing opener is still weeks away this year on May 14th.
--Minnesota Department of Transportation reported road work will begin today on eastbound Interstate 94, between Highway 25 in Monticello and Wright County Road 8 in Hasty will shift to the westbound side of the interstate. The traffic shift is needed so crews can start reconstructing eastbound I-94. MnDOT says four lanes of eastbound and westbound traffic will remain open except for some nighttime closures. The traffic shifts will be in place through July.
--A man is charged with felony burglary after allegedly breaking into a St. Cloud home and raiding the kitchen pantry. According to the charging complaint, a man called police early Thursday to report a burglary. He said his wife woke him up shortly before 5:30am to alert him to a door slamming. The man said he went to the kitchen where he found a shirtless man. The burglar then asked the homeowner for a beer which the homeowner gave him. The suspect then left the house. Court records show a jacket was left behind with I.D. cards for 31-year-old Phan Xiong in the pocket. The homeowner told police that food was eaten and car keys to a Volkswagon and a Honda were missing. Later that morning police responded to a complaint of someone tampering with a vehicle. Officers arrived to find Xiong rummaging through a vehicle and Volkswagon keys belonging to the burglary victim. Xiong is charged with 1st-degree burglary.
--A 23-year-old St. Cloud woman is charged with the malicious punishment of a child and two counts of domestic assault after allegedly kicking her two young daughters. Dania Mireya Noyes was charged after another adult noticed fresh scratches and bruising on the head of one of the girls. The girls were interviewed by police officers, child protection services, and a doctor. Court records show the girls told each of them that their mom had kicked them in the face after giving their little brother the wrong kind of milk. The girls said their mom got angry, threw them down, and kicked them in the face. The doctor confirmed the girl's bruises and abrasion were consistent with being kicked and pushed. There are no court dates currently scheduled for Noyes.
--Swanville High School announced that they have moved their band concert scheduled for this Wednesday to Wednesday May 11th at Swanville High School beginning at 8pm.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Ryne and Barbara Pelzer are parents of a baby boy born April 21st.
DEATH NOTICES
--Jay S. Theischafer, age 46 of Swanville.
--Thomas Lee Rauch, age 61 of Pierz.
--Lloyd A. Stachowski, age 90 of Pierz.
--Donald Ernest Brastad, age 89 of Little Falls.
--Ronald J. Justin, age 72 of Rice.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy and windy, high 37.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, colder temps, low 23.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, less windy, high 43, low around 25.
WEDNESDAY= partly sunny, high 47, rain/snow late night, low 30.
SPORTS
TWINS= base running gives Twins a 2-1 win Friday over White Sox. Byron Buxton and Luis Arreaz have 4 hits each to help the Twins to a big 9-2 win Saturday over the White Sox. Byron Buxton has 2 homeruns Sunday including the walk-off 3 run blast in the bottom of the 10th to give the Twins a 6-4 win and sweep. Twins are off today.
NBA= Timberwolves hold on to win 119-118 over Memphis late Saturday night to tie their series at 2 games a piece in best of 7 series. Game 5 of the series is on Tuesday night in Memphis.
HS SB= Pierz at Foley Tuesday at 5pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
VL= no Victory League games were played Sunday due to weather.