[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Monday, February 8th 2016[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–The Royalton City Council met on Tuesday. During the meeting the council discussed a new grocery gas station to be located at the south end of town on Hawthorn Street. The Royalton City Council voted 5-0 to approve a conditional use permit for the rezoning to allow a business in that area. The Council also passed the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the plans would have to include following all Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, city rules and regulations and meet the approval of the city’s engineer and public works director. The Council added a stipulation that there be no overnight idling of trucks parked on the site. Construction is expected to begin in late March.
–Camp Ripley announced Thursday that due to the lack of snow the Winter Warrior Dog Sled Races at Camp Ripley have been cancelled for this year. Organizers of the races stated that the safety of the dogs and their sledders are their top priorty. Because there was not enough snow on the ground even with recent snowfalls in the state the best thing to do was to cancel this years’ event.
–State Auditor Rebecca Otto’s office filed a lawsuit in Ramsey County District Court Thursday against Wright, Becker and Ramsey counties which are three of the 50 counties have refused to agree to allow the Office of State Auditor and the State of Minnesota to conduct their audits. The 2015 Legislative Session passed a law that attempted to diminish the core function of the Office of State Auditor, which is to audit counties on behalf of the people of Minnesota. The Legislature was warned before the bill passed that any effort to privatize her office’s oversight would create chaos and confusion.
–A boy who would’ve turned 2 next month died at an in-home daycare in Circle Pines last week. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office says Cameron Lange died last Friday at Little Hands Child Care in what appears to be an accidental death. Authorities were called to the daycare on January 29th and said it appeared the child was trying to climb out of a ‘Pack’n Play’-type of portable crib that was underneath a lofted bed. The child became stuck in the space between the Pack’n Play and the bed and was found there. The Department of Human Services suspended the daycare’s license which is standard procedure. According to the daycare’s license with the state, the center’s capacity was 10 children, with no more than eight under school age.
–Allegations against a former pastor at St. John’s Abbey have been found to be unsubstantiated according to the Abbey. The allegations were made by a former student at the prep school from back in 1979 against Revered Thomas Andert. A six month investigation into the sexual abuse has concluded that the former student’s claimed facts did not add up. The boards findings were that without substantial evidence, the case should not move forward in court.
–Two people were injured Friday morning in a broadside collision on U.S. Highway 10. Authorities say 49-year-old Joseph Rick of Clear Lake was driving south on Minnesota Highway 25 when he ran a stop sign shortly before 6am and collided broadside with 49-year-old Lisa Valiant of Annandale. Both drivers were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with injuries the State Patrol did not consider life-threatening.
–A two-vehicle collision slowed traffic on Riverside Avenue Friday morning. Around 8:00am two vehicles collided at the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Heritage Drive. A white pickup left the road as a result of the collision. A Sartell police officer said there did not appear to be any significant injuries as a result of the crash.
–St. Cloud police have identified the body of a man found on the bank of the Mississippi River as 39-year-old Michael Earl Hennager of Waite Park. Hennager’s body was found on the west bank of the river underneath the Granite City Crossing bridge a week ago Sunday. Authorities say Hennager had been reported missing in early January from the group home where he lived and police stated that the death was consistent with a fall from the height of the bridge to the ground where his body was found. Last week, police stated that the other body found that same day was 21-year-old Hannah Udvig who also had injuries consistent with a fall from the bridge.
–A manhunt concluded Friday with a K9 officer finding a 36-year-old from Brainerd who had a number of outstanding warrants. Authorities got information that Patrick Neelan had been residing near North Central Speedway and had outstanding warrants in Crow Wing and Todd County. Deputies spotted Neelan walking down Canary Street crossing over Highway 371 where authorities lost him after he crossed over a pond which had some open water. About 14 officers searched the area with use if a fixed wing plane and K9 officer Gator. Neelan was found by Gator near the Highway 371 Bridge over the Mississippi River a short time later and taken into custody. Court reports indicate that Neelan is considered a career criminal with felony counts dating back to 2003.
–Voters in Kimball Friday rejected a bond referendum vote on a $5.7 million dollar question seeking alterations to science classrooms, the wood shop and concession stand for the Kimball school distrct. The final tally was No votes 919 to yes votes 435 as the referendum fails.
–This week, crews will be clearing trees on Highway 371 as part of the four lane segment project from Nisswa through Pequot Lakes and up to Jenkins in Crow Wing County. The Paul Bunyan State Trail will remain open. This is a reminder to those using the trail to watch for falling debris and trees as workers will be working in that trail area. Construction on the road is to begin this spring and last through the fall of 2017 with a total cost of around $50-million dollars.
–The Little Falls Community High School Music Department presents its annual Winter Concert tonight 7:30 at Charles D. Martin Auditiorium in Little Falls. The concerts features the womans and mens choir and the concert band. Tickets $3 adults and $1 students.
DEATH NOTICES
–Elizabeth A. Piekarski, age 91 of Little Falls.
–Margaret Frances (Wagner) Tepley, age 88 of Brainerd.
–Randy (John Randall) Spahn, age 65 of Onamia.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL NOON TODAY
TODAY= snow showers, strong winds, temps steady around 14.
TONIGHT= clearing, windy, cold, low -5, wind chills -25.
TUESDAY= sunny and cold, breezy still, high 10 wind chills -20.
TUES NITE/WED= clear night low -12, sunny day high 6 above.
SPORTS
NFL= The Denver Broncos are Super Bowl champions winning Sunday over the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in California at Super Bowl 50. Vonn Miller of the Denver defense was named the MVP.
HALL= Brett Favre, Tony Dungy, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Ken Stabler, Dick Stenfel and Orlando Pace are the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2016 to be inducted in August in Canton, Ohio.
HS BBB= Eden Valley Watkins at Pierz tonight 7:30pm on FM94.
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