NEWS --The Morrison County Sheriifs Office reported a 9.9 hp 2001 Mercury 4 stroke motor was stolen Wednesday night off a boat along the Mississippi River south of Little Falls. Sheriff Larsen encourages residents to be on the lookout and to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 632-9233 with any information regarding this theft.
--2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the Morrison County Historical Society, which was founded in 1936. To honor the event, MCHS is hosting a Mystery History Picnic at The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum on Tuesday, August 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm. The picnic portion of the event will start around 6pm, with the program at 7pm. The “mystery” part of the evening includes a program related to the history of Morrison County. The exact topic will be revealed to those in attendance during the event. MCHS will be serving boxed lunches that include a sandwich, chips and a brownie. Weather permitting, dining will take place in the museum's courtyard. The cost is $9 for non-members and $5 for members. Smaller charges if no lunch. For more information call Mary at the museum at 632-4007.
--A 15-year-old teen was injured when the vehicle she was a passenger in rolled over Tuesday just after 4:30pm near Sleepy Hollow Road south of Brainerd. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office reported 15-year old Jasmine M. Thune Brainerd was transported by ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle, 16-year old Preston J. Newgord Fort Ripley was not injured.
--A 22-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday morning following a police chase that began in Otter Tail and ended in Wadena. Officers said the chase had speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour and spike strips on Highway 10 in Wadena were used to stop the truck but the truck continued with flat tires south on 71 before getting stuck in saturated sand in the southeast part of town in a construction area. The 22-year old was taken to jail on outstanding warrants and also now faces possession of stolen property, fleeing police and having no driver's license. Wadena County was assisted by a number of law enforcement agencies including the Minnesota Violent Crime and Drug Offender Task Force from central Minnesota.
--A 22-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexually abusing a boy in fall 2010. On September 22nd, a judge will sentence Tanner Lee Jacob Pedlar on a second-degree criminal sexual conduct charge. By entering the guilty plea, Pedlar avoided five other charges. They were two more counts of second-degree and three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He will face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and or a $35,000 fine.
--A 27-year-old man appeared in court Monday on a criminal sexual conduct charge that accuses him of abusing a 12-year-old girl. Daniel Michael Potvin's next court appearance is Thursday. The felony charge he faces has maximum penalties of 30 years in prison, a $40,000 fine or both. The complaint lists Potvin as a Buffalo resident while jail documents said he was a Brainerd resident.
--The Little Falls School Board meets at 5:00pm this evening in the government center boardroom. Agenda items include an update on the Region 5 Development Solar Project and also on the Student Improv Troupe. The board will hear on the new handbooks, policies for next year, board meeting schedule, school board retreat on Wednesday, resolution on a lease purchase agreement and discuss the list of donations they received during the 2016 Day of Caring.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larson said that many calls of flooding occurred last week in the county. Lakes, rivers, creeks and other areas flooded over the banks, taking out a number of campgrounds, boat docks, parks and beaches. He reminds boaters and others using these areas to watch for high water. In some cases around Pierz and Genola the campgrounds were closed until the water subsides later this week with the dry and hot weather.
--The Benton County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind boaters to be safe and courteous during the high water period we are currently experiencing on area waterways. The storms on July 11th dumped large amounts of water into area lakes and rivers, causing some to reach near flood stage. Wake from watercraft, especially watercraft operated near shorelines, has the potential to cause erosion that will damage shorelines and diminish water quality. Boaters are encouraged to remain as far away from shore as possible when operating at above no-wake speeds. Another concern is the swift current flow on area rivers. Boaters are urged to use caution to avoid the dangers associated with fast moving water. The Mississippi River is predicted to be at above normal levels through next Friday. As always, those venturing out onto the water are encouraged to wear personal flotation devices and make good decisions regarding their personal safety and the safety of others on the water. A large portion of Stearns County received copious amounts of rainfall during the past week. The amount and the short time in which the rain fell has led to a significant runoff into area rivers and lakes. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from local boaters on lakes and rivers effected by high water and/or flooding. When on these bodies of water please reduce your boat to “No Wake” speeds within 300 feet of the shore line. The Sheriff’s Office is requesting this to minimize potential damage to shoreline, erosion, and damage to any structures that are partially of fully submerged.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight 7:30pm at City Hall with a number of agenda items.
DEATH NOTICES --Arlene Marie Nelson, age 92 of Grand Rapids. --Leonard “Larry” Mitberg, age 77 of Little Falls.
WEATHER EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH GOES INTO EFFECT WEDNESDAY. TODAY= sunny, high 83. TONIGHT= clear, low around 61. TUESDAY= sunny, breezy, high 85, storms overnight, low 65. WEDNESDAY= storm early, then hot and humid, high 92.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins lose to Indians Friday 5-2. Twins after a rain delay late Saturday win early Sunday 5-4 in 11 innings over Cleveland. Cleveland takes rubber game on Sunday 6-1 to take series. The Twins are at Detroit tonight 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. VL= Victory League playoffs resume on Saturday. Get results from all the weekend games at fallsradio.com then Victory League. LYNX= Lynx beat New York 88-70 Friday then held off Dallas on Sunday winning in overtime 98-97. The Lynx are now 19-4 on season.