NEWS
--Shortly before 2:00pm Thursday the Morrison County Sheriff ‘s Office received a report of a boating accident with injuries on Long Lake in Richardson Township, north of Hillman. 43-year old Andrew Leiter of Andover was operating a boat, accompanied by two passengers when he hit the wake of another boat. The boat jerked sideways, throwing 45-year old Julie Felepe of Coon Rapids from the boat. Felepe sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital. Leiter and the other passenger were not injured. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Brainerd State Patrol, Hillman Area Response Team, Life Link Helicopter, Onamia Ambulance & Gold Cross Ambulance.
--The Minnesota State Patrol released information on an accident that occurred July 1st near Randall around 6:30pm. A pickup up driver crossing Highway 10 at 80th Avenue pulled in front of an oncoming SUV causing a 90 degree collision. 28-year old Zachary Garrison of Little Falls was taken to the hospital for non life threatening injuries. The SUV driver from Minneapolis and five passengers, four were children in the vehicle were not injured in the accident.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl reported a number of people were arrested for drug offenses and probation violations at a residence in the 10000 block of County Road 16 in Ideal Township. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence July 5th and found 3 pounds of methamphetamine, large amount of cash and ammunition inside. Arrested were 26-year-old Brienna Rodriguez of Pine River on a probation violation, 59-year-old Doug Melby of Pequot Lakes on 1st degree sale of drugs, and being ineligible of possession of pistol/weapon and ammunition, 60-year-old Charles Ford of Backus on drug possession/sale, 52-year-old Richard Kinnunen of Brainerd on drug possession/sale and probation violation and 52-year-old Lisa Maas of Crosby on a probation violation. Charges have been turned over to the Crow Wing County Attorney's Office.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 8:30am at the city hall council chambers in Little Falls. The agenda includes public hearings from Public Works on license fees and variances. The board will also hear from Land Services, Social Services, Public Health and the Auditor/Treasurer at the meeting Tuesday morning.
--One person was injured Friday just after 8am on Highway 15 in Benton County when their vehicle struck the median barrier on a bridge and spun out of control. 28-year-old Derrick Macleod of Sartell was treated at St. Cloud Hospital for his injuries.
--Motorists who travel Highway 71 in Wadena will encounter detours and delays around the city beginning today and running through Friday as railroad work is done. All lanes of Highway 71 will be closed from Highway 10 at Colfax Avenue while Burlington Northern Santa Fe workers repair several railroad crossings just south of Highway 10 in Wadena. Alternate routes around the city are encouraged.
--Governor Mark Dayton declared weather emergencies in over three dozen counties from severe storms starting June 9th though the end of the month. Counties include Aitkin, Cass, Mille Lacs, Stearns and pretty much all of southern Minnesota where river levels are three times the height they should be this point of the year which has caused serious flooding issues in the past month. The declaration means that the counties can vie for federal emergency disaster assistance if the damage to the county exceeds 7.7-million dollars.
--The Morrison County Relay for Life will be Friday from 5-11pm at the Little Falls High School Track. The past couple of years as the track was being worked on it was moved to the fairgrounds but it is back at the track this year. Events include a survivors dinner, luminaries, speakers, glow walk and many other events planned in the event to raise awareness and funds to research a cure for cancer. For more information on the Relay for Life call Melissa at 468-6451.
--A woman was hurt in a crash on Interstate 94. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened just before 4:00pm Thursday on eastbound I-94 near Clearwater. Troopers say 78-year old Annette Clemens of Crystal fell asleep and her vehicle went into the median cables. She was taken to Monticello hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--The Sauk Rapids Police Department is seeking information regarding a shooting that left a 2-year old dog seriously injured. The incident a week ago Sunday had police called to investigate the shooting of a pitbull in the hallway of an apartment building on 13th Street Circle. According to police, the dog had gotten out of the owner's apartment and was shot by an unknown person, who afterward "apparently left the building." The dog was shot in the shoulder, but survived with serious injuries. Police are seeking information from anyone who has knowledge of the incident. Call Sauk Rapids police at (320) 258-5841.
--A recent report has ranked several central Minnesota cities as one of 2018's Best Places to Live in Minnesota. According to the site WalletHub, more than 90 cities across the state were ranked based on Family Life and Fun, Education, Health and Safety, Affordability and Socio-economics. Sartell comes in at number 5 overall on the list and tied for first for the city which has the most families with kids. According to the report, Woodbury was ranked the best overall city, followed by Lakeville, Rogers and Waconia. Other central Minnesota cities making the list is Sauk Rapids (66) and St. Cloud (81).
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Scott and Shari Stangl of Pierz, a boy born July 4th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Gregory Schulte, age 60 of Columbia Heights formerly Little Falls.
--Marion Braith, age 95 of Motley.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, becoming less humid, high 83.
TONIGHT= clear skies, comfortable night, low 58.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 83, clear night low 61.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and hot, high 91, storms likely by night.
SPORTS
TWINS= Max Kepler homered to help Twins win 2 in a row Friday as they beat Baltimore 6-2. Kepler homered again, Bobby Wilson 2 key hits and 3 RBIs Saturday as Twins win 5-4 for third win in a row. Twins get the sweep 10-1 on Sunday with homers from Dozier, Escobar and Garver. The Twins (39-48) host series with Kansas City tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
MLB= Jose Berrios is the lone Twin so far to make the All Star Game, the final vote pick this week includes Eddie Rosario of the Twins that fans can try and vote in at MLB.com. The game is July 17th in DC.
WNBA= Lynx lost to Chicago Saturday 77-63, fall to 11-8 on season.