NEWS --Rounds of heavy rain hit the area Saturday and Sunday causing a number of issues with heavy downpours, lots of lightning and some severe weather late Saturday into Sunday. In many areas around Morrison, Crow Wing, Stearns and Benton Counties, 2-4 inches of rain caused street flooding. Many vehicles reportedly stalling or leaving the roadways due to the heavy water. Drier conditions are forecast starting today and lasting until late in the week.
--One person is dead after a three vehicle accident Saturday in Crow Wing County around 5:35pm. A pickup with a utility trailer hit one vehicle causing a chain reaction with the second striking a third on Highway 169 near Garrison. An 81-year old from McGregor died. His passenger was not hurt. All others involved in the accident including four under the age of 17 who were passengers were not hurt. The State Patrol is investigating to see if the 81-year old had a medical issue that led to the accident.
--Three people were hurt on Highway 27 in Little Sauk Township of Todd County Saturday just before 4:00pm. 15-year old Derek Knutson was eastbound on Highway 27 when he struck the south ditch, vaulted over a driveway and ended up again into the ditch again where the vehicle ended up on its passenger side. Knutson and his 2 passengers, Daniel and Debra Knutson, all from Pequot Lakes were treated for injuries at the Long Prairie Hospital.
--A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle in a crash Thursday morning in downtown Sauk Rapids. 34-year old Jason Michael Fiedler of Sauk Rapids, was driving a motorized bicycle when he was struck by a vehicle driven by 18-year old Dominic Oliver Castellano of Sartell at the intersection of Second Street and Second Avenue North. Fiedler was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for his injuries.
--A 32-year old Maplewood woman was sentenced to 103 months in prison after selling fentanyl to a St. Cloud man who overdosed and died in 2016. Beverly Nicole Burrell was convicted of third degree murder and a third degree drug crime in April. This sentence will be served consecutively with a 172-month sentence she is already serving from similar convictions out of Hennepin County. Burrell was charged in December 2016 for selling fentanyl to Dustin Peltier of St. Cloud who thought he was buying heroin and later died using the drugs. Officers found Peltier in April 2016 unconscious on the floor of a residence in the 1900 block of 27th Street Southeast. A needle with white powder was on the kitchen counter. Toxicology results showed a level of fentanyl "associated with toxicity," according to the criminal complaint charging Burrell. Burrell is serving her sentences at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee. She waived her right to a jury trial and chose to have a court trial back on February 13th-14th.
--A Brainerd man's sentence for a felony charge of third degree criminal sexual conduct was overturned by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. 24-year old Joel Evan Greenough currently in the Lino Lakes prison, challenged his 36-month sentence, stating it was an unauthorized departure from the sentencing guidelines. The Court of Appeals agreed, reversing and remanding the Crow Wing County District Court's decision.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the city hall council chambers in Little Falls. Sheriff, Public Health, Public Works, Social Services and Extension reports are on the agenda.
--A special thank you to all who came to the Little Falls Dam Festival Saturday around the thunderstorms, the parade got moved an hour later and the fireworks got moved up about 20 minutes but most of the events went on as planned. Thanks to all the Dam Volunteers who helped out and all who came to the Little Falls Radio Cash Cube and won prizes Saturday afternoon. There will be another Cash Cube event this Friday at 3:00pm at the Little Falls Radio parking lot.
--One person was seriously injured Friday around 3:30pm on Highway 371 and Ojibwa Road in Crow Wing County. An SUV turned at the stop light and struck broadside a motorcycle driven by 21-year old Seth Srock of Crosby on the highway. Srock had to be airlifted from the scene to a Twin Cities Hospital with serious injuries. The SUV driver and passenger were not hurt. Srock was in critical condition yesterday according to a hospital spokesperson.
--St. Mary's Church will be the site of the 150th Celebration this Sunday, as the church's site started as San Salvador in 1868. The church of St. Mary's also St. Francis Xavier, Sacred Heart and St. Adelbert's will hold their celebration starting with a Mass at 10am with Bishop Donald Kettler, 12pm Pork Chop Dinner, an afternoon of activities with live music, food, historic displays, Kinship train, ice cream served by Dairy Princesses and a bean bag tournament. That is this Sunday starting at 10:00am at St. Mary's in Little Falls.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Jesse and Holly Kliber of Little Falls, a baby boy born June 13th
DEATH NOTICES --Paulette M. Wilson, age 68 of Little Falls. --Elizabeth Rose Jelinski, age 85 of Swan River Township.
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny and dry, high 77. TONIGHT= isolated showers after midnight, low 58. TUESDAY= partly cloudy, high 75, low around 55. WEDNESDAY= mostly sunny, high near 80, low around 60.
SPORTS TWINS= Kyle Gibson pitched well as the Twins hold of the Indians Friday night 6-3. Brian Dozier & Eddie Rosario hit homers. Eddie Rosario had 4 hits including a homer, Joe Mauer, Escobar and Morrison added 2 each as Twins rout Indians Saturday 9-3. Indians hold off the Twins Sunday 4-1 to avoid the sweep. Twins have today off and will take on Boston tomorrow night. LYNX= Lynx beat New York 85-71 Saturday and host Dallas Tuesday. BAB= over 4 hour rain delay before state baseball started Saturday at Target Field with three games getting in, Heritage Christian Academy, Maple Lake and Mahtomedi won state titles Saturday, while the 4A title game got moved to today at 1:00pm.
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1812= U.S. declares war against Great Britain, War of 1812. IN 1940= Winston Churchill gives “Finest Hour” speech. IN 1975= NBC News is the first to go to a 24 hour news and information format on national radio stations. IN 1980= The Blues Brothers opens in theaters starting John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd- the two started the routine on Saturday Night Live.