NEWS
--A massive power outage occurred at 5:18am Saturday morning knocking out power to thousands in Little Falls, Pierz and Lastrup. Some areas near Fort Ripley and Brainerd were also affected. According to Minnesota Power, a large substation malfunctioned causing a shutdown, either from mechanical malfunction or a fire causing the over 7000 people to lose power for hours on Saturday morning. Some areas had power restored by 8am, while others were not restored until later in the morning toward noon.
--Steele County Authorities announced Saturday that the body of 2-year old Noelani Robinson was found deceased off of Highway 218 in Steele County near Austin. The Amber Alert was issued in Wisconsin on Wednesday after authorities found that Noelani's mother Sierra Robinson was found dead and later Dariaz Higgins was taken into custody but there was no finding of Noelani. It was reported that she might have been in St. Cloud but authorities said that Higgins was giving them false information so that may not have been true. Late Friday a Steele County Sheriff's Deputy found the body in a ditch off the highway and it was identified as Robinson on Saturday morning.
--The Little Falls School Board meets tonight at 5pm at the middle school media center. Agenda items include a presentation on Argentina Students, Mid State Level 4 Facility construction and operations, 2019-2020 classes offered through early childhood and Dr. Knight's Flyer Time and ABC Student Breakfast. They will discuss fundraisers for the remainder of the year and a first draft look at the calendar for the 2019-2020 school year.
--On March 14th at approximately 5:42pm members of the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team responded to assist with a male who had barricaded himself with a rifle inside of a vehicle on the 5400 block of County Road 145 in Pequot Lakes. The male was a 28-year old resident of rural Pequot Lakes. An officer from the Pequot Lakes Police Department was attempting to conduct a criminal investigation on behalf of the Baxter Police Department involving the male as a suspect when he barricaded himself inside of his vehicle. The Pequot Lakes Officer attempted to negotiate with the male before seeing a rifle in the vehicle. The officer immediately backed away and a perimeter was setup. During the standoff, officers evacuated a neighboring home. Crisis negotiators established phone contact with the male who remained inside of his vehicle during the standoff. The male eventually agreed to exit his vehicle and surrender. Members of the tactical response team took the male into custody without further incident at approximately 7:54pm. He was transported to Essentia Health in Brainerd for an evaluation. Baxter Police Department will have pending charges against the male.
--First the snow and now the flooding waters. Last week's snow melt caused flooded basements, damaged roofs, flooded many roadways causing vehicles to hydroplane across or stall out. The slushy conditions also led to a dozens of falls and injuries in the state. Some areas had to be evacuated from the heavy water flow already. The Brainerd School District said many of the facilities there had water in the hallways but officials said that schools will be on time today. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office has posted tips and resources from the county on their Facebook page to work on what to do with flooding issues from roofs, basements and flooded roadways.
--Bracket Challenge tonight at 6pm at Johnny C's in LF, with Q92.
--Winter load increases end tonight in north, north-central and central frost zones and at 12:01 Tuesday morning spring Load restrictions will go into effect due to the softer vegetation on many roadways will begin the growing process again. Winter load increases for the south, southeast and Metro Area Frost zones have already ended and spring load restrictions began last Friday morning in those regions. Road restrictions weights and permits that are needed for certain larger vehicles can be obtained or checked by going to the Minnesota Department of Transportation website at www.mndot.gov/loadlimits.
--A Foreston man was hurt in a crash near Foley. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 9pm Wednesday on Highway 23, at 135th Avenue Northeast, just east of Foley. 36-year old Christopher Wojciechoski of Foreston was going east on the highway when other car turned in front of him, driven by 29-year-old Joshua Stachowski of Foley. Wojciechowski had non-life threatening injuries.
--A Cold Spring man is charged with shooting and wounding another man who he believed stole money from him. 36-year-old Timothy Prince is charged with felony 1st-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony possession of a dangerous weapon after a prior crime of violence. A man and his fiance' were in their vehicle in a parking lot in the 500 block of 54th Avenue North in St. Cloud just before 1:30am Monday when the shooting happened. Records show a car pulled up and Prince got out of the passenger side and approached the victim's vehicle with a gun. As Prince allegedly raised the gun and pulled the trigger, the victim said he raised his arm to block the bullet. The victim told police he was shot through the arm and the bullet went into his chest. He said Prince then said they better not tell anyone and left the scene. The victim was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and doctors determined the bullet was too close to his heart to risk removing it.
--The St. Francis Convent will be hosting a blood drive March 26th through the 28th in Little Falls. Call to set up appointments by contacting Sister Julien at 632-0663.
DEATH NOTICES
--Gary Schnobrich of Cushing passed away.
--William “Bill” Pieper, age 89 of Brainerd.
--Wallace “Wally” J. Thompson, age 85 of Staples.
WEATHER
TODAY= fog early, partly sunny, high 37.
TONIGHT= flurries after midnight, low 24.
TUESDAY= flurries early, then cloudy, high 40, low 28.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 46, low around 25.
SPORTS
GBB= Minneota, Minnehaha Academy, DeLaSalle and Hopkins win state championships in girls basketball Saturday. Albany and Menagha lost their third places games on Saturday both finished 4th.
COL BB= Gophers beat Purdue Friday 75-73 to advance to semi-finals in the Big 10 Tournament only to be beaten by Michigan on Saturday 76-49. Michigan State won the Big 10 tournament Sunday. The Gophers found out they will face Louisville in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. If the Gophers win they would likely get Michigan State on Saturday.
TWINS= Twins spring training today at noon on Q92 WYRQ.