NEWS
--The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office reported on Thursday night at approximately 10:36pm the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a juvenile female who had been shot. The report came from Essentia Health Brainerd Medical Center’s Emergency Department. It was initially believed that the shooting occurred within the city of Brainerd, but it was later discovered the incident took place at a residence in 15000 block of Irondale LN in Oaklawn Township. Investigators believe that a group of juveniles purchased marijuana from the residence on Ironwood LN using counterfeit money. When discovered they were given counterfeit money, the two suspects who were involved in the sale fired multiple times at the vehicle as it fled the property, striking the vehicle two times and ultimately hitting the juvenile female. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the residence on Ironwood LN and attempted to contact the suspects without immediate success. The Crow Wing County Tactical Response Team assisted investigators and were able to apprehend one of the suspects, 18-year-old Jordan Raymond Parks without incident. The other suspect, a juvenile male from Baxter, MN had already left the Irondale LN residence and is still being sought by investigators for questioning. During a search warrant of Parks’ residence, investigators from the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division located over two pounds of marijuana, a large quantity of marijuana wax, multiple firearms and a large amount of currency.
--The Morrison County Public Works Department announced that spring load restrictions on all Morrison County Highways began today at 12:01am, it was reported last week that all state highways in Minnesota by MN Dot also started spring load restrictions this morning. The road restrictions map indicating the locations of weight restricted routes can be found on the Morrison County website at www.co.morrison.mn.us and also on the Mn Dot website.
--On Thursday the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task force concluded an investigation regarding the distribution of methamphetamine in Central Minnesota. Within the past few months Investigators from the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task force learned that 43-year old Thuong Huu Tran Nguyen of St. Cloud was suspected of distributing large quantities of methamphetamine throughout Central Minnesota. During the investigation, Investigators were able to purchase methamphetamine from Nguyen on several occasions. Also, during the investigation, Investigators learned that Nguyen was known to carry and be in the possession of a handgun. Ultimately Investigators stopped Nguyen on a traffic stop in the 300 block of 2nd Avenue, South in Sauk Rapids. Nguyen had a quantity of methamphetamine on him along with a loaded .40 caliber stolen handgun. Investigators then executed a search warrant at Nguyen’s residence in the 100 block of 4th Avenue NE, St. Cloud. During the search warrant investigators located a small amount of methamphetamine and items associated with the distribution of controlled substances. Ultimately Nguyen was arrested for aggravated 1st degree sales of controlled substance, possession of a stolen handgun, possession of handgun without a permit, and 5th degree possession of controlled substance. Nguyen was transported and booked into Stearns County jail. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of Investigators from St. Cloud, and Sartell Police Departments and deputies from Morrison, Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Todd Counties.
--There will be an open house for retiring Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman today from 1-3pm. All are invited to the fire hall this afternoon to win Mike well on his retirement.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the government center boardroom. Agenda items include hearing from the Historical Society, disease prevention and control report will be given by Public Health on the recent developments nationally with influenza and coronavirus and how to be protected. Land services will also have the 2020 AIS awards.
--The first Minnesota case of Coronavirus has been confirmed in an older adult in Ramsey County. A second case was confirmed Sunday in Carver County. The Department of Health stated the first adult was recently on a cruise ship that was known to have cases. The second was seeking medical help over this past weekend. The first patient is in isolation at their own home and is recovering.
--7th District U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson announced Friday that he will seek a 16th term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020.
--A man is being held in the Benton County Jail after a woman accused him of raping her at a St. Cloud hotel. The woman called police on the early morning hours Monday to report she had been assaulted by 38-year-old Jason Forest. Forest is charged with five felonies including two counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct, and two counts of domestic assault. Forest has previous convictions for terroristic threats and violating a domestic abuse no-contact order in Blue Earth County in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
--Four greenhouses at a Monticello growing operation have been destroyed or damaged by fire. Firefighters were called to Dan and Jerry's Farm Range Thursday where an employee had noticed smoke pouring from one of the greenhouses and radioed his supervisors who called 911. Fire Chief Mike Mossey says burning plastic pots in one greenhouse generated thick, black smoke which could be seen for miles away. Officials say two of the four large greenhouses are destroyed while the two others may be restored. The greenhouses were filled with flowers and bedding plants for the wholesale market. Fire crews from Buffalo and Maple Lake provided mutual aid.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Randall and Tiffany Schneider of Little Falls, a boy born March 4th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Josephine Schyma Deneen, age 76 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, breezy, cooler, high 33.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, low around 16.
TUESDAY= snow showers develop in afternoon, high 36, low 17.
WEDNESDAY= partly cloudy, warmer, high 45, low around 26.
SPORTS
BBB= Pierz beat Moose Lake-Willow River 78-65 Saturday to advance to the section semi-finals Wednesday night against Virginia at 5:45pm from Duluth on FM94 KFML and fallsradio.com.
BBB= Melrose eliminated Holdingford from boys playoffs Saturday.
BHK= Mahtomedi and Hill Murray won state boys hockey titles.
TWINS= Twins spring training baseball today at noon on Q92.