--The Pierz Park Board has decided against installing a black wrought iron fence along a 600 foot stretch of Park Avenue and the city golf course. If the city were to install a fence, it would have to go through the same process as any citizen. A building permit would have to be applied for. Then the Planning and Zoning Board would look at the project and make a recommendation to the City Council on whether to approve it or not.
--Sartell police arrested a man who tried to run from them. At about 1:45pm Thursday an officer was conducting a follow-up investigation from an earlier crime when the man ran from a home and into the woods near Fischer Manufactured Home Park in Sauk Rapids. The man identified as 30-year old Jeremiah Estep eventually ran into the Mississippi River, but he eventually came out. He was arrested and is facing charges of fleeing a police officer on foot, obstructing the legal process, and a felony warrant.
--Congressman Dale Lueck of Aitkin has a bill going through the state legislature to honor the late General John Vessey, and it gained final passage without opposition in the House Thursday and now will go to the Governor for approval. Lueck's bill designates June 29th (Vessey's birthday) as Gen. John Vessey Day in Minnesota. Over his 46-year Army career, Vessey advanced through the ranks from a 16-year old Minnesota Army National Guard enlistee to a four-star general. He was selected by President Ronald Reagan to lead the nation's military forces as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Vessey's very distinguished military career spanned World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Upon his retirement from active duty, Vessey and his wife, Avis, returned to Minnesota, making their home near Garrison. Even after retirement, the general remained on call. He led negotiations with the government of Vietnam to account for missing U.S. servicemen in that country. Senator Carrie Ruud of Breezy Point, wrote the companion bill in the State Senate.
--Benton County Sheriff’s Office are alerting boaters of a potential navigational hazard on the Mississippi River north of the Sartell Dam. Due to high water flows occurring at the dam, Eagle Creek Energy staff have been unable to deploy the string of warning buoys and the safety catch cable normally in place north of the dam. The absence of these safety features along with the high flow of water in the area of the dam will make navigation near the dam especially hazardous. Boaters are urged to remain at least 200 feet away from the dam until these safety measures have been deployed. Signs have been posted at the public access point advising boaters of this hazard.
--The Department of Natural Resources hopes all had a safe opening fishing weekend but reminds anglers that they can't say if the fish cooperate but if you fall in the water be ready for a very cold experience. More than 30 percent of all boating fatalities in Minnesota take place in cold water, and in nearly all instances victims were not wearing life jackets. Water temperatures ranged from still below 32 degrees in the northern part of Minnesota, central and south central range from 38-50 degrees and southern Minnesota is a bit warmer but still very cold for anyone to be in for long periods of time.
--Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--The Next Cash Cube event will be at Little Falls Radio in the parking lot during Q92 WYRQ's Classic Country with Al Windsperger Tuesday at noon. Come and be part to win great prizes.
--A Stearns County judge has sentenced a Minnetonka man in his assault and criminal sexual conduct case. 40-year old Corey Heinen will serve 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon non-firearm and 5th degree criminal sexual conduct. A 2nd degree assault charge involving a gun and a misdemeanor assault charge were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. As part of his sentence, Heinen must also abstain from alcohol and any mood altering chemicals for seven years, complete a sex offender program and is prohibited from having any guns.
--A St. Cloud woman has been arrested in connection with allegations of prostitution at Riverwood Massage and Body Works in Waite Park. The arrest of 33-year old Yanhang Lin of St. Cloud came after an investigation launched in February by the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force. According to the criminal complaint released Friday, a man told Waite Park police that month that Lin said she would continue an intimate sexual massage for money.
--One person was injured on Highway 23 at 71 in Stearns County Friday around 7:30pm. The two vehicles collided after one failed to stop at the red light. A passenger in one of the vehicles had non life threatening injuries in the accident. There were five others between the two vehicles who were not injured.
DEATH NOTICES --Robert Mickus, age 75 of Onamia. --John A. “Jack” Veith, age 56 of Eagan formerly of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny, chance of PM showers, high 77. TONIGHT= isolated shower early, then clearing, low 46. TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 73, clear night low 48. WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 83, cloudy late, low 52.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins down 4-2 in the 9th battle back as Eddie Rosario who had 2 homeruns in game lifted Twins to win 5-4 Friday over the Angels. Twins got late innings Saturday before Garver, Rosario and Petit get hits to lift them to a 5-3 win over the Angels in 12 innings. Angels beat Twins Sunday with walk off hit in the 9th to win 2-1. The Twins will have a makeup game against Seattle tonight, the makeup is from the postponed game on April 8th. Pregame tonight at 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. Twins open a series with St. Louis tomorrow night. LYNX= Lynx beat Chicago 87-58 in exhibition Saturday, the Lynx open the regular season Sunday at 4pm against LA Sparks. VL= check out the Victory League scores from this past weekend, and next weekend's schedule at victoryleague.org.
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1607= first English settlement in the U.S.- Jamestown VA. IN 1804= Lewis and Clark set out on Expedition from St. Louis. IN 1878= Vasoline is first purchased as petroleum jelly. IN 1904= the Olympics are first held in the U.S. in St. Louis. IN 1973= the U.S. launched Skylab, first space station in orbit. IN 1989= Family Ties with Michael J. Fox aired for the final time. IN 1989= Kirby Puckett made history with 4 consecutive doubles in a game against the Indians, Puckett had 2 doubles to end the game the day prior, making 6 straight doubles breaking a League record.