NEWS
--The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is in central Minnesota investigating an officer-involved shooting. The incident happened just before 6:00pm Thursday near Bowlus in Morrison County. At one point after the West Central Drug Task Force attempted a traffic stop, a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper and an Otter Tail County Deputy fired their guns, shooting and killing a man in the vehicle. Another person in the vehicle was hurt by the gunfire. A handgun was recovered at the scene. The trooper involved was wearing a body camera which did capture portions of the incident. The BCA stated more details would be released as their investigation is still ongoing from the officer involved shooting.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a hit and run accident Saturday night at 11:40pm on Highway 27 in Culdrum Township of Morrison County. A 2011 Chevy Impala was westbound on Highway 27 crossed the centerline and struck a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Isaac Hernandez of Long Prairie. Hernandez was taken to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries. The State Patrol said the other vehicle fled the scene and the driver is unknown at this time.
--A 53-year-old Brainerd man faces murder charges in connection with the death of 43-year-old Lynnie Ann Loucks Thursday morning at the home they lived in north of Brainerd. Michael Lowell Munger was arraigned Friday in Crow Wing County District Court on charges of second-degree murder with intent but without premeditation and second-degree murder without intent but while committing a felony. Munger was arrested Thursday morning after the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request for a welfare check at a house off Smith Road, near Legionville Road, in Unorganized Territory where they found the body of a deceased female inside which was later learned to be Munger's ex wife Loucks. The death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.
--Brian Middendorf, Morrison County attorney, announced that he will seek re-election this fall. He stated “I enjoy serving the citizens of the county. I believe that my office contributes to making Morrison County a better place to live and raise a family,” “I continue to enjoy the challenges of being county attorney. I am proud of the relationships that I have developed over the years with other county departments, as well as city and state law enforcement officials. I understand the importance of developing and maintaining those relationships. Public safety continues to be my top priority, and I would be honored to lead the county attorney’s office for another term.” Middendorf has served in the county attorney’s office since 1998. He was first elected county attorney in 2006.
--House Democratic and Senate Republican leaders reached a deal on COVID bonuses for front line workers and on refilling the Unemployment Insurance Fund to avoid business tax increases The state says 667,000 Minnesotans will soon be eligible to claim a bonus check for $750. "Frontline sector" means the following sectors: (1) long-term care and home care; (2) health care; (3) emergency responders; (4) public health, social service, and regulatory service; (5) courts and corrections; (6) child care; (7) schools, including charter schools, state schools, and higher education; (8) food service, including production, processing, preparation, sale, and delivery; (9) retail, including sales, fulfillment, distribution, and delivery; (10) temporary shelters and hotels; (11) building services, including maintenance, janitorial, and security; (12) public transit; (13) ground and air transportation services; (14) manufacturing; and (15) vocational rehabilitation. The governor is expected to sign the bill.
--Little Falls Community High School Principal Tim Bjorge spoke on KLTF Friday and said they have 174 houses that the Day of Caring in its 11th year will be going to Wednesday morning between 8:30-11:30am. If you have signed up please expect the students and the most adult volunteer teams they have ever had to be out and about and you do need to be home for them when they arrive. A special thank you to all the participating organizations, students, faculty and community support for the Day of Caring on Wednesday.
--The 64-year-old man who died Tuesday in rural Lake Lillian from a reported accidental firearm discharge has been identified as Steven Coulston. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office said the circumstances surrounding the shooting death remain under investigation. The Sheriff's Office said Tuesday night a man had been shot in the head and killed when a firearm discharged accidentally.
--A former St. Cloud man wanted on charges that he sexually assaulted a young girl, has been found in Illinois and returned to Stearns County to face the charges. Thirty-four-year-old James Brown faces two counts of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct. St. Cloud Police were dispatched to a home in May of 2018 regarding a child sexual assault. The girl told officers that Brown had sexually assaulted her at his north St. Cloud apartment sometime the previous year when she was six years old. His next court date is in June.
--A St. Cloud man has pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution after allowing women to use his apartment for sex. An investigation by the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force accused 55-year-old John Elrod of promoting prostitution and receiving profits from prostitution. The charge of receiving profits from prostitution is expected to be dismissed at sentencing. According to the criminal complaint, an undercover officer responded to an ad posted on a website known to advertise prostitution back in December and struck an agreement to pay for sex acts. Record show officers made contact with the victims who said their friend named "John" would let them use his 2nd floor apartment to engage in prostitution in exchange for money, beer, and cigarettes. Records show Elrod admitted to investigators he received roughly $100 from one victim and a few cans of "chew" from the other victim in exchange for him letting them use his apartment. He'll be sentenced on May 17th.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Grammy award winning singer Naomi Judd died Saturday at age 76 from a battle of mental illness. She and her daughter Wynonna broke into the country music world in 1983 as the Judds.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dave Talberg, age 72 of Hillman.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, high around 50, low around 37.
TUESDAY= partly cloudy, less windy, high 52, low around 41.
WEDNESDAY= mostly sunny, high near 60, low around 40.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins lost 6-1 to Tampa Bay Friday. Twins win 9-1 on Saturday to even the series with Rays. Twins win 9-3 Sunday to win the series. Twins at Baltimore tonight.
NBA= Memphis eliminates T-Wolves Friday 114-106 in game 6 of the NBA playoffs as Grizzlies win series over Wolves 4 games to 2.
HS BAB= Rush City at Pierz today at 4:30pm on 94ROCKS.