NEWS –A 17-year-old from Pierz was hurt Wednesday when the vehicle he was driving rolled over on Crow Wing County Road 139. 17-year old Troy John Fischer of Pierz was injured and transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd with non-life-threatening injuries. Fischer had two passengers with him: 16-year old Joshua Brian Gage and 17-year old Matthew Allen Woitalla both of Pierz. Neither of them were injured.
–St. Cloud police reported to a two-vehicle collision Wednesday night at approximately 8:26pm at the intersection at 12th Street and 33rd Avenue North. 20-year old Hamze Ibrahim of St. Cloud was heading west on 12th Street North and while turning southbound onto 33rd Avenue struck a vehicle. 45-year old Ronna Lowe of St. Cloud was driving the vehicle that was hit, and was take by ambulance to the ER for injuries the police didn’t consider life-threatening. Ibrahim was cited for failing to yield right of way.
–Minnesota’s Senate narrowly rejected a Democratic plan to borrow $1.5 billion for public construction projects across the state on Thursday, providing just the latest reminder of the wide divide between Republicans and Democrats as the legislative session winds down with little settled. The public works package would have overhauled aging water infrastructure systems, provided money for upkeep at public college and university campuses and socked away $400 million for road and bridge repairs. But it failed by just one vote, as only one Republican joined the Senate’s 39 Democrats to approve it on a 40-26 vote. So-called bonding bills require a three-fifths majority to pass. The borrowing package is one piece of the Legislature’s remaining to-do list, along with a bill offering tax cuts, funding transportation repairs and other spending priorities. Its unexpected failure on the Senate floor adds to that pile of unsettled work as the Legislature nears the final two weeks of session.
–Brainerd police are asking for the public’s help in locating 38-year-old Enoch Harrison Stapleton III, who allegedly set fire to a home on Gillis Avenue in northeast Brainerd. Brainerd police were called at 3:15pm Thursday to a report of an assault that had just occurred at a residence in the 300 block of Gillis Avenue Northeast. Police learned a 30-year-old Brainerd man had just returned home and upon entering his residence, he was confronted by a male inside of the home. The man was assaulted by the suspect who he recognized as an acquaintance from a few years ago. The victim grabbed his dog and fled the home. When officers checked the home, they found the residence full of smoke. The Brainerd Fire Department responded with about a dozen firefighters and extinguished the fire. Further investigation revealed the home owner most likely came home interrupting a burglary in progress. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities believe the fire was intentionally set by the suspect after the homeowner fled. Stapleton is described as a white male, with dark blonde or brownish hair, brown eyes, 5’8″ with a stocky build. Anyone with information on Stapleton’s whereabouts, or this case is asked to call the Brainerd Police Department at 218-829-2805.
–Crosslake, Mission firefighters and the DNR battled a garage and wildfire Thursday near Merrifield. The garage and belongings inside were destroyed. The wildfire started first which burned trees and acreage leading to the area of the garage. No injuries reported.
–On Wednesday the White House will recognize twelve school support professionals from across the country as School Support White House Champions of Change. These individuals were selected by the White House for their leadership and tireless work to ensure that students in our nation’s schools receive the support and motivation they need to succeed. Amongst those recognized nationwide includes Cindi Trettel of Royalton. During her 41 years at Little Falls Community Schools, middle school Special Education Paraeducator Cindi Trettel has proven to be a devoted individual to students and coworkers. Starting her career at the age of 18, she is very thankful for the adults that believed in her abilities to foster the growth of special education students. Trettel speaks with a wide smile as she describes how each child has different strengths, abilities and talents that create unique individuals. Each of these students brings such joy and satisfaction to going to work each day. Trettel works tirelessly to foster independence and growth, allowing each student to work toward success.
–Governor Mark Dayton ordered the National Guard to help with helicopters and other equipment and manpower in Hubbard County for a wildfire that has burned over 500 acres in the Paul Bunyan State Forest and a game refuse. The Lake Hattie Fire was in an area of grass and trees. No structures were damaged nor any injuries. With help from the DNR, National Guard, emergency managements and firefighters from across the state by mid-Saturday afternoon the fire was contained after burning 500 acres.
–Two motorcyclists were injured in Todd County near Eagle Bend Friday afternoon around 1:00pm. 56-year old Steven Gustason of Brainerd was on 71 when he braked fast, lost control of the cycle and hit another one driven by 55-year-old Douglas Oehrlein of Fort Ripley. Both drivers were taken by ambulance to a hospital and treated for what the state patrol deemed as non life threatening injuries.
–Tim Houle, Crow Wing County administrator, received the Dr. Robert A. Barrett Award for Management Excellence from the Minnesota City/County Management Association. The annual award acknowledges a manager or administrator who is a role model, leader and mentor in the local government management profession. Houle has served as Crow Wing County administrator since 2008, having spent 14 years as Morrison County administrator prior to that.
DEATH NOTICE –Lester G. Shaffer, age 86 of Little Falls –Galen Pryzbilla, age 68 of Pierz. –Colette F. Pohlkamp, age 57 of Brainerd formerly of Buckman.
WEATHER TODAY= increasing clouds, PM showers and storms, high 66. TONIGHT= showers and storms, breezy, low 48. TUESDAY= showers likely, possible T-storms, high 58, low 49. WEDNESDAY= showers likely, high 62, low 45.
SPORTS TWINS= White Sox sweep Twins 10-4 Friday, 7-2 Saturday and 3-1 on Sunday. Twins (8-23) host Baltimore tonight 6:30pm on Q92. DERBY= Nyquist wins Kentucky Derby still undefeated in racing. WILD= Wild name Bruce Boudreau as new Head Coach Saturday. HS SB= Albany at Little Falls Tuesday 5pm on AM960 KLTF.