NEWS --The recent cold and snow tied in with the high water levels on lakes and rivers have many residences already preparing for flooding issues next spring. Crow Wing County reported that numerous lakes and the Mississippi River is well above flood stages in areas as it begins to freeze in some areas with the colder temperatures. The problem will come when melting occurs. As the high water from fall and into the winter months ahead will eventually melt and it could cause flooding to the area in the spring. Sandbag precautions on some lakes near residences have already begun so that preparedness can be completed before the melting begins.
–A deer had to be rescued from the Gull River Thursday morning. Around 8:30am the DRN said the buck was rescued after falling through the thin ice. The deer survived and was taken to the Garrison animal hospital for treatment. The Conservation Office said that the animal will likely not be returned to the wild but taken to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Program after it is ready to leave the hospital.
--It was announced Thursday that St. Cloud State University's Interim President Ashish Vaiyda will not get the job permanently. President Vaidya has accepted a position as President of Northern Kentucky University. Vaidya will be staying at SCSU through the end of June. He starts his new position July 1st, 2018. Interim Provost Dan Gregory says Vaidya was able to step up and lead St. Cloud State after the unexpected death of former President Earl Potter. The search for a permanent president has already begun with the goal to fill the position by the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
--Sun may have been a factor in an early morning crash in Sauk Rapids. Police say the incident happened at about 7:20am Thursday at the intersection of Benton Drive and 8th Street North. Donald Schepers of St. Cloud was stopped at the stop sign. He then pulled out onto Benton Drive in front of a vehicle driven by Ashley Bernier of Sauk Rapids who was heading north in the right lane. Both drivers were checked at the scene and released. The vehicles were towed.
--Police say a boy suffered life threatening injuries when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in a northern Minneapolis suburb. The crash happened Thursday afternoon in Fridley. Witnesses say the fifth grader at Fridley Middle School was crossing the street when a sport utility vehicle struck him. The boy is being treated at Hennepin County Medical Center. Police say the man who was driving the SUV remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
--A rollover crash on the northeast side of Mille Lacs Lake injured two people Wednesday night. The Minnesota State Patrol reported 21-year old Chaneyne Lee Reece of Bertha and 19-year old Mya Lynn Sandoz of Onamia suffered non-life threatening injuries after their SUV rolled over at 9:15pm east on Highway 18 in Malmo Township when it lost control. The vehicle rolled over and came to rest on the driver's side in the right ditch. The road conditions were snowy and icy at the time. The driver Reece and passenger Sandoz were both transported to Riverwood Hospital in Aitkin for their injuries.
--Pierz Students will present “Beauty and the Beast” Thursday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the PAC in Pierz. Tickets are available at the District Office this week or at the door of the event.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7:00pm at Pierz City Hall.
--The Veterans Program at Lindbergh Elementary is today at 10am.
--Kinship Veterans Program is Tuesday at 6pm at LF Alliance Church.
--People in the Pierz area can nominate an employee in any business as an “Outstanding Employee.” The employer must be a Pierz Area Commercial Club member. The customer should have received prompt, pleasant, friendly and courteous service. The employee should be knowledgeable about the product or service provided, have a positive attitude toward their job and the community, have a genuine interest in the customer’s needs and wants and a willingness to go the extra mile. Forms are available from any Pierz Commercial Club member. Once filled out, the forms can be mailed to Pierz Area Commercial Club.
--A two vehicle accident south of Long Prairie Friday afternoon injured a Long Prairie teenager. Just after 2:00pm, 18-year old Paul Leinen was heading south behind a semi-truck, the truck slowed suddenly and Leinen rear-ended it. Leinen was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The semi-driver, 56-year old Jerome Capko of Little Falls was not hurt.
--A Garrison man was hurt Friday around 6:30pm when the pickup he was driving went into the ditch and struck a power pole and trees near Kathio State Park in Mille Lacs County. 21-year old Alex Logli was taken to the Onamia hospital for treatment of injuries.
--One person was hurt Friday around 3:45pm in an accident in Maine Prairie Township of Stearns County. 45-year old Emilia Stromgren of Dassel was on Highway 15 south of Kimball when she crossed the center-line into the southbound lane causing a semi-truck to swerve onto the shoulder. Stromgren's vehicle struck the rear axel of the semi. Stromgren sustained injuries and was treated in St. Cloud. The semi-truck driver, Barrett Lindeman of Brownton was not injured.
--A Parkers Prairie man was injured Thursday when his arm was pinned under a piece of farm machinery. 54-year old Todd Wunderlich was flown to North Memorial after he got his arm pinned in a corn field driving a farm tractor with a pull behind corn picker. Serious injuries were sustained to the arm of Wunderlich.
DEATH NOTICES --Craig Holtslander, age 68 of Little Falls --Frieda Rebischke, age 92 Sauk Rapids formerly of Little Falls --Marlene 'Molly' Scepurek, age 81 of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= mostly cloudy, high near 40. TONIGHT= freezing drizzle and fog possible, low near 30. TUESDAY= drizzle at times, cloudy, high 45, clearing late, low 27. WEDNESDAY= partly sunny and windy, high 34, low near 20.
SPORTS NFL= Case Keenum throws four touchdowns to lead the Vikings past Washington 38-30 Sunday. The Vikings are now 7-2 on the season. The Vikings host the LA Rams, also 7-2 Sunday at noon at US Bank. HS FB= Pierz rolls over Proctor 42-13 to advance to the state tournament semi-finals against Jordan. The game will be Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis at 2pm on FM94 KFML. St. Croix Lutheran and Pequot Lakes play in the other semi-final in Class AAA. Brainerd beat St. Louis Park 24-7 Saturday to advance to 5A semis. COL FB= Gophers roll 54-21 over Nebraska to go to 5-5 on the season. The Gophers are at Northwestern on Saturday and if they win would be eligible for a bowl game.