NEWS
--On Friday morning Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen announced new developments in the Terrence “Terry” Brisk homicide investigation. A Winchester Model 30-30 lever action rifle located by investigators is now identified as belonging to Brisk. The rifle was preserved and submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory immediately after it was located, and although forensic analysis continues, investigators believe it was the murder weapon. Further details about the rifle cannot be shared at this time due to the active ongoing investigation. Brisk was found murdered on November 7, 2016, on his parent’s property located northwest of the intersection of Hawthorne Road and Jewel Road, in Belle Prairie Township, east of Little Falls. Sheriff Larsen advises the public that this homicide case appears to be an isolated incident and there continues to be no known danger to the public. “This has been a slow, methodical process and investigators continue to actively pursue every lead that is generated,” Larsen said. “We know the community wants answers about what happened. We need to wait to provide more specific information about what we’ve learned so far so that we may protect the integrity of the investigation and bring Terry’s killer to justice.” A reward of up to $30,000 from local donors is offered for information leading to the arrest of the person who shot and killed Brisk. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233. Information can be provided anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers of Minnesota www.CrimeStoppersMn.org; or 1-800-222 TIPS [8477] from anywhere in Minnesota.
--The Morrison County Sheriff ‘s Office responded Friday around 11:30am to a one vehicle rollover accident with injuries near the address of 31492 Quest Road, in Pulaski Township, northeast of Harding. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 40-year old Jacob Fladung of Litchfield was traveling east on Quest Road when he lost control and went off the roadway and rolled several times. Fladung was ejected from the pickup and sustained serious injuries. He was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital.
--A fire destroyed a garage early Saturday morning. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says they received a call around 12:30 about a building fire at 20912 380th Street in Albany Township. When first responders arrived on scene they found a detached garage fully engulfed in flames. Crews battled the but were unable to stop the flames in time. The building and everything inside is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
--A Melrose woman is hurt after a two-vehicle crash near Sauk Centre. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened around 5:20pm Friday at the intersection of County Road 186 and 395th Street, just southeast of Sauk Centre. Authorities say a car driven by 28-year old Sarah Farris of Melrose lost control on the snowy road and struck a pickup driven by 55-year old John Abner of Sauk Centre. Farris' car was sent into the ditch. Farris was taken to the Sauk Centre Hosptial with non-life threatening injuries. Ebner was not hurt. Authorities say the crash is still under investigation.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30pm at the city hall council chambers with various agenda items.
--The Pierz Band Concert is tonight at 7pm at the high school and that community meeting on the survey is Wednesday 6:30pm at Pioneer Elementary in Pierz.
--Three people are hurt after a two-vehicle crash in Sherburne County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened just before 7:00am Saturday at the intersection of Highway 10 and 75th Avenue just west of Clear Lake. Authorities say an SUV driven by 73-year old James Shermock of Annandale, was going west on Highway 10 when he turned right to go north on 75th Avenue. A van driven by 71-year old Charles Juhl of Big Lake crashed into the passenger side of Shermock's SUV. Shermock and his passenger, 19-year old Cole Shermock of Victoria, were taken St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Juhl was also taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--On Friday, Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith and Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Emily Piper visited Wayside Recovery Center in St. Louis Park to announce $16.6 million in grants to combat the state’s opioid crisis. The grants will be awarded over the next three years to more than 30 agencies across the state including tribal governments, counties and community organizations. The grants aim to address the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment and recovery programs for substance use disorder, including prescription opioids and illicit drugs such as heroin. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, in 2008, less than ten Minnesotans died from heroin overdose. In 2015, that number had grown to 115, and in 2016, 142. In 2016, 2,450 total opioid overdoses were reported, including 376 deaths.
--A man was sentenced to 20 months in prison Thursday for fleeing from police in a motor vehicle. 35-year old Bounkeng Sinthavong of Warroad led St. Cloud Police on a chase in late February. Officers were told a stolen vehicle was spotted near Veterans Drive and 25th Avenue North. Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, when Sinthavong attempted to flee. Speeds during the pursuit did not go over posted speed limits. Sinthavong drove into a St. Cloud police squad car, ending the chase. The collision caused minor damage to both vehicles, but no one was injured. Sinthavong had a passenger in the vehicle during the chase, but that person was released on scene.
DEATH NOTICES
--Kim E. Albright, age 70 of Little Falls formerly Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, snow after 4pm, high near 30.
TONIGHT= snow likely, up to 1 inch, clearing late, low 15.
TUESDAY= partly cloudy, high 25- clear night low 14.
WEDNESDAY= sunny, high 33- snow late night, low near 20.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz wins section title 40-14 over New London Spicer Friday in the snow. Paynesville beat Holdingford 32-7, Mayer Lutheran shut out Upsala/Swanville 28-0. Rocori and Brainerd won, Pillager lost. Pierz will face Proctor in State Quarterfinals Saturday 3pm on FM94. COL FB= Michigan whipped Gophers 33-10 Saturday for the jug. The Gophers fall to 4-5 on season and host Nebraska Saturday at 11am.
NFL= Green Bay vs. Detroit in the NFL at 6:45pm on KLTF.