NEWS
--Two Sauk Centre women avoided serious injuries Friday morning after a semi truck clipped the rear bumper of their car. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car driven by 45-year old Jackie Schultz was northbound on Highway 71 when she slowed to turn into a driveway when 21-year old Joshua Panitzke of Sauk Centre was coming up behind the car, took to the shoulder to try to avoid a collision and caught the right tail light. Panitzke and Schultz were not hurt, but a passenger in the car, 84-year old Hilma Weir, was taken to Sauk Centre Hospital with minor injuries.
--A 28-year old Brainerd man is in jail and faces child pornography charges after investigators received tips from the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children. Dylan LaPointe made his first appearance Tuesday in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd where he was charged with five felonies relating to using minors in sexual performance/pornographic work; possessing pornographic work on a computer or electronic device; and two counts of stalking a victim under age 18 with sexual or aggravated intent. A Cyber Tip stated LaPointe took inappropriate photos of a 10-year old girl and was in possession of child pornography. The tipster also alleged LaPointe had access to a 7-year old girl and there were concerns he may sexually exploit her. A total of 35 files, including 12 videos and 23 images, were sent to LaPointe from the minor female between July and August were part of a search warrant executed last Thursday at the residence tied to the online accounts referenced in the four cyber tips. LaPointe has numerous prior convictions for domestic-violence related offenses.
--Aitkin and Cass counties were among 27 counties and 3 tribal nations that will receive federal assistance funding from storm hit areas. Governor Dayton requested the funding that was approved by President Trump last week. These areas were hit by severe storms and flooding between June 15th and July 12th.
--Helen McLennan, district manager of Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District stated that after two years of water sampling and testing the health of the Mississippi River Brainerd Watershed’s lakes and streams, the results are in and out of the 13 lakes and streams tested in Morrison County, 8 met or exceeded the state standards of water quality. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the local SWCDs have been collecting samples from within the Mississippi River Brainerd Watershed, which covers parts of Crow Wing, Aitkin, Cass, Morrison and Todd counties, including 212 lakes larger than 10 acres, and 2,149 river miles. Elements studied include water clarity, oxygen, nutrient, and bacteria levels in area lakes, streams, and rivers. All four Morrison County lakes that were tested met state water quality standards: Green Prairie Fish, Round, Pine and Long. The waters of the five streams that did not meet standards for aquatic life (Swan River, Pike Creek, Hay Creek, and two unnamed creeks) will be further investigated and a plan will be created to restore water quality. Strategies will also be developed to protect lakes and streams that meet water-quality standards. An open house on regarding state water quality standards in local streams, rivers, and lakes will be offered Thursday at the Lions Club Building in Swanville City Park from 7-8:30pm and is open to all residents in Morrison and Todd County.
--A 27-year-old Brainerd woman that was missing since last Thursday has been found. Around 10:00pm last Wednesday Britani Wilson had stepped outside her apartment she shares with her boyfriend but never came back in inside. Her mother got a message from her Thursday but no response since. Police sent out an alert for Wilson on Friday and she was found by St. Cloud Police. She has since made contact with her family. Police thank all who aided in finding Wilson.
--The 7th Annual Patriotic Rosary will be prayed in Pierz on Tuesday, September 11th, at 12:45pm at St. Joseph’s Church. Praying for all the people of the U.S. by state, all leaders of our country, and our military. Led by the local Knights of Columbus, Christian Women groups, the local American Legion and Auxiliary and the students and teachers of Holy Trinity School. Sponsored by the Hearts of Faith group of St. Joseph parish. All are welcome to come and pray the rosary on the 17th Anniversary of the 9-11 attacks back in 2001.
--A vacant motel was destroyed by fire Wednesday just south of Garrison on the 8390 block of Highway 169. Garrison Fire Chief Bruce Breun said the call came in just after 10:00am and when he arrived on scene, one of the units of the motel was fully engulfed. Flames were coming out from the back of the roof and smoke was flowing out of both sides of the motel structure. There were 25 firefighters on scene for about six hours from Deerwood, Garrison and Onamia. Breun said the motel was vacant for a few years. The motel had 10-12 units and was two stories. The cause is under investigation.
--Morrison County 4H'ers did exceptional at the Minnesota State Fair, Blue Ribbon winners included Antonio Becker, Brandon and Gregory Behsman, Anna Blonigen, Paige Fellbaum, Annika Gunderson, Alice Hebig, Luke Holmgren, Allyson and Sarah Kahler, Dillon Krebs, Adam Meemken Jr., Emma Miller, Alex Peltz, Ashley Statema, Allie and Lucy Thelen and the Snappy Elmdalers and Darling Thunderbirds received the blue and red ribbons for their 4H banners.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Joan Richied, age 84 of Little Falls.
--Debra Determan, age 59 of Little Falls.
--Marlys R. Drake, age 84 of Staples.
WEATHER
TODAY= chance of a shower, partly sunny, high 74.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low near 60.
TUESDAY= sunny and windy, high 81, low 58, storms late.
WEDNESDAY= early morn storm, then sunny, high 79, low 61.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= Kirk Cousins threw two touchdowns and Vikings defense had 3 interceptions to hold off San Francisco 24-16 in the opener. Vikings take on Green Bay on Sunday at noon on AM960 KLTF.
GOPHERS= Gophers held off Fresno State 21-14 Saturday night. The Gophers (2-0) host Miami of Ohio Saturday afternoon on KLTF.
TWINS= Rosario and Adrianza go deep Friday for Twins to win over the Royals 10-6 and end a 5 game losing streak. Jorge Lopez pitched a perfect game into the 9th inning Saturday, though he lost the bid, he won the game as KC wins 4-1 over Twins. New catcher Willans Astudillo hit a walk off homer to beat KC Sunday 3-1 as the Twins take two of three. Twins host Yankees tonight 6:30 on WYRQ.