NEWS
--Heavy rains and strong winds affected central Minnesota and Morrison County Tuesday. Rain totals varied from over two inches at the Morrison County Airport and in St. Cloud to around 1.3 inches in Pierz and Genola, 1.8 in western Little Falls and some 2.5+ amounts in west central Minnesota. Strong winds are to blame for a large pine tree down on 5th Street Southwest in Little Falls, a tree falling on power lines on 30th Avenue north of Cable Road in Culdrum Township and another power line down on 93rd Street in Bellevue Township east of Highway 10. Sheriff Larsen stated early Wednesday morning that the report their office received Tuesday have been cleared and taken care by early Wednesday.
--A 67-year-old man was sentenced Monday in Crow Wing County District Court for criminal sexual conduct. Steven Bryant Davis pleaded guilty to one count of felony criminal sexual conduct with penetration or contact with a person under the age of 13 by someone at least 36 months older. Davis was sentenced on April 15 to be committed to the Department of Corrections for 144 months after failing to appear at his April 2 sentencing, where a warrant was issued for his arrest. On May 13, 2021, law enforcement was notified of a child who stated they had been a victim of a sexual assault. In an interview with the Family Advocacy Center, the child said they were abused by Davis when the child was 9 to 11 years old. Investigators found Davis moved to the state of Virginia and first he initially denied he ever sexually abused the child. While preparing for trial, the child told investigators the sexual abuse happened regularly from the fall of 2015 until Davis moved. Davis would later admit to have contact with the child and accepted a plea deal for guilty plea.
--Running Aces, a harness track in Columbus, Minnesota, has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against three tribal casinos, alleging they are operating card games violating state and federal gambling laws.
Running Aces, which operates a casino in addition to its racetrack, claims tribal casinos are resisting its efforts to expand table games, aiming to maintain their dominance in the market. The lawsuit was filed under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations or RICO Act, a law typically used to combat organized crime. RICO suits are also applicable when a business is suspected of having an unfair competitive advantage. Running Aces’ allegations are specific and date back to 2020. They claim that Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley have offered Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, which are not covered by their tribal-state gaming compacts. These compacts, signed by the Tribal nations and the State of Minnesota, were designed to allow legalized gambling on Indian land. The compacts stipulated that casinos could only offer video games of chance (slots) and blackjack. Furthermore, both parties agreed that the compacts should be effective indefinitely, requiring mutual consent for any changes. Treasure Island Resort and Casino near Red Wing was also accused of similar violations until its compact was amended last fall to include additional card games in addition to blackjack. The suit coincides with the opposition from Running Aces and another horse track, Canterbury Park, to a proposed legalization of sports betting. They argue the move would threaten their operations. Canterbury and Running Aces also oppose legislative proposals trying to outlaw a newly approved form of horse race betting, which recently received regulatory approval.
--At the Little Falls City Council meeting Monday night, Kyle Johnson was officially sworn in as the new Chief of Police of Little Falls Monday night by Mayor Greg Zylka. Kyle was named interim chief after the retiring of Greg Schirmers earlier this year. Johnson has 20 years of experience with the department, beginning his career as a Little Falls Police Officer in 2004.
--After 30 years in county government, Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle is retiring. Houle informed the County Board and staff he will retire from his position and his last day of employment will be July 12. Houle's career spans four decades. In July 1994, Houle began work as the Morrison County Administrator where he worked for 14 years. He then served 16 years as Crow Wing County Administrator, beginning his career in Brainerd in July 2008. The county will begin a recruitment process and hope to have a replacement by July.
--A grass fire near the Northland Arboretum spread to and scorched a fence Monday in Brainerd. The Brainerd Fire Department and law enforcement responded to the scene at 6:16pm Monday following a report of a fence on fire on the 700 block of Northwest Seventh Street. Crews were able to put the fire out. No injuries were reported.
--A pilot who died last week when a small plane crashed in northwest Indiana has been identified as a Purdue University student from Minnesota. Authorities have stated that 20-year-old Alexander Foss of Maple Grove, Minnesota, was identified using DNA provided by relatives as the pilot who died in the April 11 plane crash. Foss was a junior who was majoring in aviation flight at Purdue. Foss had rented the aircraft from Purdue Aviation before taking off from Purdue University Airport. Authorities are still investigating the cause of it.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, PM showers, breezy, high near 50.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, cooler night, low near 32.
FRIDAY= sunny and windy, high 43, clear night, low around 26.
SATURDAY= sunny and breezy, high 47, clear night, low 30.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, warmer, less windy, high 57, low near 38.
SPORTS
TWINS= Orioles walk off the Twins with a 9th inning homer yesterday to win 4-2. Twins have today off, host Detroit on Friday.
NBA= Timberwolves open the NBA playoffs at home against Phoenix on Saturday afternoon in their best of 7 series.
NHL= Wild wrap up the season tonight at home against Seattle.
HS BAB= Pierz at Wadena Deer Creek in high school baseball scheduled for Monday at 4:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1775= the famous ride of Paul Revere takes place.
IN 1868= San Francisco is the first city to have an ordinance on cruelty to animals that would result in jail time if convicted.
IN 1909= Joan of Arc is ordained a Saint.
IN 1924= Simon and Schuster published first crossword puzzle.
IN 1950= first time in major league baseball some of the opening day games were played under the lights for night baseball.
IN 1956= Grace Kelly marries Prince Rainier of Monaco.
IN 2011= Game of Thrones debut on HBO.