NEWS --A 17-year old from Upsala was injured Saturday morning around 7:15am on State Highway 238 in Elmdale Township. The Minnesota State Patrol stated that Jonathon Maciej was heading south on Highway 238 at milepost 14 when he drifted off the roadway hitting a roadside marker sign. Maciej was taken to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries.
--Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County invites the public to participate in the dedication ceremony of their seventeenth home in Morrison County today at 4:30pm in Little Falls. The address of the home is 14486 Oak Ridge Drive in Little Falls. Once the home is completed, the family signs mortgage papers and begins making payments to Habitat for Humanity that include taxes and insurance. To volunteer, learn more, or apply to be a Habitat for Humanity homeowner partner, call their office at (320) 616-2084.
--The Veterans Retiree Breakfast is today from 8:30am-11am at the Camp Ripley Hangar Conference Center north of Little Falls. Veterans who have served in any branch of the military can attend the event with updates on retirees changes in military benefits, state military cemetery burials, identification cards, medical/dental benefits, Yellow Ribbon in Morrison County and family assistance for military families while loved ones are deployed. The seminars are free but the breakfast has a $6.75 charge. For more information on the event contact Tony at 749-2428.
--Stearns County Chief Deputy Bruce Bechtold publicly announced he will apply to be interim sheriff. Bechtold was the recommended replacement by retiring Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner. County commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to open the process to applications, with the goal of appointing an interim sheriff May 23rd. Sartell police Sgt. Wayne Schreiner announced he intends to apply for the open position too. He was planning to run for sheriff in the November 2018 election, but the board's decision to take applications for Sanner's interim replacement sped up his plans. The person they choose will serve out the remainder of Sanner's term. An election in November 2018 will determine the new sheriff for 2019.
--Two burglars kicked in the door to a Waite Park residence early April 11th and tried to break into a locked bedroom with two people inside, but left when the people in the bedroom said they were calling police. Investigators are asking for help finding the suspects, believed to be two males, who broke into the residence at 1:30am April 11th at 40 15th Avenue North. One of the two people in the locked bedroom told the suspects they were on the phone with the police, and the suspects left. Nothing was missing from the apartment, and the occupants were not injured. A Waite Park canine attempted to track the suspects, but was unsuccessful. The victim was unable to see the suspects, but heard their voices and believes it was two males. Anyone with information is asked to call Waite Park police at 251-3281 or Tri-County Crimestoppers at (800) 255-1301.
--The State Patrol reported one person was injured Monday in an accident on Highway 169 in Hill Lake Township of Aitkin County. 54-year old Steven Bergeson of Spicer was on 169 when he lost control, cut across the southbound lane and struck a tree in the west ditch after 10:25am. Bergeson was taken to the Grand Rapids Hospital with serious but non life threatening injuries.
--Staples-Motley Schools Superintendent Mary Klamm on Monday submitted her letter of resignation effective at the end of the school year. Klamm had worked in education for 38 years. She told the board Monday that this was the opportune time to retire. Klamm had only been with Staples-Motley for 2 years and before that was superintendent of Menagha Public Schools. Klamm did state she would stay on until June 30th to give time for the board to find her replacement and would work with the replacement and support the boards process in finding that person. A special school board meeting will be held Monday morning to begin the hiring process.
--Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman announced that he is running for governor of Minnesota. Huffman is a Republican from Shoreview. Next year’s gubernatorial election has drawn a crowded field of DFL candidates, but fewer potential Republican candidates have stepped forward. Huffman, a former Shoreview City Council member, was first elected to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners in November 2012.
--Minnesota lawmakers may be close to a deal that would finally put the state in line with federal ID requirements. Republicans and Democrats have been at odds for years over Real ID which is an enhanced license that sets security standards for identification at airports or entering a military base. A possible deal opened earlier this session when Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton backed away from altering state rules to let immigrants living illegally in Minnesota get licenses. A recent focus committee during conference committee is getting a bill that will comply with federal standards. Dayton said on Tuesday he’s ready to sign the bill that emerges from committee.
--There will be cleanup days for residents in Ripley Township on Saturday from 8am-12pm at the Ripley Town Hall. For information call Norma at 745-2512. There will also be a cleanup day for residents in Morrill Township Saturday from 8-10:30am at the Morrill Town Hall. For information call Butch at 355-2213.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Lucas and Alexis Kizer of Burtrum, a baby boy born April 14th.
DEATH NOTICES --Bernice Sczublewski, age 97 of Sobieski
WEATHER TODAY= rain into the afternoon, cloudy, breezy, high 48. TONIGHT= clearing skies, fog after midnight, low 33. FRIDAY= fog early, sunny and warmer, high 58, low 41. SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 64, clear night low 38. SUNDAY= partly sunny, high 55, rain develops after midnight.
SPORTS WILD= Wild avoided elimination by beating St. Louis 2-0 last night thanks to 28 saves by Devin Dubnyk in net. Wild return home for Game 5 on Saturday now trailing 3-1 in the best of 7 series. TWINS= Twins and Indians rained out last night, will be made up as a double-header in June. Twins and Indians wrap up the series today with pregame at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ. NFL= former Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez committed suicide by hanging himself in a prison cell in Boston. He was found guilty of murder in 2013 but recently had his conviction overturned in court.