NEWS
--Prom season is here. A reminder from Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen to talk to your students about the dangers of drinking and driving, distracted driving and texting information that could be used against you. There have recently been an uptick on cyber bullying online so remember to make Prom a special and happy occasion for all in attendance. Little Falls, Royalton, Holdingford and others have prom this weekend while Pierz and Upsala will be holding prom on May 4th. Some schools around St. Cloud and Brainerd had proms earlier this month. Sheriff Larsen also reminds parents and students of the new hands free law that goes into effect August 1st. Law enforcement will be watching for illegal cell phone usage when the new law goes into effect and law enforcement is already on the lookout for all forms of distracted driving.
--Many Brainerd Public School employees go above and beyond assigned job expectations every day to ensure students receive a high quality education in a safe and positive learning environment. The Brainerd Public Schools Above and Beyond Award is intended to annually recognize employees who demonstrate a positive attitude that inspires others and consistently go above and beyond what is expected so students can be successful. All employees, full- or part-time, are eligible for this award regardless of their job classification or other awards received. A student, parent, staff member or community member can nominate an employee. Nominations can be completed online and submitted electronically or completed by hand and mailed in. To submit an electronic nomination go to isd181.org. To receive a copy of the nomination form to submit by mail, contact Janet Horn at Washington Educational Services Building. Nominations will be accepted through June 7th. Each winner will receive an award during the district wide Back to School Celebration.
--In a court hearing on Monday in Crow Wing County District Court a May 7th jury trial was set for the 20-year old Brainerd man accused of waiting in the girls' locker room for nearly an hour before attacking a Brainerd High School staff member. Jared Allen-Tristen McCormack, a registered sex offender, was arrested February 11th following the alleged attack and has been in Crow Wing County Jail in Brainerd since. McCormack is facing criminal charges of first-degree burglary-assault, attempted kidnapping and attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct through using force, which are all felonies. The complaint was amended March 21st to add a gross misdemeanor charge of fifth-degree assault occurring within three years of a previous conviction.
--The 5-year old boy hurt when he was thrown from the third floor of the Mall of America remains in intensive care and sedated, his condition watched closely. The attorney for the family released a brief statement Tuesday that he was told by the boy's grandfather the boy had "zero evidence of brain damage… no spinal cord injury, no nerve damage." The pastor of their church called it a true miracle. The family guarded the boys condition stating only that he still is getting the care he needed and all prayers are welcomed. The man accused of throwing the boy remains jailed in Hennepin County. He was formally charged last week with attempted murder.
--That reminder again from the Morrison County Sheriff's Office that water rescue training will continue today around Pierz Fish Lake, so there will be a large police presence at the boat landing today.
--With fishing opener only a few weeks away, Sheriff Scott Goddard would like to remind everyone of a few water safety tips. 1) As the last of the ice is coming off the lakes the water temps are dangerously cold; if you plan to venture out make sure to wear your life jacket at all times. Just having it in the boat might not help if you can’t get it on in an emergency. 2) Before heading out check your boat over for all the required safety gear. Make sure to read
over the MN Boating Guide for details on required safety equipment and boating laws. 3) Use extra caution on the lakes as most marker buoys are not in the water yet, however the dangers and channels they mark still exist. 4) Have a great and safe open water season enjoying all the boating opportunities Crow Wing County has to offer.
--St. Cloud State University is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. SCSU Archivist Tom Stemen stated while none of the original buildings remain on campus, there are several that date back to the early 1900s. Local Historian Bill Morgan says the oldest current building is Lawrence Hall. It was originally built in the 1880s and then it had a terrible fire in 1905. The women were lucky enough to get out in time. It was rebuilt the following year. Today Lawrence Hall is used as a dormitory and the Center for International Studies. Morgan says all of the most historic buildings are along the Mississippi River, including Shoemaker Hall which also opened in 1915 and Eastman Hall which opened in 1930. The college is planning events through the summer and fall to remember the 150 years.
--In honor and remembrance of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officer Eugene Wynn, Governor Tim Walz has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings from sunrise until sunset this Friday, April 26th. Conservation Officer Wynn was killed in the line of duty while executing a search and rescue mission in Cross Lake near Pine City last Friday, April 19th. He dedicated eighteen years of exemplary service to the State of Minnesota and leaves behind a wife and two children.
--If you bought a tree from Morrison Soil and Water during their recent tree sale, the tree pick up day is Friday, May 3rd from 8:00am-4:00pm at the Little Falls Exchange Arena. Extra trees available that day after 10:00am at the arena.
DEATH NOTICES
--Kim West, age 62 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, high 68.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 40.
FRIDAY= sunny and cooler, breezy, high 55, rain/snow late low 34.
SATURDAY= rain/snow early, then rain and wind, high 44, low 25.
SUNDAY= sunny start, high 49, afternoon and evening rain likely.
SPORTS
TWINS= Houston takes the series over the Twins winning 7-1 last night in Texas. Twins have today off, host Baltimore tomorrow night.
NFL= The Vikings pick #18 tonight in the first round of the NFL Draft being held in Nashville. Arizona gets the first overall pick tonight.
VL= Victory League baseball returns this weekend and the KLTF Game of the Week is Royalton at Upsala Sunday 1:30 on KLTF.