NEWS
--The Brainerd School District has agreed to a $50,000 settlement with Dana and Greg Kaiser over damages incurred during an attack shortly before school session on February 11th in a Brainerd High School locker room. Kaiser was the woman attacked February 11th at 6:20am in the locker room by registered sex offender 21-year old Jared Allen-Tristen McCormack of Brainerd. After a struggle, McCormack abandoned the scene and Kaiser escaped to notify others to call the police. McCormack pleaded guilty and was convicted for first degree burglary assault. He was sentenced to 68 months in prison. To avoid continued litigation unwanted by both parties, the agreement stipulates the school’s insurer will make a one-time payment of $50,000 (33,750 to the Kaisers, with $16,250 to their legal counsel Mayer Njus Tanick, PA) within 20 days of the agreement’s execution.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reminds motorists to expect delays in work zones throughout the Labor Day weekend as many projects will continue operations into the weekend, though some may stop production for a day or two for the holiday, others have announced that they will to work the holiday getting road work completed before the snow flies, whenever that happens so expect slow downs and delays. Also the State Patrol will have 400 extra law enforcement agencies working on their safe and sober enforcement campaign watching for impaired drivers. They will also be watching for hands free, seat belt and child seat violations on Minnesota highways through the Labor Day holiday weekend.
--Four people have applied for an open seat on the Rice city council. The applicants include Wayne Conrad, Emily Walters, Michelle Keller, and Morgan Powers. The position became available after former council member Kyle Walter announced his resignation earlier this month, stating he is moving out of city limits. The council will hold interviews with each candidate before appointing a new council member at a future meeting. Walter was appointed to the council in March. There is a year-and-a-half remaining on his term.
--A 22-year-old Brainerd man was injured in a two-vehicle crash just after 4pm Friday on Washington Street at Fourth Avenue Northeast. The Brainerd Police Department reported 28-year-old Jason M. Bryant, was driving east in the left lane of Washington Street Northeast and was slowing for a red light at the intersection of Fourth Avenue Northeast. Bryant stated he let his foot off the brake when the light turned green, and a vehicle behind him slammed into the rear of his vehicle. Bryant was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The other driver was not hurt.
--A Rice man is charged with assaulting a boy who tried to step in and stop a domestic dispute early Saturday. 51-year-old Richard Gehlen Jr. is charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation and misdemeanor domestic assault. Rice Police were called to a home in the 1400 block of 3rd Street Southwest around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. The woman caller told officers Gehlen had come home after a night of drinking and began arguing with her and yelling at her. That's when a boy in the home got between Gehlen and the woman and told him to stop talking to her that way. Gehlen is accused of pushing the boy down the stairs, putting him over his shoulder and body slamming him on the ground. Records show Gehlen then put the boy in a chokehold. The woman said she kicked Gehlen to free the boy and the two victims fled the scene. Police say Gehlen admitted to choking the boy. He is in court again next month.
--The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down Tuesday in Mille Lacs County. The first EF-0 tornado occurred north of Milaca, and the second EF-1 developed just southeast of town. Both reportedly had winds in excess of 80 miles per hour. Emergency management officials with Mille Lacs County said there were no injuries, though the storm resulted in some significant damage on farmsteads, trees and others pieces of debris from the area hit with the second tornado Tuesday.
--A former pastor in Avon has pleaded guilty to having an illegal relationship with a parishioner who was seeking counseling from him. 50-year old Charles Pelkey pleaded guilty to one count of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, in July 2018 Avon Police contacted them about a sexual assault investigation where they had a potential conflict of interest. Pelkey was having a sexual relationship with a parishioner at the Avon Community Church while providing her counseling. The conflict of interest arose because Pelkey was the Avon Police Chaplain at the time of the initial report. According to the charges, the counseling started in November 2017, and in March 2018, Pelkey started a sexual relationship with the victim. The relationship continued until May when the woman ended it. Minnesota law prohibits clergy from engaging in a sexual act with someone being counseled during the course of any counseling. Pelkey will be sentenced October 31st.
--The St. Francis Convent thanked all who came out to donated blood earlier this week. 190 people donated between the two days which surpassed their goals by around 30 units between the two days. The demand for blood is very great right now, so again a big thank you.
--A reminder tonight Cone Zone Summer Block Party starting at 6pm in front of Touright Bicycle Shop on 2nd Street Northeast in Little Falls. Then tomorrow night is the Smoke and Tires fundraiser at the Falls Ballroom for the Morrison County Chaplaincy Program. Rib eating competition, classic cars, DJ music and more. A note that they do ask if you want to sit at the event tomorrow night to bring you own lawn chair. Pre sale tickets still at Little Falls Radio for $20 through Friday.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marcella M. Flicker, age 95 of Pierz.
--Donald “Don” Fred Bartkowicz, age 89 of Bowlus.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny and breezy, high 70.
TONIGHT= clear skies, cooler, low 44.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, not as windy, high 72. low near 45.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 73, low around 53.
SUNDAY= partly sunny skies, high 73, low around 56.
LABOR DAY= PM storms develop, hazy sun, high near 80.
SPORTS
TWINS= Jonathon Schoop hits 2 more homers for the Bomba squad as the Twins beat Chicago 8-2 last night. The Twins wrap up with White Sox, trying for the sweep, today at 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL FB= Gophers host South Dakota State in the season opener from TCF Bank Stadium, kickoff at 8pm on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Vikings at Buffalo tonight at 6pm in preseason finale.
HS FB= Royalton vs. Maple Lake tonight at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS FB= Little Falls at Dassel-Cokato Friday at 7pm on KLTF.
HS FB= Foley at Pierz Friday at 7pm on FM94 KFML.