[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Thursday, December 10th 2015[/title][fusion_text]Thursday, December 10th 2015
NEWS
–December has started off as one of the warmest on record meaning that many lakes and rivers in central Minnesota have not frozen over. As of Tuesday boats and canoes were still seen on lakes and rivers in the Brainerd Lakes area. The next two-week forecast continues to see warmer than average temperatures. More rain showers are in the forecasts than heavier snow storms. There are no mention of any temperatures near or below zero through Christmas. The warmer temps mean that no ice is safe. Most areas have less than 3 inches of ice meaning that it is not safe to even walk on. At least 5-6 inches are needed before snowmobiles can be on the ice. Already there have been reports of people going through the ice thinking areas were safe when they were not. The DNR reports that central and southern Minnesota are at a 60% chance this year of seeing a brown Christmas while northern Minnesota is expected to see less than four inches on the ground by Christmas Day.
–A man led police on a chase driving more than 100 mph before admitting to drinking 28 to 34 beers according to criminal charges filed Tuesday in Stearns County court. 40-year-old Darren Oeltjen was charged with fleeing a police officer and DWI Tuesday. Oeltjen had been calling and texting an ex-girlfriend on Saturday who had a harassment restraining order against him. The woman met with officers at the Belgrade police station that day and requested a welfare check on Oeltjen at his residence. Another caller reported she had heard from Oeltjen, who said he was suicidal, had drank alcohol and taken pills, and was driving around. Stearns County Sheriff deputies reported to the Belgrade police station. While the officers were leaving the station, Oeltjen’s ex-girlfriend yelled that she saw him driving away from the parking lot. Deputies followed him west on Minnesota Highway 55, saw him swerve from the center line to the shoulder, and turned on their emergency lights and sirens. Oeltjen did not stop, and one deputy said he was driving faster than 100 mph at times. Deputies say they eventually backed off from the chase to avoid an accident, but kept following Oeltjen until he pulled into his own driveway. There, an officer said Oeltjen appeared heavily intoxicated. Police began driving him to the Paynesville police station, but on the way, Oeltjen reportedly kicked out a backseat video camera and the light above him. Police instead took him to Paynesville Hospital, where he refused to submit to a breath test but admitted he had consumed between 28 and 34 beers. Oeltjen was booked at Stearns County jail after being cleared from the hospital. He has previous convictions for DWI from 2006 and 2008.
–The Wadena Police Department along with the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the November 17th fire at Alber’s Realty in Wadena. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 218-631-7700.
–A Pequot Lakes woman was injured Wednesday morning around 7:20am on Highway 371 at Nashway Road in Crow Wing County. 33-year-old Greta Nelson was southbound on 371 when she left the roadway, struck a road sign and the ditch. Nelson was taken to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
–Saturday enjoy Cookies with Santa at the formerly named Jaycee Park warming houses on the west side of Little Falls from 9:00am-12:00pm. The free event features a visit with Santa and making your own cookies.
–The Flyers Athletic Boosters announced that nine new members will be inducted into the Flyer Hall of Fame in 2016. The nine individuals being inducted are Peg Urbanski, Holly (Sallden) Eng, Jerry Januschka, Dwight Nelson, Keri (Jackson) Johnson, Rusty Gwost, Ben Bendson, Jerry Frank and Dick Culshaw. The nine chosen will be formally introduced at the Flyers’ wrestling match with Foley on January 22nd with a reception to follow.
–St. Cloud police are investigating apparent gunfire on Tuesday night. The St. Cloud Police Department said shots were reported in the 1000 block of Kilian Boulevard around 8:30pm. Police say the investigation did reveal that two shots had been fired, but no injuries or damage to property were reported.
–A 911 call of a woman whispering in the dispatcher’s ear that she was being held by gunpoint Wednesday had a mass law enforcement response from several agencies converging on the residence south of Nisswa. The call on Forest Hills Drive, off St. Columbo Road on Highway 371, came in at 9:48am. Upon arrival, the perimeter was secured and officers got into position. The call came in that the woman was injured and possibly shot. Law enforcement made contact first with the woman by phone. Once physical contact was made with the woman, officers learned the woman was not shot or assaulted. The woman, who appeared intoxicated, told officers she was threatened by a male, who was her nephew, who had since left the residence. Once the situation was secure and there was no imminent danger, the woman was taken into a squad vehicle and was taken to detox.
–Monday night, the Brainerd City Council decided to reverse its decision to no longer provide security to the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. At a December 1st meeting, the council unanimously approved a motion to notify Crow Wing County and the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport that as of February 1st, the Brainerd Police Department would no longer be providing security service to the airport without being compensated. Monday, on a 6-1 vote the council voted to rescind the motion it had passed about a week earlier. It is expected that the county and city will once again try negotiating until an agreement is made.
DEATH NOTICES
–Joan C. Gall, age 66 of Pierz.
–Steven Landowski, age 60 of Swanville formerly of Burtrum.
–Lorraine Rutz, age 85 of rural Randall.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain showers likely, cloudy, high 47.
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, low near 30.
FRIDAY= cloudy, windy, snow showers mixed with rain, high 35.
SATURDAY= snow early then rain/snow mix, high 35, low 30.
SUNDAY= snow early then rain/snow mix, high 36, low near 25.
SPORTS
HS WRE= Pierz at Royalton/Upsala 7pm tonight on FM94.
HS GBB= Little Falls at Sartell tonight 7:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
HS BBB= Kimball at Pierz Friday at 7:30pm on FM94 KFML.
HS BBB= Little Falls vs. Foley from SCSU Saturday 4:30 on Q92.
NFL= Vikings (8-4) at Arizona (10-2) tonight, pregame begins at 7pm live on AM960 KLTF.
COL FB= the Army vs. Navy Game Saturday 1pm on KLTF.
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