NEWS
--Congratulations to the Pierz 2016-17 ExCEL winners Taylor Kimman and Jesse Marshik. ExCEL stands for Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership. It is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show Leadership qualities, and who are model citizens. Taylor is the daughter of Steve and Billie Kimman. She is involved in Volleyball, Basketball, Track , SALT, Jazz Band, Pit Band, Pep Band, MHS, Spanish Club, SALT, EPIC and Peer helping. Jesse is the son of Gregg and Kristi Marshik, he is involved in football, basketball, baseball, choir, MHS, EPIC, WEB and peer helping.
--A masked suspect robbed a Sauk Rapids dollar store at gun point Tuesday night. At 10:00pm Tuesday a male suspect wearing a cold-weather face mask entered the Dollar Tree at 10 Benton Drive South and threatened workers with a hand gun. The suspect took an undisclosed sum of money from the store before fleeing. No one was injured during the incident. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-258-5341.
--A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that helps crack the case of a gun shop burglary in Rogers. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says a number of pistols and silencers were taken from the Guns and Gear Store in a break in on December 8th. ATF says it wants to recover the guns before they’re used in crimes. ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the recovery of the stolen guns and the conviction of the burglars. The National Shooting Sports Foundation is offering the same amount.
--Seven patients who claim they received excessive radiation doses at CentraCare Health Coborn Cancer Center have sued the health care company, the cancer center and the doctor who oversaw their care plans. The malpractice lawsuits filed in Stearns County District Court are from patients who were treated from 2012 through fall 2014. The attorney representing the patients said there will be 10 more lawsuits filed before the end of the year and possibly more after that. CentraCare previously has said an internal investigation showed some patients were over- or underexposed to radiation, with consequences that could include a recurrence of cancer or burns and tissue damage. CentraCare said anyone who was potentially among those with improper exposure was contacted by phone or in person and that changes in process and personnel were made to assure the problem is corrected. Those changes included discipline and the firing of multiple people. CentraCare officials have stated a majority of the patients were undertreated and did not get enough radiation.
--A Woodbury real estate developer stated Tuesday that he will be closing the deal to buy the Annandale home formerly owned by confessed Jacob Wetterling killer Danny Heinrich. Tim Thone decided to buy the property after he and his wife, Michele, heard the latest news reports regarding the community's desire to purchase and demolish the home. When all the paperwork is done and the house is his, Thone plans to immediately tear it down.
--The Lindbergh Lion’s Complex on the west side of Little Falls Skating Rink and Warming House opens for the winter season weather permitting Saturday. Hours are 3:30-8:00pm weekdays and from 1:00-8:00pm on weekends. Closed Christmas and New Years Day.
--An ice jam on the Mississippi River is pushing waters above flood stage near Fort Ripley. The National Weather Service Wednesday issued a flood warning in effect through Saturday. Last night the river was at 10.4 feet above the 10 foot flood stage. After 11 feet it will go over the banks into areas around the river. The waters are expected to rise still today and with snow forecast Friday into Saturday it could continue to rise through Saturday night. It is expected to drop as we head into next week with warmer and dryer conditions.
--The Brainerd Fire Department responded to two calls Tuesday and two Monday night. At 7:47am Tuesday, firefighters responded to a malfunctioning alarm at The Center in Brainerd. At 8:50am Tuesday firefighters were called to a residence on the 12000 block of Second Street, Baxter, for a report of a stove fire. Upon arrival, no fire was found, and firefighters ventilated the smoke from the oven. On Monday, Brainerd firefighters were called at 4:47pm to a residence on the 14000 block of Cottage Grove Drive for a smell of gas. Upon investigation, firefighters provided standby assistance until the gas company arrived on scene. Firefighters then fought a vehicle fire at 5:41pm on the 12000 block of Highway 210.
--A St. Cloud man with dementia and diabetes was found Wednesday after police asked the public for help in locating him. The St. Cloud Fire Department and GoldCross paramedics performed life-saving efforts before taking 60-year old James Elijah Wyatt to St. Cloud Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Wyatt was last seen at a residence in the 1400 block of 10th Avenue North. He was reported missing at 10:30pm Tuesday. Around 7:55am Wednesday, Wyatt was found by an employee of Homewood Suites near a fence along Minnesota Highway 15 several miles from the area where he was last seen. Wyatt has been positively identified by a family member. The Ramsey County medical examiner will be conducting an autopsy. There is no indication of foul play at this time.
--The Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper recently honored seven programs from across the state including one in Morrison County for their outstanding contributions to human services clients. The winners in the sixth annual Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards exemplify the great human services work happening across Minnesota to support healthy people, stable families and strong communities. One of the winners was Morrison County Accountable Community for Health, an initiative focused on innovative and collaborative solutions to confront opioid abuse in Morrison County. Using a multi-disciplinary care coordination model, this project delivers patient-centered care for individuals taking multiple prescription opioids. It also includes a community prescription drug task force for the area.
DEATH NOTICES
--Robert L. Pugh, age 82 of Cushing.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, high 3 above, snow tonight temps rise.
FRIDAY= snow likely, heavier in afternoon and night, high 11, low 1
SATURDAY= snow ends 4-8 inches total, then very cold temps drop.
SAT NITE/SUN= very cold and dry low -24, high Sunday of -6
SPORTS
NFL= Adrian Peterson could be back on the field this Sunday.