NEWS
--The Brainerd Police Department learned of a bomb threat involving the Brainerd School District. The threat was reported at 9:47am and the BCA and law enforcement learned there were 25 schools and 9 Jewish facilities that all received the same message yesterday. The similarities of past threats showed a pattern which made police and others believe this was a hoax. The Brainerd Police Department increased their presence at the school on Wednesday and continue to follow up if any new information comes from the investigation.
--Air Force Special Operations Command said Tuesday it has identified the eight service members lost when their Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan last week and was now focused on recovering all of their bodies and the aircraft debris. The CV-22B Osprey crashed November 29th during a training mission. On Monday, the Air Force said six of the eight crew members' remains had been located. Three of those have been recovered. The two lost crew members were unlikely to have survived and the search for their remains was continuing, the Air Force said Tuesday. The lost crew members include: U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, 32, of Andover, Minnesota, was a CV-22 instructor pilot and officer in charge of training, assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah, was a residency trained flight surgeon and medical operations flight commander assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron. U.S. Air Force Maj. Luke A. Unrath, 34, of Riverside, California, was a CV-22 pilot and flight commander assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. U.S. Air Force Capt. Terrell K. Brayman, 32, of Pittsford, New York, was a CV-22 pilot and flight commander assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, 33, of Oviedo, Florida, was a medical operations flight chief assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jake M. Turnage, 25, of Kennesaw, Georgia, was a flight engineer assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian K. Johnson, 32, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, was a flight engineer assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” M. Galliher, 24, was a native of Pittsfield, Mass. His remains were the first to be found. Japanese officials say they have asked the U.S. military to resume Osprey flights only after ensuring their safety.
--The State Emblems and Redesign Commission has selected its choice for a new Minnesota State Seal A statement from the designer says, this emblem features the state bird in a pose that signifies pride and energy. The waves symbolize our abundance of lakes. The wild rice, our state grain, represents the agriculture of today and of Native American tribes. The pine trees represent our forests and land. 19 stars fill the sky to represent MN as the 19th state to join the union after the original 13. The large North Star represents Minnesota. This symbol represents the abundance of natural resources that are the foundation of the economy and vitality of Minnesota. The Commission says the selection is still subject to modifications. It will be presented to the Minnesota State Legislature for final approval.
--Chicks for Bricks Dinner tonight 5-7pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, $15 donation to help with fellowship hall funds.
--One person escaped injury after the camper they were in caught on fire. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says the incident began at about 12:30am Wednesday in Collinwood Township near Dassel. When emergency crews arrived they saw a camper fully engulfed in flames. Eighteen-year-old Xion Hines of Dassel was inside the camper when the fire started, but got out before it spread. The owner, 34-year-old Ross Gehlen of Dassel, tried to put out the fire but was unsuccessful. Hines was not hurt. Gehlen was treated for possible smoke inhalation at a nearby hospital and released.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization for its efforts in supporting the military community at a proclamation event at the State Capitol today. In 2018, MnDOT received the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. It is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for supporting their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. It now joins 78 active Beyond the Yellow Ribbon companies and organizations in the state.
--53-year-old Kevin Jensen of Baxter, recently celebrated his retirement from the Minnesota National Guard at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 after 36 years in the service. He joined the military in 1987 after his parents signed a letter allowing him to enlist at the age of 17. Over the years, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait 2018-2019. Jensen started a civilian job at Camp Ripley as a logistical program analyst in supply and requisition on December 4th. He is a member of the Brainerd VFW post as Senior Vice Commander.
--The Randall Holly Day event is today starting with Santa going through town in a fire truck at 3:30pm. Then visit with Santa, take pictures with your own camera or phone, enjoy some crafts, lots of live music, trolley rides and much more for a great evening of events happening tonight in Randall.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Longtime TV Producer Norman Lear has died at age 101. Lear produced sitcoms in the 1970s-1980s like All in the Family, Maude, Good Times and The Jefferson's.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dennis A. Kay, age 68 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and mild, high near 50, clear night, mild, low 33.
FRIDAY= clouds increase, breezy in PM hours, high 45, low 24.
SATURDAY= snow likely, around 1 inch, high 32, low near 15.
SUNDAY= sunny and colder, high near 30, low near 10 above
PEARL HARBOR HISTORY
--On December 7th, 1941 Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on that Sunday morning. The attack led to the United States joining forces against the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II. The attacks killed over 2,400 American soldiers and civilians on Pearl Harbor that day and over 1,100 injured. Numerous ships, and aircraft destroyed. President Franklin Roosevelt when he declared war against Japan for the attacks called it “A Day that will live in infamy”. Events continue to remember and memorialize the all who lost their lives on December 7th, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.