NEWS
--A 23-year-old from Pierz was injured early Wednesday in a one-vehicle accident in Buckman Township. Around 12:45am, Tyler Gulden was on 260th Avenue when he fell asleep and left the roadway, striking the ditch and then a power pole. Gulden was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of injuries.
--Just two months after being found not guilty of aiding and abetting murder in Crow Wing County District Court, 28-year-old Nathan Becker has been arrested again. Becker was arrested Saturday on felony drug and assault charges from an incident at a 13th Avenue Northeast Residence in Brainerd. When Becker was taken into custody he was found to have a hypodermic needle with contents that tested positive for methamphetamine. He also reportedly resisted officers while being placed into custody. His next court hearing is Friday. Becker was found not guilty in May for his role in aiding Tyler Cronquist in a double shooting in January 2015. Becker was released from jail after the not guilty verdict.
--Many Minnesota towns are still dealing with the heavy rains that fell last week. Communities flooded continue to have to deal with road and high water issues. As of Wednesday morning, Kanabec County Sheriff Brian Smith said the Knife River was still well over the banks in Mora and home and campsites dealt with high water issues and flooded basements. The St. Croix River from Taylors Falls, Wisconsin straight down I-35 through Hinckley and farther south still shows strong currents and have stopped some paddle-boat tours due to the high water and strong current. Aitkin, Crow Wing, Morrison, Benton, Stearans, Kanabec and other counties have State of Emergency action intact until further notice to deal with flooding issues.
--A Crosslake man has been charged with assault on a mother and daughter. 32-year-old Donald Scott Jr. was charged in Crow Wing County District Court after reportedly assaulted a woman in a Breezy Point home by pushing her to the ground and choking her. The woman's 13 year old daughter attempted to stop the man, according to the criminal report, and was assaulted by Scott in her attempt. Scott reported argued with officers and officers deployed a Taser to take him into custody. He is jailed on $40,000 bail and have not contact with the victims. He was charged with two felony counts of domestic assault by strangulation and faces a number of misdemeanor counts.
--A 60-year-old Merrifield man was taken to the hospital after a chlorine leak at the Brainerd High School pool. The Brainerd Fire Department were called around 8:40pm Monday to the school and learned there was a leak but it had been stopped prior to their arrival. Dean Logering was taken to the hospital reportedly after exposure to the gas and was treated as a precaution. The fire department also stated they were called out earlier on Monday to a two-vehicle accident on Gillis Avenue in Brainerd, no injuries reported and a vehicle fire on North Fourth Street and put out the fire in the vehicle that a passerby helped the driver get off the road. The fire was in the engine compartment. Again no injuries in the incident.
--The St. Francis Music Center will have U-Rock Camps again starting at 5pm Friday at the music center, those ages 10-18 are welcome to come and learn about music, audio and acting side with speakers and more. The groups will be put together to play at the Green Fair on August 3rd at the St. Francis Convent.
--The heat is on in central Minnesota today and tomorrow with temperatures in the 90s and dewpoints close to 80 today making it feel even hotter with heat index values past the 100 degree mark. Reminders from physicians include stay hydrated with water, best to stay away from alcohol and sugary drinks. Wear light colored and loose clothing, if possible find shaded areas at times if you work outside. A reminder also to those with air conditioning and those trying to find some, that the cooling effect is nice but also the quick in and out of cool buildings to the hot outside, to hot cars to AC offices can also cause health issues. If possible for a time remove shoes and socks and giving more circulation to your feet can help with the cool down proccess. The next three days will be a time to watch the elderly, those that live alone, children, pets and anyone who has major issues due to heat related illness, also the high humidity will cause problems with allergies and asthma sufferers. Luckilly Minnesota only have to deal with the heat a few times unlike many other states.
--One person was hurt Wednesday morning around 9am on Highway 371 north of Pequot Lakes. 30-year-old Lynette Arfman of Bemidji was northbound 371 and collided with a westbound semi truck driven by 59-year-old Michael Hennis of Madelia. Hennis was not hurt. Arfman was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
--The Staples-Motley 19th Annual Relay for Life is Friday night at the Motley Fairgrounds starting at 5pm. Celebrate carnival games at each campsite, silent auction, DJ Music, help celebrate with cancer survivors, there will be a Mr. Relay Competition at 6pm, opening ceremony at 7pm with speakers including Jim Hobson a cancer survivor and luminaria ceremony at dusk. Event goes until 5am Saturday and proceeds go to help research to find a cure for cancer. All are welcome to come, donate and take part in the Relay for Life.
BIRTH NOTICES
--Ray Marotte and Brittney Wright of Little Falls, a boy on July 17th
DEATH NOTICES
--Zathan Joseph-Roger Seelen, baby boy of Rachel Bollin and Nathan Seelen passed away on July 17th.
WEATHER
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT
TODAY= a storm early, then sunny and hot, high 94, head index 105.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 65.
FRIDAY= sunny and hot, high 90, storms likely late night, low 67.
SATURDAY= storms likley, some severe, high 84, low 64.
SUNDAY= sunny and less humid, high 77, low around 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins find long ball with homers from Mauer, Keppler and Rosario on Wednesday to beat Detroit 4-1 to take series. The Twins are at Boston tonight 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Seimone Augustus leads Lynx to 83-65 win over Atlanta.
VL= Randall at Upsala in a region tournament qualifying game on Saturday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF. Next weekend is the Region 8C Tournament beginning in Pierz with eight games in 2 days where then 4 teams will qualify for state. Hear all the action on KLTF.
TEN= due to heat Randall Tennis cancelled today.