NEWS
--Names have been released from the fatal accident Monday near Brainerd. Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard reported Monday at 6:56pm of a personal injury accident in the area of 13519 Thompson Road, Brainerd. Deputies arrived on the scene and learned that a pick-up truck was traveling east on Thompson Road when it struck a horse and a female walking the horse on the shoulder of the road walking west. The female victim was identified as a 33-year-old Katie Marie Yaunick. Yaunick lived on Thompson Road near the area of the accident and was dead at the scene. The driver of the pick-up was identified as a 44-year-old Matthew Richard Dircks of Brainerd. Dircks was driving home to his residence at the time of the accident and was not injured. The crash is currently still under investigation.
--Stearns County prosecutors have charged a man with gun and drugs charges after a traffic stop in St. Cloud Monday. Court records show a police officer spotted 31-year-old James Stewart III walking near Go For It Gas at the intersection of University Drive and 9th Avenue South. The officer knew Stewart had an active arrest warrant from Benton County. The charges allege Stewart got into a car and drove eastbound on 13th Street at a high rate of speed. The officer initiated a traffic stop at 6th Avenue South and 11th Street. Stewart indicated he was aware of the warrant and was arrested. Police say they smelled marijuana in the car and conducted a search. Records show a bag in the back seat contained a loaded 9mm handgun, approximately one-quarter pound of marijuana, and a baggie of ecstasy pills. Stewart has a previous felony conviction making it illegal to have a gun. He's charged with felony gun and drug possession.
--A woman is facing multiple charges after a brief car chase in Sartell and Sauk Rapids on Tuesday. The incident happened just before 8:00pm around Highway 15 and Benton Drive. The Sartell Police Department says an officer was out patrolling and noticed a white sedan stopped at Highway 15 and County Road 1 with dealer plates and no temporary registration. The car then turned onto northbound Highway 15 and the officer tried to make a traffic stop. Authorities say the vehicle did not stop and continued on Highway 15 until turning off at County Road 29. Police say the car then accelerated quickly, turned onto southbound Highway 10, and then exited at Benton Drive towards Sauk Rapids. Authorities say the vehicle failed to stop at several stop signs, turned around on Benton Drive, and headed back towards Sartell before eventually pulling over into a parking lot. Police say the driver, 32-year-old Serentha Boswell, was taken into custody. Authorities believe she was under the influence of a controlled substance and also had an outstanding warrant out of Mille Lacs County. Boswell was taken to the Benton County Jail and faces charges including fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 4th Degree DWI, driving after revocation, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and reckless driving.
--The 17th Annual Motorcycle/ATV/UTV Ride for the Mind is Saturday with a $10 donation for each rider. Registration is at noon from the Buckman Bank Tavern, ride at 1pm and ATV/UTV's will be allowed to ride the Soo Line Trail and motorcycles can take the pavement route. The ride will continue to Royalton then back through Genola and end again in Buckman where food will be available. Silent Auction will also take place at the bar in Buckman before and after the ride and the night ends with live music. Proceeds of the event all go to help in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
--Markets and Music on the Mississippi will be next Thursday at LeBourget Park in Little Falls from 3-9pm.
--Reminder that the open house at the Little Falls Food Shelf is today with free tours and a free lunch from 11:30am-1pm all welcome. The food shelf is on the west side of Little Falls, for info call 632-8304.
--The Little Falls Police Department in the past week has handled a large number of traffic stops for different reasons. At least two situations of reported hit and run accidents. More reports of scams, theft and fraud and also calls on suspicious activity. If you need assistance by Little Falls Police they can be reached at 616-5570. Also a reminder that they do have a drop off box for unused or unwanted prescription drugs and that is 24/7 in the front lobby that can be used and also they have a Safe Exchange site outside in the parking lot for property and child custody exchanges. If you witness something suspicious or need assistance by Little Falls Police they can be reached at 320-616-5570, if an emergency then call 911.
--A Stearns County judge has sentenced a Big Lake man who was caught in an undercover sting involving online chat rooms and the solicitation of a child. The judge has sentenced 33-year-old Matthew Piram to a stay of imposition. He'll be on probation for five years and must register as a predatory offender. Court records show Piram messaged a decoy account set up by the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force last September. Piram was accused of soliciting, who he believed was a 15-year-old girl, to engage in sexual conduct. According to the charges, the initial conversation began in late September and transitioned from a social media app to a private email Piram shared with the undercover officer. After completing the investigation, officers went to Piram's home and arrested him. Piram pleaded guilty to felony engaging in electronic communication describing sexual conduct with a child back in March.
--The Little Falls City Council has a Department Head Retreat planned for Monday then there will be their regular meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:30pm.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny and breezy, high 78 wind gusts over 35mph.
TONIGHT= clear skies and breezy, low 53 wind gusts over 25mph.
FRIDAY= sunny and warmer, high 82, clear night, low 61.
SATURDAY= sunny and breezy, warm, high 88, low around 72.
SUNDAY= hot and humid, high 98, low around 80 storms overnight.
SPORTS
TWINS= Jeffers, Correa and Kepler get big hits and Sonny Gray returns to shut out the Mariners 5-0 on Wednesday to take the series. The Twins have today off and at Arizona Friday night.
GOLF= State Golf wrapped up Wednesday with Emily Virnig of Pierz shooting a 46 to finished tied for 42nd, Abby Turkowski of Little Falls fired at 44 which moved her up to a tie for 47th place at state.
BAB= The State Baseball Tournament wraps up Friday with the championships for area teams, New York Mills lost in semi-finals yesterday but won the 3rd place game in Class A. In Class AA Wadena Deer-Creek won their consolation semi but lost 5th place game to Duluth-Marshall. Alexandria in Class AAA lost in the semi-finals but then won the 3rd place game yesterday over Grand Rapids. The 4A semi-finals were rained out yesterday and will be played today but Sartell in consolation won their first game but lost in the 5th place game yesterday to Park High School at state baseball.
NBA= Golden State up 3 to 2 on Boston in the NBA Finals and could wrap up with a win tonight at home in Game 6.
NHL= Colorado beat Tampa Bay 4-3 in overtime in Game 1 of Finals.