[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=”” padding_right=”” 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, March 17th 2016[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–Firefighters responded Tuesday night to Oak Street in Brainerd around 8:30pm to a fire at an apartment building. Flames and smoke were seen coming from the roof of the building when they arrived. The fire is believed to have started in an attic area of the home and appears to be electrical in nature but an official cause has yet to be released. A damage estimate was not available and there were no injuries reported by the fire department.
–Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch was named in a lawsuit filed by Mary Tennis against the county and the sheriff. In the lawsuit Tennis claims that she was denied promotions and ultimately demoted because her husband ran against Burch for Sheriff in the recent election. The complaint claims since 2011, when he assumed office the violations against her first amendement rights and discrimination based on her marital status began. The Cass County Board met in closed session recently to discuss the lawsuit and what steps are to be taken while the lawsuit recently has moved on to federal court.
–Former U.S. Congressman and Pequot Lake Native Mark Kennedy was announced Tuesday as the new President of the University of North Dakota. Kennedy was Republican Congressman in District 2 from 2001-2007 and ran for U.S. Senate in 2006 but lost in a race against current U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. He has also been the executive at Pillsbury Co and Shopko in Minnesota. Kennedy graduated from Pequot Lakes in 1975 and was a gradute of St. John’s University. Kennedy’s contract for UND is currently being negotiated but he is expected to take over July 1st.
–An alleged ISIL “kill list” containing the personal information of dozens of Minnesota law enforcement officers is the focus of an investigation by state and federal agencies. The list, purportedly created by a group of hackers affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, includes the names, addresses and telephone numbers of officers from across Minnesota. The personal information of at least 36 law enforcement officers — apparently including a Sauk Rapids police officer, five St. Paul police officers and a St. Louis County sheriff’s deputy — along with instructions to kill were recently posted on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, according to news reports and screenshots of the list. The FBI is “trying to make certain that law enforcement officers have the appropriate information” regarding the activities of the group. The group has posted similar threats against security and law enforcement officials.
–Two separate accidents happened Tuesday on Highway 15. Shortly after 5:00pm it was reported a driver did not yield to the right of way while making a last minute turn and collided with another vehicle. When authorities arrived one vehicle was being towed out of the ditch and the other was on its roof blocking part of the turn lane off of Highway 15. Both drivers suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Around 5:30pm the Waite Park police department were called to Highway 15 and 12th Street to a collision. A vehicle reportedly ran a red light, hitting a westbound vehicle. The police did not report any injuries in that accident.
–Today is St. Patrick’s Day. A day in America of fun and games, parades and all things green. In Ireland it is a family day, church services and not as celebratory as in the states. There is a St. Patrick’s Day parade today at noon in St. Paul celebrating 50 years and there is a parade tonight at 6:30 in Minneapolis.
–Listen to the candidates vying for Morrison County Dairy Princess today at 10:00am on AM960 KLTF Party Line.
–The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees has named Hara Charlier president of Central Lakes College (CLC). Most recently Charlier served as vice president of instruction and student services at Virginia Highlands Community College since 2012. The appointment becomes effective July 1st.
–NCAA announced the top ten candidates for the Hobey Baker Award that goes to the top college hockey player. Sauk Rapids native and St. Cloud State senior defenseman Ethan Prow is one of the nominees. Alex Lyon, the junior goalie from Yale is the only other Minnesotan finalist. Lyon is from Baudette. Lyon along with St. Cloud State’s Charlie Lindgren are also among five finalists for the Mike Richter award to the nations top goalie. Lindgren is a junior from Lakeville.
NATIONAL NEWS
–On Tuesday, Hilliary Clinton was the winner in four states caucuses/primaries (Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Illinois) while Donald Trump won in Florida, North Carolina and Illinois. John Kasich won his home state of Ohio. Marco Rubio following the results on Tuesday announced he was ending his campaign for President. Rubio was the top vote getter in Morrison County and Minnesota at the GOP caucus earlier this month.
–Wednesday morning, President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Democrats and Republicans have argued on if the President or the next President should make the nomination.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
–Sir Paul McCartney is coming back to Minneapolis to perform later this year. He will perform May 4th at the Target Center.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
–Patrick and Tia Bonniwell of Little Falls, a boy born March 14th.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain/snow mix, breezy, half inch possible, high 36.
TONIGHT= rain/snow in evening then cloudy, low 26.
FRIDAY= mostly cloudy, high 37, rain/snow mix after dark, low 24.
SATURDAY= snow to rain early then partly sunny, high 37.
SATURDAY NITE= clearing skies, low around 25.
SUNDAY= mostly sunny, high 40, clear and colder, low 12.
SPORTS
MLB= Twins continue to get a big spring from Sano, Dozier, Plouffe, and Park. Twins win 9-4 last night over Boston and the Twins take on Baltimore in spring play tonight 6pm Q92 WYRQ.
GBB= the final state tournament of winter sports moves to semi-final action in Class 3A and 4A for girls basketball. Class A and AA semis on Friday and the championships on Saturday.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 461AD= the man later named St. Patrick died. He is considered the man who brought Christianity to Ireland. Patrick was slaved at age 16 and able to escape 6 years later and preach works of God.
IN 1753= first St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in the U.S. Colonies.
IN 1845= the rubber band patented in London by Stephen Perry.
IN 1910= The Camp Fire Girls organization was established.
IN 1965= the Beatles release the film “8 arms to hold on to you” in England, the film was renamed Help when brought to the U.S.
[/fusion_text][/fullwidth]