NEWS
--During a recent meeting of the Royalton School Board it was proposed that the district is looking at making Wednesdays either a late start or an early out day next school year. The extra time would be used for teachers to meet with one another and go over curriculum and how to implement better ways to teach students. This was just in the planning stages and is expected to be brought up at the future Royalton School Board meeting.
--The Commission on Judicial Selection announced Wednesday it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill the current vacancy in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. This vacancy occurred upon the retirement of the Honorable Frederick L. Grunke and will be chambered at St. Cloud in Stearns County. The three recommendations are Matthew Engelking a senior attorney in the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, Tara Ferguson Lopez a Senior Assistant Hennepin County Attorney, and Karl Schmidt a senior assistant attorney in Benton County. Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District consists of Morrison, Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena Counties.
--Brainerd Public Schools have been planning and preparing to build new and improved educational spaces for their students. All are invited to join them in celebrating the breaking of ground on the first three elementary school projects. You can join them for: Baxter Elementary School on Tuesday at 9:30am on the site of the new school; Harrison Elementary School on Wednesday, May 22nd at 9:30am on the school grounds and at Nisswa Elementary School on Thursday, May 23rd at 9:30am on the school grounds. The celebrations will include students, staff and friends sharing their excitement for the new learning facilities before they gather to officially break ground on the project. For information contact the Brainerd School Districts. The outdoor events are weather permitting.
--Firefighters from three agencies responded to a fire at a detached garage at 8:08pm Monday, May 13, on Clark Lake Dam Road in Nisswa. The 24-by-30-foot garage was fully engulfed. The garage and its contents, estimated to be valued just over $100,000, were a total loss. Bailey said the cause of the fire appears to be from a burning barrel located in the yard. According to the Crow Wing County detailed tax parcel report, the homeowners of the property are James and Barbara Perrin. The house, situated about 40 feet away from the garage, was not threatened by the fire.
--An 82-year old Pillager man was injured Friday when his vehicle crashed into the median on Highway 210 and Meredith Drive in Baxter. Robert Marshall was treated and released for injuries.
--An 18-year-old Princeton man was hospitalized Friday after falling from the back on an ATV and hitting his head. The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office says it happened northeast of Zimmerman at 112th Street Northwest and 274th Avenue in Livonia Township at about 7:30 p.m. Deputies found Cameron J. Kottke unresponsive but breathing and was airlifted from the scene. Investigators determined that Kottke was one of two people in the back of a 2019 Polaris ATV being driven by 18-year-old Tanner Pedersen of Zimmerman. The passengers were not restrained and were not wearing safety gear or helmets. The ATV was traveling at a slow speed when it turned onto 274th Avenue. Kottke lost his grip on the frame near the roof and fell onto the ground, hitting his head.
--Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County invites the public to participate in the dedication ceremony of their 19th home in Morrison County on Tuesday, May 28th at 6:00pm in Little Falls. The address of the home is 800 11th Street SW in Little Falls. The dedication of the home is a celebration of a community effort built on the foundation of God’s love. Friends, family, and volunteers from all walks of life have helped build this home. Board president Kevin Hoskins commented, “We welcome volunteers who helped build the home, contractors, suppliers, neighbors, friends and Habitat supporters to attend and celebrate. Please join us.” Once the home is completed, the family signs mortgage papers and begins making payments to Habitat for Humanity that include taxes and insurance. To volunteer, learn more, or apply to be a Habitat for Humanity homeowner partner, please call the office at (320) 616-2084.
--A man was killed early Wednesday morning when his car was struck by a train south of St. Cloud on U.S. 10. The man was crossing the railroad tracks as he turned west onto a private driveway from the highway about 2:45am, when his front tire got stuck between the tracks. Witnesses told investigators that the driver was inside trying to rock the vehicle free as a train approached from the west. The train, which was traveling about 50 mph, sounded its horn but was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the vehicle. The vehicle burst into flames after being struck by the train. The identity of the driver has not yet been released by authorities.
--A 52-year-old from Long Prairie was injured Tuesday around 11am on Highway 71 in Round Prairie Township south of Long Prairie. 21-year-old James Panek of Long Prairie was turning into a gas station from the southbound lane and was struck by Tami Notch who was northbound on 71. Notch had non life threatening injuries while Panek was not injured.
--Another accident in Todd County occurred Monday night around 6:30pm on Highway 71 near Bertha. 22-year-old Dezarae Weekley of Bertha was on 71 when she struck a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Nicole White of Hewitt. Both drivers sustained injuries and were treated at the Wadena hospital. A 6-year-old passenger in the Weekley vehicle was checked out at scene but not hospitalized.
--A 28-year old Garrison man was injured Saturday when he struck a road approach on Highway 2 and flipped the vehicle. Andrew Plunkett was treated at the scene by first responders but not hospitalized.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, winds pick up, high 70.
TONIGHT= clear skies, cooler, low near 40.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, high 60, showers develop late day.
SATURDAY= showers & t-storms likely, high 50, low 40.
SUNDAY= showers and windy through day, high 43, low 37.
MONDAY= rain/snow early then mostly cloudy, high 54, low 41.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins hold off Angels 8-7 on Wednesday after Twins had an 8-3 lead only to watch Angels battle back late. The Twins travel to Seattle tonight, pregame at 8:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
NBA= The Timberwolves will pick 11th in the upcoming NBA draft following the draft lottery Tuesday night. The New Orleans Pelicans received the #1 overall in the draft which is on June 20th.
HS= softball playoffs for Little Falls and Pierz next week on LF Radio.