NEWS
--After less than a half hour of deliberation, a Crow Wing County jury found 54-year-old Michael Lowell Munger guilty Tuesday on three criminal charges in the murder of Lynnie Ann Loucks. Dennis and Lynnie Loucks owned and operated L.A. Portrait Studio in Willmar for seven years and in the Brainerd lakes area for three more before Lynnie Loucks went back to school for cosmetology. Her family said she developed a loyal following for her work. Lynnie had four children. Munger, who represented himself at his trial in Crow Wing County District Court, was accused of murdering Lynnie Loucks April 28, 2022, at a residence they had shared on Smith Road north of Brainerd. In his closing arguments Tuesday, Munger stated he believed in taking responsibility for his actions. Later in his closing statement, Munger said the murder was “not premeditated and happened in a rage of passion where everything came to a head that morning.” The first-degree murder charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled at 1:30pm on May 17th in Crow Wing County District Court.
--Benton County is calling on residents and other volunteers to take some time out of their weekend to help clean up the Mississippi River shoreline. Benton County has accepted a challenge from Goodhue County Commissioner Linda Flanders to remove trash from the shoreline. Benton officials will place a dumpster in the main parking lot of Bend in the River Park from Friday, May 5th through Tuesday, May 9th. The park is along County Road 55 about a mile south of Rice. County officials ask that only debris and litter gathered from the river's shoreline be put in the dumpster. Things like home electronics, hazardous materials, and appliances that may be left along the shoreline will create additional costs for the county in the future.
--Brainerd police reported that a boy was rescued Tuesday from the Mississippi River after jumping from the Laurel Street bridge. Authorities stated the boy was not seriously injured after being pulled from the Mississippi River around 6pm shortly after he jumped from the bridge. No other information was being released by police.
--A body that was pulled from a Kandiyohi County lake is a man reported missing last week. The sheriff’s office says Jason Dimler’s remains were positively identified on Monday. The Spicer man was found in Ringo Lake on Sunday with the help of side imaging sonar. Dimler’s truck was located near the same lake on Friday. The 40-year-old was last seen at his home on Thursday night and reported missing the next day. Dimler’s death remains under investigation.
--The Minnesota House passed the Paid Family and Medical Leave bill, guaranteeing all workers access to 18 weeks of paid leave for when they are ill, need to act as a caregiver for another family member or to welcome a child. There is also a provision for up to six weeks of additional leave due to pregnancy-related complications for no more than 24 weeks in a single year. Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, workers in the U.S. can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave following the birth of a child or if the worker or a family member has a serious illness or injury. $380 million would be appropriated for the program immediately. It passed 68-64, with all Republicans and two Democrats voting no. The bill moves on to the Senate, which has its own version. It includes a 20 week cap with employers who offer their own leave program able to opt out and keep their benefits the way they are. Should the bills merge and be signed into law, the benefits would go into effect in July 2025.
--A reminder from the local Post Offices that next Saturday, May 13th is the Stamp Out Hunger drive by the United States Postal Service. Letter Carriers will be putting bags in the mailboxes with your regular mail on May 11th so that you can use them to leave non perishable and non expired food items in the bags that will be delivered to the area food shelves. This has been the largest food drive in the country for many years as many respond with items to help feed the hungry.
--Last Tuesday, County Administrator Matt LeBlanc informed the Board he received an email containing an ask from the National Association of Counties (NACo). Minnesota representatives to the organization, Rich Sve of Lake County and Mary Jo McGuire from Ramsey County, asked Morrison County for $1,000 over the next two years. Those funds would go toward the National Center for Public Lands, West Interstate Region’s Local Assistance in Tribal Consistency Funds (LATCF). If every county in the nation contributed, the project would garner $15 million and of that $100,000 of which would come back to Morrison County. The $1,000 contribution was determined by it being 1% of what the county would receive. The board left the item for discussion, no other action was taken on the matter.
--Royalton Schools Superintendent Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp on KLTF wanted to give a shout out for all you have made it a successful year in Royalton. The weather was the big factor this year and she appreciates the understanding and work that went into to getting students in and out of school with the late starts, early releases, e-learning days etc. She wanted to congratulate the BPA, Speech, athletics, activities and beyond to the students who competed at those events recently. Wanted to welcome golf to the spring sports this year as a new activities with over 30 students signed up for that. She also wanted to let the public know the strategic plan for the school district is available to view and they will have future meetings to discuss the progress and goals for the school district in Royalton. Details on many of the items are on their website and also on Facebook page for those to view on Royalton Schools.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Devan Jacobs and Sam Waldvogel of Little Falls, a boy on May 1st.
DEATH NOTICES
--Ronald R. Younk, age 66 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and mild, light winds, high 73.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy and mild, low around 46.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, high 62, turning breezy, rain late, low 42.
SATURDAY= rain showers, some thunder, high 57, low near 38.
SUNDAY= partly sunny, warmer, isolated T-storms late, high 72.
SPORTS
TWINS= White Sox score a couple of late runs last night and beat the Twins 6-4. Twins wrap up series and try to avoid the sweep with the White Sox today, pregame begins at 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS SB= Zimmerman at Pierz in a double header of softball today, the first game begins at 4pm with second game to follow both heard on AM960 KLTF the 5pm news will be in between the two games.
Check out Pictures of Day of Caring on LF Radio Facebook Page.