Newsletter: Thursday, May 5th, 2022

NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin installing a cable median barrier on Highway 10 between Sauk Rapids and Royalton Monday. Motorists should be on the lookout for roadwork signs, lane closures, lane shifts, and reduced speeds. The cable median will be installed along a 10-mile stretch of Highway 10 between 66th street, north of Sauk Rapids, and Halfway Crossing north of Rice. The high-tension safety cable helps prevent severe or fatal cross-median crashes. The $1.3-million project is expected to be completed in late June.

-- Essentia Health is inviting the public to come tour the new Essentia Health-Brainerd St. Joseph’s Pharmacy tomorrow. There will be a private, half-hour grand-opening ceremony starting at 9:00am, with a ribbon-cutting at 9:30. Speakers will include Essentia leaders, members of the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and a blessing from a local chaplain. Following the private event is a public open house. The event is open to all from 9:30am to 5:00pm Friday. The pharmacy opened on Monday, and improves patient access to vital services. Their personalized pharmacy care team offers several convenient resources, including prescription-medication services; immunizations; specialty pharmacy services for uncommon medicines; hospital discharge medication delivery; consultative services for financial assistance with medications and more.

--The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in the investigation of a criminal damage to property incident that occurred Saturday. On Saturday the Benton County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a motorist who believed their vehicle had been struck by an egg. The motorist reported that she was driving in the 5000 block of Golden Spike Rd NE in Minden Township at about 1:45am when someone threw an egg at her vehicle from the road ditch. The caller reported that the egg dented her vehicle and caused the loss of some paint. A deputy investigating this report arrived in the area and began searching for a suspect. As the deputy was searching the area, the deputy noted that his squad car was struck by an object he believed also came from the road ditch area. The deputy did observe a male party wearing dark clothing running away from the area to the east who disappeared quickly into the darkness. The deputy searched the area, making contact with residents nearby. The deputy was unable to locate the suspect. The deputy did locate eggshells, eggs, golf balls, taconite pellets, and a wrist rocket near the area from which the suspect fled. Anyone with information about this crime or the identity of the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office or Tri-County Crime Stoppers.

--A man wanted by police was found and arrested in Becker. The Becker Police Chief reported just before 2:00pm on Monday officers were called to a home near Hillcrest Road and Pineview Drive for a man that was trespassing at a vacant home. Officers arrived at that location and were not allowed into the home. They then confirmed that there was an arrest warrant for fleeing from police out of Ramsey County on the man. The wanted man was able to get away and run toward the Elk River, on the east side of Becker. With the help of a police dog and a drone, the man was eventually found in the river and arrested at about 4:30pm. The wanted man has been identified as 27-year-old Christopher Rawdon of Becker. He was taken to Monticello Hospital for evaluation and then booked into the Sherburne County Jail.

--The state of Minnesota has set up a website for you to keep track of the frontline worker bonus payments. The site says they are busy working on the online application system right now, and when they are ready to accept applications eligible workers will have 45 days to apply. Within 15 days after the application period is open employers must provide notice to all current workers who may be eligible for payments and how to apply. Each eligible applicant will get an equal payment not to exceed $1,500. To be eligible for frontline worker pay you must have worked at least 120 hours in Minnesota in one or more frontline sectors between March 15th, 2020 and June 30th, 2021. The frontline sectors include: long-term care and home care; health care; emergency responders; public health, social service, and regulatory service; courts and corrections; child care; schools, including charter schools, state schools and higher education; food service, including production, processing, preparation, sale and delivery; retail, including sales, fulfillment, distribution and delivery; temporary shelters and hotels; building services, including maintenance, janitorial and security; public transit; ground and air transportation services; manufacturing; and vocational rehabilitation. To learn more, visit the website frontlinepay.mn.gov.

--A survey by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency shows that 25% of Minnesota communities don't have plans to address extreme weather caused by climate change. Only 12% of the respondents have a standalone climate adaptation or resiliency plan. MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler says as more communities experience extreme rainfall, storms, flooding, and drought, the legislature needs to step in and help. The MPCA is asking the legislature for just over $21-million to help cities upgrade aging stormwater infrastructure and an additional $55-million for broader resiliency plans like riverbank restoration and tree planting. The survey revealed that 42% of communities needed additional funding for planning and infrastructure. Also, 42% of those surveyed asked for better guidance. Overall, the survey showed 87% of local governments have experienced extreme rainfall and storms, drought, or flooding.

--Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration are expected in Mankato Wednesday to try to determine why a small plane crashed, injuring the pilot. Reports say the crash happened about 8:00pm Tuesday at the Mankato Regional Airport. Mankato Public Safety officials say the pilot was the only one on board when the plane crashed during a landing attempt. The extent of the pilot's injuries are not known. While the Mankato airport was closed, planes landed at surrounding airports including New Ulm and Waseca.

--The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2022: Inductees include Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics, and Carly Simon.

WEATHER
TODAY= Mainly cloudy with peaks of sun, high 63
TONIGHT= temperatures bottom out at 63
FRIDAY= Sunny, high 68, low 40
SATURDAY= Sunshine, high 69, low 47

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins lose 9-4 yesterday and wrap up the series with Baltimore tonight. Pregame 5:30pm, first pitch at 6:05pm on WYRQ
WILD= Wild tie the series at a game a piece winning last night 6-2. Game 3 tomorrow and game 4 Sunday in St. Louis.