NEWS --A 48-year old St. Cloud man was convicted by a jury Friday in Morrison County District Court for methamphetamine related crimes. The jury convicted Robert Lee Schlangen of first-degree and second-degree controlled substance crimes. A Minnesota State Patrol trooper arrested Schlangen after a February 23rd traffic stop and warrant check lead to the discovery of about 4.5 ounces of methamphetamine in Schlangen's vehicle. The car was registered to Schlangen, who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A female driver appeared to be under the influence and was also arrested; a pipe with meth residue was found in her possession. The trooper also found $4,900 in $100 bills in Schlangen's car and $2,515 in his wallet. Assistant Morrison County Attorney Mike Chisum prosecuted the case and said that “the jury was able to convict Mr. Schlangen quickly because of the overwhelming evidence of his guilt. This case came together because of the excellent work of Trooper Otterson and his decision to continue to investigate the case by obtaining a search warrant”. Chisum added, “Highway 10 is a popular route for transporting illegal narcotics. I hope this conviction sends a message that law enforcement is working hard to stop the use and flow of narcotics through our county, and that the Morrison County Attorney’s Office is diligently prosecuting narcotic users and traffickers. Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf said, “We need to stop this dangerous, criminal behavior. That’s why at sentencing, my office will be asking the Judge to sentence Mr. Schlangen to maximum sentence under the State sentencing guidelines.” Schlangen is scheduled to be sentenced on December 6th before Judge Daniel A. Benson. Schlangen faces up to 150 months in prison.
--A falling tree killed a 5-year old boy Tuesday evening in Big Lake Township of Sherburne County. Edward Joseph Michalek was playing on a hammock in his back yard when a 7-foot tree the hammock was tied to uprooted and fell, hitting the boy on the head. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Other children were present at the time of the incident, but no other injuries were reported.
--Due to construction, the lobby area of the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office will be closed to walk in traffic on Friday. The phone in the entryway will be accessible to speak with dispatch.
--Utility work out by the site of the new St. Cloud Tech High School will close 33rd Street South for a few days. 33Rd Street South will be closed starting Thursday and continue through Sunday. The street will be closed between Stearns County Road 74 and County Road 136. The closure is necessary so crews can extend utilities to the site of the new school. Detours will be posted.
--With schools out today and tomorrow for the formerly known as MEA break, a reminder to motorists to watch for children out and about with the warmer weather conditions. There are events going on today and tonight, including a family fun day fundraiser at the Minnesota Fishing Museum from 2-7pm. This includes a fishing simulator, meet Chuckles and Cheerio the Clown, artifacts, refreshments and more with free admission although some items have a small cost to use that goes to the museum upkeep. Also there is a fall harvest event tonight at Immannual Lutheran Church in Hillman. Potluck meal, silent auction, live old time music and much more starting at 5:30pm with a free will offering. All are welcome. Get details on more events at fallsradio.com community calendar.
--Sartell police arrested a Park Rapids man Monday in connection with an investigation into online solicitation of sex involving a 13-year old Sartell girl. 54-year old Calvin Gene Bird was charged Wednesday in Stearns County with eight counts of engaging in electronic communication relating or describing sexual conduct with a child. The Sartell Police Department began an investigation in late September into allegations of child solicitation involving an online application called Whisper. According to the criminal complaint, the victim posted a question on Whisper that received a response from Bird. The two began communicating by text message, and at some point the victim informed the defendant she was only 13 years old. Investigators reviewed the text messages and found that Bird engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the victim on at least six separate occasions in September. The complaint states that investigators then continued communications with Bird while posing as the victim, documenting two additional contacts in October in which Bird referenced sexual contact with the victim. On Monday, Bird was arrested, at which time he gave a Mirandized statement acknowledging sexual conversations he engaged in with a person he was told was 13 years old. Bird made his first appearance on the charges Wednesday, and has a Rule 8 hearing scheduled for Monday.
--A two vehicle injury crash occurred on Highway 10 at Highway 210 in Motley on Wednesday. Around 10:40am 34-year old Melissa Harris of Long Prairie was traveling north on Highway 10 and attempting to turn left. An oncoming vehicle traveling south on Highway 10 driven by 39-year old Daniel Kaufman failed to yield to the other vehicle and they collided. Harris was taken to Staples Hospital with non life threatening injuries while Kaufman was not hurt. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts and alcohol was not a factor.
--The Minnesota State Patrol said two drivers collided on Highway 2 in Cass Lake when one driver was going the wrong way. It happened after 1:00am Saturday. 25-year old Jacob Bellefy of Lisbon, North Dakota collided with 26-year old Gabriel Tessin of Cohasset. Both drivers were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
DEATH NOTICES --Richard “Rick” J. Lenarz, age 67 of Royalton.
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, breezy afternoon, high 73. TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 50. FRIDAY= sunny and windy, warm, high near 80, rain late, low 58. SATURDAY= showers & t-storms at times, high 65, low near 40. SUNDAY= sunny and cooler, high 57, clear night low 35.
SPORTS HS FB= Pierz beat Rockford 50-0 to finish 8-0 in regular season. Royalton wins 35-0 over KMS to finish 7-1 on the season. Little Falls beat Milaca 49-26 to finish 3-5. BBE beat USA 14-6, Holdingford wins over Howard Lake-Waverly. The playoffs begin for some teams next Tuesday while others receive byes and play next Saturday. TWINS= The Glen Perkins era with the Twins has come to an end. The Twins stated yesterday they will not pick up the option for 2018 for Perkins who has been injury plagued the past few years. Perkins has been with the Twins since being drafted to the team in 2004. NBA= San Antonio beat Wolves in season opener last night 107-99.