NEWS
--The Highway 27 Little Falls Project got underway yesterday with the removal of trees marked along Highway 27 causing closures and delays around the areas that the road crew and tree crews were working. The construction part of the project will begin on Monday, April 29th on both sides of the Bridge which is scheduled to be closed April 29th into mid-May. There are expected delays and detours around the entire part of Highway 27 project in the next two weeks while tree removal is being done from west of Lindbergh Elementary School along Highway 27, all the way into the west side of town through 15th Street west. Please remember to slow down in work zones and follow the detours.
--Volunteers helping with the Adopt a Highway program picked up nearly 36,000 bags of litter and cleaned up almost 9,000 miles of state roadways in 2018, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. More than 3,500 volunteer groups, ranging from four to 25 people, spent an estimated 282,000 hours cleaning roadway ditches across Minnesota last year, which translated into an estimated $7 million benefit for the state. The program has been part of MnDOT’s maintenance operations since 1990. More than 4,400 segments of state roadways are currently adopted in Minnesota by volunteers representing schools, businesses, faith-based groups, families and individuals. MnDOT provides safety training, trash bags and safety vests, and picks up the filled bags that volunteers leave at the side of the road. MnDOT also posts signs along the adopted segments of roads with the names of the volunteer groups. Volunteers are asked to commit to the program for at least two years and pick up litter on both sides of the roadway at least twice a year. Individuals and groups who want to volunteer should go to www.mndot.gov/adopt/ to find their local area program coordinator. In Morrison County segments of road open for adoption include Highway 27 Milemarkers 144.5-146 (between Little Falls and Pierz) Highway 27 Milemarkers 165-167 (between Lastrup and Onamia) Highway 25 Milemarkers 124-126 (between Genola and Buckman) Highway 10 Milemarkers 123-125-127 (between Cushing and Motley).
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office wants everyone to know that National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is this week (April 14th-20th). 911 Dispatchers are the “first” first responders in assisting the public with every type of call ranging from a medical crisis to car accidents and every type of call in between. They have to take control of situations which may be chaotic, stressful and sometimes heart-wrenching. 911 Dispatchers are the voice that is always heard, but seldom seen. Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to have extraordinary 911 Dispatchers that are truly dedicated to the agency and community that they serve. Morrison County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank each of our 911 Dispatchers for their service to our agency and community!
--Two from Iowa were injured Saturday morning around 7am on Interstate 94 at Highway 75 in St. Joseph of Stearns County. 38-year-old Marie Howes was on the Interstate caught a patch of ice and left the roadway rolling the vehicle and landing it on the roof. Howes and her 14-year-old passenger, Layna Zeltinger both of Hawkeye, Iowa were treated for injuries at St. Cloud Hospital.
--The Big Lake man suspected of starting the fire last week in Big Lake that killed his two children, has died from his injuries.
--A reminder that Monday was the expiring date for the Cold Weather Rule in Minnesota. If you fell behind on your heating bills this winter, make sure you're prepared to pick up the payments. In a statement, Xcel Energy warned customers that scams tend to increase this time of year. Scammers will tell a customer that their account is past due and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn't made. Look out for these warning signs if you think you're being scammed: If a caller requires a single form of payment, like a prepaid debit card or if the first time you're being contacted about a past-due account is over the phone. Xcel says energy customers will be initially contacted by mail about overdue bills. For more information contact your energy provider.
--The Minneapolis man arrested for throwing a five-year old boy over a Mall of America balcony Friday told police he had come to the mall on Thursday intending to kill an adult, but that it did not “work out”. He returned Friday and chose the boy instead. 24-year old Emmanuel Aranda was charged Monday with attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The family of the boy, whom the Bloomington police have not named, also released a statement Monday thanking the community for its support. The child is currently in critical condition and the family is beginning a long journey to recovery. A review of video surveillance at the mall showed Aranda walking in the mall on the third floor and looking over the balcony several times before approaching the boy and his mother. The mother saw Aranda, whom she had never seen before, come close to them and she asked if they were in the way and should move. Instead, Aranda picked up the boy and threw him over the railing.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard announces the relocation of a Level 3 predatory offender into rural Crow Wing County. 57-year old Terrance Lee Lindmark, is homeless in the vicinity of French Rapids, rural Brainerd. Sheriff Goddard says that there will not be a public notification meeting on Mr. Lindmark as he has been a resident of Crow Wing County for many years and has been monitored by the Sheriff’s Office prior to becoming homeless. Sheriff Goddard reminds citizens that they can always visit the predatory offender search via the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
--Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France burned on Monday as crews were on the scene after the central spire was completely engulfed in flames. The cathedral itself is a loss, the two towers around the building were saved but scorched. Many reglious artifacts were lost. The iconic building in the center of the city is the most visited monument in Paris, with more than 12 million visitors a year, nearly double the people who visit Eiffel Tower.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and mild, high 64.
TONIGHT= rain develops toward morning, low 43.
WEDNESDAY= rain likely, some heavy, high 47 turning windy.
WED NITE= rain likely, some wet snow after 1am, low 33.
THURSDAY= rain/snow early then more rain, windy, high near 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= Toronto scores 4 runs in the 8th to win 5-3 last night over The Twins. Twins and Toronto game 2 tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.