NEWS --April 15th was on a Saturday and yesterday was Emancipation Day, which pushed the Federal Income Tax deadline to today April 18th. You have until the end of today to get your taxes filed without facing a penalty. You must have your federal tax returns postmarked by today unless you filed for an extension. Even if you file for an extension, monies owed are still due today. Details online at IRS.gov.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management wants to remind everyone that Severe Weather Awareness Week is ongoing through Friday. On Thursday, they will be participating in the Statewide Tornado Drill with sirens being activated at 1:45pm and 6:45pm. Outdoor warning sirens and NOAA Weather Radios will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The tornado drills allow everyone in the community to practice their emergency plans for tornadoes. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families. Each day this week highlights an important seasonal weather safety topic. Monday- Alerts and Warnings; Tuesday- Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail; Wednesday- Floods; Thursday- Tornadoes and Friday- Extreme Heat.
--Morrison County Sheriff's officials this week are out canvassing the area where 41-year-old Terrance Brisk was murdered, near Little Falls this past November 7th. Brisk was hunting alone on his parents’ property in Belle Prairie Township when he suffered a gunshot wound resulting in his death. Sheriff Larsen stated initially during the fall they pushed and canvassed the area but ran into some inclement weather in the winter. Now the weather is favorable and they want to get back out there, canvass the area and make sure they are not missing any clues. There is a 30-thousand dollar reward in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office.
--Several public meetings for the Pierz Schools bond authority referendum are this week and next. There is one tonight in Harding at 7:30pm, Thursday in Buckman at 7:30pm and next Monday in Lastrup at 7pm. Absentee voting is underway during Pierz District Office hours. The election day is Monday, May 22nd. Questions on the meetings or referendum itself, call George Weber at 468-6458.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a house fire at 15971 River Bend Lane in Wakefield Township just after 5:00pm Saturday. The caller stated that the house was struck by lightning near the gas line and that the house was on fire. Everyone was able to get out of the home safely. The fire caused minor damage to the garage attached to the house. The gas main for the house was also damaged. No injuries were reported.
--Stearns County commissioners are still considering how to fill the sheriff vacancy. Sheriff John Sanner offically retired yesterday leaving the position open until the board appoints a replacement. Sanner’s term has just under two years remaining on it. Sanner recommended current Chief Deputy Sheriff Bruce Bechtold be named to the position. Another possibility was the runner-up to Sanner in the 2014 election. Mark Bromenschenkel is a former Stearns County Commissioner and former Sartell police officer. He lost to Sanner 55% to 45% in that election. More discussion is planned on todays agenda for the Stearns County Board meeting.
--Little Falls High School Senior Austin Weisz signed a national letter of intent to participate in baseball at Bemidji State University. Austin is the son of Neal and Julia Weisz of Little Falls.
--Sauk Rapids police are investigating a report of several gun shots heard on the city’s south side. The incident happened just after 10:00pm Friday in the 900 block of 5th Street South. Officers found several shell casings in a driveway. One of the bullets struck a house, but no one was hurt. Witnesses say a vehicle drove away quickly after the gun shots. Sauk Rapids police are asking if anyone has any information about the incident to give them a call at 251-9451.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9:00am at Morrison County Government Center boardroom. There will be a public hearing on the comprehensive local water plan, proclamations of National Public Health Week, procolamations on National District Free Driving and Mental Health Awareness campaigns. Also on the agenda are reports from Camp Ripley, the sheriff, social services, information technology and the extension service.
--The long-awaited search warrants in Prince's death have been unsealed, revealing a lengthy list of prescription medications found throughout the singer's estate, some in the name of one of his oldest confidants and several containing controlled substances. The search warrants, made public Monday morning, show more than 100 white capsules labeled Watson 853 were hidden in Aleve and Bayer Aspirin bottles and found in numerous rooms inside Paisley Park. Prescription bottles under the name Kirk Johnson who was Prince's former drummer, bodyguard and close, personal friend. They were found in the dressing room and mirror room. Each contained several different kinds of controlled substances. Investigators say after learning of Prince's toxicology screening, which showed he had a lethal dose of Fentanyl in his system at the time of his death, they found no prescriptions issued under his name but Johnson had a prescription for Oxycodone, which was prescribed by Dr. Michael Todd Schulenberg. Schulenberg is the same doctor who was at Paisley Park on April 21st (the day of Prince's death) when deputies arrived on scene and the same doctor who admitted to authorities, he prescribed Oxycodone for Prince on the day he overdosed, forcing his plane into an emergency landing. Schulenberg said he put that prescription in Johnson's name for Prince's privacy.
--The Friends of the Library are hosting their spring book sale that benefits programs at the Little Falls Carnegie Library. The event is for members only Wednesday 5-7pm, then open to the public Thursday from 10-7, Friday 12-7 and Saturday 10-3. There will also be a silent auction bid item for a World War II war bonds poster from the 1940s on display to bid on during the book sale. For more information or to donate to the Friends of the Library, call Margaret at 632-6222.
WEATHER TODAY= showers & t-storms, very windy, high near 55. TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, cool, low near 34. WEDNESDAY= partly sunny, high 52, showers in afternoon and night. THURSDAY= rain/snow early, then rain and windy, high near 50.
SPORTS TWINS= Indians beat Twins last night 3-1. The Twins who started at 4-0 on the season have now dropped 6 of their last 9 games. Twins and Indians game 2 tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ WILD= Wild and Blues game 4 Wednesday night, Blues lead 3-0. VL= The Victory League opens play this weekend, the first game of the week for 2017 is Sobieski at Randall Sunday 1:30pm on KLTF.