NEWS
--One person has died following a fire at a home in rural Sauk Rapids on Sunday. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office says it was called to the fire in Watab Township at about 1:45pm. The person said an outbuilding was on fire, and they saw a man engulfed in flames nearby. The caller tried to help the victim, and deputies attempted life-saving measures at the scene, but the man was pronounced dead. The Sauk Rapids Fire Department knocked down the flames in the outbuilding and also put out uncontrolled fires engulfing two outdoor wood burning stoves. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. The name of the victim has not been released.
--Two experienced jurists have been appointed to fill spots on Minnesota's highest court. Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced Monday that Theodora Gaïtas and Sarah Hennesy have been chosen to replace outgoing Minnesota Supreme Court judges Margaret Chutich and G. Barry Anderson. Gaïtas is currently a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She previously served as a judge in Minnesota's Fourth Judicial District in Minneapolis, handling a felony caseload in the criminal division and serving as co-chair of the Domestic Violence Steering Committee. Judge Gaïtas has also contributed by helping bridge the gap between state and tribal courts. Hennesy is currently Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial District headquartered in St. Cloud. Her past experience includes serving as a public defender both in appellate and trial courts in Iowa, along with being a staff attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid in St. Cloud. “As Chief Justice, I am pleased to welcome both Chief Judge Sarah Hennesy and Judge Theodora Gaïtas to the Minnesota Supreme Court,” added Chief Justice Natalie Hudson of the Minnesota Supreme Court. “Both are experienced, well-respected jurists who bring exceptional intellectual gifts and a deep commitment to serving the people of Minnesota. This is a great day for Minnesota.” Justice Anderson recently announced his retirement, saying he will step down from his position on the Minnesota Supreme Court on May 10. Chutich is also retiring, ending her run on the court July 31 following an eight-year stint.
--A two-hour spring bird walk will be held from 8-11am at Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near Little Falls on May 11th. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and is free and open to the public. The walk begins at the Sedge Meadow Classroom near the Refuge Maintenance Shop, 19502 Iris Road, Little Falls. Those participating should wear walking shoes and bring binoculars. All birding levels are welcome, no experience is necessary, and binoculars are available to borrow. For more information, call the Refuge Office at 320-632-1575 or visit the website at fws.gov/refuge/crane-meadows.
--The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is offering farmers and livestock producers free, confidential tools to help with stress and mental health. The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is open to anyone struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression. Calls are answered 24/7 by trained counselors who can listen or connect callers with help for business, financial, or legal problems. Anyone needing help can call 1-833-600-2670 or text FARMSTRESS to 898211 to get started. Farmers facing a crisis caused by a natural disaster or financial problems can contact one of the MDA’s nine Farm Advocates. Sessions can take place in person, on Zoom, or over the phone, and insurance is not needed.
--Little Falls Firefighters assisted Camp Ripley firefighters in a shed fire on Sunday night. Little Falls was dispatched to 21096 263rd Street in Ripley Township on a report of a woodshed on fire. Firefighters found the shed fully involved with fire when we arrived. The shed contained a wood boiler and firewood. The tin shed was a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire department reported no injuries from the fire.
--Kindergarten Come and See Day, Thursday, April 25th at Dr. S.G. Knight and Lincoln Elementary. Parents and students will attend a small group session and receive more detailed information about the upcoming school year. You can pick up forms from the Lincoln or Dr. S.G. Knight office or download from the district website if you need to register your student for kindergarten next year. The school will also need a copy of your child’s birth certificate. Sign up for Come & See Day on April 25th. Receive a purple folder with additional kindergarten information. Students must be 5 years of age on or before September 1st, 2024 to enroll in Kindergarten. Again next school year due to the school banding system going into place only Lincoln and Dr. S.G. Knight schools will have kindergarten classes beginning in September 2024.
--There will be an All School Mass today for all students grades 1-6 this afternoon at 1:30pm at St. Joseph's Church in Pierz. Father Pierz School of Religion is encouraging that all students have on person in Mass supporting them as they fill the church in Pierz today at 1:30.
DEATH NOTICES
--Cindy Jameson, age 71 of Sartell.
--Sister Carol Virnig, age 79 of St. Francis Convent in Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, chance of midday showers, breezy, high 58.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, patchy frost late, low 27.
WEDNESDAY= AM frost, then sunny and breezy, high 55, low 35.
THURSDAY= sunny and windy, warmer, high 68, rain late night.
SPORTS
TWINS= Pablo Lopez shuts down the White Sox, Eduoard Julien goes deep as the Twins win 7-0. The Twins continue their four game series with the White Sox tonight, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NBA= Timberwolves up 1-0 on Phoenix, host game 2 tonight in the NBA playoffs at the Target Center, tip off is at 6:30pm.
HS BAB= Pierz beat Wadena 13-1 in 5 innings yesterday in baseball.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1348= by Order of Garter first knighthood bestowed in England.
IN 1896= the first movie projector is demonstrated in New York.
IN 1900= New York Journal first to use the term “Hillbillie”
IN 1939= Ted Williams plays first game for Boston Red Sox.
IN 1954= Hank Aaron plays first game with Milwaukee Braves.
IN 1962= first U.S. Satellite to reach the moon.
IN 1969= ABC Pro Bowling first airs on Wide World of Sports.
IN 1985= Coca Cola made the announcement of New Coke they have changed their formula started in 1886, biggest flop by many ever.
IN 1997= first premiere of “Titanic” opens in New York.