NEWS
--Camp Ripley wants to inform the public that there will be several training events taking place on Camp Ripley this month, many of which involve large caliber weapon systems. The surrounding communities should be aware that throughout the first, second and forth weeks of April there will be training on Camp Ripley that the public may be able to hear during both the day and night. They thank you for your support during this required training period which will help meet federal, state and community mission readiness goals.
--This week is Public Health Week. It is designated nationwide to highlight local public health agencies. Morrison County Public Health stated that their community health needs assessment focuses on mental health, chemical dependency, obesity and their Nurse Family Partnership to help new mothers during their pregnancy and beyond. Public Health recently got a grant to increase their managing of 15 cases to 30 cases for first time moms and their children to be seen by doctors during their pregnancy until the child is 2 years old and also find ways to enhance their parenting skills for their new families. Morrison County Public Health stated that later this year they will be installing a Fit Trail at Pine Grove Park to increase access to physical activity opportunities and get people more active. For more information on Public Health, you can call 632-6664.
–Morrison County crews will continue to monitor flooding this week as well as monitoring bridge crossings for high water and ice jams. Maintenance crews will continue crack sealing this week on CSAH 1 south of St. Hwy 27, and County Road 274. Crews will work in one lane, and control traffic with flaggers. Please use caution around work crews. Crews will be out sweeping streets and intersections on various roads around the county which will include Royalton, Randall and Flensburg. Maintenance workers will also continue patching potholes around the county. Roads will include CSAH 34, 21, and County Road 237. Public Works would like to remind you that seasonal load limit weight restrictions are in effect and all road limits are posted.
--A 22-year-old from Long Prairie was injured Sunday night on Highway 71 in Little Sauk Township of Todd County. Megan Schultz stated she was traveling southbound on 71 when a northbound vehicle went over the center-line and struck the front end of her vehicle around 9:40pm. Schultz was treated for injuries. Schultz told officers that the other vehicle then fled the scene. Todd County and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the accident.
--An ATV broke through the ice on a Todd County lake over the weekend. The Sheriff's Office says it happened on Saturday afternoon on Lake Osakis, near Battle Point. Jacob Schmidt of Belle Plaine was driving the ATV. He was not hurt. The Todd County Sheriff's Office says ice conditions have deteriorated and you should use caution when going out on the ice.
--Stearns County responded to a car fire on Saturdya around 4:15pm on County Road 44 east Clearwater. Lindsay Voigt, 23, of Clearwater, said she had been driving home from Pierz when she noticed her vehicle acting up. When she arrived home, the vehicle was smoking and started on fire. Upon Stearns County deputy’s arrival, the vehicle was fully engulfed. The vehicle was a complete loss and the house sustained damaged to the siding as it melted from the heat of the fire. No injuries were sustained from this fire.
--The Diocese of St. Cloud is among the defendants in a civil lawsuit accusing a Catholic priest of sexual misconduct with a former female pastoral assistant, according to a civil lawsuit filed recently in Stearns County District Court. The lawsuit was filed March 21st by a pastoral associate employed by the diocese from August to January. She claims she was subjected to "unwelcome, offensive and ongoing verbal and physical sexual harassment" by her supervisor, 36-year old Reverend Joseph Backowski. Backowski, who grew up in Belle Prairie, is pastor of St. Mary of the Presentation Church in Breckenridge and St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Kent. According to a statement from the diocese on Friday, Backowski has been on administrative leave since early January because of "personal health concerns." "At that time, Father Backowski voluntarily began participating in an evaluation and treatment program to address these issues. He will conclude his participation in this program in the next month," the diocese statement said. "Following the conclusion of the treatment program, Bishop Donald Kettler will consult the Diocesan Review Board and determine the suitability of Father Backowski’s return to ministry." In the diocese's statement, Kettler offered his support and prayers for everyone affected by this situation.
--Flood Warnings remain in effect this week for Morrison, Crow Wing and Aitkin Counties. The Mississippi river reached flood stage in Aitkin County Saturday as the National Weather Service reported minor flood stage meaning the water has reached 13 feet deep. Yesterday large ice jams could be seen on the Mississippi River around the Highway 27 bridge in Little Falls with crews around the dam working to melt the snow down. The Mississippi river continued to cause minor flooding in Fort Ripley too. The National Weather Service predicted the river would crest at 10.7 feet sometime early this week. Both Aitkin County and around Fort Ripley areas are expected to remain in minor flood stage through the upcoming week.
--Waite Park Police are asking for help in finding the suspect involved in an assault at a gas station Saturday night. Police says a man entered the Speedway store on Division Street and as the suspect was leaving, he got into a verbal argument with an employee. The suspect then threw a full can of Red Bull at the employee, hitting him in the face. The victim was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for an eye injury. Police says the suspect left the store in a silver 4-door car, with a female driver. The male suspect is described as a black man, between 6' to 6' 2" tall, with short hair, wearing a red, white and blue long sleeve shirt and blue jeans. The woman driver is described as lighter skinned, with long dark hair, wearing a dark colored long sleeve shirt. Anyone with information on the two should call police.
DEATH NOTICES
--Gene Getz, age 78 of Pelican Rapids formerly of Swanville.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, PM showers possible, breezy, high 48.
TONIGHT= showers early, then clearing, breezy, low 22.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high near 40, low around 22.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, warmer, high 53, showers late, low 38.
SPORTS
TWINS= after a day off, Twins (2-1) are at Kansas City tonight for a two game series, pregame at 6:30 tonight on Q92 WYRQ.