NEWS
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reports that on January 24th at approximately 10:00am, their office along with members of the Animal Humane Society (AHS), executed a search warrant at a single
dwelling residence, located at 34499 Highway 10, approximately four miles south of Motley. According to Sheriff Larsen, his office responded to a call for service at this residence weeks prior to the search warrant being executed, where a deputy discovered and noted multiple animals living inside the residence, in an unhealthy environment. The Sheriff’s Office reached out to the Animal Humane Society for their assistance in this case and a search warrant was later drafted by the Sheriff’s Office. Many animals were located living in unsanitary conditions. In total, fifty-six animals were recovered from the residence. The animals are currently being cared for, examined, and evaluated by Animal Humane Society staff. This case is in an early investigative status. Once the facts and circumstances of the case are gathered and completed, the case will be forwarded to the Morrison County Attorney’s Office. The County Attorney’s Office will then determine whether charges will be filed. No more information will be released until the investigation is complete.
--Two snowmobile crashes on Saturday in Cass County resulted in a fatality and a serious injury. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reported a 65-year-old Staples man died after the track on the 2007 Yamaha snowmobile he rode became dislodged, causing the machine to crash and man to be ejected. The sheriff’s office received a 911 call reporting the crash at 4:55pm Saturday on 72nd Street Southwest in Byron Township near Staples. Deputies and responders arrived on the scene and found family and bystanders performing CPR on the victim. Deputies and emergency medical services personnel immediately continued medical aid, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The operator was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. An autopsy was scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office and the incident remained under investigation. Earlier Saturday, a snowmobile crash in Homebook Township near Nisswa resulted in serious injuries. The sheriff’s office received a 911 call at 11:39am reporting the crash on the Snoflea Snowmobile Trail. Deputies and first responders arrived near the scene and used tracked rescue vehicles to access the area. Deputies learned a 49-year-old Coon Rapids woman was operating a 2020 Polaris Indy rental snowmobile with a 15-year-old Coon Rapids boy as the rear passenger. The snowmobile left the trail on a curve and struck a tree, causing the rider and passenger to be ejected from the machine. The boy was transported via helicopter to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries and the woman was transported to Brainerd with unknown injuries. Both wore helmets at the time of the crash.
--The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension stated in a press release last Friday that since December 1st there have been 35 death overdose incidents in the north and central regions of the state alone. The BCA is asking for more law enforcement agencies to talk, communicate on drug problems, overdoses, prevention, precaution and calling in those who may have a drug problem or especially drug related activity to your local agency or call 911 if an emergency. Another Coffee with the Cop event will be February 27th at 8:30am at the Pierz Senior Dining Site. This is being put on by the Morrison County Sheriff's Office, Pierz police department, Pierz Public Library and Stand Up for U. All are invited to attend the program and take part in ways to work together on drug issues.
--Chuck Zwilling said there is 19 inches of ice on Green Prairie/Fish Lake and all is set for the annual Ice Fest event this Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm. This year they will attempt a world record for the largest ice carousel inside another carousel as they already own the record still for largest ice carousel set in 2022. There will be many other snow and ice events, skating, dog sledding and others with groups and organizations working with the events from Girl Scout Troops to school groups and more taking part in the 2 day event. For the latest details on the event go to mnicefest.com. Donations from the event this week go to help Flyer Pride Pack and Kare Kloset at the schools where last year they raised $24,000 for the two programs.
--A Deerwood man who escaped from a central Minnesota correctional facility was arrested following an incident in Mille Lacs County last week. Around 4:30am Thursday, a deputy on a routine patrol came across a vehicle parked in the middle of Highway 27 near Bayview. The sheriff’s office says the vehicle had the hazard lights flashing, and a man was running circles around it. The man, identified as 27-year-old Alexander Russell, was a wanted fugitive with a warrant out for his arrest from the Minnesota Department of Corrections dating back to November 2022. The sheriff’s office says the deputy tried to arrest Russell who fought back but was then taken into custody. Authorities say he was found with 49 grams of meth in his possession. Russell was booked into the St. Cloud Prison in August 2021 and was later turned over to Crow Wing County Community Corrections. At the time of his escape, he was being held at a non-Minnesota Department of Corrections facility. He was due to complete his sentence in March 2023. In addition to the warrant, he is now facing new charges that include possession of a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance, obstruction, DWI, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
--A silo fire Saturday near Osakis injured a firefighter. The fire was in Douglas County just after 11:30am in Orange Township. Firefighters and first responders put out the flames, but the top the of the silo ripped off and struck two firetrucks. One of the firefighters was near the truck and sustained non life threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.
--A woman from Rice was injured in an accident in Mille Lacs County. 53-year-old William McClure of Jenkins, Oklahoma left Highway 169 and rolled into the median. He was not injured. His passenger, 52-year-old Elissa Bundy of Rice was treated for non serious injuries. The accident happened just before 2pm on Monday.
–A house fire south of Albany claimed the family pets. The fire was on the 30,000 block of County Road 41 in Farming Township Friday afternoon. The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire but the dogs inside the home died. The cause is under investigation.
DEATH NOTICES
--Chad Thomas Keller, age 50 of Little Falls.
--Daniel Lee Gilder, age 68 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 33, clear night less wind, low 19.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and mild, high 37, clouds late, low 23.
THURSDAY= partly sunny, breezy, high 30, snow late, low 7.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls at St. Cloud Cathedral tonight 7pm on Q92.
HS GBB= Foley at Pierz tonight at 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML.