NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced that as of July 9th, 217 people have died on Minnesota roads so far in 2021 with 87 speed-related deaths. That's 40 percent of all traffic fatalities. The 87 speed-related fatalities through July 9 compares with: 54 in 2020, 31 in 2019, 58 in 2018 and 44 in 2017. After the holiday weekend it was reported that just State Troopers (not including sheriff's deputies or city police officers) have written 42,586 speed citations and those 607 tickets for going 100 mph or more. According to state patrol records that is the most tickets for that rate of speed in the past few months dating back nearly 25 years. Extra speed patrols now on Minnesota roads through July 31.
--A Brainerd man was injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday at 5:10pm on Highway 84 in Cass County. Patrick Wussow was traveling southbound and lost control in the curves. Wussow was treated for minor injuries at the Brainerd hospital.
--Two people were hurt in an accident Sunday at 5:05pm in Mille Lacs County. 69-year-old Steven Roberts of Oglivie was eastbound on a motorcycle left the roadway on the curves causing Roberts and his passenger 66-year-old Karen Roberts of Oglivie to skid off the bike. Both were taken to the Onamia hospital for their injuries.
--Another motorcycle accident injured two people Sunday at 3:18pm on Highway 47 at the Aitkin/Mille Lacs County line. 46-year-old Wayne Weber of Albertville was northbound trying to pass a vehicle on the right, struck the shoulder and then the ditch. Weber and a passenger, 37-year-old Jenna Selthofner of Otsego were treated for their injuries at the scene of the accident, which were not serious.
--A two-week summer walleye shutdown on Mille Lacs Lake is almost over, which means that anglers will able to return for catch-and-release fishing until mid-September. The walleye closure is timed for the hottest temperatures of the season, as that contributes to higher fish hooking mortality on the lake. The closure went into effect July 1 and ends on July 15. Walleye fishing on Mille Lacs moves into catch-and-release mode at 6am Friday, July 16 and continues through Sept. 15. Starting September 16, anglers will be able to keep one walleye from 21 to 23 inches, or one over 28 inches. The slot is to protect the lake's breeding stock, in hopes that the walleye population will increase in both numbers and size. Fishing hours on Mille Lacs Lake are currently 6am to 10pm. for all species, with the exception being those targeting muskellunge and northern pike using artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches; They are allowed to fish after 10pm. During the late season, which begins Sept. 16, hours to fish will be expanded, allowing anglers to fish from 6 a.m. to midnight, with the exception of muskellunge and northern pike anglers who are allowed to fish during the night closure.
--Oasis Central Minnesota will host a drive thru to go Share a Meal on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 5:30pm at First Lutheran Church, 2100 Riverview Drive, Little Falls. 75 meals will be prepared and distributed until gone on a first come first serve basis, you must be present to receive a meal. Future meals will be on July 29, August 12, and August 26 with plans to resume weekly in person meals each Thursday at 6:00pm this fall. Oasis Central Minnesota is seeking volunteer serving groups for the summer drive through meals as well as in person fall meals. For more information on volunteering or to sign up to serve a meal, please contact the Oasis Central Minnesota office at 320-632-9140.
--A Clear Lake man is hurt after crashing his ATV Sunday. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office says 42-year-old Derek Johnson was taken by ambulance to St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls with unknown injuries. The crash happened at about 2:45 p.m. on the Soo Line Trail east of Pierz. Johnson was heading west when the machine went off the south side of the trail and hit a tree.
--The Department of Natural Resources have expanded burning restrictions with no opening burning required at the time across northern and central Minnesota including still Morrison and Todd County along with Cass, Crow Wing and others to the north region until further notice until adequate moisture returns to those areas.
--Eric Reinbold is being sought by U.S. marshals and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office as the primary suspect in the death of Lissette Reinbold, his wife, in rural Pennington County on Friday, July 9. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Reinbold’s apprehension. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office at 218-681-6161, the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED, or use the USMS Tips app.
--As weather permits, Morrison County maintenance employees will be working on the following activities this week. Maintenance crews will be doing culvert work on County Road 243 east of Morrill, and on County Road 210 north of Little Falls. Public Works will be installing new mailbox supports on CSAH 21, 24, and 26 west of Royalton. Maintenance crews will be shouldering CSAH 1 north of Randall. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic and a reminder to please use caution around work crews and flashing lights.
--Minnesota pulled in $2.7 billion more than was projected earlier this year as the state's economy outperformed expectations, state economists reported Monday, July 12. Minnesota Management and Budget officials said the state is on pace to take in $26.6 billion in net general funds in the budget cycle that ended June 30, an 11.2% bump from what they'd forecast in February. The boost in dollars flowing to the state stemmed from increased tax receipts across several categories. Several rounds of stimulus payments from the federal government and rebounding of the state's economy helped stave that off. As more Minnesotans get vaccinated, additional businesses reopen and financial supports from the state and federal government continue to flow to consumers, economists said they expect that Minnesota will report further economic growth.
DEATH NOTICES
--Mary Kisor, age 62 of Pierz.
--Steven Lundorff, age 72 of Little Falls.
--Echo Bourland, 5 weeks old in Portland, Oregon, son of Melissa Rae Hayes and Christopher Bourland.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy skies, warm, high 87.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, slight chance of shower overnight, low 59.
WEDNESDAY= showers and storms likely by mid-day, high 78, low 57
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, clear night, low around 60.
SPORTS
ALL STAR= The Major League All Star Game in baseball is tonight in Denver, Colorado. The Twins are represented by Nelson Cruz. Last night Pete Alonso of New York Mets won the Home Run Derby.