NEWS
--Morrison County authorities are looking for information regarding several thefts. Sheriff Shawn Larsen says on Friday they received a report of several storage units broken into at KO Storage of Pierz, just off Highway 27 in Genola. Larsen says out of the 10 units broken into, nine had the locks cut off. Larsen says it's unknown what time the thefts occurred or what is missing. Anyone with information about the storage thefts are asked to call the sheriff's office.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 1997 Dutchman trailer, white in color, plate #RU04919. The trailer was taken prior to Saturday from a residence off Aspen Lane, near 330th Street, in Scandia Valley Township. The trailer has a sliding glass door on the side and the word THOR displayed on the back. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to call the Morrison County Sheriff's office at (320) 632-9233.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is on a mission to prevent drug abuse and misuse while also protecting the environment by offering a free, permanent disposal option for unused prescription and over the counter medications. Unfortunately, many collect leftover prescription medications in the hopes that they could be used in the future. In the case of prescription medication, this is never a good idea. The availability of these drugs in homes can lead to accidental poisonings and potential misuse by others. The improper disposal of prescription drugs, by flushing them into the sewer or putting them into a septic system, could affect the quality of drinking water and the environment. Properly disposing of unused medications is important to protect both the community and the environment. With disposal kits available to the public at no cost, it’s simple. Community members need only to open the Deterra disposal pouch, add the medication, fill it with warm water, then seal and shake. The disposable pouch can then be thrown away with regular garbage. The pouch is designed to deactivate prescription drugs, pills, patches, liquids, creams and films, and renders them inert, preventing misuse and harm to the environment. To get a free drug disposal pouch, visit the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, Little Falls Police Department, Pierz Police Department, Royalton Police Department or Motley Police Department. Help keep families and the environment safe by picking up a free prescription drug disposal pouch today. For additional information on this free service, call the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233, or stop by any of the partnering agencies.
--A St. Cloud woman was hurt in collision with a deer on Saturday night. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 11:40pm on Highway 23 on the east side of Quamba in Kanabec County. 28-year old Tyler Kociemba of Sauk Rapids hit a deer. Kociemba was not hurt but his passenger, 26-year old Dezarae Ritter of St. Cloud, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
--A Brooklyn Park man has died in a crash on Interstate 94 in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 9:20pm Sunday near Freeport. 54-year old John Nelson was diving his motorcycle heading east when he came into contact with a semi and then went into the ditch. Nelson was taken to St. Cloud Hospital but pronounced dead. The semi-driver was not injured. The semi-driver, a 63-year old man from Ottawa, was not hurt.
--A Richmond man died after crashing his ATV Sunday around 7:30pm in Farming Township of Stearns County. 62-year-old Robert Dingmann struck a culvert and was thrown from the ATV. He was taken to area hospital but died from his injuries.
--On Sunday, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man found in possession of suspected cocaine, suspected methamphetamine, and a large sum of cash. At about 1:30am on Sunday the Benton County Sheriff’s Office received the report of a suspcious vehicle, deputies responded and found a vehicle driving well below the posted speed limit for the roadway. As the deputy was following the vehicle, he observed the vehicle swerve dramatically back and forth over the fog line. Deputies initiated a traffic stop on this vehicle and made contact with the driver, 32-year old Luis Alberto Mares Rodriguez, of Mexico. Rodriguez told deputies that he was in the United States on a visa to conduct business. Officers noted that Rodriguez appeared to be lacking sufficient spare clothing and other things a person who was travelling for an extended period of time would normally carry, that his answers to questions were inconsistent, and other indications consistent with individuals who traffic controlled substances. Investigating deputies requested a K-9 from the Sauk Rapids Police Department conduct a search of the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found a softball-sized package containing a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine, about $10,000 in US currency, a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine, a small baggie containing suspected methamphetamine, and a notebook documenting what appeared to be drug transactions. Rodriguez was placed under arrest and taken to the Benton County Jail. Rodriguez is currently being held in the Benton County Jail awaiting his first appearance.
--The Department of Natural Resources has placed Morrison, Todd, Cass, Crow Wing and others back into the very high risk of wildfires from over the weekend. A number of grass and wild fires, hay and baler fires like the one in Pike Creek Township of Morrison County are being reported. ATV's causing fires in wooded and very dry areas where sparks will cause quick fires are also being investigated. The DNR is reminding those that in those counties they are still requesting no open burning and no burning permits are being issued until adequate moisture comes to those areas.
--As weather permits, maintenance employees will be working on the following activities this week: Maintenance crews will be doing culvert work on County Road 210 north of Little Falls and CSAH 33 east of Pierz. Maintenance crews will be doing shouldering work on CSAH 1 north of Randall, and County Road 227 north of Upsala. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights. Remember fines double in caught speeding in any work zone county, city or state related in Minnesota.
DEATH NOTICE
--Richard “Rick” Balaski, age 58 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= hazy, warm, high near 90, chance of showers/storms.
TONIGHT= shower/storm possible early, then clearing, low 64.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warm, isolated T-storm, high 92, low 65.
THURSDAY= sunny and hot, high 94, low around 70.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins split a double-header yesterday with Chicago. The Twins winning game 1 in extra innings 3-2 in 8, the second game saw the White Sox walk off in the bottom of the 7th to win 5-3 over Twins. The Twins continue series with the Chicago White Sox tonight with pregame at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.