NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Monday morning at 12:02am their office received a report of a burglary in progress where the victim was assaulted. The incident took place at a residence off Gordon Circle, approximately two miles south of Little Falls, in Little Falls Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area and met with the victim who had left the residence after being assaulted. Deputies received information that the suspect was possibly still in the residence and had access to firearms. The Morrison County SWAT Team was deployed to the residence and was able to gain entry. No one was in the residence and the victim was not able to give a good description of the suspect. Two handguns were later reported stolen from the residence, a Glock model 43 with a red dot sight and a Beretta 9mm. Investigators are still actively investigating this case. If anyone has information, please contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 320-632-9233.
--On Monday, the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force conducted a search warrant in the 200 block of 3rd Street, City of Holdingford. Prior to executing the search warrant, Investigators from the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force learned that 39-year old Brandon Damien Wright of Holdingford, was suspected of distributing methamphetamine throughout Central Minnesota. Investigators were able to set up controlled buys with Wright on multiple occasions and were able to purchase suspected methamphetamine from Wright. Investigators then applied for a search warrant for Wright’s residence after they learned that Wright was suspected of storing methamphetamine at his residence. On Monday, investigators executed the search warrant at Wrights residence. Inside the residence, Investigators located 36.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 8 suspected MDMA tablets, and suspected paraphernalia associated with the use and distribution of controlled substances. Investigators were able to locate Wright as he was not home during the execution of the search warrant. Wright was transported to Stearns County Jail where he is being held for court on charges of 2nd degree sales of controlled substance, 2nd degree possession of controlled substance, and 5th degree possession of controlled substance. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force was assisted by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
--Randall Mayor Dan Noss stated Monday that watering restrictions will remain in effect until more moisture comes into the area. Noss who is also with the Disabled American Veterans of Morrison and surrounding Todd County reminded listeners that the DAV is accepting clothing items on Friday from 9am-12pm at the building located at 609 4th Avenue Northeast in Little Falls and there will be the DAV annual picnic returning on August 11th starting at 5:30pm at the Swanville Park Pavillion open to members of the DAV and the families who help bring them to the event. For more information on city and DAV issues discussed call Dan Noss at 232-9412.
--As weather permits, Morrison County maintenance employees will be working on the following activities this week: Culvert work on County Road 240 south of Pierz. Shouldering work on CSAH 47 north of Little Falls, and County Road 227 north of Upsala. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Installing mailboxes on CSAH 34 east of Buckman and on County Road 247 east of Hillman. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights.
--The Morrison County Fair is Thursday through Saturday this week.
--Morrison County Public Health invites the general public to another COVID-19 vaccine clinic on August 5th between the hours of 9am-12pm. The Moderna vaccine to any adult 18 years of age or older will be distributed. This is for those who have not received the first dose of a vaccine. Please call Public Health to register at (320) 632-6664, no walk-ins. At the time of registration, you will be scheduled for your second dose that will take place on September 2nd. The vaccine clinic will take place at the Morrison County Government Center. The COVID-19 Delta Variant has been identified in Morrison County. Prevent the spread and protect yourself and others by getting your COVID-19 Vaccine by calling to register at 632-6664 today.
--Stearns and Benton counties are being added to a growing list under a burn restriction. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it has activating additional burning restrictions beginning Tuesday for Benton, Stearns, Aitkin, Becker, Carlton, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties. Burning restrictions remain in place for the eastern portion of Roseau county, and all of Morrison, Cass, Crow Wing, Todd, Wadena, Beltrami, Cook, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Lake, and St. Louis counties. Under the restriction, only campfires in an established fire ring associated with a home, cabin, campground, or resort are allowed. The state will not issue burning permits for brush or yard waste. The burning restrictions will remain in place until terminated by the DNR Commissioner when weather and environmental conditions indicate a reduction in fire danger.
--The 20-year old son of Minnesota hockey coach Bob Motzko has died of injuries from a car crash. The speeding vehicle Mack Motzko was riding in went off the road in a suburb of Minneapolis late Saturday. He died at a hospital after being taken there from the crash in Orono. It was reported that Motzko was in the back seat of the vehicle and was thrown into the front of the vehicle after impact. The 51-year-old driver is in critical conditions and one of the other two people in the vehicle, a 24-year-old male in the front passenger seat, died at the scene. Mack Motzko was one of three children of the Gophers coach. He played hockey at the junior level last season. Bob Motzko is the former longtime coach of St. Cloud State University. Mack Motzko was a former player at St. Cloud Cathedral. Mack Motzko most recently played for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL League. Bob left SCSU for the U of M in 2018 to coach.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dennis E. Petron, age 82 of Royalton.
--Scott A. Doucette, age 53 of Staples, formerly of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and humid, high around 90.
TONIGHT= shower or T-storm overnight, muggy, low 67.
WEDNESDAY= AM storm, sunny and hot, high 95, evening storms.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, cooler, breezy, high 82, low near 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Max Kepler walk off single gives the Twins a 6-5 win over the Tigers in 10 innings last night. Detroit at the Twins continue with game 2 tonight at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
OLY= U.S. Women's Basketball team beat Nigeria late last night, as the Olympic Games continue the U.S. had 22 medals at press time staying just one ahead of China and 6 ahead of France and Russia.