NEWS --Severe storms spawned tornadoes, heavy rains, tennis ball to softball and even grapefruit size hail in portions of Crow Wing County Sunday. A tornado was spotted around 6:30pm between Nisswa and Merrifield where reports of trailers toppled over, significant damage to cars and other parts of the area due to hail and at least three reported injuries due to trees falling on a home that caused residents to be trapped inside until authorities could arrived to aid. Crow Wing County said many reports late Sunday of trees down, some power lines damaged and property damage from reported funnel clouds and straight line winds. The National Weather Service surveyed the area from Nokay Lake northwest of Brainerd, through Pequot Lakes, Breezy Point, Nisswa and over to Merrifield and up to Emily on Monday to see how strong of a tornado went through the area. The storms went through Morrison County dropping minimal rain at the radio station, some heavier amounts northwest of Little Falls through Motley, Lincoln and Cushing. Another round of severe storms went through Stearns County with large hail and strong winds from Freeport, Melrose, Albany and west of St. Cloud. Though tornado warnings were issued there was no report of any touchdowns in that area but the National Weather Service will too, survey it on Monday.
--The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) reminds homeowners to do their homework before hiring a building contractor after a storm, or anytime. "There are many companies in Minnesota that specialize in repairing roofs, siding and windows resulting from storm damage. Most of these contractors are reputable and licensed," said Ken Peterson, DLI commissioner. "However, after most storms unscrupulous operators try to take advantage of storm victims." After neighborhoods experience a wind or hail storm, homeowners may find salespeople for these companies going door-to-door soliciting repair work.
--The person of interest in three area bomb threats has been taken into custody, according to a release from the St. Cloud Police Department. The release said officers arrested 31-year old Matthew Hull around 10am Sunday near Princeton. Hull was named a person of interest in the investigation involving two bomb threats that were made Saturday at the St. Cloud Public Library and Cash Wise East, according to the release. He is also believed to be involved in the bomb threat made on June 13 at the St. Cloud Wal-Mart. Police said in both instances on Saturday, staff at the buildings chose to evacuate. Patrons were allowed to return after nothing suspicious was found. Stearns County had previously issued a warrant for Hull, for felony financial transaction card fraud. Matthew Hull has confessed to making bomb threat calls in the St. Cloud area in order to get revenge against an ex-girlfriend. Hull tried to disguise his voice as a woman and would leave the name of his ex-girlfriend as the person making the bomb threat. The girlfriend has a restraining order against him. He is in Stearns County Jail facing four counts of threats of violence, one count of stalking and one count of misdemeanor domestic assault. Charges could come as early as today.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed one lane of northbound Highway 15 at County Road 1 in Sartell due to pavement buckling over the week with the hot weather. The road will remain a single lane until further notice. Motorists may encounter delays and should consider alternate routes during peak traffic times.
--Today is Scott Saehr's last day as Pierz City administrator. People are encouraged to stop by Pierz City Hall today to wish him well. Saehr is expected to help in the transition process of filling the city administrator position in Pierz.
--The 16-year-old Sartell boy who fell 30 feet after receiving an electrical shock remained in critical condition Monday morning at Hennepin County Medical Center. Daniel Fleigle was flown to the hospital by helicopter Wednesday night after the incident last week.
--Three people are hurt after a broadside crash in Stearns County Sunday night. The incident happened just after 6:00pm on Highway 23 near Paynesville. 23-year-old Amber Ruprecht of St. Cloud was heading east on Highway 23 when another vehicle heading west failed to yield while making a turn across the highway resulting in the crash. Ruprecht suffered non life-threatening injuries in the crash. The driver of the other vehicle, 69-year-old Marilyn Hilbert and her passenger 73-year-old Leroy Hilbert, both of Danube, suffered non life-threatening injuries.
--A rollover crash on Ninth Avenue North in St. Cloud blocked traffic for nearly two hours Monday morning from the intersection with Sixth Avenue North to the Sauk Rapids Bridge. Both lanes of traffic had reopened by 9:15am. The road was closed as the crash was investigated. The accident was reported at about 7:30am. It involved two vehicles; one was on its roof in the soutbound traffic lane and the second was in the median.
--Heavy rains caused an accident Sunday night around 8:00pm on County Road 157 in Millwood Township near Melrose. A motorcyclist was found injured in the ditch with significant injuries. He was airlifted from Melrose to St. Cloud Hospital. The man was later identified as 52-year-old John Engst of Melrose. The driver was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
--Remember to get registered at participating sponsors for VIP tickets to Pierz Freedom Fest on July 16th. Then listen at 9:30am and 4:20pm on Q92 WYRQ and call 632-9200 if you are the qualifier. Also Q92 WYRQ will be broadcasting live Saturday morning at Rudolph's Auto Solutions with a change to win Freedom Fest tickets.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Adam and Jaqueline Yorek of Little Falls, boy June 16th
DEATH NOTICE --Alice Eva Youngberg, age 89 of Onamia
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, high 78, storms develop overnight, low 58. WEDNESDAY= thunderstorms possible, high 73, low 53. THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 75, clear skies at night low 57.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins host the Phillies tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. WNBA= the two undefeated teams in the WNBA meet this afternoon in Los Angeles, as the 11-0 Sparks host the 12-0 Minnesota Lynx. The matinee begins at 2:30pm. The same two teams will meet again Friday night at Target Center in Minneapolis. BAB= Four State Champions were crowned in baseball Monday at Target Field in Minneapolis. Class A Springfield, Class AA Minnehaha Academy, Class AAA Henry Sibley and in 4A it was Wayzata.