NEWS --Morrison County Administrator Deb Gruber was the guest speaker at the Little Falls Kiwanis Club meeting last Thursday. She updated the Kiwanis Club on the $13.5 million remodeling project at the Morrison County Courthouse. The project will take about 18 months. It will include a new parking area on the west side of the old courthouse. Vehicle tabs and licensing will be moved to the west side of the new courthouse, just north of the new parking lot.
--A Stearns County judge set bail at $600,000 for a man who is accused of selling cocaine five times in 30 days to an informant and then having 1.2 ounces of cocaine in his possession when he was booked at the jail. 30-year old Antoine Lemar Dodd has been charged with two first-degree controlled substance crimes. Court complaints charging Dodd indicate that an informant bought more than 26 grams of cocaine from Dodd between April 17th and May 17th. Investigators with the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force executed a search warrant Thursday at Dodd's residence in St. Cloud and arrested him. They brought Dodd to the Stearns County Jail, where he was searched. 1.2 ounces of cocaine were found in Dodd's "body cavity."
--On Saturday, the Brainerd Baxter United States Pageant was held at Tornstrom Auditorium. Winners were 19-year old Shayna Harms as Miss Brainerd, and 20-year old Nicole Harris as Miss Baxter. Harms and Harris will go on to compete for Miss Minnesota later this year. Other winners, 15-year old Karlie Ray was Miss Baxter Junior Teen, Miss Brainerd Junior Teen was 14-year old Kylie Christenson, Miss Brainerd Teen was 17-year old Emily Johnson, Miss Baxter Teen was 18-year old Kaytlin Hart, Brainerd Ms. Woman is Heather Aanes and Baxter Ms. Woman is Tina Brainard and Mrs. Brainerd is Amanda Helmin. All winners and their first runner ups will be part of the 4th of July Brainerd Parade at 4:00pm next Tuesday.
--Two people were hurt in a crash in Benton County. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened just before 8:00pm Sunday on Highway 25 in St. George Township south of Foley. A pickup and a car collided. A passenger in the car, 47-year old Rebecca Pollard of Oak Park, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver, 48-year old Todd Pollard of Oak Park, was not hurt. The driver of the pickup was a 16-year-old boy. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital. His name and the extent of his injuries were not released.
--Four people escaped injuries early Sunday morning and a dog was saved after a fast-moving fire nearly destroyed a Baxter home. The Brainerd Fire Department was called around 2:00am to a house fire on the 13000 block of Madeline Drive in Baxter. The owner of the house is Ken Lacy, but the occupants at the time of the fire were Steve Johnson, Johnson's step-son, Lacy's son and the boys' friend. When Baxter police arrived on scene, the garage was fully engulfed in flames and the fire was moving into the house. The fire spread quickly through the house, most likely because of the way the house is designed and the wind conditions. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, but is not believed to be suspicious. The fire caused significant damage to the garage and house estimated at $250,000. Brainerd fire called the Nisswa and Pillager fire departments for mutual aid.
--The Randall Medallion Hunt begins today. You can get clues at the Randall City Hall website and area businesses. Prize is $300.
--The Minnesota State Patrol announced another enforcement campaign beginning Thursday and lasting through July 5th for the upcoming Independence Day weekend travel. The patrol will work with over 300 agencies patrolling for impaired, speed and distracted driving. So a reminder to buckle up, watch your speed and don't drink and drive. The 4th of July weekend is one of the deadliest weekends on Minnesota roadways and many are expected to be out beginning this week and lasting into next week with 4th on a Tuesday.
--Three people were hurt in a two vehicle crash in Todd County. The Sheriff’s Office says it happened just after 10:00am Sunday near Long Prairie. 74-year old Mary Jasken of Alexandria was going east on County Road 38 when the sheriff’s office says she failed to stop at County Road 11 and collided with a pick-up. The truck was driven by 37-year old Jude Sonju of St. Joseph. There were two passengers in the pickup, 33-year old Misty Sonju of St. Joseph and 35-year old Pearl Gilpin of Long Prairie. Jasken, Misty Sonju, and Gilpin were all taken to Long Prairie Hospital.
--A 60-year-old from Staples was injured Monday just after noon in a one vehicle accident east of Motley on Highway 210 near the Cass/Morrison County line. Lonnie Ross was traveling on his Harley Roadster when he swerved to avoid a deer and slid on the highway. Ross was taken to the hospital in Staples for treatment of his injuries.
--A 35-year old Motley man was arrested following a short pursuit Thursday that ended in Pillager. Cass County Deputies were attempting to make a traffic stop as the man had an active felony warrant. The man fled and a short pursuit began. The man eventually bailed out the vehicle and fled by foot. The man was apprehended near the Bigwater Drive Southwest area.
--The St. Francis Convent is hosting a bloodmobile today through Thursday. There is a dire need for blood in the nation so if you can please do your part to give blood Tuesday and Wednesday 1-7pm or Thursday 8am-2pm at the convent in Little Falls. Walk ins are welcome but if you want an appointment call Sister Julien 632-0663.
DEATH NOTICES --Jeanette Retka, age 72 of Little Falls. --Craig Myron Dause, age 55 of Staples
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, high 75. TONIGHT= storms after midnight, low 57. WEDNESDAY= storms likely morning and evening, high 70, low 55. THURSDAY= sunny skies, a bit warmer, high 77, low 53.
SPORTS TWINS= Chris Sale was too much for the Twins as he goes to 10-3 as Boston beats the Twins last night 4-1 at Fenway Park. The Twins continue series at Boston game 2 tonight 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1752= the state house bell in Philadelphia was dedicated in the cornerstone in front of the building. Now called the Liberty Bell. IN 1950= North Korean soldiers reached Seoul, leading President Harry Truman to send in U.S. forces into the Korean Conflict. IN 1964= Jan and Dean released Little Old Lady from Pasadena. IN 2008= Bill Gates resigned from Microsoft to focus on charity work