NEWS --Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen announced that his office with other organizations and businesses will hold a community event at the Pierz Villa June 15th at 10:00am to discuss World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Larsen will discuss scams and financial exploitation and Caregiver Specialist Krisie Baron will discuss abuse/neglect caregiver burnout. The event is free and there will be vendors, along with food and facility tours at the event on June 15th.
--A Level 3 Sex Offender is no longer moving to Morrison County. Sheriff Shawn Larsen says Donald Warren was planning to move to a home in Hillman, but that is no longer the case. An informational meeting about Warren's arrival was held on May 24th. Warren was convicted of criminal sexual conduct and has served his sentence. Any questions or concerns can be addressed by calling the Morrison County Sheriff's Office.
--On Monday, current Morrison County Auditor/Treasurer Deb Lowe filed for reelection meaning that four have now filed for the position. The others are Tammy Giuliani, Chelsey Robinson and Ross Wamre. Today is the final day for filing for county races along with U.S. Senate, U.S. House and State offices leading to the August 14th primaries. Those city and school races without primaries begin filing at the end of the July through August 14th.
--Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson announced Monday that she has decided not to seek a fourth term as attorney general and instead run for governor. The party endorsed State Representative Erin Murphy for governor this weekend. Democratic U.S. Congressman Tim Walz is also in the race. Swanson brings name recognition and a record of winning statewide elections to the governor's race. Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson clinched the Republican nod to run for governor. Former Governor Tim Pawlenty did not seek the endorsement and is in the primary.
--Deputies from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office responded to a one vehicle crash Friday in Eden Lake Township, three miles north of Eden Valley around 6:30pm. Information from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the driver was 16-year old Skylar Martin from Watkins. The vehicle was traveling north on 228th Avenue, which makes a sharp turn onto 188th Street. The roads are gravel and the vehicle was believed to be going between 20 and 25 miles per hour. The vehicle rolled once before stopping in the ditch. Passengers were 17-year old Morgan Plamann of St. Martin, 16-year old Gabrielle Nistler of Watkins, and 16-year old Laila Asfeld of Watkins. All of the occupants were wearing seat belts except for one, who needed to be taken to Litchfield Hospital.
--Three people hurt in a two vehicle crash near Freeport Sunday night around 7pm. A vehicle driven by 36-year old David Aguilar of Morris was slowing down for traffic congestion due to another crash on Interstate 94 when it was struck from behind. Aguilar was not hurt but his three passengers including an infant and a 5-year old suffered non-life threatening injuries. Each were taken to Melrose Hospital. They were Aitana Anguiano, five-year-old Aurturo Anguiano, and 31-year old Aleja Hernandez all of Morris. The driver of the second vehicle, 19-year old Stephen Parlow of Robbinsdale, was not hurt.
--The Pierz Community Theater this year presents Oklahoma, August 10th-12th at Pierz Healy High School. Auditions begin tomorrow and Thursday from 6-8pm at the high school performing arts center.
--The St. Cloud Fire Department responded to an apartment fire Saturday afternoon that caused an estimated $7,500 in damage. At about 2:50pm a fire broke out in a unit at 780 14th Street South. Residents of the apartment were home at the time, but were able to escape. One resident had to be treated for smoke inhalation. The fire department reported the cause as a "lit candle placed too close to combustibles" in a bedroom. No other units suffered any damage.
--A former nursing home employee is charged with manslaughter and criminal neglect in the death of a 100-year old resident in Redwood Falls. A criminal complaint says a female resident slid out of a bathroom chairlift while receiving a bath last September at the Sunwood Good Samaritan Center. She died a week later from injuries suffered in the fall. A complaint charging the 29-year old employee says he had raised the chairlift several feet higher than standard protocol and had removed the woman's seat belt before she fell. It says he tried to move her, then left her alone while he went to get help. A warrant has been issued for the man's arrest.
--The 12th annual Tea for Teachers will be held June 19th from 2-4pm at the Little Falls Senior Center. The afternoon provides an opportunity to reconnect with other former rural teachers, to meet former teacher training classmates new to gathering and enjoy the ambiance of days gone by with a lot of reminiscing. A light luncheon is served. There is no charge. All are welcome to come to share memories. At the close of the afternoon, there will be an opportunity to visit the historic rural school house for those who wish to do so. The first rural school of Morrison County sits on the Morrison County Fairgrounds as a memorial to all rural schools, the students and the teachers that taught within them. Reservations are appreciated by calling Dorothy Lindquist at (320) 632-6082.
WEATHER TODAY= sunny to partly cloudy, high 77. TONIGHT= storms after midnight, some strong in overnight, low 58. WEDNESDAY= storms in morning, heavy rain & wind, high 79 with clearing skies during the afternoon. THURSDAY= mostly sunny, high 78, more storms develop late night.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins plan on playing two today against the Chicago White Sox to make up one of the 3 snow out games back in April. Twins and Sox pregame at 2:30 today, the second game is scheduled about 30 minutes after the first game tonight, both games on Q92 WYRQ. BAB= Little Falls will face the winner of Bemidji and Fergus Falls today scheduled around noon on AM960 KLTF, if Flyers win they will play again on Wednesday around noon on KLTF. BAB= Pierz came from a 4-2 deficit with 2 outs in the 7th to come back and tie the game with Royalton, then Pierz won it in the bottom of the 8th to win 5-4 and advance in the baseball playoffs. In other section games Albany 6-1 over Kimball, Cathedral shut out Foley 5-0 meaning today at 5pm, Pierz will take on Albany, if Pierz wins they will then take on Foley around 7:30pm tonight in St. Cloud. Hear the Pierz games live on FM94 KFML and online at fallsradio.com. NFL= the wide receiver known for the “the catch” in the 1981 NFC Championship for the 49ers has died. Dwight Clark died Monday from ALS at 61. His catch from Joe Montana led the 49ers to their 1st Super Bowl appearance by beating Dallas in the NFC title game.