NEWS --The organization Wreaths for the Fallen wanted to thank everyone who helped and donated to the National Remembrance Ceremony and “Honor Wreath” placement last December. The organization recently helped with the placing and removal of flags on the gravestones at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls over the Memorial Day weekend. Back in December, more than 1,000 supporters attended and assisted in placing 4,100 wreaths on the graves for our nation's veterans. Already plans are in place for the next ceremony this December. With the new State Veterans Cemetery opening in Preston in southwestern Minnesota many more wreaths are expected to be made this year for the event which is on the 2nd Saturday in December. To help with wreathsforthefallen.org and their continued work in remembering our veterans who have died you can email them at the website or call John Thomas at Wreaths for the Fallen at (218) 829-6622.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate theft reports in the county, including a theft in Hillman, theft of a safe valued at $400 with $1000 cash in it at Best Buy Auto in Little Falls, theft on Highway 25 in Pierz, theft of a camping trailer valued at $11,000 at Bid-2-Buy in Motley and a theft on Nature Road in Royalton. These all occurred between May 27th and June 2nd. If you have information on suspicious activity in your area call 632-9233.
--A 30-year-old man was jumped by two men around 2:20am Friday while walking on the sidewalk in the 400 block of Eighth Avenue North in St. Cloud. The suspects attempted to take the victim's wallet and cellphone, but were only successful in taking his t-shirt. Following the robbery, the suspects left the area on foot. The victim received minor injuries but did not require medical attention.
--Fire damaged a barn in North Fork Township early Monday morning. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office and Brooten Fire Department were called to 27001 Stearns County Road 18 at about 5:50am. The property owner, Heidi Kinzler, awoke and noticed the barn on fire. There were no people, animals or vehicles inside at the time, and no one was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
--Motorists who use the eastbound Interstate 94/Stearns County Road 2 ramps near St. Joseph will need to find alternate routes while each ramp is closed for several days for resurfacing. The first closure began when the ramp from County Road 2 to eastbound I-94 was closed yesterday morning. The ramp will open by 11:00pm on Thursday, June 16th. Crews will next close the ramp from eastbound I-94 to County Road 2 tomorrow after evening rush hour. The ramp will open by 11:00pm on Thursday, June 16th. No signed detour will be posted. Motorists should plan their travel in advance and seek their own alternate routes while each ramp is closed. Much of I-94 between St. Cloud and Collegeville remains a single lane in each direction. Motorists traveling I-94 near St. Cloud and Collegeville should plan their travel in advance, be prepared for slow or stopped traffic and use the Zipper Merge during times of congestion.
--The Central Lakes College Foundation has named its new director. Jana Shogren, former director of Bridges of Hope in Brainerd, will begin in her role as director of the CLC Foundation on June 20th. A committee made up of CLC Foundation Board members and CLC staff interviewed Shogren and other candidates. Shogren replaces outgoing director Pam Thomsen, who will retire at the end of July.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management wants to inform citizens that today from 10:00am-12:00pm they will be testing the tornado sirens in Little Falls. During this time, all tornado sirens in Little Falls will be activated. This is only a test to ensure all sirens are working properly.
--The Minnesota State Patrol responded to a one vehicle accident on Highway 371 in Crow Wing County. Around 2:15pm Monday the driver, 18-year old Johordan Cain of Pierz veered to the right off south bound Highway 371 into the west ditch. The driver Cain, along with both passengers 18-year old Tyler Jarvis of Pierz and 17-year old Andrew Sopkowiak each suffered non life threatening injuries.
--On Sunday the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force conducted a search warrant in Stearns County at the address of 32502 County Road 1 in Le Sauk Township. The task force received information that 25-year old Miguel Angel Moreno of St. Cloud was staying at the address and was possibly involved in the sale of controlled substances. St. Cloud Police Department was also actively looking for Moreno in connection with a Robbery and Assault incident which occurred two weeks prior. The Stearns-Benton County Sheriff SWAT team executed the warrant and located several individuals at the residence. Moreno was present and attempted to jump out of a second story window however was apprehended by officers outside. Moreno was later transported to the Stearns County Jail and held on probable cause charges stemming from the incident. On May 24th the Sheriff Office SWAT team and CMVOTF executed a search warrant at the same address for a party hiding out with active warrants. In that incident, Lazaro Diaz, was arrested for the warrants and a handgun was located which Diaz is prohibited from possession.
--A public forum on sex trafficking in the Brainerd lakes area will take place tonight. The event will be 6-7:30pm in the Crow Wing County Land Services Building, 322 Laurel St., in meeting rooms 1 and 2. It is being hosted by the Crow Wing County Attorneys Office. The forum will feature a presentation from Ramsey County Prosecutor Dave Pinto, who offers trainings on juvenile sex trafficking across the state. Those in attendance will also hear from a sexually exploited survivor and receive an update on local initiatives to stop sex trafficking.
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, high near 70. TONIGHT= clear skies, low 44. WEDNESDAY= sunny, high 75, rain develops late, low 58. THURSDAY= storm early, then hazy sun, high 84.
SPORTS HS BAB= Pierz beat St. Cloud Cathedral 4-2 last night to advance to Section 6AA finals Thursday at 5pm. Hear the action on FM94 KFML HS BAB= Little Falls will play for the section 8AAA title Wednesday at noon at St. John's. There are games today to see who will play Little Falls tomorrow and would have to beat them twice. Hear the game(s) Wednesday at noon on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com. TWINS= Twins host Miami Marlins tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ NFL= The Vikings announced the signing extension of Safety Harrison Smith for a 5 year $51.25 million dollar deal that will make him the highest paid safety in the National Football League. TEN= The State Boys Tennis Tournament begins today with teams such as Foley and St. Cloud Tech taking part in it.