NEWS
--A non-profit group, registered as the Darling Church Memorial, Incorporated (D-C-M-I), has announced their intention to place a seven foot tall, engraved, stone monument on the site where the Darling Church stood for 124 years, secluded in a small woodland, seven miles north of Little Falls by Highway 10. The church was built by Swedish homesteaders in 1897. The little white church with its tall steeple was unoccupied since 1967, but was visited often by former parishioners, relatives and friends—until it was destroyed by fire on March 24th, 2017. Arson is suspected. The D-C-M-I’s goals include a security system with multiple cameras monitoring the isolated memorial and the Darling Church Cemetery’s 619 grave-sites which date from 1892 to 2019. D-C-M-I President Earl Mathison said, “Everything is contingent on fund raising; $75,000 is the estimated cost which largely includes a perpetual fund whose interest would pay for security and maintenance for years to come.” For information or to donate visit the website, DarlingChurchMemorial.com.
--Two people were hurt Sunday around 5:30pm on Highway 18 in Oak Lawn Township near Brainerd. 26-year old Nicholas Mogensen was westbound when an eastbound vehicle driven by 33-year old Edward McGregor of Crosby crossed the center line and the vehicles collided head on. McGregor and Mogensen's passenger, 43-year old Carl Larson of Brainerd were injured and treated for their injuries. Mogensen was not injured.
--A BNSF freight train came to a halt late afternoon Saturday for undisclosed "track issues," a mishap that blocked important thoroughfares in Baxter-Brainerd along Highway 210 between Northwest 4th Street in Brainerd to Elder Drive in Baxter. Law enforcement dispatchers received reports at about 4:50pm of a stalled train blocking traffic. A Brainerd Police Department officer traveled to an end of the train in Brainerd to find a conductor exited from the train and walking alongside the tracks. This conductor, Brainerd officers reported, said the train was immobile because of "track issues," but didn't elaborate further on what those issues were. During the more than one and half hour stall, traffic slowed and congregated near railway crossings, primarily at the intersection of highways 210 and 371, as officers directed drivers to the nearest south-northbound intersections at 4th Street in Brainerd and Knollwood Drive in Baxter.
--A 17-year-old St. Cloud resident is accused of hitting a school bus and then driving off. St. Cloud police say it happened at about 3:45pm Friday at the intersection of 22nd Street South and Shannon Drive. The bus was going east on 22nd Street South and was turning left onto Shannon Drive when a 2003 Hyundai approached the bus from behind at a high speed. The car then tried to pass the bus on the left and struck the middle of the bus on the driver's side. The school bus driver, 60-year old Wayne Parker of St. Cloud, gave a description of the vehicle and a partial license plate number to police. The suspected driver admitted to being involved in the crash and not stopping. The teenager's name was not released, but they were cited and released for failing to stop at an accident. Six passengers were on the bus. There were no injuries.
--Local law enforcement is reminding motorists that deer are on the move with the wet fields and snow melting. In the past week many reports of vehicle/deer accidents on roadways. So pay attention.
--Maintenance crews will continue crack sealing this week on CSAH 1 (south of St. Hwy 27), County 242, and County 273. Crews will work in one lane, and control traffic with flaggers. Please use caution around work crews. Crews will be out sweeping streets and intersections on various roads around the county. Maintenance workers will also continue patching potholes around the county. Roads will include CSAH 76, 49, and 46.
--Flooding will continue this week on area lakes and rivers. As of Monday 43 lakes/rivers or waterways were above flood stage mostly in the southern two-thirds of the state. Businesses evacuated, some airports around the Twin Cities were not able to fly flights due to high water on runways. Many spent the weekend volunteering at sites loading and filling sandbag to help keep the water levels down. Some roads east of Little Falls toward Hillman south on 169 have seen flooding as did southern Stearns into Sherburne, Wright, Kandiohyi counties and along the Minnesota River Valley. Law enforcement is asking for motorist to watch for high water areas. Don't drive in high water because of the chance of hydroplaning or stalling out. Warmer temperatures will continue to rise the flood levels this week.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard reports that during the early hours of Friday while patrolling in the city of Nisswa a deputy observed a suspicious vehicle at the Holiday Station Store. The deputy also recalled a similar vehicle to have been mentioned in a theft call earlier in the day in Baxter. Based upon the deputy’s suspicions and the behavior of the driver, a traffic stop was attempted. After attempts to stop the vehicle failed, the deputy along with other law enforcement, began to pursue the vehicle at speeds upwards of 110mph. At one point the vehicle being pursued also traveled southbound in the northbound lane of State Highway 371 in Baxter. The driver of the vehicle eventually lost control in Brainerd and was apprehended by law enforcement without further incident. While processing the suspect on suspicion of DWI, the arresting deputy was bit on the hand. It was learned the vehicle had been reported stolen from Brooklyn Park on March 20th. Items similar to those reported stolen in Baxter were also observed. The driver, 35-year old Joseph Lee Samuelson from Minneapolis was arrested and was booked into the Crow Wing County Jail on consideration of various charges including fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, DWI, 4th degree assault, obstructing legal process and receiving stolen property.
--Kinship Soup and Chili Cookoff is tonight 5-7pm at Falls Ballroom. Tickets are $10 for adults (17-79), children 5-16 are $5, 4 and under and over 80 are free. For info call Aaron at 632-8806.
DEATH NOTICE
--William O. Krause, age 86 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, high 48, cloudy night, low 35.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy, few showers, high 57, low around 30.
THURSDAY= clearing skies, windy, high near 45, low near 25.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins play their final exhibition game today against Colorado at 1pm on Q92 WYRQ. The regular season home opener then is Thursday afternoon at 3:10 on Q92 WYRQ.