NEWS
--Today is the deadline to sign up for the Morrison County Sheriff's Office Sandbox fill. The fill will take place on Thursday around Little Falls for a donation to the Morrison County Food Shelf left at the sandbox site. If you want to sign up please contact 631-2880.
--Congratulations to Pierz police officer Calvin Tschida who recently took part in the Law Enforcement United Ride to Hope bike event last week in Norfolk, Virginia. The 250 mile bike ride raises money for the families of fallen officers. Each rider was given a bracelet of a fallen hero to ride for. Great job by Officer Tschida and all the riders.
--Around 5:00pm Sunday the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a male who had his hand blown off by some homemade explosives. The incident happened at a residence on the 42000 block of County Road 136. Upon arrival, deputies discovered 42-year-old James Cummings of Fifty Lakes, who had received extensive injuries to his left hand. Deputies provided first aid to Cummings until ambulance personnel arrived. He was then flown to St. Cloud Hospital for his injuries. While on scene, deputies discovered additional explosive material around the yard and residence. The house and property were secured and the Crow Wing County Bomb Squad was called to process the scene.
--Multiple grass fires kept area firefighters busy this past weekend. The largest was a wildfire that burned over 40 acres in Mission Township of Crow Wing County and another 8 acres fire on East Gull Lake occurred when a tree fell on a power line Saturday. Six smaller fires were also called in over the weekend including two on the Paul Bunyan Trail Sunday. The DNR is reminding those that burning permits are only issued by variance currently in Morrison, Todd, Crow Wing, Cass and Mille Lacs County. Wadena has put a ban on all burning permits at this time stopping all burning in the county due to dry conditions. The warmer weather this week will keep the fire danger moderate to high across the central regions of the state.
--Early indications from reports state that the fishing opener proved successful for some this weekend. It was reported by bait shops and anglers that the walleye were definitely biting on Mille Lacs and a lot of crappies in Brainerd area. The colder weather and colder waters from last week snowfall in some areas did hamper some efforts on fishing in the northern tier of the state Saturday and Sunday. Many feel that with the warmer temperatures this week into the 70s will bring more anglers to the lakes in the days ahead for the hopes of a very successful fishing season in Minnesota.
--An Avon man walked away after crashing his vehicle into Lower Spunk Lake on Friday evening. Stearns County deputies responded to the crash in the 34000 block of County Road 9 in Avon Township. According to Sheriff the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch hitting an approach, through a yard hitting a raised flower bed garden and down the hill into Lower Spunk Lake. An Avon first responder and good Samaritans helped the driver out of the vehicle. The driver did not sustain any injuries. A medical condition is believed to be the cause of the crash. Distracted driving or impaired driving were not contributing factors. The driver's name was not released.
--Morrison Soil and Water is holding their free nitrate testing for well water. Bring your water in a clean zip lock bag for proper testing this week starting daily through Friday at 8:00am. Call 631-3551 for info.
--Get Highway 27 Road info at fallsradio.com on the home page.
--On Monday Senate Republicans presented a second offer to Governor Tim Walz and House Speaker Melissa Hortman to resume budget negotiations. The second offer included an additional $100 million in spending in two key areas: education and public safety. The offer splits the $100 million in spending with $75 million towards education and $25 million to public safety, two areas defined by the Minnesota Constitution as a core responsibility of state government.
--Morrison County Public works crews will continue blading and shaping gravel roads around the county this week. Crews will be installing entrance culverts on County State Aid Highways 39 and 34 along with County Road 251 as weather permits. Maintenance Crews will also continue crack sealing on County State Aid Highway 1 and County Road 262. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights. Morrison County would like to remind farmers that planting crops within road right of way is illegal. State law prohibits plowing, tilling and/or planting in the right of way. They want to prevent any situation where crops block motorists’ vision, create erosion concerns or other safety issues.
--Around 11:00am Sunday authorities responded to a structure fire at 23224 County Road 7 in St. Augusta. A passerby noticed smoke coming out the roof area of a large shed and contacted 911. Stearns deputies along with St. Augusta Fire Department and Clearwater Fire Department responded to find flames coming out of the roof of a 150’ x 45’ pole shed. The shed is owned by 59-year old Bruce Terwey of St. Cloud, and contained a Ford tractor, a van, and miscellaneous tools. No injuries were reported and the pole shed is a total loss.
--An Eden Valley woman was hurt after she hit a deer on her motorcycle. The incident happened just before 8:30 Friday night on County Road 11, east of 655th Avenue in Darwin Township. Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze says 30-year-old Julia Zaka'an was heading east on County Road 11 when she hit a deer, causing her to be thrown from her motorcycle. She was taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital, then airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital with critical injuries.
--Two people were hurt in a crash in Sherburne County Saturday afternoon. The incident happened just before 3pm along Highway 169 near 239th Avenue Northwest near Zimmerman. The Minnesota State Patrol says 45-year-old Krista Johnson, of Mound, was heading south on Highway 169 when she went off the road and hit multiple trees. Johnson was taken to Mercy Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Her passenger, 26-year-old Taylor Janke of New Ulm, was taken to North Memorial Hospital with life threatening injuries.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--legendary actress and singer Doris Day as died at age 97.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny start, showers & T-storms after 5pm, high 72.
TONIGHT= showers & t-storms likely, low 54.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, mild, high 73, storms late night, low 50.
THURSDAY= showers early, then cloudy, breezy, high 65.
SPORTS
TWINS= Angels outlast Twins 5-4 last night at Target Field. The Twins and Angels game 2 of series tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= former Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin announced this past weekend he is retiring from the NFL. He joined NFL in 2011.