NEWS --This spring, the Morrison County Historical Society invited the public to enter a contest to illustrate Morrison County history using Peeps, the marshmallow candies typically seen in the shape of chicks and bunnies around Easter time. There were three entries in the contest, with the MCHS board of directors voting to choose 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The first place winner in the Peep Contest was a diorama by Marlys Sebasky and Larry Royston illustrating a 1905 incident in Pierz. At that time, local farmer Frank Otremba had a herd of buffalo in order to crossbreed them with cattle to produce “cattalo.” His buffalo broke the fence on a Sunday and parishioners leaving church that day found them running around the village. Larry provided the research and Marlys built the diorama. In sculpting the buffalo, Marlys used two upside-down bunnies for the legs and an upside-down chick for the heads. The title for the piece is “Peepalo go to Church and Mama said “Bison.” The second place winner was a painting by Gene Gruber illustrating Father Pierz looking over his mission territory in Morrison County. Father Pierz was influential in encouraging Catholics in Germany to move to central Minnesota. Rich Prairie in Morrison County was renamed Pierz in his honor. Gene is a paralyzed veteran with the use of one arm and was thrilled to have a chance to create this painting for the contest. The third place winner was a diorama by Robert Jarvis illustrating the murder of Annie Kintop in Darling in 1905. Annie’s murder was never solved, although there were numerous suspects investigated at the time. Robert was able to take advantage of a specialty Peep in the form of a ghost to illustrate Annie’s spirit in the diorama. All three winners received a cash prize, a complimentary annual membership in the Morrison County Historical Society, and a book from the museum. The pieces created for the Peep Contest are currently on display at The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum in Little Falls.
--Next year's Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener will be held on the Mississippi River in the St. Cloud area. The 70th annual event will be hosted collaboratively by St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Sartell from May 11th-14th, 2017. It'll be the first time that the area has hosted a governor's opener. The DNR says the Mississippi River has one of the best-known quality smallmouth bass populations in the nation, and has a walleye catch rate comparable to Minnesota's best walleye lakes. A tradition since 1948 Minnesota's walleye season started this past weekend at Big Sandy Lake near McGregor. The largest walleye caught at the Governor's Fishing opener was a tie between Little Falls Radio's own Al Windsperger and US 8th District Congressman Rick Nolan. Both caught 20-inch walleyes on Saturday.
--A suspicious vehicle report Saturday turned into a high speed pursuit by law enforcement Saturday night south of Brainerd. The suspect reportedly was not located after the pursuit reached speeds of 100 miles per hour. Sheriff's Office were called to a vehicle in a salvage yard on Sleepy Hollow Road south of Brainerd at 9:45pm. The suspect saw the law enforcement vehicles and sped off leading officers on about a 5 mile chase from Sleepy Hollow Road onto County Road 45. The suspect drove in the wrong lane, into the ditch and then fled on foot. A search using a K9 unit was ruled unsuccessful. The man is described as white, 45-50 years old, light colored hair and the pickup truck was a 1996 Dodge Dakota. Anyone with information is asked to call 218-829-4749.
--The 21-year-old Cushing man who was found unresponsive Friday morning in a ditch in Morrison County reportedly was released from the hospital on Saturday. Andrew Dubois of Long Prairie suffered unknown injuries in the accident which is still under investigation.
--The two-week filing period for most federal, state and some local elected offices starts today. Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Minnesota Legislature, judicial offices, and or other offices with primary elections, all must file an affidavit of candidacy between now and May 31st. The entire state House of Representatives and Senate are up for re-election this year. In local cities and school districts that do not have primary elections like Little Falls, the filing period is from August 2nd- 16th. Little Falls has one council member in each of the three wards up for re-election. The primary is August 9th and the general election will be November 8th.
--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to a camper fire on Friday. Around 12:50pm 17-Little Falls firefighters responded to the Herb Tabatt residence at 17126 Greyhound Road in Pike Creek Township. Firefighters remained on scene for approximately 90 minutes. There were no injuries and the camper was a total loss. The cause is undetermined at this time.
--Firefighters in Crow Wing County were busy Sunday as low humidity and strong winds spread fires. Garrison firefighters battled a wildfire the size of a football field around 1:30pm that burned three acres deep in the woods. They also responded to a smaller fire along Highway 169 where one structure was threatened by the flames. Mission Fire Department was called around 4:00pm to Pine Cone Lane for a small grass fire. The fire did threaten a garage but was quickly contained. Brainerd firefighters responded to two grass fires Sunday afternoon on Highway 210 and both were considered very small. Ideal firefighters battled a garage fire Saturday night in Pine River. The garage was engulfed in flames around 9:15pm when they arrived and Pequot Lakes and Crosslake were called in to aid in the fire. The garage was a total loss.
--The Midwest Dairy Association named 12 finalists for Minnesota’s 63rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Sunday. They were chosen on the basis of their passion for dairy and communication skills. Princess Kay will be selected before the opening of the Minnesota State Fair in August and will be sculpted in butter during the fair. This year the finalists include two from Olmsted County. Others from Goodhue, Dodge, Wright, Fillmore, Brown, Douglas, Becker, Isanti, Scott and Mower County that will vie for the crown in August.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS --Loren and Elizabeth Vetsch of Browerville, a girl born May 12th
DEATH NOTICE --John Soltis, age 74 of Upsala
WEATHER TODAY= mostly sunny, with a high near 65, low near 39 WEDNESDAY= sunny, with a high near 70, 45 THURSDAY= sunny, with a high near 71, 47
SPORTS TWINS= Twins at Detroit continue tonight 5:30pm on Q92. HS SB= Pierz at Holdingford today 4pm on FM94 KFML.