--A reminder that the resource fair to discuss scams, how to avoid, how to prevent, hear from those who have been scammed will take place from 5-8pm tonight at the Morrison County Government Center boardroom. Members from health departments, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, law enforcement, businesses and others will be on hand to help inform and listen to concerns on scams. The event will offer free pizza and is free for all to attend in Little Falls.
--Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber spoke yesterday on KLTF and stated that 2021-2022 was a remarkable year without having to cancel a large number of days due to health reasons (weather was a different reason), they did not have to cancel events and with help from staff working more and community members helping the year has been terrific. Weber said that graduation is on Friday at 7pm at the MAC and this year's seniors have bios on the schools facebook page to check out on their many items they took part in while attending Pierz schools. Weber stated the school is preparing for a large remodeling project over the summer of a complete remodel and addition to the industrial tech wing which will bring a larger agriculture and classroom space, remodel the welding shop, remodel the wood shop, replace some the HVAC systems in the stop area for better heating and cooling. The project will start this summer but will not fully completed until after the next school year. The funding was from state funding and reverse dollars and some community members to help finance this project so that a referendum would not needed for the large remodel work. Weber said if anyone has questions on Pierz schools call George 468-6458.
--39-year-old, Tina Louise Tomoson of St. Cloud, was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of fifth-degree possession of methamphetamine, one gross misdemeanor charge of endangering a child and one misdemeanor count of driving after revocation. The charge stems from a May 17th incident. According to the criminal complaint, at about 12:53am, a deputy was drawn to a vehicle which was traveling with a headlight out on the driver’s sideline. The deputy stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Tomoson. She allegedly admitted she was unsure if she had a valid driver’s license. While speaking to Tomoson, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to the complaint. He ran the driver’s name and learned she had an active warrant out in Douglas County. Her driver’s license was also revoked. The report states that when the deputy returned the vehicle, Tomoson admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle, and she was arrested on the warrant. There was also a 14-year-old juvenile female in the vehicle, who stepped out to allow the deputy to search the vehicle. He found a black and white bag under the front seat, which allegedly contained 112.6 grams of suspected marijuana and 2.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Tomoson was transported to the Morrison County Jail. If convicted, Tomoson faces a maximum of five years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000. The child endangerment charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine, while driving after revocation is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
--Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said early Monday that he wants to call a short special session after the divided Minnesota Legislature blew a deadline for passing a package of tax cuts and new spending using the state's massive budget surplus. No word on when that would take place as the session ended with no deals late Sunday.
--The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying an individual involved in a suspicious activity incident from last week. On Wednesday at about 8:30am, a white minivan being driven by a white male stopped at a school bus stop in Watab Township and had a brief conversation with the children waiting there. The children described the man as being about 60 to 70 years old, overweight, with gray to white colored hair. According to the children, the man asked them where they went to school and then informed them that he had been the principal at Rice Elementary School for 43 years. The man never threatened the children, nor did he ever attempt to have the children get into his vehicle. The sheriff’s office was able to confirm through the school district that the man’s claim to be the principal at Rice Elementary was false. The sheriff’s office is seeking the public’s help in identifying this person or learning of any other similar suspicious incidents involving this person. Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 968-7201 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at (800) 255- 1301, www.tricountycrimestoppers.org.
--An Eden Valley man is dead after crashing his motorcycle over the weekend. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened Friday on County Road 162, about a mile west of County Road 43 in Eden Lake Township. Authorities says 59-year-old Michael Holthaus was heading north on County Road 162, when he lost control on a curve, went into the ditch and was thrown from the motorcycle. Holthaus was pronounced dead at the scene.
--Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley Training Center today hosts the New Ulm-based 1-125 Field Artillery Battalion as they test their new A7 Self Propelled Paladin Howitzer on the firing range. The A7 Paladin is the next-generation artillery system, which enhances the ability of the Army to provide critical fire support in conventional and unconventional warfare. The A7 features an upgraded hill, turret, engine, and suspension systems. The body of the Howitzer is similar to the Bradley tracked fighting vehicle. The primary weapon system is the 155-millimeter cannon, which can move even while the Howitzer is in motion. It has an additional .50 caliber machine gun mount for security at every angle. The A7 moves with a 600-horsepower engine, fed by a fuel tank of more than 5,000 gallons. The new M109A7 is the largest modernization effort the Field Artillery has undertaken in over two decades. Camp Ripley and the Minnesota National Guard are only the second battalion in the entire Army National Guard to field it. The soldiers are ready to continue to be leaders for the National Guard and Army as a whole.
DEATH NOTICES
--Gerard F. “Jerry” Langer, age 63 of St. Cloud formerly of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny skies, high 68.
TONIGHT= rain after midnight, low near 43.
WEDNESDAY= showers likely, some heavy rains, high 51, low 40.
THURSDAY= partly sunny, warmer, high near 70, low around 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= Max Kepler hits a grand slam then gets the game winning hit in the 9th to give Twins a 5-4 win over Tigers. Twins continue series with Detroit tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS SB= Pierz beat Osakis 7-4 yesterday, will face Paynesville today starting at 5pm in Waite Park on 94ROCKS KFML.