NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received information Monday that 30 year-old Joshua Flaxbeard was in the Peavy Lake area, approximately 7 miles northeast of Hillman, in Richardson Township. Flaxbeard has three active felony warrants. A Morrison County Deputy responded to the area and located Flaxbeard and the vehicle he was in. The Deputy made contact with Flaxbeard and he took off on foot. Flaxbeard was wearing blue jeans, dark in color t-shirt, dark in color baseball hat. The sheriff's office had stated that they had no information if Flaxbeard was a danger to the public. With assistance from the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Natural Resources they were able to find and arrest Flaxbeard late yesterday afternoon without incident. The sheriff's office thanks all in the assistance in apprehending the suspect.
--The Great Minnesota Get-Together will not be held in 2020. This was announced Friday following a meeting of the board of managers of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, which governs the Minnesota State Fair. The event was scheduled for Aug. 27 through Labor Day, Sept. 7. In his full statement below, State Fair General Manager Jerry Hammer says, “This isn't a difficult decision. It's the only decision.” Navigating health risks is the most important piece in a very complex situation. In addition, the State Fair's vast and strong network of partners and thousands of people are facing challenges that seriously hamper their ability to fully participate in the State Fair. Midwest Dairy Association announced shortly thereafter that the Princess Kay of the Milky Way coronoation scheduled the night before the State Fair will happen but likely virtually or at a smaller venue that will be announced at a later date.
--Randall Mayor Dan Noss announced Friday that due to gathering restrictions the 4th of July weekend events including street dance, parade and car show has been cancelled this year in Randall. He also stated (and on Bowlus Facebook page) that Bowlus Fun Day is not cancelled but has been postponed until a later date this summer and will not be on July 5th. The City of Upsala has announced the cancellation of Upsala Heritage Days this year scheduled in August. Moondance Jam has cancelled their rock concert series in July. Last week Benton and Sherburne County cancelled their County Fairs then Friday it was reported that Aitkin, Cass, Wadena and now Stearns have also cancelled their fairs for later this summer.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the government center boardroom. They will hear from the Lake Shamineau group, the sheriff and public health along with other agencies at the meeting. The meeting will be on the website also the meeting is open to those wishing to attend as the Government Center is open as of this morning for appointments. You will need to tell the greeter that you are attending the meeting as they only have 10 people in the boardroom at one time.
–A 22-year-old from Pierz was hurt along with a Monticello woman in a crash near Clear Lake Friday afternoon. The incident happened on Highway 25 at County Road 3 shortly after 3:30pm. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car driven by 42-year-old Kristi Dryden was going north on Highway 25 and attempting to turn onto westbound County Road 3. Authorities say a cargo van driven by 22-year-old Nathan Young of Pierz was attempting to pass another vehicle when it hit the car. Dryden was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with injuries, while Young was treated at the scene but not hospitalized.
--In a news conference on Saturday, Governor Tim Walz announced his plans to let churches and other places of worship partially reopen starting on Wednesday. Following revised guidelines from the CDC and a plan laid out by faith leaders across the state, places of worship will be able to open at a 25 percent capacity on May 27th. Walz issued an executive order Saturday allowing places of worship, funeral homes and other places where people gather for religious events to reopen for more than 10 people provided they ensure six feet of physical distancing between households and implement a COVID-19 preparedness plan. Indoor gatherings can't exceed 25% of the building's capacity or 250 people — whichever number is lower. Outside, these kinds of gatherings can't surpass 250 people. Each step we make brings a new normal that we're trying to get to that we can maintain this as we've always said to preserve hospital capacity, to protect frontline healthcare workers, to protect the personal protective equipment that they have and striking a balance with Minnesotan's freedoms to exercise their religion, their economic activities, or the things that they choose to do. All places of worship planning to begin reopening are being asked to adhere to strict social distancing and other public health guidelines. Virtual and remote services are still encouraged, and opening up is optional not required. Walz says the agreement was a partnership and a compromise between the state government, faith communities, and public health officials. Father Ben of the Tri-Parish stated Saturday that the churches of St. Mary's and Our Lady of Lourdes are working out Mass schedules to open churches this weekend and will release more information later this week. President Donald J. Trump announced Friday that he is overriding the decision of Governor's and ordering all places of worship (churches and others) to reopen immedeiately as the county right now is in need of prayer more than ever. The President stated that if bars, restaurants, clinics, retail shops and others can be open with limited capacity so should churches and deemed them essential. Following the announcement Friday the Governor and area Bishops and others from Faith groups met on Saturday to come to compromise before this weekend for services.
--A Little Falls man was involved in an accident Friday at Highway 371 and College Road in Baxter. Just after 2:30pm, 40-year-old Matthew Frank was westbound on College Drive turned left onto 371 and collided with 58-year-old Cindy Hewitt of Baxter. She was taken to the Brainerd hospital for non life threatening injuries. Frank was not hurt.
--Brainerd Community Action announced they have cancelled the 4th of July Parade in Brainerd this year but the 4th of July fireworks display in Brainerd will happen with some guidelines to be worked out in the month of June, also the Arts in the Park this year is cancelled.
DEATH NOTICE
--Richard J. LeBlanc, age 73 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning showers, afternoon sun, high 71.
TONIGHT= a shower overnight, low around 60.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 82, low near 53.
THURSDAY= sunny and breezy, high 75, low around 50.
SPORTS
GOLF= Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning won by 1-up over Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson in the Golfing for Charity event.