NEWS
--Around 11:30am Friday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a motorcycle accident with injuries on Great River Road near 130th Avenue, approximately four miles south of Little Falls in Swan River Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a motorcycle driven by 51-year-old Mark St. Martin of Rice was traveling north on Great River Road as he approached 130th Avenue St. Martin lost control on a tight curve and ran off the roadway. He was ejected off the motorcycle and was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance with unknown injuries. St. Martin was not wearing a helmet. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Bowlus Fire Department, Bowlus First Response Team and Mayo Clinic Ambulance.
--Authorities have identified the suspect killed in an officer-involved shooting in Bowlus last week. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as 59-year-old Charles Bangs of Fergus Falls. He died from multiple gunshot wounds. A second suspect has also been named. He's been identified as 51-year-old Michael Johnson of Fergus Falls. He suffered minor injuries from the incident. The BCA has also identified the two officers involved in the shooting: Minnesota State Patrol trooper Megan Boser and Otter Tail County Deputy Dale Haberer. Both are on standard administrative leave. Authorities say around 3:00pm Thursday, the Minnesota State Patrol stopped a car driven by Bangs. He had three passengers inside, Johnson, 32-year-old Bryant Guida from Moorhead and another man. The trooper asked Johnson to get out of the vehicle but he refused. Johnson then pushed the trooper and a scuffle ensued. Bangs drove away and a short chase began. During the pursuit, authorities saw something being thrown from the window, which was later identified as meth. At around 6:00pm, Bangs was found near Bowlus and again took off. Officers were able to stop the vehicle, and at one point, two officers fired their guns, striking Bangs and Johnson. Bangs died at the scene. Johnson was taken to the hospital for his injuries and later arrested. He faces charges related to the traffic stop. Authorities say Guida also faces possible charges. The BCA says a handgun was recovered at the scene. The trooper involved was wearing a body camera which did capture portions of the incident.
--A former St. Cloud man wanted on charges that he sexually assaulted a young girl, has been found in Illinois and returned to Stearns County to face the charges. 34-year-old James Brown faces two counts of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct. St. Cloud Police were dispatched to a home in May of 2018 regarding a child sexual assault. The girl told officers that Brown had sexually assaulted her at his north St. Cloud apartment sometime the previous year when she was six years old. Officers were unable to make contact with Brown and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Brown's next court appearance is scheduled for June.
--A teacher from Onamia is this year's Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Sarah Lancaster is a first grade teacher at Onamia Elementary. She is the 58th recipient of the award and the first from the Onamia school district. Lancaster's first and only teaching job has been in her hometown. She has also coached more than 20 seasons of both athletics and arts programs. Education Minnesota sponsors the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program.
--The annual Day of Caring is scheduled tomorrow morning. Motorists be advised of extra pedestrians walking during the event.
--The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office is investigating an apparent murder-suicide. Deputies were called on Friday at about 8:30pm to a report of two adults that were found dead at a home in rural Wadena. Authorities say a 25-year old man fatally shot his 25-year old wife and then took his own life. Autopsies were conducted by the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Ramsey. The couple has not yet been identified.
--Residents in Sauk Rapids are being warned about a wandering bear in town. Monday morning the Sauk Rapids Police Department shared on Facebook: “We have received a report of a bear wondering near 15th St NE and 20th Ave NE. It appears to be a smaller in size bear. We ask that you do not approach or feed the bear.” That is the area around Countryside Seventh Day Adventists Church and CW and Son furniture store. Bears are becoming more and more common in town, and the MN DNR has a few tips if you are to encounter one: Watch from a safe distance, or from inside, to assess why it is there (for example, is there a food source like birdseed attracting it?). Wait and see if the bear leaves on its own. If the bear does not leave on its own, but approaches (e.g., comes up on the deck, or puts its paws on windows or doors), it’s time to try to scare it away: boldly shout, bang pots, slam door or throw something. If you have bear spray, remove the safety, and be ready to use it if the bear approaches you. Let local law enforcement or DNR officers know. It's very rare that a bear sees humans as prey, they mainly see us as a source that provides food as opposed to being the food. But that doesn't mean you should ever approach one in the wild. Check out more on encountering a bear on the MN DNR website.
--There are several township cleanup days this Saturday, May 7th. Morrill Township is holding a cleanup day for residents living outside city limits but within Morrill Township from 7:00am-10:30am at Morrill Town Hall. The townships of Elmdale, Swan River, Swanville and Two Rivers will be holding a cleanup day for residents living outside city limits but within these townships from 7:00am-11:30am at Elmdale Town Hall. Little Falls Township is holding a cleanup day event for those outside city limits but within the township from 8:00am-11:30am at Little Falls Town Hall and Community Center. Contact your township officials for further details.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Matthew and Katera Adams of Little Falls, boy on April 29th
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jacquelyn “Jackie” LeMieur, age 59 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= Sunny with a high of 55
TONIGHT= Partly cloudy, low near 33
WEDNESDAY= Mix of clouds and sun, high 59
WEDNESDAY NIGHT= Mainly cloudy, low 40
THURSDAY= Mainly cloudy, high 64 and a low of 41
FRIDAY= Partly cloudy, high 65, low 44
SPORTS
TWINS= The Twins beat the Orioles 2-1 in Baltimore yesterday. Game two tonight with first pitch at 6:05pm, pregame 5:30pm on 92.1FM WYRQ.
WILD= Wild lose 4-0 in game one. Game two tomorrow at 8:30pm