NEWS
--The Swanville and Flensburg Fire Departments responded to a grass fire early Saturday. Around 1:30am firefighters responded to a grass fire on Dove Road one mile north of Flensburg. The fire burned approximately 15 acres. There was concern that a nearby house and outbuildings might be damaged but luckily the winds did not cause the fire to spread in that direction. No injuries were reported.
--A shed was completely engulfed in flames when officials responded to a fire report around 3:40pm Sunday. The shed and all its contents were lost, totaling about $40,000 in damage. It was located at 25806 Minnesota Highway 23 in the township of Paynesville. It is believed a lawnmower used earlier in the day may have started the fire. The shed was 40 by 60 feet and held two fish houses, power and hand tools, a boat and other items.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet today at 9:00am at the Little Falls City Hall. Agenda items include a report on Fish Trap Improvement District, social services will give a fraud report, public health to give a maternal child health report, they will hear from a guest on a boundary concern in Hillman-Morrill Township. The board will also hear from the Auditor/Treasurer, Public Works and the County Administrator at today's meeting.
--One person was injured Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 371 and Highway 210 in Baxter. 45-year old Kimberly Opay of Baxter rear ended a vehicle turning from 371 onto 210 around 2:20pm driven by 54-year old Joyce Hahnert of Brainerd. Hahnert was treated at the hospital for minor injuries.
--A St. Cloud man was injured when his motorcycle struck a deer on Minnesota Highway 23 Friday evening. 67-year old Warren Sanquist was driving west at about 6:20pm near 4th Street South when he struck a deer that ran across the road. Sanquist was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries.
--A Sartell man was taken to the hospital after rolling his vehicle Saturday. Just after 6:30am, 63-year old Paul Theis of Sartell was on Highway 15 near Kimball when he left the roadway, went into a ditch and rolled. Theis was treated for non-life threatening injuries. This comes as a number of accidents were reported on Highway 15 between Friday and early Sunday. There is road construction around the Sartell bridge and also south on 15 near Kimball which may have caused some issues. A reminder from the Minnesota State Patrol to be please watch your speeds on Highway 15.
--A 46-year old Nisswa man was seriously injured on Sunday when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and went down a steep embankment in south Brainerd. Authorities were called about 8:00pm to the crash involving a vehicle that ran off the roadway from South Fifth Street near the Brainerd High School. The man was driving south on South Fifth Street, when the vehicle crossed over into the opposite lane, leaving the roadway on the southeast side and traveled down the steep embankment. The vehicle overturned landing on its roof and had extensive damage in multiple areas. Extrication equipment was needed to remove the driver from the vehicle. He was transported by air care to a Twin Cities area hospital with serious injuries. His current condition is not available. Alcohol is believed to be involved and this crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Brainerd Police Department.
--A Clearwater man has been charged with seven felonies after two incidents in which he is suspected of making and selling methamphetamine and selling marijuana. According to separate Wright County criminal complaints, 35-year old Bryan Jonathan Peterson is charged with two felony counts of first degree drug sale and second degree drug possession related to an incident on September 8th and five felony charges related to an incident October 16th, including one count of manufacturing methamphetamine, two counts of drug sale and two counts of drug possession.
--A St. Cloud woman was hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries Saturday night after her car was hit by driver who ran a red light and then drove away. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 28-year old Hani Osman was driving north on Highway 15 in St. Cloud around 9:10pm when Osman was hit by a car driven by 41-year old Maria Montanez heading west on Third Street North. According to the report Montanez ran the red light, struck the other car and continued driving. Montanez' car was found a few blocks away and its occupants were found at home. Montanez and her passenger 9-year old Eric Valenzia of St. Cloud did not sustain any injuries, but Osman sustained non life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital. Criminal charges related to the crash are pending an ongoing police investigation.
--Authorities say a Minnesota frozen food and packing company is recalling more than 212,000 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and chicken products that contain vegetables that might be contaminated with salmonella and listeria. The Agriculture Department said in a release issued Friday that Buddy’s Kitchen Inc. of Burnsville produced the products between Oct 19, 2017, and Oct. 9, 2018. The items were shipped to Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and New Jersey. They have the number “P-4226” inside the USDA mark of inspection. This also includes a number of their egg products which works the chicken, pork and vegetables in their omelets. The problem was discovered by Buddy’s vegetable supplier. The USDA says no adverse reactions to the products have been reported. Consumers are urged not to eat the products. Salmonella can cause abdominal cramps and fever. Listeria can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion loss of balance and convulsions.
DEATH NOTICES
--Gary Lennox Greene, age 75 of Cushing.
--Glen D. Pfaff, age 86 of Onamia.
--Shirley Pekarek, age 79 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and cooler, high 46, clear night, low 22.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high 48, rain after midnight, low 36
THURSDAY= rain likely, high near 50, low around 40.
SPORTS
OPENING ROUND OF FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS TONIGHT.
HS FB= Little Falls at St. Cloud Apollo at 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Upsala/Swanville hosts Kimball Area 7pm FM94 KFML.
HS FB= Royalton hosts Eveleth-Gilbert 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
Other games tonight include Pillager hosting Staples/Motley, Holdingford hosts Eden Valley-Watkins with winners playing on Saturday. Pierz received a bye and will not play until Saturday.