NEWS --It's back to school for many students today (some students start tomorrow) but a reminder to please watch for school buses this morning and afternoon going to and from schools. Watch for students crossing roadways and students should also watch for vehicles before crossing. Law enforcement reminds motorists to not pass a school bus with its red flashing lights as it is against the law. Let's make this a safe back to school week.
--The Bowlus Post Office has been shut down due to health and safety concerns from water damage and possible bacterial growth. Spokeswoman Kristy Anderson says the building shows damage to the walls, ceiling, building materials and floor coverings. She says a firm will complete an evaluation and suggest needed repairs. The post office will be closed until repairs are completed. Delivery and retail services have been relocated to the post office in Royalton.
--A 17-year-old was injured last Wednesday near Pillager when his pickup truck flipped on 11th Avenue Southwest-Cass County Road 36 and landed on its roof. The boy had to be extricated from the vehicle by first responders and taken to the Brainerd hospital for treatment of his injuries. The boys name and condition was not released.
--A St. Cloud man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a shooting incident that seriously hurt another man. 30-year-old Robert Dawson was previously convicted on six felony charges, including 1st-degree attempted murder. St. Cloud Police were sent to an apartment complex in November for a gunshot complaint from inside. They met with a 50-year-old man from St. Cloud that had a gunshot wound to his lower back. The investigation found that Dawson had come to the victim’s apartment with three other men and had fired several rounds one of which struck the victim. Dawson and the men had gone to the victim's apartment in retaliation for an earlier dispute. The investigation found that before the shooting, Dawson was "bragging" on Snapchat about assaulting the victim. A little over a week after the shooting, Dawson was arrested in Chicago and extradited back to St. Cloud. Besides two counts of attempted murder, Dawson was also convicted on two counts of burglary with a dangerous weapon, and one count each of being a felon in possession of a gun and assault with a deadly weapon.
--On Thursday around 5:15am Stearns County Deputies were dispatched to the address of 29659 Co Rd 2 in St Joseph Township for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. The homeowners, Norbert John Walz, Age 66, and Mariette Louise Walz, age 66, of St Joseph, MN said a vehicle had crashed into their house. The lone male driver, Thomas Kenneth Brinkman, age 33, of St. Cloud was still trapped in the vehicle and unable to speak at the time. Stearns County Deputies arrived and began patient care for Brinkman. Brinkman was extricated from the vehicle and transported to the St Cloud Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Norbert and Mariette Walz were not injured during the accident. The accident is still under investigation.
--The Minnesota Sports Federation (MSF) has selected the Royalton 13AA and 14AA Baseball Teams as the recipient of a Youth 1st Team Award for their outstanding sportsmanship during the 2018 MSF State Baseball Tournament. The Youth 1st Team Award recognizes positive behavior from players, coaches and everyone associated with the team which includes parents, fans and spectators.
--Little Falls City Council meets tonight 7:30 at City Hall.
--Three people are charged in what authorities say is a gang-run drug distribution ring in the St. Cloud area. Members of the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force began investigating the wholesale distribution of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine by the Black P-Stone gang several months ago. Several undercover buys and a home search led to the arrest of 24-year-old Jevonte Burson, 29-year-old Lacy Aronson and 25-year-old Lakeya Johnson. Court records show Burson sold heroin to an undercover officer in April and cocaine in July. He's charged with felony 1st and 2nd degree drug sales. Aronson is accused of selling heroin to an undercover officer on three separate occasions in July and is charged with three felony counts of felony 1st degree drug sales. A search warrant was used August 29th at Johnson's home where court records show nearly 40 grams of heroin was found in a shoe box and a .45-caliber bullet. Johnson is prohibited from having guns or ammunition stemming from an assault conviction in 2017. She is charged with felony 1st-degree drug possession and being a felon in possession of ammunition. More arrests are possible as court records show as many as a dozen people may be involved with distribute of drugs.
--Powerful thunderstorms rolled through north-central Minnesota Friday evening sparing Brainerd to the south. It ripped through much of northern Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin counties before heading off into Duluth and northwestern Wisconsin. At different points, it produced wind gusts over 80 miles an hour, many lightning strikes and hailstones the size of softballs southeast of Aitkin. The storm resulted in downed trees, and a number of power outages across the area. The storms caused lightning strike fires in Pequot Lakes, downed trees on highways 169 and 210 stopping traffic flow, roofs to collapse in Aitkin County and other issues.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce September Employee of the Month is Sara Manlick, staff accountant for Jason Anakkala LTD (formerly John Berns CPA) in Little Falls. Manlick has been with the firm for 27 years. Congratulations to Sara Manlick.
DEATH NOTICES --Roger Henry Tomala, age 78 of Pierz. --James “Jim” Hilmerson Sr., age 80 of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= showers and storms likely, heavy rains possible, high 72. TONIGHT= showers and storms early, then clearing, low 56. WEDNESDAY= sunny and cooler, high 68, low around 45. THURSDAY= sunny and mild, high near 70, low around 50.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins get an 8 run 5th to beat Texas 10-7 on Friday, Texas gets 4 homers to beat the Twins Saturday 7-4 then Rangers bomb the Twins on Sunday 18-4 to take series. Houston then beat the Twins on Monday 4-1. Twins at Houston tonight 6:30pm on Q92. CLASS C= Sobieski beat New London-Spicer Saturday 5-2, Buckman won over Lake City 11-1 in 7 innings. Both teams played Sunday with Kimball eliminating Buckman 3-2. Sobieski advanced with another 5-2 win over Sartell. Sobieski waited until late Sunday and won 2-1 over Young America to advance to the championship Monday vs. Plato where the game was suspended for 90 minutes due to rain and finished up with Plato beating Sobieski 8-5 in the championship.