NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management wants to remind everyone that Severe Weather Awareness Week is next week April 17-21. On Thursday, April 20th, we will be participating in the Statewide Tornado Drills with sirens being activated at 1:45pm and 6:45pm. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The tornado drills allow everyone in the community to practice their emergency plans for tornadoes. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families. There is no such thing as an “all-clear” siren. For more information about severe weather safety and preparedness, please visit the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at for daily topics during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Each day of the week highlights an important seasonal weather safety topic: Monday- Alerts and Warnings; Tuesday- Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail; Wednesday- Floods; Thursday- Tornadoes (with Statewide Tornado Drills) and Friday- Extreme Heat. We encourage everyone to please be prepared.
--The next Veterans Retiree Breakfast Benefits update from the Veterans Administration, MNNG Retirement Services, Id Cards, Benefits and other topics will be April 20th at 8am-11:30am at the Camp Ripley Hangar Conference Center. This is a free event, breakfast to be served is optional. The gathering of Veterans from all branches gather, network, and learn about opportunities and benefits for Veterans in the Central MN area. The Post Commander address the group and welcomes guest to Camp Ripley and the following will be presenting updates and changes in military benefits: federal retiree benefits, State Military Cemetery (burial benefits, Retiree Military Identification Cards, Medical/Dental, Yellow Ribbon in Morrison County, Family Assistance, and the local Veteran County Service Officer) and one on one questions can be answered as well. Questions you can contact Kristina VonBerge at 320-632-0290.
--The Brainerd man involved in an all-terrain vehicle crash on Highway 371 back on April 1st has died from his injuries. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner reported that 42-year-old Jason Fletcher died from blunt force injuries to his head and chest due to an ATV crash. The crash was reported at 12:53pm April 1st near Landmark Drive north of Brainerd. The Minnesota State Patrol reported Fletcher was traveling north on the highway when the 2008 Polaris ATV entered a left turn lane north of Landmark Drive, struck a curb and rolled over. Fletcher was transported to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale. Where he died the next day. Road conditions were dry at the time. The state patrol reported alcohol was involved and Fletcher was not wearing a helmet.
--The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after an officer was shot during the execution of a search warrant in Granite Falls Monday afternoon. A press release says law enforcement was executing the knock-and-announce warrant at about 4pm. The suspect was wanted on several felony warrants related to drug and weapons charges. When they made entry, the suspect shot at officers, who returned fire and retreated. Once outside, one of the officers said he had been shot. He was taken to a nearby hospital and treated and released. Officers secured the scene, and after a 70-minute standoff, the suspect surrendered and was booked into the Yellow Medicine County Jail for charges.
--A Sauk Centre man has been arrested for allegedly trying to hire someone to commit a murder. The Todd County Sheriff's Office says they arrested 38-year-old Robert Thomas Tuesday for engaging in a murder-for-hire scheme. In late March the sheriff's office was made aware of a person trying to hire someone to murder a resident of Todd County. The target of the scheme is a close acquaintance of Thomas. Several agencies including the Todd County Sheriff's Office, the West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Offenders Task Force, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched an investigation. The sheriff says an undercover BCA agent arranged to meet with Thomas and during the meeting, Thomas came to an agreement with the agent to commit murder, including making an initial payment. Thomas agreed to pay more money once the murder was committed. A formal complaint is pending in Todd County.
--A reminder from Little Falls Community Schools if your group, organization or yourself personally wants to help out and volunteer for the annual Day of Caring on May 3rd you need to sign up by Friday at the school by contacting Julie Mushel at 616-2200. The list is full of those signed up for their yards and outside worked on and there is even a waiting list that was started for those in case there are cancellations before the event in May. Again questions on the Day of Caring can be addressed by calling the high school.
--The City of Brainerd is expected to start construction today, weather permitting which will close Third Street to automobile and pedestrian traffic from Washington Street north to Holly Street. This will mean the entrance to the hospital in Brainerd will have work in front of it. The Hospital has made arrangements to help with coming and going into the facility until the work is completed which is until mid-June.
– Minnesota companies and organizations will attend the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon spring conference on Thursday at Allianz Life in Minneapolis to share best practices in supporting military veterans, service members, and their families. Through its community and corporate partnerships, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program’s network provides veterans, service members, and their families in all military branches a wide range of support, including deployment readiness, family assistance and resources, youth programs, educational and career opportunities, and more. There are currently 79 active Minnesota BTYR companies and organizations.
NATIONAL NEWS
--The Federal Deadline for income tax filing is next Tuesday. That is a few days later as the deadline April 15th falls on Saturday and Monday is the observance of Emancipation Day which is a legal holiday in Washington D.C. So the Tax deadline is Tuesday April 18th.
WEATHER
TODAY= lots of sunshine and extremely mild, high 74.
TONIGHT= clear skies and very mild, low around 50.
THURSDAY= partly sunny and mild, high 74, clouds late, low 48.
FRIDAY= rain, thunderstorms at times, breezy, high 70, low 38.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win in a wild walk off last night 4-3 in 10 innings over the White Sox. Twins wrap up series with the White Sox today at Target Field, pregame at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ.
NBA= Lakers beat T-Wolves in play in 108-102 in overtime. The Wolves will have one more chance later this week to get in playoffs.