NEWS
--The Minnesota National Guard Tuesday in a statement said that federal authorities have charged a 28-year-old man with illegal possession of a firearm after investigators say he fired on a team of National Guard personnel patrolling the city of Minneapolis as part of Operation Safety Net. The complaint against Andrew Thomas details the incident, which occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday April 18th at the corner of Penn Avenue and West Broadway Avenue North. Prosecutors say four guardsmen were stationed at the intersection with a Minneapolis police officer shortly before 4:30 a.m. when a distinctive tan SUV drove past and fired multiple shots at the team. Two of the National Guard soldiers suffered minor injuries. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage of the incident and noted several identifying features of the suspect vehicle, including unique rims and a black bike rack on the roof. Later that evening Minneapolis police were patrolling near 6th Street S. and Cedar Ave. when they spotted a 2002 Ford Explorer that matched the description of the shooter's vehicle. Prosecutors say the driver of the SUV, Thomas, and a juvenile were placed in separate squad cars for interrogation. The juvenile told police that Thomas had a gun in the truck. Officers obtained a search warrant for the Explorer and recovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a .22 caliber pistol and some spent shell casings. Ballistics tests were performed on the 9mm pistol, and the results matched shell casings involved in the National Guard shooting. Thomas was previously convicted of assault in Hennepin County in December of 2017, making him ineligible to own or use a firearm.
--A St. Cloud woman has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a man to death. The St. Cloud Police Department was called to a report of a stabbing in a driveway at a home in the 1500 block of 9th Avenue North just after 1:00pm Monday. Officers arrived and provided life-saving efforts to the injured 36-year-old St. Cloud man. Mayo Ambulance crews took him to St. Cloud Hospital where he later died. The suspect, 40-year old Lindsay Shelltrack-Miller, was arrested.
--The Brainerd Fire Department responded to three vehicle crashes and a grass fire this past weekend. The grass fire was reported at 4:23 p.m. Sunday. It burned 2 acres on the 8000 block of Cook Road. The DNR assisted at the scene. A vehicle crash was reported at 10:28 a.m. Saturday on the 800 block of Holly Street in Brainerd. Fire crews assisted at the scene. The second crash was at 1:25 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Thiesse and Oakridge roads, just south of Brainerd. Firefighters were canceled en route. The third crash was at 11:42 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Highway 210 and Elder Drive in Baxter. Firefighters assisted at the scene. The fire department stated that in the three vehicle crashes there was first reports of injuries but no reports of anyone needing hospitalization.
--The City of Flensburg will have a cleanup day on Saturday, from 8am-10am at the City Hall/Fire Hall in Flensburg. During the event residents will have the opportunity to walk through the city hall and fire hall and enjoy coffee and donuts, further details are available at the city hall/fire hall in Flensburg. Also Green Prairie Township will hold a cleanup day on Saturday from 8am-11am at Green Prairie Town Hall. For more details on either contact your local officials.
--St. James Church stated that a free food distribution event will be at 4pm Sunday in the church parking lot. No one will be allowed to enter the lot until 3:30 or you will be turned away and asked to come back. If you can volunteer you asked to call Al Poser at 749-2449.
--Ex Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd including 2nd Degree unintentional murder. The judge stated that it will be at least eight weeks before sentencing of Chauvin will take place. The jury reached their verdict after about 6 hours of deliberations on Tuesday morning.
--April 26th through April 30th, Little Falls Community Schools, in partnership with Morrison County Public Health and University of Minnesota Extension, is participating in National “Every Kid Healthy Week”. At school, “Every Kid Healthy Week” promotes and reinforces healthy habits, good nutrition, emotional health, and physical activity. At home, “Every Kid Healthy Week” promotes emotional wellness, good nutrition, and physical activity with your own family - healthy habits can start at home. Each day next week will have daily themes for the students, Mindful Monday to encourage Social Emotional Health, Tasty Tuesday to increase Nutrition and Healthy Food Access, Wellness Wednesday to promote Self-Care Strategies, Thoughtful Thursday to highlight Connectedness, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness and Fitness Friday to inspire Physical Activity/Active play.
--A Waite Park woman is charged with three felonies after a domestic dispute Friday. Waite Park Police were called to the scene just before 7:30am where a man said 31-year-old Ashley Freeman had assaulted him and damaged his vehicle. Court records show the vehicle had broken windows and flat tires. The victim said he looked out the window and saw Freeman hitting his vehicle with an unknown object. When he went out to move his car, the man said Freeman pushed him and kicked him in the groin. Freeman said she got a knife to slash the tires, but the victim said she came at him and threatened to cut him. Court records show Freeman told officers she bashed the windows with a metal rod and got the knife to slash his tires, but denied touching or threatening the man. Freeman is charged with felony threats of violence and two counts of felony domestic assault. She has previous convictions for violating orders for protection.
--The Pierz Speech Team competed at the Section 5A Speech Tournament Saturday, April 17th. Jaron Gross won the Section Championship in Humorous! Jaron will be competing at the Class A Speech Tournament on Saturday, April 24th. Breanna Storkamp placed 8th in Original Oratory. Victoria Mitchell placed 8th in Serious Drama. Abby Skwira placed 6th in Original Oratory. Hailey Koch placed 6th in Serious Prose. Nevaeh Pettengill, Ellie Fischer, and Christina Schaefer also competed at sections; however, they did not place. Congratulations to the entire speech team and coaches on another outstanding season.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, PM flurries, high 44.
TONIGHT= cloudy early, then clearing overnight, low 26.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, warmer and breezy, high 60, low 38.
FRIDAY= cloudy skies, PM rain showers, high 53, low near 30.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins get shut out twice yesterday in Oakland after returning to action for first time since last Friday. Oakland wins first game 7-0 and second game 1-0. The Twins are scheduled to wrap up their series with Oakland today 2pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ.
NBA= Timberwolves win in an all around effort last night in Sacramento against the Kings 134-120. Wolves are 16-43.
VL= Pierz Brewers at Pierz Bulldogs Sunday at 1:30pm on KLTF.