NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that Monday at approximately 6:46 pm, their office received a report of a boating accident on the Platte River, north of Royalton in Bellevue Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 43-year-old Craig Maslonkowski of Royalton was driving a boat on the Platte River. The driver attempted to make a quick turn, lost control and struck a tree on shore. Maslonkowski was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance with a leg injury.
--The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has released the name of the man killed in a fire Sunday afternoon. Investigators say about 1:45, 76-year-old John David Schram was found outside an outbuilding at a home in Watab Township. A passerby noticed the fire and saw Schram, who appeared to be engulfed in flames. The person called 911 and tried to render aid to Schram, who was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into the fire is underway.
--One person has been taken into custody after an incident on Monday in Meire Grove. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was called to the city for an active incident and told the public to avoid the area. Detectives stated in a press release that no injuries to the officers or suspects had been reported. No other people are wanted in connection to the incident. Deputies say the investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available. Meire Grove is located in western Stearns County along Highway 4, near Melrose.
--A detour starting Monday will impact drivers who use Highway 169 along Mille Lacs Lake. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says Highway 169 will close between Crow Wing County Road 26 and 460th Street South of Garrison. The closure is necessary to replace three culverts beneath the roadway and is part of a larger project that starts in May. Drivers will follow a signed detour along County Road 26 to County Road 8 to 460th Street. The work is expected to last five days and all lanes will reopen by Noon on Friday, May 3rd. Starting in late May, a resurfacing and improvement project will cover seven miles of Highway 169 along the west side of Mille Lacs Lake. Remember that road work is already underway on Highway 10 around Little Falls, Highway 10 south of Royalton and many other road projects including Highway 23 in St. Cloud and many others near the Twin Cities Metro Area. For the latest road construction and closures go to the website 511mn.org and check out the road map.
--A 44-year-old man allegedly fleeing from police was seriously injured when his vehicle rolled over and crashed. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office says about 10:25 Sunday night, deputies responded to a traffic complaint of someone driving erratically. Deputies spotted the pickup truck in Otsego and tried to initiate a traffic stop when the driver took off. The deputy followed with red lights and sirens activated, but the driver continued until he got on Highway 101 heading south and then took the off ramp at 45th Street Northeast in St. Michael. The pickup truck and squad car then made contact, causing the truck to roll. The driver had to be cut out of his pickup and was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Police say they believe the driver from Le Crescent, Minnesota, alcohol was a factor.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is holding the first of four Free Park Days on Saturday. The DNR waives vehicle parking permits for the day to encourage people to get out to one of the 74 state parks which includes Charles A. Lindbergh State Park.
--St. Edward's Church in Elmdale is having a spaghetti supper fundraiser for their fire restoration going on at the church from the fire last July. The church is planning to reopen with a Mass on June 29th at 5pm. This Friday the fundraiser and raffle is 5-7:30pm at St. Mary's in Upsala. Raffle tickets are available for $20 at area businesses, the church office, at the event or at Coborn's Marketplace today from 10am-2pm where they will be selling tickets with a grand prize of $2,000. Come and help the church funds to get prepared for the church to reopen in June.
--A car versus motorcycle crash was reported at 2:03pm Monday in the roundabout intersection of College Drive and Mississippi Parkway. The Brainerd Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted with patient care. Minor injuries were reported.
--The court case against a 37-year-old Brainerd man accused of exposing himself to multiple children at a Brainerd business is on hold while the man enters a treatment program. William Christopher Kounkel is charged with felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 14 with the perpetrator at least 36 months older, two charges of felony harassment with sexual or aggressive intent with a victim under the age of 18, and a gross misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 16 stemming from a March 25, 2023, incident at the business. He also faces charges of felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 14 with the perpetrator at least 36 months older and felony harassment where the victim was under the age of 18 and the intent was aggressive or sexual in nature from a separate incident Dec. 5, 2022, at the same business. Kounkel appeared with his public defender, Mark Hansen, Monday, April 22, before Judge Erik Askegaard in Crow Wing County District Court. Hansen informed the court Kounkel was accepted into a 45-day treatment program and would be asking the court to reschedule the hearing. Kounkel told the court he would be checking into treatment later on Monday. Hansen also informed the court Kounkel would possibly be looking to settle after completing treatment.
--There will be cleanup days on Saturday in Ripley Township at the town hall from 8am-12pm, also in the city of Sobieski going from 9-11am, city of Flensburg at the City Hall/Fire Hall from 8-10am. Green Prairie Township will have a cleanup day Saturday morning from 8-11am at the town hall, and Morrill Township will also have a cleanup day on Saturday from 7-10:30am at the Morrill Town Hall. Contact your city or township official for further details.
DEATH NOTICES
--William J. Cameron, age 54 of Randall.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, pleasant, high 58, clear night, low 39.
THURSDAY= sunny and windy, high 66, showers overnight, low 48.
FRIDAY= rain and thunderstorms, high 58, rain at night, low 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= Buxton homers and Kirilloff walks off the win last night as the Twins beat White Sox 6-5. Game 3 tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NBA= Wolves win 105-93 over Phoenix to go up 2-0 in the series. Game 3 is Friday and Game 4 is Sunday night Phoenix.