[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Wednesday, April 27th 2016[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–The Little Falls Community Schools has received word of more unauthorized vendors. In the past week the school was informed of a vendor selling 2016 Football /fall schedule cards for Little Falls High School. This was not authorized by the school and they don’t receive any funds for this project. If any businesses are contacted to support the school with this cause and are unsure if it is a legitimate offer, it is best to contact the school activities director Kevin Jordan for verification at (320) 616-2206.
–A man held a knife to a cashier’s throat during a robbery of a St. Cloud gas station Saturday night, according to charges filed in Benton County court Tuesday. 18-year old Jacob Swanstrom was charged with first-degree aggravated robbery and second-degree assault. He appeared in court Tuesday morning.
–Minnesota schools and communities are invited to apply for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s bicycle fleets and trailers funding. This funding will support teachers across the state using the Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum to help students learn safe walking and biking behaviors. Communities can get more information and apply online at www.mndot.gov/saferoutes/bicyclesolic.html. Deadline to apply is June 1st. MnDOT will award three to four communities to receive funding for a bicycle fleet and the training needed to teach bicycle safety using the Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum. The funding will provide for the purchase of a bicycle fleet, which includes approximately 40 bicycles, helmets, basic supplies and an enclosed trailer to store and move them. The funding is targeted toward children in grades 4-8. Eligible groups include private and public schools, cities, counties, federally recognized tribes, non-profit organizations, commissions or metropolitan planning agencies. Since 2005, MnDOT has awarded approximately $20 million in federal and state funds to communities to support Safe Routes to School projects and programs.
–The heavy rains from Sunday have lessened the fire danger in the state. The DNR reported some restrictions were downgraded from the recent rains. The north part of the state is now allowing campfires and variance burning permits. The hopes are that with more rain this week the fire danger remains low and restrictions could be lifted by the first part of May. Fires have scorched thousands of acres of land including over 450 acres from two fires earlier this month in the Motley area.
–Motorists on Highway 169 between Onamia and Vineland may encounter delays when lanes and shoulders are closed during non-rush hours starting Monday, May 2 running through mid-July. The two-lane segments of Highway 169 will be reduced to a single lane overnights 7pm to 7am, Sunday nights through Friday mornings. Flaggers and a pilot car will allow one-way, alternating traffic through the overnight work zones. Motorists approaching the work zones must slow down, be prepared to stop, then follow the pilot car through the work zone. Motorists entering the work zones from intersecting roads or driveways must wait for the pilot car to pass, then follow it through the work zone. More work will continue on portions of Highway 169 through the end of May. The closures are needed while crews resurface the road, replace underground pipes and guardrail, extend turn lanes within the four-lane segment of Highway 169, upgrade the signal system at Casino Drive plus other highway improvements.
–Morrison County Commissioner in District 1- Kevin Maurer announced that he will run for reelection this November.
–A Stearns County judge Tuesday signed an order committing 54-year-old Dean Friese indefinitely to a state mental-health facility after Friese was found incompetent to stand trial on charges that he killed his mother. Friese is accused of stabbing his mother, 72-year-old Lois Arlene Omeara, in September 2013. According to court records, Friese stabbed Omeara in an apartment complex where they each lived in separate apartments. Friese has undergone several exams to determine his competency to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder. Some of those exams have found him competent, while others have found him unable to assist his attorneys in his own defense. A trial was set to begin May 10th, but that will be postponed while Friese attends a competency restoration program in St. Peter. Friese already attended the program once last year. After the most recent determination that Friese was not competent for trial, a petition was filed to commit him. Stearns County District Court Judge John Scherer signed that order Tuesday.
–Crow Wing Energized has awarded nearly $7,500 through four Healthy Community Grants to support efforts to move their community to a place where the healthy choice is the easy choice. Discovery Woods School in Brainerd and Pointway Church in Baxter each received a grant to create a garden working with local Master Gardeners. Hallett Center of Crosby received a grant to purchase games and sporting equipment to improve daily activity in youth for their “Summer Kidz Kamp” serving children in grades K-5th. Wellness in the Woods received a grant to support a conference they are hosting on September 17th in Brainerd titled “Hope- the Key to Resilience”. Grant applications from Crow Wing Energized are being accepted until May 30th. Organization criteria for applying includes serving or located within Crow Wing County, including but not limited to: neighborhood, youth, or environmental groups; faith-based organizations; health care organizations; civic or citizens’ associations; economic development agencies; local government entities; local businesses; school districts and other similar groups. For an application visit the website crowwingenergized.org.
DEATH NOTICES
–Inez Olson, age 99 of Staples.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, afternoon showers develop, high 51.
TONIGHT= rain likely, some snow late, low 34.
THURSDAY= rain/snow early then cloudy with rain, high 50, low 32.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy skies and dry, high 56, low 40.
SPORTS
TWINS= Miguel Sano hit walk off single in 9th to give Twins their second 9th inning heroic win 6-5 over Indians. Twins wrap up with Cleveland tonight, pregame at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
ROX= The St. Cloud Rox are pleased to announce that three-time Major League Baseball All-Star catcher and World Series champion Terry Steinbach will be in attendance as this year’s opening night guest. Steinbach will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Saturday, June 4th at 7:05 p.m. at Joe Faber Field as the Rox take on the Thunder Bay Border Cats.
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