NEWS
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen announced Monday the commencement of a Law Enforcement Scholarship program for 2017. The Minnesota Sheriff’s Association has established a scholarship fund for awarding up to fifteen $600 scholarships for this year. These scholarships are due to the coordinated efforts of all 87 Sheriff’s in the state of Minnesota. “The Board of Directors feel peace officers in our democratic society have complex duties to perform” said Sheriff Larsen. MSA recognized the importance of pre-entry training for people considering law enforcement as their career choice. MSA recognizes some students need outside help in meeting the costs of such training, even though they excel academically. The scholarship committee, in making its selection of awards, intends on achieving representation from all geographical areas of the state. Scholarship awards will be announced by December 30th. Application forms and a statement of procedures are available at the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office. Applications will only be accepted from September 1st to October 13th. Scholarships are only available to students currently enrolled in one of the following three categories: 1. Mandated POST Skills Program. 2. In the 2nd year of a 2-year law enforcement program. 3. In the 3rd or 4th year of a 4-year college Criminal Justice Program. Students meeting these criteria can get a scholarship application from the sheriff’s office, or online at www.mnsheriffs.org.
--Four people were hurt when a car hit a horse and buggy in Todd County. The Sheriff’s Office says it happened just before 6:00pm Monday on County Road 21 near Staples. A car driven by 34-year old Michael Rossi of Staples was going south when he ran into the buggy, which was going in the same direction. The buggy was driven by 24-year old William Miller of Aldrich. There were two passengers on the buggy, Levi Hersberger of Aldrich and Emanual Yoder of Bertha. All four men were taken to Staples Hospital. The horse had minor injuries and was taken from the scene by private party.
--A man was hurt in a crash on Highway 10 in Rice Monday afternoon. The incident happened shortly after 1:00pm at the intersection of 105th Street and Highway 10. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car driven by 66-year old Dennis Jung of Rice failed to yield at the intersection and struck another vehicle. Jung was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the other vehicle 66-year old Donald Larson and his passenger 66-year old Gail Larson were not hurt in the crash.
--A 24-year old Foley man was injured at about 5:45am Tuesday after crashing a semi in Monticello. Derek David Christen was entering the ramp to go east on Interstate Highway 94 from Minnesota Highway 25 when the load shifted and the semi tipped over. Christen was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for injuries that are not considered life threatening. A CentraCare Health spokesperson listed Christen's condition as fair on Tuesday afternoon.
--The Minnesota State Patrol responded to an injury accident Saturday night around 10:00pm near Becker in Sherburne County. It happened at the intersection of 127th Street Northeast and County Road 11. Authorities say a car driven by 29-year old Andrew Saunier of Becker was driving west on 127th Street Northeast when he went through a stop sign and was broadsided by a car driven by 24-year old Cody Westphal of Monticello. Westphal and his passenger, 23-year old Dallas Corbett of Monticello, were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non serious injuries. Saunier was not hurt.
--The Crosby mayor is stepping down in the midst of a scandal. The Crosby City Council on Monday accepted the resignation of Mayor Jim Hunter. He was arrested in March and accused of swindling his lover's husband out of $90,000 dollars. Hunter is charged with theft by swindle, assault and several other charges. Council member Ron Prushek was named acting mayor. The City Council is expected to make an appointment at its next meeting on September 11th.
--A 15-year old boy was shot in the leg Monday night in south St. Cloud. Police say the incident happened just before 11:30pm in the 600 block of 11th Street South. Officers were called to a report of a gunshot. When they arrived witnesses say several people were seen running from the area, including a male that was limping. A boy with a gunshot wound was found 30 minutes later at a house on 10th Avenue. Police say the 15-year old is visiting from Moorhead and had a non life threatening gunshot wound to the lower leg. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital. The victim has been limited in his cooperation with police, but at this point the shooting is not believed to be random. Anyone with information regarding the above incident is urged to contact the St. Cloud Police Department at 320-251-1200.
--Morrison County is among 11 counties included in an expanded ban on feeding deer in Minnesota. The DNR expanded the ban Monday as a means of preventing the spread of chronic wasting disease. CWD is a fatal contagious neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. The feeding ban is in place through February 28th, 2019, in all of Morrison, Stearns, Wright, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Meeker counties. It also affects the portion of Renville County north of U.S. Highway 212, the part of Cass County south of Minnesota highways 34 and 200, and the portion of Mille Lacs County north of County Road 11. That restriction started in December 2016 and continues through June 27, 2018. The new counties where feeding is banned surround two farms where multiple captive deer were infected with chronic wasting disease. The ban prohibits all types of feeding — corn, grain, salt and mineral blocks that many hunters use as well as fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay and other food that attracts deer.
--A reminder from the DNR that walleye season closes on Mille Lacs Lake after fishing hours conclude on Monday. Anglers fishing for all other species from shore, dock or pier may use live bait during daylight hours through Thursday, November 30th. All night fishing has been prohibited to work on walleye population.
--Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls has a chicken and ham dinner tonight 5-7pm. There is no official cost though a free will donation for fellowship hall addition with be taken at the event.
DEATH NOTICES
--Betty A. Boser, age 72 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= chance of rain midday, partly cloudy, high 75, low 52.
THURSDAY= sunny and cooler, high 68, clear night low 47.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high near 70, breezy, clear night low 52.
SPORTS
TWINS= Polanco hits 2 homers, Buxton another homer and Twins beat Chicago 6-4 last night. Twins & White Sox tonight 6:30 on Q92.
WNBA= Lynx travel to Indiana tonight to take on the Fever.