NEWS --A 20-year-old Brainerd man was arrested Monday after allegedly attacking a Brainerd High School staff member in a girls' locker room. The Brainerd Police Department was dispatched about 6:48am to investigate the attack. In a news release, Brainerd Police Chief Corky McQuiston stated the suspect approached a 36-year old woman from behind and attempted to grab and restrain her in the girls' locker room in the lower level of the north campus at BHS by the gymnasium. The woman was able to break free from the attacker and the suspect fled from the school. The woman suffered minor physical injuries. A witness at the school believed the attacker, who wore dark clothing, was a local man and identified him to police. About 15 minutes after the incident was reported, the suspect was located a short distance from the school on South Fifth Street, where he was taken into custody without incident. The Brainerd man was booked on four felonies—intentional false imprisonment, kidnapping, fourth degree criminal sexual conduct and attempted anticipatory crimes. Police believe the suspect removed items of clothing while fleeing from the scene and authorities continue to search for black gloves and a dark-colored bandana or face mask. The man was apparently a former student of the school and knew the layout after inside early on Monday morning. The school has upgraded security measures at the high school and policies are being looked at. Police will continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information to call the Brainerd Police Department at (218) 829-2805.
--Around 1:35pm Sunday the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office received a call from a property owner who reported that he had surveillance cameras on his property which showed 2 males on the deck of his remote cabin and he believes they may have broken into the cabin. A deputy arrived at the property located on the 26000 block of CR #19 and walked into the property where he discovered that the cabin had been forcibly entered. The deputy located two individuals, 21-year old Dustin Schmeda of Minneapolis and 25-year old Caleb Swanson of Crosby inside the cabin sleeping. Both males were arrested from the suspected burglary. The suspects’ vehicle was located at a neighboring property which contained several items of suspected stolen property which is being held by investigators. One of the suspects stated that they had broken into another cabin earlier, but he was unsure where the cabin was at, since he was not from the area. Crow Wing County Sheriff Goddard is asking the public to check their cabins to see if it has been entered. “This is a great example of citizens being vigilant about protecting their property”, said Goddard.
--A 19-year-old from Roseville was injured Sunday around 1:20pm on Interstate 94 in Todd County near West Union. Misael Moreno was eastbound on 94 when his vehicle went off the road and rolled. He was treated at an area hospital for non life threatening injuries.
--The Todd County Sheriff's Office on February 5th and 9th received reports from two residences along Highway 71 in Long Prairie of thefts of items taken from two residences. The first on the 5th said that mostly World War II memorabilia from inside a front porch wall were taken and then the second home said that in the back entryway a number of items, jewelry, electronics and a cell phone were taken. Unclear if they are related. Anyone with information or notices suspicious activity in the area should contact the sheriff's office.
--A Sartell man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting a police officer stemming from a December incident where court records say he attacked two residents in their home. Sartell police were called to the home December 13th on a report of an assault in progress. The victims say 33-year old Aaron Kraemer came to the house with a bottle of liquor and began cleaning. The male victim later heard yelling down the hallway and went to see what was happening. The man said Kraemer was on top of the woman and yelling at her. When the man yelled at Kraemer to get off of her, Kraemer picked the man up out of his wheelchair and threw him onto the ground. The woman tried to intervene and records show Kraemer grabbed her and pushed her into another room and got on top of her again. The male victim tried to get Kraemer off the woman and said Kraemer again threw him down and began punching and choking him. When police arrived, they say Kraemer was still on top of the man. Officers commanded Kraemer to get off the victim and he told them to tase him. As police separated Kraemer from the victim, he began to struggle and kicked the officer in the knee. Records show the assault started when Kraemer accused the woman of being unfaithful and calling her names. Sentencing is April 4th.
--The Minnesota Department of Commerce will continue to appeal Enbridge Energy’s proposed Line 3 oil pipeline after Governor Tim Walz announced Tuesday that he has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to reconsider the certificate of need it granted to the project. Governor Walz stated that “When it comes to any project that impacts our environment and our economy, we must follow the process, the law, and the science,” “The Dayton administration’s appeal of the PUC's decision is now a part of this process. By continuing that process, our administration will raise the Department of Commerce’s concerns to the court in hopes of gaining further clarity for all involved.” Groups supporting and opposing the construction had flocked to the governor's office in the weeks since Walz announced he would review an appeal to the Public Utilities Commission's decision to approve the repair project on the 340 miles of pipeline that carries oil from Alberta, Canada, to Superior, Wisconsin. Opponents of the pipeline project celebrated Walz's decision and attributed in part to their work lobbying at the Capitol.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Norm and Sarah Pollock of Little Falls, a girl born February 11th.
DEATH NOTICES --Irene D. Prozinski, age 90 of Little Falls. --Lester Lawrence Waddell, age 86 of Royalton.
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny, high 15, clouds increase tonight, low 10. THURSDAY= light snow, turning windy, temps drop from 21 to 5. FRIDAY= sunny and colder, high 7 above, low around -11.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins Hot Stove tonight at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ. COL BB= Gophers vs. Nebraska tonight 7:30pm on AM960 KLTF. GHK= Brainerd/Little Falls beat Sartell 4-1 last night and moves on to the Section finals Friday night at 7pm against North Wright County with a chance to get back to the state tournament next week.