NEWS --Minnesota's latest legislative session got underway Tuesday. Squaring Minnesota's tax code with the recently passed federal tax cuts is one of the top priorities for 2018.The Legislature accomplished its primary job last year when it passed a $46 billion, two-year budget. One of the first orders of business is approving budgets for the House and Senate. Governor Mark Dayton vetoed that funding last year. Many eyes will be on GOP Senator Michelle Fischbach, who ascended to become lieutenant governor this past year. She's fighting to maintain her seat and Republican's one seat majority in the Senate but Democrats are challenging that.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl reported that the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division (LADID) executed a search warrant on the 700 block of F Street in Brainerd on around 9:45am on Friday. The search warrant was a result of ongoing reports of drug activity from a residence believed to be distributing methamphetamine in the area for the past few weeks. Brainerd Police were able to stop numerous vehicles related to this residence. Methamphetamine was located in the vehicles. During the search, investigators located methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription pills that were being sold by the residents. 32-year old Adam Everette Carnes of Brainerd and 26-year old Mona Joyce Stuber of Brainerd were arrested without incident. Charges have been filed on both for 3rd degree controlled substance sale. Carnes is known by investigators from previous investigations to be involved in the sale of methamphetamine in the Brainerd area.
--A St. Cloud man has been sentenced to 15 and a half years in a federal prison for possession with intent to sell a large amount of methamphetamine. 37-year old Donald Schlichting pleaded guilty after federal prosecutors took over the case from Stearns County. Court records show Schlichting was stopped by St. Cloud Police in February 2017. The officer discovered two pounds of methamphetamine in the car. Additional charges were added against Schlichting after he had a car delivered to him from Arizona containing more than 10 pounds of meth about one month later. Authorities were notified March 28th, 2017 that a New Mexico state trooper stopped a truck hauling a car containing meth and headed for Minnesota. Court records show the car was to be delivered to Schlichting in Clearwater. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force sent an undercover officer to deliver the vehicle to Schlichting the following day. Schlichting and another man, 47-year-old Leland Siegel were arrested after picking up the car and accessing the hidden compartment where the drugs were stored. Siegel's case is still moving through the court system.
--One person was injured early Tuesday morning on Highway 169 in Page Township of Mille Lacs County. A freight liner on 169 started to slow at an intersection and the driver behind the truck was unable to stop in time. 56-year old Bruce Johnson of Ramsey was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the freight truck, 56-year old Randall Hermann of Watertown was not hurt.
--The Little Falls Community High School will hold their high school wide talent show on Monday, February 26th at 7:30pm at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium. The event has been used as a fundraiser for different uses. For more information on the event contact the high school activities office.
--Little Falls Community Middle School parent/teacher conferences will be on Monday 26th from 4-7pm at the Middle School Commons.
--3M has agreed to pay the state of Minnesota $850 million to settle a major case alleging the manufacturer damaged natural resources and contaminated groundwater by disposing of chemicals over decades. The state was seeking $5 billion from Minnesota based 3M in a case that focused on the company's disposal of chemicals once used to make Scotchgard fabric protector and other products. The lawsuit, filed in 2010, alleged 3M damaged Minnesota's natural resources, including more than 100 miles of the Mississippi River, and contaminated drinking water, harmed wildlife and posed a threat to human health. The company denies it did anything wrong, insisting it was acting legally at the time. Attorney General Lori Swanson said the settlement money will go toward projects to clean up and safeguard drinking water in the eastern suburbs of St. Paul. The settlement was announced Tuesday after jury selection was halted as the trial was set to begin.
--This year, Grow Rural Education will award schools $2.3 million through $10,000 and $25,000 grants, which will make a lasting impact. Farmers can nominate schools to receive the funding until April 2nd by visiting www.GrowRuralEducation.com, or by calling toll free at (877) 267-3332. They also want to encourage teachers to connect with farmers and ask them to nominate their school.
--The Crow Wing County American Dairy Association is seeking candidates to serve as dairy ambassadors and junior dairy princesses. The deadline to submit applications is Saturday, February 24th. The coronation will be held Saturday, March 17th at the Pierz ballroom beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets are $12. Anyone with questions can contact Rosanne at (218) 828-1998.
--CHI St. Gabriel's Health is welcoming OB/GYN Dr. Marie Nelson to their staff with a public open house on Thursday from 4:30-6pm at the Family Medical Center in Little Falls. All are welcome to come and meet Dr. Nelson and enjoy some refreshments at the event.
--The Brainerd/LF girls hockey bus will be escorted through Pierz at 11:30am this morning. Pierz Healy High co-ops with them, and they are gong to state. Pierz' own Ella Kalusche had the winning goal in triple OT to send them to the state tournament. Residents are encouraged to line the streets at that time to send them off. Also the Little Falls Community High School will be hosting a pep rally and send off at 10:30am today at the high school gym for the girls hockey team where students have a chance to root on the team.
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, high near 20. TONIGHT= increasing clouds, low around 0 then rising late. THURSDAY= cloudy, high 25, snow in afternoon, 2-4 inches possible FRIDAY= snow ending, then partly cloudy, windy, high near 30.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins Hot Stove tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ. GHK= The State Girls Hockey tournament begins today with Class A competition. The Class AA quarters begin on Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Brainerd/Little Falls vs. Edina 6:00pm Thursday in Class AA state tournament live on Q92 WYRQ. OLY= The Winter Olympics continue through Sunday, the United States women's Hockey team goes for gold tonight against Canada. U.S. Men's hockey eliminated by Czech Republic last night. As of early today the U.S. had 14 medals, compared to Canada 20, Germany 23 and Norway is now at 32 medals. BHK= River Lakes beat Little Falls 3-2 last night in hockey playoffs.