NEWS --Charges are pending against 31-year old Vincent Beaulieu from Onamia for his involvement in attempting to pass counterfeit money at businesses in northeast Morrison County. On January 22nd Beaulieu went into a gas station and attempted to use counterfeit money to pay for merchandise. The owner of the business noticed it was counterfeit and questioned him about it. Beaulieu then fled the business, but the owner was able to retain a portion of the counterfeit bill. Morrison County Investigators were assisted by the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office in identifying the suspect as Beaulieu. During the investigation it was learned that three other businesses throughout Morrison County have been receiving counterfeit bills. Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen wants to remind business owners to take the proper precautions if they believe someone is trying to pass counterfeit money. Businesses should try and get a description of the person as well as a license plate number of the vehicle they are associated with. All denominations of US currency should be checked by business owners. In most cases, the counterfeit money can be recognized by the materiel it is made from. The texture and appearance is sometimes noticeable. If you encounter a possible counterfeit bill, call the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233.
--Taylor Kimman of Pierz Healy High School and Brock Snyder of Royalton High School were picked as MSHSL State recipients for the 2017 ExCEL award. ExCEL - Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership - is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show leadership qualities, and who volunteer in their communities.
--A 70-year-old Milaca man died after crossing the centerline of Minnesota Highway 23 and colliding with another vehicle at about 1:55pm Monday. The victim, Rocke Rowland was eastbound on Highway 23 when he crashed head on into a westbound car driven by 62-year old Terry Allen Vedder of Milaca. Vedder was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital for life-threatening injuries. This is the second fatal collision on Highway 23 in the past week. On January 31, 29-year-old Kevin Gordon Couch of Milaca crossed the centerline of Minnesota 23 near 11th Avenue, colliding with a vehicle driven by Foreston resident Lindsay Marie Cardinal. Cardinal died in the collision.
--A 30-year-old Brainerd man faces six felonies for allegedly physically assaulting a woman. Jeremy Antoine Lee Brown was charged Friday in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd with two counts of stalking and four counts of domestic assault charges, including by strangulation. The judge set unconditional bail at $40,000 and bond with conditions at $20,000. His next court hearing is March 6th.
--After several dry springs, communities are keeping a wary eye on the Red River in case it’s due for another flood. The region has been soaked with double the usual amount of winter rain, sleet and snow, prompting the National Weather Service to recently issue an early warning about potential spring floods. Meteorologists say there’s a risk of moderate flooding around Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. But officials say they’re confident the defenses they’ve built in the 20 years since the catastrophic flood of 1997 will protect their communities this spring. The National Weather Service will update their flood outlook at the end of February.
--The American Dairy Association of Crow Wing County is seeking candidates for the Dairy Princess Program this year. A candidate must be a high school graduate by July 1, 2017 and not yet 24 years old by July 1st. She or her parents must be actively engaged in the production of milk or sale to a licensed plant during the year. Also if the candidate's family works on a dairy farm or if a sibling has taken over the home farm. Crow Wing County also crowns junior dairy princesses between the ages of 13 and high school senior and also dairy ambassadors between the ages of 13 and 21. An ambassador does not have to live or work on a dairy farm. Applications can be obtained by calling Rosanne at (218) 828-1998. The coronation will be on April 1st at the Pierz Ballroom. The Morrison County Dairy Princess Coronation banquet is a week earlier on March 25th at the Falls Ballroom in Little Falls. For an appliciation in Morrison County contact Stacy Happke at (320) 468-6257.
--On Tuesday at the Morrison County Board Meeting they recognized DNR Conservation Officer Paul Kuske as he will be retiring at the end of the month. He provided 28 years of service to Morrison County as our Conservation Officer. Also at the meeting employees were recognized for their years of service. The County Board recognized the following employees: 10 years of service- Deputy Mark Dzieweczynski, Deputy David Scherping and Chaplain Gregg Valentine. 15 years of service- Correctional Officer Kim Lillemoe. 20 years of service- Mike Wochnick. 25 years of service- Sentence To Serve Crew Leader Tim Brummer, Sgt. Linda LeBlanc, Sgt. Mary Venske, Correctional Officer Joan Mushel, 911 Dispatcher Peggy Zimny and 911 Dispatcher Heather Ray.
--Little Falls Community High School will have Parent/Teacher Conferences on Monday, February 13th from 3:45 - 6:45pm in the High School Commons. This will be the only Parent/Teacher Conference scheduled for Quarter 3. Parents are encouraged to stop by the high school during conferences to learn more about your student's progress this year.
--Join Great River Arts for a Valentine's Dance Party called Crazy on You Friday and Saturday at 8pm with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets are $18 and have gone very fast. Only a few remain by calling 632-0960 or by going to greatart.org/live.
DEATH NOTICES --George Roman Wollack, age 79, a resident from Royalton.
WEATHER TODAY= sunny and colder, high 8 above, wind chills -20. TONIGHT= clear and cold, low -10, wind chills -25. THURSDAY= partly cloudy, high 14, temps rise overnight. FRIDAY= hazy sun, warmer, high 40, low around 28.
SPORTS COL BB= Gophers host Iowa tonight 7:30pm on AM960 KLTF. TWINS= Twins Deep Cuts tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1861= The Confederate States of American established in Montgomery, Alabama starting beginning of U.S. Civil War. IN 1922= first radio given to the White House- President Harding IN 1974= Good Times with Jimmy Walker debuted on CBS TV.