NEWS
--A 42-year old Royalton man is accused of breaking into the apartment of an ex-girlfriend through a window, according to a criminal complaint filed in Benton County District Court. Jimmy Alan Renner was charged with one felony count of first-degree burglary and one felony count of violating a domestic abuse no-contact order from an incident last Thursday afternoon in St. Cloud. Officers apprehended Renner as he was fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Renner was previously sentenced for felony level no-contact order violations in Mille Lacs County in June 2019. Renner's first court appearance was Friday; the complaint was amended Monday. He could be released from custody on a $10,000 unconditional bond or a $5,000 bond with conditions. His next court appearance is March 25.
--The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development have released their non seasonally adjusted county unemployment rates for December 2019. Morrison County had 7.5% unemployment, higher that the 6.6% in December of 2018. Here is how our other area counties fared for December unemployment rates: Benton 4.8%, Cass 7.6%, Crow Wing 5.7%, Mille Lacs 7.1%, Sherburne 4.1%, Stearns 3.5%, Todd 5.6% and Wadena County at 8%. The city of Brainerd had 5.9% unemployment and St. Cloud had 3.5%. The state wide non seasonally adjusted unemployment average in December was 3.5% and the national rate was 3.4%.
--Several students are facing consequences as a result of a fight at Tech High School in St. Cloud last week. St. Cloud Police were called to the school around 3:30pm Thursday for a fight in the school. Police say the fight was a result of an on-going dispute between two male students, which escalated to a fight involving 5-7 other students. When officers arrived the fight was over. School staff had separated the students before officers could respond. Police say no weapons were involved and this is an active investigation in which school administration will continue to review. School officials say all students directly involved in the fight have been removed from school pending the investigation's outcome. Future charges will be determined based on what occurred.
--During the week of January 19th through January 25th, the Todd County Sheriff's Office responded to 157 calls for service which included 50 traffic stops, 9 civil process, 13 suspicious activity type complaints, 3 assist other agencies, 4 car/deer accidents, 6 welfare checks, 4 disturbances/domestics, 6 vehicles in the ditch, and 3 accidents. Last Sunday, the TCSO received a report of a car that had went off road and struck a tree on County Road 16 near 291st Avenue in Browerville. The driver was identified as Hannah Lindquist who reported falling asleep prior to the crash. Lindquist was privately transported to the Lakewood ER to be treated for her injuries.
--A reminder to have the snow cleared from rooftops when it gets wet and heavy as Crosby officials found out when the roof of the Crosby library partially collapsed Saturday night. A portion of the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library roof apparently collapsed Saturday night and city crews worked quickly in saving historic memorabilia and the books inside. Crosby Mayor Bob Novak reported a person was walking their dog past the library when they heard a loud boom, which sounded like the roof collapsing. The passerby called 911 and crews responded to the library on First Street Southeast in Crosby. The hope is to have the library back open soon but no exact date was given. There were no injuries as the library was closed at the time.
--Little Falls Community Schools have announced that Chris Dobis will be the new high school assistant principal beginning July 1st, 2020.
--A longtime Sherburne County jail correctional officer is recovering from serious injuries after being assaulted by an inmate. Sheriff Joel Brott says the attack happened Monday just after 11:30am. Brott says the 50-year-old unnamed correction officer was performing routine checks on jail cells when he was attacked by 24-year-old Hakeem Coles. Coles reportedly attacked the officer from behind, hitting him on the head. The officer fell to the ground and Coles struck him several more times on the head. Other officers reported to the unit and detained Coles without further incident. Coles, who hadn't had any prior contact with the officer, told officials he has a hatred for law enforcement and planned to assault the next officer he saw. Coles was being held at the jail on federal first-degree aggravated robbery charges and could face federal charges for the assault. The 16-year police officer is to make a full recovery.
--If you drive in Sauk Rapids today be advised. The Sauk Rapids Public Works Department says 5th Street South from 9th Avenue to Skyview Drive will be closed today from 8:00am-4:30pm. You are asked to find alternate routes during this time.
--Join AM960 KLTF Party Line live today at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Pierz at 10:05am and online at fallsradio.com.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jerron and Katie Boser of Pierz, a baby girl born January 26th.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, high 24.
TONIGHT= freezing fog after midnight, low 15.
THURSDAY= freeze fog and flurries likely, high 26, low near 20.
FRIDAY= cloudy skies, high 30, light snow late, low 25.
SPORTS
DOLEMAN= Vikings Hall of Fame Defensive End Chris Doleman has died at age 58 from battling brain cancer.
NFL= Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has promoted his son to help fill a key vacancy on his staff. Adam Zimmer and Andre Patterson were appointed co-defensive coordinators. Assistant head coach Gary Kubiak will be the offensive coordinator after serving as an offensive adviser in 2019.
WNBA= Maya Moore in an interview over the weekend said she will miss another season in the WNBA as she feels work isn't finished yet pushing criminal justice reform and she said she will not be able to participate in the Tokyo Olympics. Moore helped the WNBA Minnesota Lynx to 4 WNBA championships before stepping away before last season. Moore said she knows coach Cheryl Reeve has told her that when she wants to return the door is open for her to do so.
TWINS= Twins Hot Stove tonight at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1613- Galileo observes the planet Neptune for the first time.
IN 1845= Edgar Allan Poe's “The Raven” is first published.
IN 1900= The American League of Baseball is formed with teams in Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee and Minneapolis to play first season in 1901.
IN 1936= first inductees into Baseball Hall of Fame are Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson & Walter Johnson.