NEWS
--Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered in Crow Wing County recently. A suspected infestation was found near Brainerd and EAB larvae were later found and confirmed to be the invasive species. First discovered in 2009, the insect has now been confirmed in 48 Minnesota counties. Recently it was reported Emerald Ash Borer in Morrison County around Genola and Little Falls along with 6 other counties in the past 3 months. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has enacted an emergency quarantine of any firewood or ash material to prevent the movement of tree-killing insects. A virtual informational meeting will be held on February 8th at 10am for tree care professionals who work in Crow Wing County.
--The Brainerd Fire Department had two crews active last Thursday. At 3:29pm Thursday, the fire department was called for mutual aid by Garrison Fire Department for a house fire on the 9000 block of Zallar Road. According to police scanner reports, a fire in the garage advanced to the house. Brainerd crews assisted with firefighters and water. About 10 firefighters from Brainerd’s department were on the scene for an hour. No injuries were reported. While there at 3:37pm there was a report of a dryer fire at Mississippi Terrace Apartments, Southwest Fourth Street in Brainerd. The fire was reported on the second floor of the apartment building. The fire was contained to the dryer. The area was ventilated. About 12 firefighters were on scene for about 30 minutes, again no injuries from either fire call.
--School Bus Stop Arm violations are on the rise in central Minnesota. In the past few weeks after winter break St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice and Royalton schools have had at least one report of a vehicle going through the stop arm when the red lights are flashing. St. Cloud has had over 20 violations reported since the school year began. A reminder that a vehicle, if it on an undivided highway need to stop for the stop arm regardless of which way they are going.
When a motorists does not stop. It is a misdemeanor charge if a motorists goes through the stop arm and can become a gross misdemeanor if children are in danger. Please do your part for the remainder of the school year and watch and stop for buses.
--Great River Arts announced with Director Mark Gerbi the return of local theater performances this and next weekend. Gerbi is producing “Ken Ludwig’s A Fox on the Fairway,” a hilarious farce that will without doubt make people laugh, he said. The two-hour theater production will be held this Friday through Sunday and next weekend February 9-11th. The performances on Fridays and Saturdays will begin at 7pm with the doors opening at 6pm and on Sundays at 1pm with doors opening at noon. The Great River Arts Bar will be open from when the doors open and throughout the performance. A dessert will be served to those attending during intermission. Gerbi and the cast encourage people to attend the theater production. To purchase tickets or reserve a table as they must be purchased in advance visit www.greatart.org or call (320) 632-0960.
--Meghann Boser of the Morrison County United Way reminds those interested in the sweetheart meal to call before Sunday at 632-5102 for the steak, lobster, potato and vegetable for $50 fundraiser. Also United Way will be wrapping flowers for donations on Valentine's Day February 14th at Coborn's Marketplace in Little Falls.
--A police chase and drunk driving crash has led to criminal charges against a Cold Spring man. According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court, 24-year-old Lucas Skuza is charged with fleeing police and two counts of criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol. The incident started 11:30pm Saturday in Cold Spring. An officer saw a car belonging to Skuza going 70-miles-per-hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone. The officer gave chase but was unable to find the vehicle. A short time later, the officer was approaching a business on Highway 23 and saw the suspect's car going nearly 80-miles-an-hour in a 65-miler-per-hour zone on Highway 23. A 12-mile chase ensued with speeds of between 90-100-miles-per-hour. Skuza allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with an eastbound vehicle on Highway 23. Skuza was arrested at the scene and allegedly admitted that he'd been drinking and said it was his fault. Court records show Skuza also said he did not recall much of the incident but assumed he fled because he had expired tabs and was too intoxicated to be on the road. Skuza's passenger and the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash suffered non-life threatening injuries.
--Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan joined MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger Tuesday to reveal the Name a Snowplow contest winner. Each of which will adorn a plow door in one of Minnesota's eight MnDOT highway districts. More than 8,000 names were submitted to the agency's website and then whittled down to the eventual chosen eight by state residents. In all, 32,500 people voted online. The winners, Dolly Plowton-District 1 (Northeast Minnesota), Clark W. Blizzwald-District 3 (Central Minnesota), Taylor Drift-District 2 (Northwest Minnesota), You're Killin' Me Squalls-District 6 (Southeast Minnesota), Beyonsleigh-District 4 (West Central Minnesota), Waipahinte (Dakota word for Snowplow)-District 8 (Southwest Minnesota), Fast and Flurrious-District 7 (South Central Minnesota) and Barbie's Dream Plow-Metro District (Twin Cities). Thanks to all to sent in entries this year.
DEATH NOTICES
--Sharon Marie Larson, age 74 of Cushing.
--Jimmy F. Schultz, age 78 of Sartell.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning fog, then sunny and mild, high near 50.
TONIGHT= fog overnight, low around 32.
THURSDAY= fog early, then sunny, more wind, high 43, low 30.
FRIDAY= partly sunny skies, cooler and breezy, high 37, low 27.
SPORTS
TWINS= Inside Twins “Hot Stove” tonight at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ. Twins also announced they have traded Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners for a number of prospects and players for the infielder.
NFL= Vikings will be represented Sunday by Andrew DePaola a long snapper and defensive player Danielle Hunter. CJ Ham was announced Monday as a replacement on the NFC as a fullback for the 49ers fullback now in the Super Bowl. The Vikings Receivers Coach Keenan McCardell will be the Offensive Coordinator for the NFC players in the flag football game Sunday at 2pm on KLTF.
WRAP= get a rundown on high school sports Saturday morning just after 9am with Saturday Morning Sports Wrap on AM960 KLTF.