NEWS
--Minnesota Department of Health reported Tuesday 403 new cases of COVID-19 with 6 new deaths (which were all 63 or older). There was one new case of COVID-19 in Morrison County making 70 positive cases since testing started. 12 new cases in Stearns, 1 new case in Crow Wing on Tuesday's report.
--Midwest Dairy Association announced Tuesday that the 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way will be crowned on Wednesday August 12th, live at a private banquet for the 10 candidates and their families. The ceremony will be live streamed through the Princess Kay Facebook page. While the Minnesota State Fair has been canceled for 2020, the rich tradition of butter sculpting will continue, with the newly crowned Princess Kay’s likeness scheduled to be sculpted on Thursday, August 13th. This will take place on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in the butter booth inside the Dairy Building, where the butter sculpting typically takes place. The nine other finalists will be sculpted in the subsequent days, with the final sculpture being created on Saturday, August 22nd. Although the public will not be able to enjoy the butter sculpting in person, live updates will be streamed on the Princess Kay Facebook page each day, with opportunities to virtually ask questions and interact with Princess Kay and the finalists. Due to travel restrictions and risks associated with the pandemic, long-time butter sculptor Linda Christensen, who resides in California, will not be traveling to Minnesota to sculpt this year. After spending two years as an apprentice with Christensen, Minnesota sculptor Gerry Kulzer, an artist and teacher from Litchfield, will be sculpting all 10 of the butter sculptures this year. Christensen will be joining virtually to participate in the sculpting of Princess Kay for the 49th consecutive year. Christensen is planning to return for her 50th year of involvement to carve Princess Kay in 2021 before officially passing the knife to Kulzer to take over as sculptor for the program. Social distancing guidelines will be observed for all in person events. To learn more about the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program, please visit MidwestDairy.com.
--A St. Cloud woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in southwestern Minnesota. The State Patrol says it happened just after 9:00pm Monday on Highway 67 in Yellow Medicine County near Granite Falls. A van was traveling east when it crossed the center line, gradually drove into the ditch, paralleled the roadway for about 100 yards, and then struck a tree head on. A passenger in the van, 30-year old Kasandra Krumm of St. Cloud, was killed in the crash.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office will be holding an informational meeting for youth ages 15-21 years old who are interested in a law enforcement career on Sunday, August 9th, 2020 at 6:00pm at the Law Enforcement Center (LEC). The Explorer’s Program has been in existence since 1976. Accepted members learn response tactics for everyday law enforcement calls, report writing, defensive tactics, and arrest protocol. These skills are put to the test at several competitions across the state of Minnesota against other agencies who participate in the Explorer’s Program. Members are also used to volunteer at community events by providing security, first aid and traffic control. Explorers are also allowed to participate in ride-alongs with deputies and sit-alongs with dispatchers. The group meets every Sunday night from 5:30-9:15pm. Interested youth are encouraged to attend the informational meeting with their parents or guardians. Attendees are requested to RSVP at eric.schultz@co.stearns.mn.us.
--Today is the deadline to file federal and state income taxes. Normally the deadline is April 15th but this year an extension was granted due to COVID-19 concerns. Taxes must be filed and postmarked by today to avoid late penalties.
--Around 1:50pm Sunday a couple who was walking in the Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area off of Crow Wing County Road #16 in Ideal Township, came upon a body of a deceased adult female in a gazebo. The couple immediately called 911 and reported the incident. Law enforcement personnel arrived and secured the scene for Sheriff’s Investigators. Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard reports that 28-year old, Carly Jean Jackson of Crosslake, was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Sheriff Goddard stated that there is no threat to the public and that the death does not appear to be suspicious.
--A South Haven man is charged with felony assault after he allegedly punched a former friend in the face, causing facial fractures and a concussion. Eighteen-year-old Tanner Schroeder is charged with 3rd-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm and gross misdemeanor property damage. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office responded to a home in Kimball just after 2:30am Sunday on an assault call. Officers found the teen victim with injuries to his eye, cheek, nose and lip. The victim said Schroeder entered the house, pulled him outside and punched him the face. Schroeder is also accused of slashing all four tires on the victim's truck. Court records show Schroeder told deputies he was upset with the victim, knew he'd be at that location and slashed the tires on his truck. He allegedly told officers he was still upset so he went back to the home, pulled the victim outside and punched him in the face. The charges state the victim may have to undergo surgery to repair the fractures.
--A 7-year old boy was taken to the hospital after being struck by a car while riding his bike. St. Cloud Police responded to the area of 13th Street South and 6th Avenue South just before 8:00pm Sunday. Police learned the driver, 35-year old Dwight Berry of St. Cloud was driving on 13th Street when the boy entered the road from the alley and was hit. The boy appeared to have minor injuries and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. Police say they developed probable cause to arrest Berry for criminal vehicular operation, 4th degree DWI, driving after revocation and no insurance.
--St. Joseph's Church in Pierz announced there will be no parish festival this year and no grand raffle for this year also.
DEATH NOTICES
--Beverly McGrath, age 90 of Little Falls.
--Carl Anthony Wesenberg, age 60 of Sauk Rapids formerly Little Falls
--Gilbert “Bert” Lapos, age 72 of Flensburg.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 82, clear night low around 60.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 85, PM thunderstorm possible, low 64.
FRIDAY= sunny and humid, high near 90, storms late, low near 70.
SPORTS
TWINS= Byron Buxton was injured Monday during a Twins practice for running into the central field wall on a catch and had to be carted off the field for reportedly foot injury. The Twins said that no fractures were found and he is listed as day to day. Twins open the regular season July 24th at Chicago White Sox on Q92 WYRQ.