NEWS --The Morrison County Commissioners met Tuesday morning. At the meeting the commissioners passed on a 3-2 vote the Greater MN Transportation Sales and Use Tax. Back in 2013 the Minnesota legislature enacted a statute that allows a county to pass up to a half percent sales tax to raise funds specifically for transportation. Counties are required to use a 5 year plan and only those projects may be funded with this type of tax. This ½ percent tax would effect most retail sales currently subject to the 6.875% sales tax. The tax will be effective January of 2018. The main exception is the purchase of motor vehicles registered for road use. The estimated revenue is one million dollars a year. It is estimated around 19% would come from non county residents. The county was currently facing a $9.6 million dollar shortfall in their five year transportation plan. The commissioners discussed that they will continue to lobby for increased state and federal dollars, but since they are receiving less monies now than in the past this was voted as the best way to recover monies needed to continue to provide the necessary services.
--The Camp Ripley Training Center is conducting an investigation after a training round was found on private property in Fort Ripley Township. Officials determined it was a firing error or a munition malfunction. There were no injuries. The size and nature of the round was not released. Crow Wing County did call in their bomb squad to make sure the military round was inert. Sgt. Anthony Housey stated only one round was found. The investigation is ongoing.
--The Pierz City Council met on Monday. At the meeting Pierz Mayor Toby Egan swore in new Police Officer Calvin Tschida whose first day was on Monday. Calvin is a full-time Police Officer for the City of Pierz. Also the city received a $2,000 donation from the American Legion to update the vandalized playground equipment for Pierz Legion Park. One final note from Monday is Public Works Director Bob Otremba has been working with vendors on playground equipment and hopefully within the next council meeting or two the city should have a playground set ready to be installed.
--A 20-year old woman was injured in a two vehicle accident Sunday around 12:30pm on Highway 10 in Royalton. The State Patrol said that James Wood of Aitkin was stopped in the left westbound lane of Highway 10 at Centre Street when a vehicle driven by Dayjah Hight of Little Falls approached from the same direction and struck the Wood vehicle. Hight was taken to the Little Falls Hospital and treated for injuries. Wood and his three passengers, 20-year old Kimberly Gregoire, 1-year old Emma and an infant Kinsley Wood were not injured in the accident.
--Two people were injured Tuesday morning around 6:45am when an SUV struck a horse and buggy on Highway 27 in Little Sauk Township south of Long Prairie. 35-year old Joseph Cecko of Little Falls failed to yield to the buggy on Highway 27 and rear ended it. Cecko was not hurt. The buggy driver, 20-year old Eli Yoder and his 16-year old passenger, Dan Yoder were both taken to Long Prairie hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
--The Brainerd Fire Department were called out numerous times this past weekend. In all cases there were no injures. Friday there was a vehicle crash and an oil burn from another vehicle. Then on Saturday and Monday there were reports of false alarms. The Fire Department was also called out to monitor a control burn.
--The Crow Wing County Fair begins next Tuesday but this Saturday they will host the first ever Kickoff Party Concert Saturday night sponsored by Little Falls Radio. Gates open at 5:00pm, music at 6:00pm with Good For Gary and Generation Nashville performing. Food, drinks, camping and more at the event this Saturday night. The fair then kicks off next Tuesday through Saturday at the fairgrounds located on 13th Street Southeast just south of Brainerd city limits.
--A St. Joseph business was damaged by fire at about noon Tuesday. Mechanics at Bee Line Sports Center at 8805 Ridgewood Court in St. Joseph were working on an all-terrain vehicle when a fluid sparked and ignited a fire. Employees put water on the fire and helped contain it until firefighters arrived on scene. All employees evacuated the building safely. Although firefighters needed to remove a garage door when checking for hot spots, the fire damage was minimal.
--A recently unsealed Benton County court complaint alleges a woman who was arrested in California for the murder of a St. Cloud man is a prostitute who drugged, robbed and shot her victim. 24-year old Cheryl Albert is charged with two counts of second degree murder and one count of third degree murder in the June 2015 killing of Keletigui Keita. According to the criminal complaint, Albert was a known escort who went by the name “Naija Princess”. Police found Keita dead of a gunshot wound to the abdomen on June 9th. His east St. Cloud apartment was missing several items including an iPhone, apple computer, watches and coins. Albert’s fingerprints were found on two glasses in the bedroom. At least one of the glasses contained the drug commonly known as Xanax. Keita’s autopsy determined he had alcohol and Xanax in his system and friends of Albert told investigators it was common for her to drug her clients and rob them. Nearly a month later, Louisville Police interviewed Albert about a warrant out of Minneapolis for bad checks. Albert told police she didn’t kill anyone, but officers had not asked about a murder. When told about Keita’s death later in the interview, Albert allegedly gave conflicting statements about their relationship. She was arrested at the Los Angeles Airport last week and is awaiting extradition to Minnesota.
--A 26-year old from Onamia was injured Sunday around 3:45pm on the north side of Highway 27 near Wakhon in Mille Lacs County. Thor Opager swerved onto the shoulder, over corrected and went off the roadway striking the ditch. Opager was taken to the Onamia hospital and treated for injuries. Alcohol was ruled a factor in the accident.
WEATHER TODAY= becoming sunny, high near 80. TONIGHT= clear skies, less humid, low 55. THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 78, clear night low 54. FRIDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low around 60.
SPORTS TWINS= The Twins lost to the Dodgers 6-2 last night. Twins wrap up series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers trying to avoid the sweep with pregame at 8:30 tonight on Q92 WYRQ. Twins off Thursday. Ervin Santana is starting tonight for Minnesota who is 4 ½ games behind Cleveland in the American League Central. WNBA= Maya Moore scores 27 and the Lynx holds off New York at home last night 76-75 to go to 17-2. Lynx at Atlanta on Friday. LEGION BB= Pierz Legion begins State Friday at 12:15pm on FM94