NEWS
--Morrison County maintenance employees will be repairing damages from the recent heavy rains. This will include culvert work on CSAH 1, CSAH 12, and County Road 220 west of Little Falls. Crews will also be fixing washouts on various roads around the county. Flaggers will be present at some of these sites. Maintenance Crews will continue painting Stop Ahead symbols on various roads around the county. A Public Works Contractor will continue spray patching various roads around the county through the end of this month. Please use caution around work crews and be aware that loose material may be present in driving lanes during some of the maintenance activities.
--Linden Hill Conference and Retreat Center in Little Falls with the Musser and Weyehauser Mansions announce they are now open tours through October 10th and will have some events in the weeks ahead. The first is this Thursday a Drive-Thru Fundraiser which will start by driving through Linden Hill from 5-7:30pm grab your food and then head to the Starry Eyed Brewery north of town for an evening of fun and some trivia. Meals do need to be preordered as soon as possible for a head count on Thursday night by calling Linden Hill at 320-616-5580 the cost is $35. Next week, July 14th there will be a free music event on the grounds of Linden Hill starting at 6:30pm with music to enjoy, again no cost, social distancing will be in place with the large open air area. Their Raise the Roof pig roast will take place on August 6th, there will be a wine and chocolate garden walk event on October 3rd and their Christmas at the Mansions event the Friday after Thanksgiving November 27th through December 6th. Details on events, tours and wedding info can be found either by calling 616-5580 or go to linden-hill.org
--A St. Cloud woman has been arrested after allegedly leading a sheriff's deputy on a chase. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says the incident began at about 8:30pm Friday on Highway 12, west of Highway 15, in Dassel Township. A deputy attempted to stop the vehicle on suspicion that the driver was intoxicated. The driver, later identified as 35-year old Megan Bryan of St. Cloud fled from the deputy. The deputy gave chase for about five miles before the driver stopped. Bryan was arrested for DUI and fleeing a police officer. The Sheriff's Office says a preliminary investigation revealed Bryan’s blood alcohol content was .30. A passenger, 27-year old Dana Laughton, of Darwin, was arrested for obstructing when she allegedly physically resisted deputies and introducing contraband into a jail.
--The Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced Monday that they have updated the Minnesota Driver’s Manual to include information on what drivers and law enforcement should expect during a traffic stop, particularly when a driver has a firearm. Valerie Castile advocated for the addition to the manual to encourage consistency in traffic stops by law enforcement and ensure that drivers know what to expect. Castile’s son, Philando, died four years ago today after a Falcon Heights police officer shot him during a traffic stop. Philando Castile informed the officer that he was legally carrying a firearm. DPS Commissioner John Harrington noted that being stopped by a law enforcement officer can be a stressful experience. But knowing what to do during the interaction will help to ensure a safe interaction for all involved. View the new language starting on page 40 of the Minnesota Driver’s Manual.
--A reminder from Pierz Legion and Auxiliary that their meeting tonight with be at the Pierz Park starting with social at 5pm.
--On Tuesday the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the execution of a search warrant pertaining to internet related crime(s) against children. The search warrant was executed at a residence located on the 3000 block of Wildlife Trail in Pequot Lakes. Four adults were residing in the house at the time the search warrant was executed. All four people were interviewed. A 19-year old male was determined to be, likely, the sole suspect of the internet crime(s). Numerous items of evidence were seized and will be further processed by the FBI.
--The latest numbers Tuesday of COVID-19 in Minnesota are 569 new cases of the virus with 3 new deaths linked to it. 39,133 overall positive cases but of those 34,377 no longer in isolation. Morrison County had two new cases and now is at 61, with 1 confirmed death. These numbers from the Department of Health from 11am yesterday.
--Brainerd Fire Department personnel continue to investigate the fire that ignited Thursday, July 2nd, in a trailer home in the Westwood trailer court in west Brainerd. Authorities identified the deceased 54-year-old Brainerd man in the fire as Michael E. Whistler. The Brainerd Police Department was the first to respond around 5:00am. Law enforcement attempted to rescue Whistler but were unable to get to him because of the smoke and the heat. Firefighters arrived and were able to gain access into the trailer home and pulled the man out. Lifesaving measures were performed, but were unsuccessful. The fire is still under investigation. The autopsy report to determine the cause of death is not yet final. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting the fire department with the investigation.
--St. Cloud Police have released surveillance photos of suspects involved in the looting of a St. Cloud convenience store on June 15th. Police are looking for help identifying the suspects involved in the damage and burglary of the Speedway gas station at 701 9th Avenue South. Police have images of 14 suspects involved in the looting. If you're able to identify them, you're asked to call St. Cloud Police at (320) 251-1200 or Tri-County Crimestoppers at (320) 255-1301.
--Governor Tim Walz is prepared to call Minnesota lawmakers into a special session that would begin Monday. The session is triggered by an extension of the peacetime authority that Walz has used to manage the coronavirus in Minnesota. The first special session this summer came soon after the death of George Floyd, and lawmakers wrestled over proposals for major changes in policing. Democrats and Republicans couldn't come together on the issue. They also didn't approve a package of state financed construction projects. Both items are likely to be back on the table next week.
--An optional tour of Nisswa Elementary School, the new Baxter Elementary School, Brainerd High School and the new performing arts center will take place this Monday. The School Board announced that they will also allow the public to take the tour also. The tour will begin at 2pm at Nisswa Elementary School. Those interested in attending must RSVP to 218-454-6912 by tomorrow.
DEATH NOTICES
--Donald “Don” E. Wippler, age 86 of Cushing.
--Beverly Joyce Nouis (Ginter), age 81 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= strong to severe storms at times, high 91.
TONIGHT= more strong storms before midnight, low 66.
THURSDAY= early rain, then becoming sunny, high 86, low 63.