NEWS --Authorities have arrested two people in connection with a hit-and-run that killed a 10-year-old girl. Caylin Donovan of Lake Park was struck and killed around 8:00pm on June 10th as she walked along Minnesota Highway 18 in the Mille Lacs Lake area. On Monday, authorities announced they arrested two people in connection with the hit-and-run. 44-year-old Steven Lee Meier and 45-year-old Deborah Lynn Chandler, both from Hastings, are currently in the Aitkin County Jail where they await formal charges. Authorities say a tip from the public led to the arrests in Hastings. The Minnesota State Patrol is also asking for the public’s help in finding the vehicle involved in a separate hit-and-run crash that also occurred in Aitkin County on June 10th. Authorities believe 85-year-old Margaret Ann Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle, which they stated was unrelated to the other fatal hit and run, near her mailbox on the shoulder of Highway 47, approximately 3.5 miles east of Aitkin. Investigators are asking anyone who saw Johnson near her mailbox that afternoon to call 218-927-7435.
--Little Falls Police Officer Josh Andrea wants to thank everyone who helped last week with the Law Enforcement Special Olympics torch run that went from Fort Ripley to Royalton. There were 28 participants and nearly 40 donors including the 28 participants that paid their entry fee. Approximately $1,200 was raised towards Minnesota Special Olympics. The torch run took just over three hours to complete and was 24 miles long. Again thanks to all involved.
--A Pillager woman has been charged with stealing nearly $2,500 from a Cub Scout Pack's checking account. 41-year-old Ruth Stevens has been charged with two counts of felony theft in Crow Wing County District Court. Stevens informed Brainerd police she took the money without permission because of financial difficulties she and her husband were having. The theft from the Brainerd Cub Pack 74 was reported in March but transactions from Stevens out of the account from the troop dated back since last summer. If convicted on all counts Stevens faces up to 10 years in prison and over $20,000 in fines. Her next court appearance is August 22nd.
--A Sauk Rapids woman was hurt when her car was sideswiped in St. Cloud Monday night. The State Patrol says 37-year-old Bonnie Cecil suffered non-life threatening injuries when a truck and trailer switched lanes and forced Cecil’s car off the road. The crash happened just after 9:30pm along Highway 15 at Veterans Drive. The truck driver 26-year-old Angel Sandoval Quiroz was not hurt.
--The Little Falls Rotary Club is again asking for donations of hygiene items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, backpacks etc. to be given to homeless Veterans in the area. Items can be dropped off at New 2 You Thrift Store, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Little Falls Legion, VFW and Coborn's Superstore. If you wish to help with a monetary donation then write it out to the Little Falls Rotary Club. For more information contact Phil Smith at (507) 230-1718.
--The Friends of Linden Hill and Horizon Health remind all that tonight is An Evening in Black and White with a splash of red fundraiser at Linden Hill from 5-9pm. Events there include beer and wine tasting, an elegant meal, music from Heartland Symphony string ensemble and much more. For tickets call 616-5580 or 468-6451 or they are available for $40 at the door tonight.
--About 7:00pm Sunday a severe storm moved through Crow Wing County. The primary damage is in the Nokay Lake Road and Highway 6 area of Deerwood. Funnel clouds were spotted with this storm system and rotation was present. There have been no eyewitnesses of a Tornado but we do know that there are areas where intense downbursts occurred. According to the National Weather Service based on preliminary damage assessments the winds reached 86 – 110 miles/hr in the area and even greater than 110 miles/hr in some isolated areas. The storm left damage to homes, vehicles, and other property. Residents were without power following the storm but nearly all are back on now. Area fire departments along with law enforcement and the Highway Department worked to clear numerous roads. There was one EMS call for individuals trapped in a home which two adults and one child were transported with minor injuries and released. Deputies and local law enforcement agencies continue to patrol looking for those that may need services. Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl is asking the public to stay out of storm affected areas unless they live there or are providing help there. Individuals who are not authorized to be within the storm zone are subject to law enforcement contact and will be told to leave the area.
--One driver involved in a five-vehicle collision on June 7th in South Haven of Wright County died on Monday. 73-year old Barbara Belka of Rockville died on Monday.
--Cass County agreed to pay $87,500 to settle a lawsuit claiming discrimination filed by a sheriff's office employee Mary Tennis. In the agreement the defendants made no admission of liability but agreed to the monetary settlement. $38,500 will go to the law firm employed by Tennis, as compensation for costs. The rest goes to Tennis, including $36,750 as compensation for alleged emotional distress damages and $12,250 as compensation for alleged wage loss.
--The Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division executed a search warrant on Thursday at a residence in the 900 block of South 8th Street in Brainerd. The search warrant was the result of an ongoing drug investigation into sale and distribution of Marijuana Wax in Crow Wing County. Agents discovered nearly 5 pounds of Marijuana Wax which has a street value of around $150,000. 21-year old James Clayton Kalk of Brainerd was arrested. Evidence recovered at the scene showed a large scale sale operation of the Marijuana Wax.
DEATH NOTICES --Laura Palmer, age 94 of Staples.
WEATHER TODAY= showers and thunderstorms likely, high 74. TONIGHT= showers and T-storms likely early, cloudy, low 54. THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 75, partly cloudy night, low 58. FRIDAY= sunny and warmer, high 84, storms late muggy, low 68.
SPORTS TWINS= Kurt Suzuki had a homer and four hits to win a wild offensive affair last night as the Twins held off Philadelphia 14-10. The Twins and Phillies game 2 tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ LYNX= Renee Montgomery hit a 3 pointer with 6 seconds left as the Lynx defeated Los Angeles 72-69 in the battle of unbeatens yesterday in the WNBA in LA. Lynx now 13-0 host Los Angeles on Friday. VL= Sobieski at Buckman Sunday 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.