NEWS
--The Duluth man accused of killing a St. Cloud State University professor early Sunday morning has been charged with intentional, non premeditated second degree murder in Stearns County District Court. The criminal complaint stated that Jason Robert Beckman did not know the victim 68-year-old college professor Edward Ward. The complaint states that Beckman told police he drove down to the area in a pickup truck, which he had borrowed from an acquaintance to visit family. The truck broke down, and police said Beckman stole an Audi that had keys in its ignition from a Waite Park parking lot. Shortly beforehand, police said Beckham claimed to see a man pointing a tan rifle at him. According to the complaint, Beckham also said he had been using controlled substances in the few days before the shooting. Beckman got lost in the stolen car, and crashed into a front yard on Island View Drive in St. Cloud. He allegedly told police he knocked on the residence's front door to get help. When Ward opened the door, Beckman told police he thought Ward was the man with the tan rifle he thought he had seen earlier. Prosecutors allege he shot Ward and fled. He allegedly said he tried to find another vehicle, but then left on foot. Ward was taken to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries. About an hour later, a security member in the area of St. Cloud State University called to report seeing a man walking from the Beaver Island Trail area with a handgun. The man, later identified as Beckman, was arrested by St. Cloud police.
--Governor Tim Walz Tuesday has requested funding to outfit Minnesota State Patrol troopers and officers working at the state Capitol with body cameras. The $7.5 million to buy and maintain the cameras for the officers and troopers is contained in a transportation funding package that could come up for a vote later this week. The bill also includes funding to add nearly two dozen state troopers and a dozen additional Capitol security officers. Body cameras are standard for many local police departments, but the state has been slower in adding them to its forces.
--Preparations are coming together for the replica of the Vietnam War Memorial that is coming to Rice later this summer. The Rice American Legion Auxiliary is sponsoring the visit from the "Wall That Heals". It will arrive in St. Cloud on Tuesday, August 17th, and be escorted up to Rice. It will take all day Wednesday to set up the display. Spokeswoman Cora Martin says it will open to the public on Thursday, August 19th. This is the only stop in the upper Midwest the Wall That Heals will be making this year, so visitors are expected to come from a wide area. Volunteers are still needed with four-hour shifts during the day and six-hour shifts during the overnight. The cost to bring the memorial to Rice was $10,000 which has already been raised. For more information, go to their Facebook page.
--As weather permits, maintenance employees will be working on the following activities this week, crews will be shouldering County Road 236 west of Buckman. Maintenance crews will be installing culverts on CSAH 48 in Harding and on CSAH 76 south of Little falls. Maintenance employees will continue mowing roadside ditches this week. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights.
--Events to view this week include Granite City days June 24th through the 27th in St. Cloud with the parade Saturday at 10am. Melrose River Fest is June 24th through the 27th with the grand parade Saturday at 6pm. Also the Sauk Rapids River Days are June 24th through 26th with Rapids River Days Parade Friday night at 6pm.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Legislative Update, Thursday, July 1st from 9-10:30am in the Council Chambers at Little Falls City Hall. Senate Majority Leader Senator Paul Gazelka and State Representative Ron Kresha will be on hand to review the 2021 legislative session, preview the 2022 session and hear from constituents on items of interest or concern for this legislative session. Those who would like more information or who have questions, can call (320) 632-5155.
--A St. Joseph man was hurt Saturday after crashing his car west of Holdingford. Stearns County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene near Highway 238 and 415th Street in Krain Township just before 1:00 p.m. The sheriff's office says 69-year-old Jerome Klein indicated he had wrist and back pain that he suffered during the crash. Klein said he swerved to avoid a deer, left the roadway, hit an approach, went airborne, and landed in a nearby field. He was brought to Melrose Hospital for treatment. Klein was alone in his car at the time of the crash.
--The Brainerd Fire Department responded to several calls since Friday, June 18. They were called Friday at 12:36pm to a vehicle fire on the 300 block of Northeast Fifth Avenue, Brainerd. Fire was extinguished upon arrival. Called at 11:56pm Friday for mutual aid for the Garrison Fire Department for a structure fire on the 10000 block of Crow Wing County Highway 8, just west of Garrison. Called at 9:21am Saturday to the Northern Lights Apartments, 511 D St., for a fire alarm. Upon investigation, it was determined to be unfounded. Called at 1:56pm Sunday to a fire alarm on the 800 block of Northeast 10th Avenue, where firefighters were canceled en route and another alarm call Monday at 8:20am to a fire alarm at Lakes Country Toyota, 7036 Lake Forest Road, which was determined to be a false alarm upon investigation.
--Sister Julien of the Franciscan Sisters stated that on Monday that the goal for their blood drive was 80 and they got 70 units. The blood drive continued Tuesday and finished up today from 8:30-2:30pm. Sister stated that there was only 1 or 2 spots left for Wednesday and they are asking if you are having to cancel a sign up time for any reason call her immediately because they can likely fill that spot with those who were unable to get an appointment. Call her at 632-0663. Again First United Church is the site for the blood drive and they do ask you wear a mask if you are unvaccinated and they are not allowing walk ins for this blood drive. The sisters have stated that there will be another in August and that will be at First United Church then another in October hopefully going to back at the convent later this fall with more items getting planned later this year.
DEATH NOTICES
--Casey G. Gwost, age 31 of Little Falls.
--Laurel “Lori” E. Gohl, age 62 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warmer, high near 90.
TONIGHT= thunderstorms after midnight, low 65.
THURSDAY= sunny and warm, high 87, isolated T-storm late in day.
FRIDAY= sunny and cooler, high 81, isolated showers in PM hours.
SPORTS
TWINS= Another wild Twins games, Twins down 7-2 in 8th manage to tie the game at 7 only to blow it in the 9th and Reds win 10-7. The Twins are off today, take on Cleveland Thursday night.