NEWS
--The Pierz Police Department would like to advise the public that they have identified their suspect involved in a string of burglaries on Main Street in Pierz Sunday evening. Information has been sent out State wide to attempt to locate the suspect although no name is being released publicly at this time. The Pierz Police Department still urges community members to call their local authorities immediately if you witness any suspicious activity.
--A fire destroyed a home north of Sauk Centre on Monday. Authorities responded to a call in Kandota Township shortly after 5:00pm. There were no injuries reported. The Sauk Centre and Long Prairie fire departments were on the scene for about an hour. The Red Cross says they are helping the family of three, including a child. The fire remains under investigation.
--A 26-year-old Wayzata man was arrested Saturday night, after taking law enforcement on a 10-minute pursuit with speeds up to 100mph that began in Crosslake and ended near Jenkins. Officers were searching for the suspect 24 hours before the pursuit began. The suspect was kicked out of two bars Friday night into Saturday early morning for erratic behavior. The man then entered a Crosslake residence Saturday morning where he was not welcome. The homeowner did not know the suspect and he did not report the incident until a few hours later. Police wanted to find the suspect to talk to him about his erratic behavior and cite him for trespassing. Later that night an officer located the suspect at Moonlite Square convenience gas station and a pursuit began, near the intersection of Crow Wing County highways 16 and 66 in Crosslake. The suspect led police from County Highway 16 to Highway 371, just south of Jenkins—where the crash occurred. A Breezy Point officer initiated a pursuit intervention tactic, or PIT maneuver, to stop the vehicle, when it slammed into a stoplight post. The suspect traveled at speeds of up to 100mph and was swerving through traffic on and off the road. The suspect was transported to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries and then released and booked into the Crow Wing County Jail in Brainerd. According to the in-custody list, the suspect was booked for three felonies of fleeing an officer, first- and second-degree assault and three misdemeanors of reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and speeding.
--The 2018 Miss Brainerd and Baxter United States Pageant was this past Saturday at Tornstrom Auditorium. Eleven area girls and women, in six divisions, were crowned for both the Brainerd and Baxter titles. In the Jr. Teen division, Ava Aanes was crowned Miss Jr. Teen Baxter and Esme Pool was crowned Miss Jr. Teen Brainerd. In the Teen division, Haley Helmin was crowned Miss Teen Baxter and Jasmine Townsend was crowned Miss Teen Brainerd. In the Miss division, Amanda Imgrund was crowned Miss Baxter and Serena Schreifels was crowned Miss Brainerd. In the Ms. division, Katelyn Tobias was crowned Ms Brainerd. In the Ms. Woman division, Michelle Kitchenhoff was crowned Ms. Woman Baxter and Melissa Wooden Solem was crowned Ms. Woman Brainerd. In the Mrs. division, Sarah Rhoda was crowned Mrs. Baxter and Ann Marie Root was crowned Mrs. Brainerd. All winners from the 2018 pageant will spend the next year publicly speaking, working their platforms, making appearances and representing their communities at the 2019 Minnesota United States Pageant at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd in March 2019.
--Brad Parsons, a 31-year fisheries veteran and current central region fisheries manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, has been selected as the new fisheries chief for the DNR. He begins his new duties Wednesday, July 25. Parsons will oversee a $34 million annual fisheries section budget and a staff of 286 full-time and part-time employees. With personnel based in four regional offices, 29 area offices and 15 hatcheries, the fisheries section carries out research and management programs affecting state fish species and habitat. He replaces Don Pereira, who retired on June 8th.
--A 37-year old Waite Park man was arrested Saturday after leading authorities on an 11 mile chase that ended after his car hit spike strips. Erik Andrew Johnson was charged Monday for one felony count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and one misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated. The maximum sentence for fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle is three years and one day imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine. The maximum sentence for misdemeanor DWI is 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
--A 67-year old St. Cloud man was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon on suspicion of cutting off a man's fingertips who came to his door on Friday. The victim was taken to St. Cloud Hospital but doctors were not able to reattach the finger tips. Clarence Hilliard Jr. made his first court appearance Monday and is due back in court next Monday.
--The Brainerd Ski Loons will be performing four FREE water ski shows at Lum Park in Brainerd this summer. The shows will be held on Sunday, July 8th, August 5th, and August 12th at 5:00pm, and on Wednesday, August 15th at 6:30pm. Come and watch human ski pyramids, ski jumpers, barefooters, and skiers being pulled 360 degrees around the boat. Concessions will be available. Free will donations are appreciated. For more information, find the Brainerd Ski Loons on Facebook or visit their website www.skiloons.com.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, high 81- chance of afternoon showers.
TONIGHT= early shower, then mostly clear, low 57.
THURSDAY= sunny and warm, high 85, afternoon storms possible.
FRIDAY= sunny and hot, high 91, storms overnight, low near 70.
SPORTS
TWINS= after a rain delay, the White Sox scored 6 in the late innings to beat the Twins 8-4 last night in Chicago. The Twins continue at White Sox game 2 tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Lynx win their 5th in a row 91-79 last night over Seattle. Maya Moore & Sylvia Fowles scored 60 of the 91 points in the game.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1752= the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia as a gift from England. During the American Revolution it was moved for safe keeping and replaced in 1778 in its current location. The first time it rang and cracked. The crack was never repaired.
IN 1929= Color television was demonstrated for the first time.
IN 1957= West Side Story opens in New York stage theaters.
IN 1966= “Dark Shadows” debuted on ABC TV.
IN 1973= Roger Moore debuts as James Bond, in the movie Live and Let Die. The theme song is still rated as the #1 Bond theme of all time performed by Paul McCartney and Wings.