NEWS
--In accordance with a proclamation issued by President Donald J. Trump, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor and remembrance of peace officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. “Today and every day it is fitting to honor those Peace Officers who gave their lives to protect ours, and to thank the over 10,000 Law Enforcement Officers in Minnesota who serve in the 446 law enforcement agencies for their dedication and services to Minnesota communities,” reads Governor Walz’s proclamation. President John F. Kennedy declared the first Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th, 1962 as a tribute to peace officers and in honor of peace officers who, through their courageous deeds, lost their lives or became disabled in the line of duty. This day has been observed in our country annually ever since. Law enforcement officers from across the state will be standing in silent vigil at the Peace Officers’ Memorial in St. Paul for 24 hours in honor of the 286 Minnesota officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Honor guards from the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association started their posts Tuesday night at 7:00pm and will stand guard through day in 20 minute shifts. At the conclusion of the Standing of the Guard will be a 7:00pm Candlelight Vigil tonight at the memorial site.
--A 4-year old boy is fine because of the helmet he was wearing after being ran over by a mail truck Saturday in Baxter. Christopher Groenwold was getting his mail around 1:30pm Saturday on Ottertail Circle in Baxter when the truck pulled forward and ran over his four year old son Cohen. Christopher said he turned after hearing the pop and saw Cohen crying on the ground by the wheel of the truck. The helmet was shattered but prevented the blow of the tire of striking the skull of the 4-year old boy. He was checked out at the scene. Although scared he had no apparent injuries. Groenwold reminds everyone that helmets and safety features can save lives and he knows now what miracles are also.
--On May 13th, The Crow Wing County Sheriff reported on a male who had blown his hand off with some homemade fireworks. The Crow Wing County Bomb squad responded to process the scene. Upon arrival at the scene, members of the bomb squad located several known and unknown chemicals which are consistent with making explosives, such as flash powders and tannerite. The bomb team took the unknown chemicals and destroyed them onsite by igniting them. Evidence at the scene indicates that the injured victim, James Cummings, was attempting to manufacture homemade exploding targets when the accident occurred. It appears that this type of activity was going on for some time at this residence. There is no indication that there was any criminal intent by the victim. Deputies will be forwarding reports to the Crow Wing County Attorney for possible charges related to this incident.
--A 61-year old Sauk Rapids man died after being discovered unresponsive in a lake north of Detroit Lakes on Sunday. Witnesses observed Lyle Keith Nelson trying to grab onto a boat, which was going in circles, about 11:15am Sunday on Island Lake. Rescuers found Nelson unresponsive in the water. After he was pulled out, CPR was done and he was airlifted to the Fargo Hospital where officials reported on Monday that he had died.
--Both questions on the ballot for the Staples-Motley School District failed on Tuesday. Nearly 68% of the almost 4,300 voters voted no on question 1 and that total was over 70% voting no on the 2nd question on the ballot Tuesday making the facilities upgrade referendum fail. Pillager, on the other hand had their referendum votes both pass by a small margin on Tuesday. Question 1 on the Pillager referendum passed by 64% of the vote, while the 2nd vote on the ballot passed by just 53% of the vote. The other school the in lakes area with a referendum vote was Pine River-Backus where there referendum vote failed 610 no to 448 yes. In there school election the voter turnout was around 22% of actual voters.
--Fifty nine educators from 21 school districts and two education districts in Region 5 were recognized at the 2019 Educators of Excellence Event last week in Nisswa. Nominated by their respective schools for their commitment to excellence, these educators demonstrate best practices, leadership, and innovation in education, which leads to increased student success. Of those honored included Teacher of Excellence Awards to Mary Dennis-Little Falls Community Middle School, Laura Dunlap-Little Falls CEC, Alysson Jager-Dr. S.G. Knight Elementary, Anita Larsen-Lincoln Elementary, Jeff Massman-Little Falls Community High School, Tara Pauly-Lindbergh Elementary, Kristie Virnig-Pioneer Elementary, Roxanne Welle-Pierz Healy High School, Greta Bergman-Royalton Middle and High School, Amy Skeate-Carlson-Royalton Elementary, Chantelle Frie-Swanville High School, Pete Swisher-Swanville Elementary, Vicki Pangrac-Upslala Elementary, Curtis Robertson-Upsala High School, Beth Streit-Pillager Middle School, Carissa Goff-Pillager High School, Alice Foran-Pillager Elementary, Ginger Stiner-Staples Motley Elemenatry, Julie Richgels-Staples Motley Middle School, Valerie Turner-Staples Motley High School. Also Leo Pohlhamp of Pierz School District as Coach of Excellence for his work with the Pierz football program.
--A driver died in Wadena County Sunday where a crash started the vehicle on fire. Around 2:00am, a vehicle was found in a ditch in Shell River Township northeast of Wadena. The fire was extinguished and the victim was found inside the vehicle and pronounced dead. The name of the victim has not been released.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Actor and comedian Tim Conway has died at the age of 85. Conway was a regular on the Carol Burnett Show and on TV's McHale's Navy.
DEATH NOTICE
--Roger Freudenrich, age 56 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 73.
TONIGHT= storms in overnight, low 54.
THURSDAY= shower early, then partly sunny, high 71, low 44.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, showers by afternoon, high 61, low 48.
SATURDAY= showers & t-storms, heavy rains likely, high 50, low 41.
SPORTS
TWINS= Mitch Garver homers but then left with injury last night as the Twins hold on to beat Angels 4-3. The Twins wrap up series with the Angels today, pregame begins at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ.
VL= Randall at Swanville Sunday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.