NEWS
--Pierz Superintendent George Weber announced that graduation for Pierz Healy High School will be held outside in the large parking lot between elementary and high school on Friday, May 28th at 7pm. The reason is that then there are not as many mask requirements being outdoors and can plan on a larger crowd. If bad weather then they will move indoors to the MAC and will have seating outside for those who may not be able to be inside at the event. Each family will be allowed around 6 members outdoors and podded off as per restrictions by the Department of Education and the state.
--Several vehicles were damaged when a high speed chase ended with the suspect crashing his vehicle into the Tanner Motors parking lot. A vehicle involved in a high-speed chase with Brainerd police crashes into parked vehicles at Tanner Motors in west Brainerd during the early morning hours Sunday. Brainerd police officers were investigating a suspected intoxicated driver at 1:11am near West College Drive and Southwest Fourth Street in Brainerd, near Central Lakes College. The driver initially stopped, but then took off from officers and a chase ensued north on Southwest Fourth Street toward Washington Street, police reported. The suspect, a 32-year-old man, then headed west on Washington Street. In the area of Northwest Sixth and Washington streets, the driver struck numerous new vehicles in the Tanner Motors sales lot. The suspect vehicle became disabled and the driver was taken into custody without incident, police reported. The suspect was transported for minor injuries to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd and later released to the custody of Brainerd officers and transported to the Crow Wing County Jail in Brainerd. Police stated the man was arrested for fleeing in a motor vehicle, driving under the influence and driving after cancellation-inimical to public safety, meaning the driver’s license has been canceled.
--A level three predatory offender is moving to St. Cloud. The St. Cloud Police Department says 59-year old Dwaine Smith is moving to a home in the 100 block of 12th Avenue North in St. Cloud on Tuesday. Authorities say Smith was found guilty of sexual contact and conduct with boys that were known to him. Officials say Smith used a position of authority and bribes to gain compliance. St. Cloud Police say a community notification video will be available on their website.
--A tentative trial date has been set for former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, charged in the fatal shooting of motorist Daunte Wright. During a short Zoom hearing Hennepin County District Court Judge Regina Chu scheduled the trial to begin December 6th "It's to the benefit of everyone to expedite this case and come to a resolution or trial as early as possible,” Judge Chu said. Also during Monday's hearing, the prosecution made a motion to have cameras in court for Potter's trial. The defense opposes cameras or audio recorders in court, but Judge Chu will listen to arguments on that issue at a later date.
--The next Coffee with the Cop event will be Tuesday, May 25th at 8:30am at The Falls Ballroom. The discussion will be mainly on what law enforcement knows about substance use in our community and look for ways that all can continue to make our community healthier and safer. We look forward to visiting! No need to RSVP.
--Lakin Township will hold a clean up day Saturday from 8am-11am at the Lakin Town Hall. Details call Wayne 250-2863.
--Free Beer and Hot Wings show 4-9am weekdays on 94ROCKS.
--Essentia Health and CommonSpirit Health have chosen to end negotiations for CommonSpirit’s facilities in Minnesota and North Dakota to join Essentia. The organizations signed a Letter of Intent in January 2021 to explore this opportunity in greater detail. In a statement from the two entities shared Tuesday it stated, “While we share a similar mission, vision, values and strong commitment to sustainable rural health care, CommonSpirit and Essentia were unable to come to an agreement that would serve the best interests of both organizations, the people we employ and the patients we serve. CommonSpirit and Essentia will continue to offer outstanding care in North Dakota and Minnesota. We’ve strengthened our relationship throughout this process and remain committed to possibilities in the future.”
--Federal authorities say a man on trial in Fargo, North Dakota, has slashed his own throat in the courtroom and died. North Dakota U.S. Marshal Dallas Carlson said the incident happened Monday afternoon after a jury returned a partial guilty verdict against the man, who had faced terrorizing-related charges. Carlson says the jury had left the courtroom, but U.S. District Judge Peter Welte, courtroom staff and others witnessed the incident.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office and residents have come to terms on a Community Policing Agreement. Spokeswoman Patty Keeling says work on the agreement goes back before current Sheriff Steve Soyka was elected. She says it is believed this is the first agreement of its type in any county in Minnesota and is based largely on the city of St. Cloud's Community Policing Agreement that has been in place since 2005. She says the biggest difference is the jail piece of this new agreement since the city doesn't have a jail. A signing of the Community Policing Agreement will take place Wednesday at 6pm outside of the Stearns County Courthouse.
--The Pierz and Little Falls area garage sales begin today and run through Saturday watch for signs in both of the towns.
--Free concert tonight 6-8pm at Linden Hill being performed by members of the St. Francis Music Center and convent members.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Actor Charles Grodin of “Midnight Run” “Heartbreak Kid” and the “Bethoven” dog movies has died at age 86.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Mathew and Brittany Dezurik, of Pierz, a girl born May 17th.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, muggy, isolated showers & t-storms, high 77.
TONIGHT= showers and storms likely, some heavy, low 63.
THURSDAY= showers and storms likely, some heavy, high 78.
FRIDAY= sunny and warm, isolated T-storms late, high 83.
SPORTS
TWINS= Miguel Sano hit 3 homers and Polanco gets the walk-off single to win 5-4 over the White Sox last night for at Twins win. During the game Twins pitcher Duffy and manager Rocco Baldelli ejected after a throw behind a White Sox player. The Twins wrap up with White Sox today 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ.
NHL= Las Vegas beat Wild 3-1 last night to even series at 1.
HS SB= Mora at Little Falls 5pm Thursday on AM960 KLTF.
VL= Sobieski at Avon Sunday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.