NEWS
--The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the Morrison County sheriff’s deputy who used a less-lethal munitions shotgun to fire a beanbag round during a use of force incident on May 22 near Genola. Deputy Bill Vanden Avond has been in law enforcement for 11 years, including the past four years with the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office. The beanbag round struck the subject, 44-year-old Robert Allen Anderson of Motley. Anderson continues to receive treatment for a serious wound caused by the beanbag round. The BCA issued a news release about the incident last week. When the BCA’s investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings which the Morrison County Attorney’s Office will then review.
--Two people were taken to the hospital after a crash involving a deer Sunday night. The incident happened at about 9:45pm on Highway 10 in Sauk Rapids. The Minnesota State Patrol says 37-year-old Apryl Lattergrass, of Red Lake, was heading west on Highway 10 when she hit a deer crossing the highway. Lattergrass was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Her 10-year-old passenger was also take to the hospital with unknown injuries.
--A 25-year old Pillager man was in critical condition Sunday after the motorcycle he was operating crashed with a vehicle around 1:30pm at the intersection of Highway 371 at Design Road in Baxter. The driver of the motorcycle, Brady Feist, who was wearing a helmet, was transported by ambulance to St. Cloud Hospital. The driver of the vehicle 58-year old Craig Matich of Baxter reported no apparent injuries. The crash is under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash, who has not provided a statement to police, is asked to contact the Baxter Police Department at (218) 454-5090.
--A World War II hero's grave marker in Mille Lacs County stolen last fall is restored just in time for Memorial Day. A Minnesota monument company donated the new plaque, and the late veteran's family is very thankful. Last fall someone pried off and stole the brass grave marker of Raymond “Bob” Zastrow and his wife's grave. Zastrow served in World War II during D-Day where he shot in the leg and dragged by some English soldiers who happened to come along and saved him. After seeing a news story on television Murphy Granite Carving in Richmond offered to redo the custom plaque for free at the gravesite in Milaca. Police never found the person who stole the original plaque. The family is happy and ready to move on.
--Most Becker residents weren't shocked by Xcel Energy's announcement last week that it's closing the entire Sherburne County Generating Station by 2030. Xcel Energy is tr ying to eliminate all carbon emissions from electric power by 2050 as the company shifts to more renewable sources of energy, including wind and solar. Xcel Energy is planning to build a smaller natural gas plant at the site of the Becker plant, which will preserve about 150 jobs.
--The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office is reminding homeowners and cabin dwellers that bear reports have been rising in the area. Pictures of bear going down the Mississippi River in Baxter and two pictures of bear seen in the wooded area north of Baxter have some homeowners concerned. Deputies say the best thing is to remove all remnants of food and debris after campfires, make sure trash cans are covered and if you see a bear, don't confront it but contact your local authorities to take care of it if the bear will not leave.
--Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--Morrison County Crews will be installing entrance culverts on CSAH 34, CSAH 47, and County Road 251, as weather permits. Public works will be reclaiming 2 spots on CSAH 1, (north of St. HWY 27) and 1 spot on CSAH 22 for culvert repairs. Maintenance Crews will also continue crack sealing on and County Road 205. Public Works crews will continue blading and shaping gravel roads throughout the week.
--Back on Sunday, Little Falls Artist shown the work that has been done on the last of the portraits to be hung at the committal hall at the State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. The nearly 10 year project which has seen the full portraits of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy. U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corp already completed will end on September 15th when the final portrait of the U.S. Air Force is unveiled during the Camp Ripley Open House at the military base near the state cemetery. There will be buses from Camp to the cemetery for the official ceremony of the unveiling and then a program around noon at the military base during their open house festivities. Kapsner and all who have worked to raise funds for the project, all who sat and were immortalized in the portraits and others who have volunteers time and effort are greatly appreciated. Kapsner said that the full portrait work will be completed in July then framed and ready for full display in September of this year.
--A reminder from Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber that construction around the school is in full swing as of yesterday. Large equipment may be blocking parts of Kamnic Street at times as indoor and outdoor renovations from the passed referendum vote of last year continues through the summer. Please use caution and expect some slow downs or delays during this time.
--The City of Upsala will be holding a clean up day on Saturday for residents within the city limits. The event will be from 8:00am-12:00pm at the Upsala Recreation Building behind the high school. For more information contact Michelle at 573-4950.
--Graduation ceremonies continue for some area schools this week including Holdingford Friday at 7:30, Staples-Motley schools will graduate also Friday at 7:30 in Staples and Foley High School graduates Saturday night at 7:30pm.
DEATH NOTICES
--William L. Pohlmann, age 53 of Upsala.
--Lois R. Suek, age 96 of Minneapolis formerly of Holdingford.
--Richard “Rich” Brenny, age 71 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 76, clear night, low 46.
THURSDAY= sunny early, cloudy with showers late, high 81.
FRIDAY= isolated afternoon storms, high 82, low 58.
SPORTS
HS BAB= Little Falls opens the baseball playoffs today at Bemidji where win or lose they play Thursday. Game at 4:30pm on AM960.
HS BAB= Pierz beat Pillager 3-0 last night in opening round of playoffs and continue playoff action today at 5pm on FM94 KFML.
HS BAB= Royalton eliminated Holdingford in playoffs last night, while Upsala/Swanville won their first round game to advance on.
HS SB= Pierz softball beat Albany but lost to Cathedral last night.
TWINS= Twins get a 5 run 7th to beat Milwaukee last night 5-3 to split the series. The Twins have a rare Wednesday off.