NEWS
--A correction from Tuesday's newsletter. There will be a closure of Highway 27 West in Little Falls from the railroad tracks to the west end of town just past 15th Street starting next week. That closure is expected to start next Monday, September 23rd (in the morning) and last approximately one month. While Highway 27 will be closed for that stretch for about a month, there will be open crossings at Lindbergh Drive, 3rd Street, and 5th Street to get across Highway 27.
--Heavy rains, thunder and lightning struck central Minnesota Tuesday morning. Xcel Energy reported multiple power outages Tuesday morning in St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Sartell. The rains caused urban and small stream flooding in areas around Stearns and Benton Counties, Morrison and Mille Lacs also dealt with heavy rains at times and lots of lightning. The National Weather Service sent out a warning Tuesday that people to stay away from river banks and culverts, which can become unstable and unsafe where road work and bridge work is being done across central Minnesota where holes can fill with water quickly and become very dangerous. More heavy rains and gusty winds came this morning causing again power outages, debris on roadways and flooded areas while traveling.
--An unknown number of faculty members at St. Cloud State University have been informed they will be laid off. On Monday, University officials stated that SCSU is one of many universities across the country facing several years of declining enrollment and budget constraints. The decision for the layoffs was not one the leadership team came to lightly or without much deliberation. The university will continue to honor all contractual agreements currently in place. Due to privacy rules, university officials declined to provide information regarding number of people affected, departments and types of jobs getting eliminated from the layoffs.
--A Wisconsin man was seriously injured in a single vehicle accident on Saturday in Lynden Township of Stearns County. At 2:58pm 51-year old Matthew Butzer of Amery, WI was driving his pickup truck east on County Road 75 when he lost control and swerved into the south ditch. Butzer hit a field approach sending his vehicle airborne. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Initial investigation indicated Butzer was reaching for food that had fallen onto the seat and floor. Alcohol also appears to be a factor in the crash. He was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
--A 35-year-old Brainerd man who allegedly cut off an electronic monitoring bracelet he wore while serving on intensive supervised release in Mora faces felony domestic assault charges. Adam Charles Jerde was charged last Wednesday in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd with two felonies for stalking and domestic assault and a misdemeanor for obstructing the legal process. Bond was set at $100,000 without conditions and $50,000 with conditions, but as of Monday he continued to be in custody in the Crow Wing County Jail. His next court hearing is scheduled at 1:30pm Thursday. Charges come from an incident September 9th of domestic assault at a Brainerd residence. It was reported Jerde threw things at the victim, who further advised police Jerde had an active warrant for his arrest. Because Jerde was displaying aggressive, hostile behavior the officer during his arrest after several warnings, police used a stun gun to subdue him. Jerde was then placed under arrest and handcuffed. Jerde refused a preliminary breathalyzer test and allegedly became belligerent again, threatening to assault the officer at the jail.
--A 41-year-old Brainerd man was injured Sunday, when the vehicle he was driving on Forest Heights Drive in Brainerd went off a curve in the road and crashed into trees. The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash at 10:45am. The driver, suspected to be intoxicated, was transported by North Memorial Ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd for injuries. A blood sample test was taken for possible driving while intoxicated charges. Police did not release the name of the driver.
--A St. Cloud man was hurt in a crash with a semi. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 4:15pm Monday on Highway 23 at Interstate 94. A pickup driven by 82-year-old Donald Robak of St. Cloud was going east on Highway 23 while the semi was turning onto eastbound Highway 23 from I-94. The semi pulled out in front of the pickup. Robak was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The semi driver, 61-year-old Peter Hanson of Brook Park, was not hurt.
--The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of E. coli associated with the Minnesota State fair. Investigators identified 11 cases among Minnesota residents who visited the fair prior to becoming ill. Evidence collected from those infected suggests that contact with livestock is a key factor. Those infected range in age from 2 to 43 years of age. Six patients have been hospitalized, and one developed a potentially fatal complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. One person remains hospitalized. MDH and fair officials are working together to determine the source of the outbreak. A common denominator is that most of those infected reported visiting the Miracle of Birth exhibit and having contact with calves, goats, sheep or piglets. MDH says this is a reminder to always wash your hands after being around livestock and their enclosures.
--The final Cruizin' the Lakes Car Show for the year is this Thursday from 4-7pm at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds in Brainerd. There will be food, music, classic cars and hot rods and much more to see.
DEATH NOTICES
--Tyler Steven Johnson, age 27 of Little Falls formerly of Randall
--Eleanor E. Thorson, age 100 of Little Falls formerly of Randall
--George A. Matros Sr., age 93 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM thunderstorms, heavy rains, then clearing, high 79.
TONIGHT= clear night, less humid and less windy, low 56.
THURSDAY= sunny and pleasant, high 78, storms overnight, low 61.
FRIDAY= storms likely, partial sun, high 76, more storms late night.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win an endurance battle over the White Sox last night with a 3 run 12th inning to win 9-8 over White Sox. Indians win so Twins stay 5 games up in the AL Central and move their magic number to 7. Twins wrap up with White Sox tonight with pregame starting at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has been named WNBA Rookie of the Year. Collier was named on 29 of 43 ballots. Collier averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds a game while leading the team averaging 33 minutes played per game.
MLB= with just over a week left in the MLB season the Yankees and Astros both of 99 wins in AL wins 93, Oakland 91, Tampa Bay 89 and Cleveland 88 making it an interesting finish to make the playoffs.