Monday, April 21, 2025

On Friday morning, Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reported an update on the large grass fire in Hillman Township that started on Wednesday night. "Regarding the fire in eastern Morrison County, Jason Kern from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources who is managing the fire with members of the Pierz Fire Department and the DNR the fire was reported 95-100% contained by 10am on Friday morning. From the fire over 2,300 acres burned and multiple DNR resources were still engaged in patrol and mop up. Kern stated they anticipated no immediate threat to the public". Sheriff Shawn Larsen expressed great thank you to all you helped in the battling of the fire over the past days. Fires have been a major issue in the past week, as Brainerd Firefighters responded to two grass fires on Beach Street, and three other smaller grass fire reports from Wednesday to Friday last week which burned around 400 acres in total in the lakes area. Lightning and strong winds from thunderstorms is to blame for a large fire that destroyed 10 buildings and around 300 vendors sites at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds in Shakopee Thursday. Numerous fire departments battled the blaze for hours Thursday and ruled that the buildings and vendor sites were a total loss. No injuries were reported but now the question is if repairs can be done before the Festival begins later this summer which was to feature a number of shows including the return of Penn and Teller. No word was given on what will be done with the site in the coming days after all the damage is accessed.

A Minneapolis family was injured when their vehicle left Highway 10 at County Round 76 in Morrison County early Easter Sunday morning. 30 year old Alexandra Hanks reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel around 6:45am and struck the guard rail near Haven Road. Hanks and her two passengers ages 9 and 2 were all taken to the local hospital and checked for injuries. It was reported all were later released. 

Many schools like Little Falls and Pierz will be celebrating Prom this weekend. That also means that a number of schools are taking part in the Toward Zero Deaths Prom Challenge. The challenge pits school districts against one another in promoting responsible and safe driving before, during, and after prom season.  On the week of prom, schools will count seat belt usage and phone usage among drivers as they enter school parking lots. The schools will then collect the same data in the week after prom. The school with the greatest increase in the number of students wearing seat belts will win the Prom Challenge traveling trophy. Despite drivers 15 to 19 years old making up just 6% of licensed drivers in Minnesota, that age group accounts for 17% of all crashes in the state. In the past schools have also done mock crashes including in Upsala and Swanville in previous years to show the dangers and aftermath of drinking and texting and driving prior to the prom and graduation season. For events like this in the area check with area schools to see if they are doing this. 

Starting May 1st, the public water access at Eagle Lake near Big Lake will temporarily close for a reconfiguration project. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is making improvements to address property line issues and enhance safety and accessibility at the site. The project will cut the number of parking spaces from 14 to five. Along with parking changes, the boat ramp will be relocated to make it easier for boaters to back in, turn, and launch. Access to the site will be limited to a single entrance off County Road 75. Visitors should be aware that parking along County Road 75 is prohibited. The temporary closure is expected to last until May 10th, just in time for the start of the fishing season. Signage at the site will offer project details, and anyone with questions can contact the DNR office at 320-223-7861. 

Sauk Centre police officers had to rush into a burning home Thursday morning to save a woman suspected of setting it ablaze during an assault. When the officers arrived around 7:40 to the house on the 700 block of Ash Street South, smoke was already billowing out of the windows. They were told the suspect was a woman and she could possibly be armed, but risked their lives to pull her out. They found her in the basement, badly burned and passed out. She had to be airlifted to a burn unit. The woman is accused of assaulting a man before setting the fire. He had a severe head injury and is being treated at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital. The Sauk Centre Fire Department was able to put out the flames once the officers had gotten out. An investigation into the incident is still ongoing. The Minnesota State Fire Marshall, Minnesota State Patrol, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Belgrade and Melrose Police Departments are assisting.

One person was injured Friday around 6:35am on Highway 10 and St. Germain Street in St. Cloud which closed the intersection for around an hour to traffic. The Minnesota State Patrol says 30-year-old Austin Welle of Sartell was eastbound on Highway 10, trying to turn eastbound onto East St. Germain Street, when his pickup collided with a car driven by 22-year-old Marni Jo Keith, who was westbound on Highway 10. The crash sent Keith to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at City Hall Council Chambers at 7:30pm. One item is the announcement is that the Leaf and Brush cleanup in Little Falls has been planned for May 10th rain or shine. Bags are to be on the curb by 6am and not in the alley that day. Questions call 616-5500. 

Death Notices- Wilma E. Keehr, age 95 of Little Falls. 

Weather- Monday morning rain showers, then gradual clearing, high near 60. Monday night showers develop after 1am, low 37. Tuesday showers likely through the day, high 57, low around 41. Wednesday lots of sunshine and mild temperatures with high 66, low around 44. More rain in forecast on Thursday.