LATEST NEWS
Morrison County District Court misdemeanor sentences
The following people charged with a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor in Morrison County District Court have recently been sentenced: Gross misdemeanors: • Oscar Mejia Cedano, 25, Browerville (offense: 1/16/23) — Theft, fined $385 and sentenced to one day in jail and probation to the court for two years. • Jessica Maria Villavicencio Soto, 32, Browerville...
Oatis charged with assault, interfering with 911 call
Alex Mitchel Oatis, 24, Little Falls, was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of assault and one gross misdemeanor count of interfering with an emergency telephone call. The charges stem from an April 8 incident, when two officers of the Little Falls Police Department received a report of an assault occurring at a residence on Riverwood Drive in Little Falls. Officers arrived at the scene and met with the victim. The victim stated that she was assaulted by Oatis. She stated...
Red Lake woman convicted on possession charge
Cindy Marie Cobenais, 35, Red Lake, was sentenced in Morrison County District Court to 183 days in local confinement and supervised probation for five years and fined $50 for one felony count of second-degree possession of a controlled substance. One felony count of fifth-degree possession of a controlled subtance was dismissed. If Cobenais breaks the conditions of her supervised probation, which include no alcohol or controlled substance use, completing inpatient treatment and submitting to random testing, she faces up to 58 months in a correctional...
Annual Morrison County sheriff's update: complaints down in 2023
Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen gave his annual report to the Morrison County Board of Commissioners at its meeting on Tuesday, April 23. Larsen provided a comprehensive overview of the activities of the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office over the past year. Larsen reported that the number of complaints received by the sheriff’s office in 2023 was 11,289, down slightly from 11,599 complaints in 2022. He noted that factors like traffic stops, carry permit applications and gun purchases all contribute to the total number of complaints....
Braun convicted on assault charge
Steven Lee Braun, 54, homeless, previously of Royalton, was sentenced in Morrison County District Court to 126 days in local confinement and supervised probation for five years and fined $50 for one felony count of assault. One felony count of assault by strangulation was dismissed. If Braun breaks the conditions of his supervised probation, which include following all recommendations of a comprehensive assessment, no contact with the victim and paying restitution, he faces up to 21 months in a correctional facility. ...
The ‘Wizard of Oz’ takes flight at Little Falls Community High School
There’s no place like home, but there’s also no place like the stage of Little Falls Community High School’s upcoming production of “The Wizard of Oz.” The timeless story of a girl from Kansas being whisked away to the magical Land of Oz is brought to life through an imaginative set, enchanting music and an enthusiastic cast. The week before tech week, many members of the cast are already in their costumes, most lines are memorized and, for the first time, actors use a fly...
Morrison County Commissioner Jeffrey Jelinski will not seek reelection
Morrison County District 2 Commissioner Jeffrey Jelinski will not be running for reelection in the 2024 election. The last full day of his current term is Jan. 5, 2025. Jelinski emphasized that the decision to not run for reelection was not born out of any ill will for anyone within Morrison County and that he had greatly enjoyed his time in the position. However, he said it was always his plan to serve for three terms, and due to redistricting, he will have effectively served...
Felony charge filed
Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed a felony complaint against the following individual: • Neal Raymond Weber, 53, Stillwater — In connection with a March 29 incident, Weber was charged with one count of fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance.
DWI, possession charges amended against St. Paul man
Felony charges against Christopher Lee Mahlum, 43, St. Paul, were amended in Morrison County District Court to include one additional felony count of DWI, specifically under the influence of methamphetamine. These charges were added to one felony first-degree DWI charge, one felony fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance charge and one gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation charge filed in January.
Board proclaims April as National Donate Life Month
At its Tuesday, April 23 meeting, the Morrison County Board of Commissioners proclaimed April as National Donate Life Month, spreading awareness of the positive impact being an organ donor can have on others. The proclamation stated that an average of 16 people die per day waiting for an organ transplant. Pictured are (from left): Back row: Commissioners Jeffrey Jelinski, Robert Kasper, Greg Blaine, Mike LeMieur and Randy Winscher; Front row: Morrison County Deputy Registrar Denise Vogl.
Morrison County Board of Commissioners Briefs
In other business Tuesday, April 23, the Morrison County Board of Commissioners: • Approved changes to authorized access and signers for Morrison County’s accounts at Stearns Bank, removing former Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Debbie Symanietz and adding Auditor/Treasurer Shannon Coyle and current Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Breanna Mikkelsen; • Approved Helping Hands 365 to hold a raffle on Oct. 26 at the Boomerang Bar; ...
Little Falls Township clean-up day set for May 4
Little falls Township is hosting a Clean-Up Day event for Residents living outside city limits but within Little Falls Township on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at the Little Falls Town Hall and Community Center from 8:00am to 11:30am. Each Household may deliver the following free of charge: two (2) appliances or two (2) electronics and ten (10) car or light truck tires up to 17” or two (2) truck tires or one (1) tractor tire. Additional appliances will be charged $15.00 each, and electronics $25.00 each. Additional car and light truck tires will be charged $2.00 each, truck tires $6.00 each and tractor tires $17.00 each. The tire price is double if the rim is left on. Residents are responsible for the unloading of their items. This collection is intended for residentially generated items only. Persons with questions may call Chuck Parins at 320-632-2627, John Theis at 320-980-5352, or George Sandy III at 320-630-5595.
Morrison County Board supports rural broadband expansion
The Morrison County Board of Commissioners heard a request at its Tuesday, April 23 meeting to support a local internet service provider’s grant applications aimed at expanding high-speed fiber optic networks to underserved areas of the county. County Administrator Matt LeBlanc presented information on grants available through the State Border to Border 10 broadband program and Federal Reconnect 5 funds. He explained that Sytek, based in Upsala, is seeking the Board’s endorsement as it applies for about $4 million from either grant funds to build...
Board proclaims National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
At its Tuesday, April 23 meeting, the Morrison County Board of Commissioners proclaimed the week of Sunday, April 21 through Saturday, April 27 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The proclamation stated that crime victims who feel supported and understood are more likely to seek justice. Pictured are (from left): Back row: Commissioners Jeffrey Jelinski, Robert Kasper, Greg Blaine, Mike LeMieur and Randy Winscher; Front row: Hands of Hope staff members Steph Och, Rocio Fernandez Lugo, Taylor Hernandez and Lyndsey Dimateo.
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