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...
Pierz City Council Briefs
On April 22, the Pierz City Council: • Approved a small accessory structure permit for Danielle Miller, two concrete permits for Richard Henry and Rodney Boser and two fence permits for Donald Gilson and ISD #484; • Donated $400 to the Pierz Legion Park Board for improving and maintaining the Hellie baseball field; • Donated...
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. ...
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.
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...
Chavez charged with felony assault
Dominique Chavez, 28, Little Falls, was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of assault. The charge stems from an April 15 incident, when the Little Falls Police Department received a report of a disturbance occurring at a residence on Third Avenue Northwest in Little Falls. Two officers responded to the report and met with the victim. The first officer spoke to the victim while the second officer went into the residence to speak with Chavez. The victim stated that Chavez was...
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....
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.
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...
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; ...
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...
Flyers T&F boys win Pierz Invite; boys and girls earn second at home
During a two-meet week, The Little Falls track and field team, continues to make its mark, starting with the boys taking first and the girls in fourth at the Pierz Invitational meet Tuesday, April 23. The Flyers’ Mark Hughes was one of the leading performers of the meet, winning the boys long jump event with a length of 20-00.50. Gabe Shanoff followed in second (19-03.00) and Cyler Bollig in fourth (18-10.00). Noah Cameron won the triple jump with 37-08.00, Hayden Nordlund in third (33-02.00) and...
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.
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...
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