Road Construction in Nisswa

BAXTER, Minn. – Motorists will encounter road closures and detours in Nisswa as Main Street and Merril Avenue close Monday, Sept. 17.

 

Approximately 100 feet of Main Street will close east of Highway 371. Merril Avenue will close south of Main Street. The alley between Main Street and Merril Avenue also will close.

 

All businesses will remain easily accessible, with signs directing motorists to alternate routes to local businesses.

 

Both local roads and the alley will reopen by Friday, Sept. 21.

 

The closures are needed as crews relocate underground utilities as part of the Highway 371 improvements project.

 

When complete, the project will improve motorist and pedestrian safety and mobility by reconstructing four lanes of Highway 371, improving turn lanes and constructing a new Crow Wing County Road connection, which includes a roundabout. The project also adds a new pedestrian tunnel, improves local roads and creates better access to the Paul Bunyan Trail. More information on the project can found at www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/hwy371nisswa/index.html. 

Two Die on Big Winnie

Two men died after a boat capsized on Lake Winnibigoshish over the weekend.   

The Cass County Sheriff's office was notified about 6:30 PM of the incident in the northern part of the County near Bena.  Responding officers located the boat and several items floating in the water near the boat.  An initial search of the area was performed until dark.  The area was searched by boat, as well as by Minnesota State Patrol helicopter.  Conditions were very windy with wind gusts between 30-40 MPH.  

The search resumed at daylight Sunday.  At approximately 9:30 AM, one male victim, age 43, from Minneapolis, MN was located near shore.   The search continued and at approximately 5:00 PM, the body of the second male victim, age 53, from Princeton, MN was located approximately 200 yards from where the boat was initially found.  Both victims were taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. 

The search was conducted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Lakes Area Dive Team, MN State Patrol, MN Department of Natural Resources, Leech Lake Tribal Police and Leech Lake Conservation Officers.

Zebra Mussel Search In Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake at Breezy Point was designated as infested waters last July, when DNR divers found two zebra mussels near Gooseberry Island.  Since that time, divers and residents have found additional zebra mussels in various locations of the lake. 

The Pelican Lakes Association feels it is an early infestation and is urging everyone that uses or has property on Pelican Lake to join in the search.  

The association in staging a search for the invasive to slow its spread, not an easy task in an 8,300 acre lake.

Searchers as asked to check shallow water (typically less than ten feet deep) on hard surfaces like rocks, dock poles, boat lifts, swim platforms, pontoons, or attached to a native mussel.   The mussels could be found inside a dock or lift post where they are not visible.    

Zebra mussels are about the size of a fingernail and hard to spot.  

Report the finding immediately to local DNR invasive species specialist, Dan Swanson, at 218-833-8645.   You can drop off specimens at the DNR office or someone will come to your home to pick it up.

Cancer Benefit In Breezy

Nearly $20,000 was raised in August through the 6th Annual Swanson's Melanoma Golf Open Fundraiser in Breezy Point to support the American Cancer Society, for Melanoma cancer research at the University of Minnesota, and new Brainerd Lakes Pay It Forward for Cancer Fund through the Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Foundation.

Funds will be used to directly impact cancer patients’ non-medical needs through a one-time financial assistance that may take the form of a gas card, mortgage payment, childcare expense, etc. In addition a small portion (5%) will be dedicated to education for cancer prevention and early detection for the Brainerd Lakes Area community.

All donations are tax deductible and can be made online at essentiahealth.org/foundation, by check payable to St. Joseph’s Foundation-Brainerd Lakes Pay It Forward for Cancer Fund, or by credit card.To learn more about St. Joseph’s Foundation or apply to the Brainerd Lakes Pay It Forward for Cancer Fund call 218.828.7564.

Crosby Police Find Body in Auto

Thursday afternoon, a citizen reported a suspicious vehicle to the Crosby Police Department.  The citizen noted a vehicle in a wooded area near County Road 31 in Deerwood Township.  The Crosby Police Department and the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and found the vehicle.  The initial responding officers discovered the body of an adult male at the scene.

Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Scene Team responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.  An autopsy will be conducted by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office on 9-7-12. 

Sheriff Todd Dahl wants people to know there is no indication of danger to the public and citizens should not be concerned for their safety.  Because of unusual circumstances at the scene the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was asked to assist with the investigation.

The deceased was identified as:  Garry Allen Wanless Jr.  age 43

Traffic Delays in Little Falls

BAXTER, Minn. – Motorists in Little Falls will encounter nighttime delays as Highway 27 intermittently reduces to a single lane with flaggers controlling traffic between 127^th Avenue and Ninth Street Northeast.

 

The overnight closures will begin at 7 p.m. daily beginning Monday, Sept. 10, through Thursday, Sept. 13. All lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. the following day.

 

The closures are needed as crews resurface Highway 27.

 

Motorists are advised to drive diligently, slow down and prepare to stop when approaching the work zone.