Tuesday, July 7, 2026
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 7-4-2026 at approximately 5:17 pm, their
office received a report of a man lying on the road unconscious on 168th Street in the City of
Hillman. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 69-year-old Duane Britz of Hillman was a passenger
hanging on the side of a side-by-side ATV driven by 18-year-old Rubin Herrera of Litchfield. Herrera was giving Britz a ride to his vehicle which was parked on 168th Street when he fell off the ATV. Britz was transported to Onamia Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance and then transferred to North Memorial Hospital with unknown injuries. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Hillman Area First Response Team, Onamia Ambulance and Mayo Clinic Ambulance.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 7-4-2026 at approximately 1:47am, their office received a report of a fireworks accident at a residence off Emerald Road, approximately three miles north of Randall in Cushing Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Colton Husen of Breckenridge, Colorado was lighting off a mortar style firework while holding it in the air. The firework blew up from the bottom and launched a projectile into Husen’s side. Husen was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance with unknown injuries.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the name of the victim involved in the fatal UTV crash that occurred on July 3, 2026. On July 3, 2026, at approximately 2:32p.m., the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to a UTV crash on County Road 22, approximately one-half mile east of Highway 25 in Long Lake Township. The victim has been identified as 70-year-old Darrel Cronquist of Brainerd. Cronquist was transported by air ambulance to North Memorial Hospital in the metro area, where he later died
as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office.
Morrison County Administrator Matt LeBlanc spoke on KLTF Monday and said this is a busy time for public works as they continue to shoulder County Roads 1 south of Pillager, County Roads 2, 16, 18 and 4 and do culvert work on County Roads 34, 19 and 6 through July. Contracted construction crews will be working on the following activities: CR 258/8th Avenue SE at the BNSF RR crossing is scheduled to be paved on Tuesday while railroad work is being done by Burlington Northern on the train tracks on Highway 27, the 27 project goes onto Friday, Matt said the county project should be finished in one day. The crossing will be closed for this work. Please follow the signed detour in both areas. Crews will begin pavement reclamation on CSAH 46 at isolated locations. Construction on CSAH 76 continues. The road will remain open during construction but will have lane shifting to facilitate the rehabilitation of the road. Please drive with caution and remain patient during delays. Project is expected to be complete by the end of August. Belle Prairie Park River Access project began in May. The park will be closed to vehicles and will be open to foot traffic only while under construction. Additionally, the boat ramp will be closed for the duration of the construction. Project is expected to continue into September. Questions can be directed to Morrison County Public Works or contact Matt himself at 320-632-0193.
No injuries were reported when an airplane carrying six people had an issue with landing gear Sunday at the Pine River Regional Airport. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk said in a news release that at 2:58 p.m. Sunday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a plane crash on the runway at the Pine River airport. Responders arrived and learned that a 1984 Beechcraft Bonanza was landing when an issue was discovered with the landing gear. The plane landed and skidded along the runway for a distance until coming to a stop. The plane was piloted by a man, age 71, of Pella, Iowa, and had five passengers, including three juveniles. The plane was removed from the runway and debris was cleaned up. The airport was closed for a short period of time and the incident remains under investigation with the assistance of the Pine River Police Department, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
More accidents were reported on Monday morning in Minnesota one person had minor injuries on Highway 169 and Highway 27 near Onamia in Mille Lacs County around 7:15am. A New Brighton woman was treated at the Onamia hospital from the accident. Then another accident around the same time in Crow Wing County in the unorganized territory. A couple from Edina were taken to the Brainerd hospital for their injuries where the other driver was not hurt. A third accident happened around 7:25am in Stearns County in Lake Henry Township. Two women collided at the intersection at Highway 4 and County Road 32. One from St. Martin was taken to the Paynesville hospital and the other from Cold Spring to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
A 20-year-old man died Sunday after being pulled from the St. Croix River at Lake St. Croix Beach. A statement from the Washington County Sheriff's Office said deputies joined multiple bystanders to search for the man, who was located sometime after 6:30 p.m. and brought to shore. Despite lifesaving efforts, the man was later pronounced dead at the hospital. His identity has not yet been released.
Severe storms, flash flooding is expected the next two days in the forecast across central Minnesota. Storms likely early late Monday night will continue into Tuesday morning, then redeveloping storms in the afternoon and heavy rains forecast Tuesday night through Wednesday night. Ray Miller from Weather Eye reported Monday that potential rain totals of 1-2 inches plus Tuesday and another 1-2 inches plus on Wednesday some storms could have large hail and damaging winds both days.
Weather: Tuesday AM storms, then partly sunny, high 84 storms in the afternoon and evening could be severe with heavy rains likely Tuesday into Wednesday low 64. Storms in the morning Wednesday with heavy rains, then more storms Wednesday night with heavy rains low 58. Thursday sunny and cooler, high 77, low around 57. Friday sunny high near 80, low near 60. Saturday sunny and warmer, high 85, low around 64. Sunday sunny and hot, high near 90, low around 65, chance of T-storms late on Sunday.
Sports: Twins host Cleveland Tuesday night at 6:40pm at Target Field.