Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Another stormy day across central and north central Minnesota has heavy rains affected the Brainerd Lakes area with downpours, gusty winds, 70-80mph winds reported in areas of Todd, Cass and Crow Wing County from the Staples Airport north of Brainerd to Nisswa, Pine River and over to Aitkin. Large hail was also reported and some rotation of possible tornadoes but no confirmed touchdowns. The winds knocked out power for many in the Crow Wing and Cass County areas on Monday.
Catholic Charities President/CEO Aaron Fisk has released a statement saying the incident happened at the Catholic Charities Cold Spring residential home. The person who died is one of their employees. Fisk says they are fully cooperating with local law enforcement and regulatory agencies, who are still investigating what happened. Because it is an ongoing investigation, Catholic Charities cannot share additional details. They say safety and the well-being of both those they serve and their staff are their highest priority. They have taken steps to support the residents and staff connected to the home, and they are conducting an internal review. The Cold Spring-Richmond Police Department says they received a report at about 8:30 p.m. of an assault in the 400 block of 8th Avenue North. When Officers arrived, they found a man suffering from an apparent stab wound. First Responders attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man at the home was taken into custody and is being held in the Stearns County Jail pending charges. No names have yet to be released in the fatal incident.
On Thursday, June 25, the Brainerd Fire Department was called at 8:17 a.m. to stand by at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport for an inbound helicopter in possible distress. The helicopter landed and reported no emergency response was needed. On Wednesday, firefighters responded at 10: 51 a.m. to a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Bypass Highway 371 and Highland Scenic Road. Crews assisted with traffic control and cleanup on scene. Injuries were reported. The department was called at 9:32 p.m. Wednesday after a report of a carbon monoxide alarm on the 900 block of South Eighth Street. Low levels of CO were detected. The unit was ventilated and no injuries were reported. Back on June 22nd firefighters responded at 8:37 a.m. to a report of a gas line hit on the 11300 block of Five Mile Road. The gas was a propane line. The tank was shut off and no injuries were reported. Also on June 22, firefighters responded to a call at 9:29 p.m. of a gas odor at Best Buy. No hazards were detected during the investigation. Then on June 18th the fire department responded to several calls: At 4:42 a.m. to a crash at the intersection of State Highway 371 and Pine Beach Road. Crews assisted with traffic control and cleanup on scene. Injuries were reported. At 6:49 a.m. to a crash at the intersection State Highway 371 and Woida Road. Crews assisted with traffic control and cleanup on scene. No patient contact made. At 5:32 a.m. to a machine fire at LINDAR Corporation in Baxter. The fire was out on arrival. The building was ventilated and no injuries were reported. At 9:28 p.m. to an alarm on the 13500 block of Kenwood Drive, Baxter. Smoke was coming from the oven in “cleaning” mode. The unit was ventilated and no injuries were reported.
A 41-year-old Melrose man was flown to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries after crashing his motorcycle on Saturday. According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, a call came in for a crash with injuries at County Road 168, south of 410th Street in Melrose Township, roughly three miles northeast of the city. When first responders arrived, they learned that Peter Hahn had been driving a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle southbound on County Road 168 when he lost control around a curve, entered the west ditch, and crashed. Hahn was taken by the Melrose Ambulance to the Melrose Hospital and then flown by LifeLink Helicopter to the CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital for further care. Hahn’s current condition wasn’t released. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Minnesota State Patrol, the Melrose Police Department, the Melrose Fire Department, the Melrose Ambulance Service, and LifeLink Helicopter.
A late-afternoon Friday fire that broke out at a Sartell residence is under investigation. At 4:57 p.m. on Friday, June 26, Sartell Public Safety responded to reports of a residential structure fire in the 500 block of 22nd Avenue. Dispatch had been informed before the call that the homeowners were not home when the fire started. Upon arrival, firefighters began with an exterior attack to knock down the fire before moving to an interior attack. The blaze was contained before it could spread to neighboring structures. The cause remains under investigation, although investigators believe the fire may have originated near the rear of the home.
A 26-year-old Meeker County man is facing felony-level harassment charges after investigators say he sent explicit images to a juvenile through social media, and the victim attends the same school where the suspect works. According to a press release, on June 26th, detectives with the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at the Lake Lillian home of Sutton Junkermeier. During the search, detectives seized his electronic devices. Afterward, detectives got an arrest warrant, and Junkermeier was taken into custody later that day. He was booked into the Meeker County jail and is facing multiple counts of harassment, including felony-level charges of sexual intent. The investigation is ongoing.
A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct charges after driving to St. Cloud to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex. Twenty-three-year-old Nicholas Daniels of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to two counts of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of describing sexual conduct to a child through electronic communications. The relationship came to light when a condom was found in the girl's room in June 2025. The girl told a staff member at the Child Advocacy Center in July about how the two met, how they communicated, and how he drove to Minnesota to meet her. According to the criminal complaint, the girl met Daniels on Roblox in March or April 2025. Court records show they moved their conversation to Snapchat and talked multiple times per day until Daniels traveled to Minnesota in May of last year. The girl said they had intercourse and performed other sex acts. Court records show Daniels returned the following month and met three times, near a church, in a park, and at her home in north St. Cloud. Authorities performed a forensic extraction on the girl's phone and allegedly found multiple conversations where Daniels sent nude photos of himself and described having sex with the victim.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will take part in an annual nationwide campaign highlighting the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. From Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, DNR conservation officers and public safety officers will conduct Operation Dry Water, patrolling the state’s lakes for intoxicated boaters and enforcing penalties for violations. The DNR says boating under the influence is the leading factor in boating accidents and fatalities. While most do the right thing by leaving alcohol on shore, dozens are still arrested for intoxicated boating each year around the Fourth of July. The DNR also encourages boaters to wear a life jacket, noting that many fatalities involve victims who fell overboard without one. More information on Operation Dry Water and general boating safety can be found on the campaign website and the DNR’s boating safety webpage.
Weather: sunny and hot Tuesday, high near 90, heat index values near 100. Tuesday night clear lows around 63. Wednesday thunderstorms in the morning, some heavy rains, then humid, high near 88 with strong to severe storms again Wednesday night low around 67. Thursday sunny and hot, high near 90, storms Thursday night low around 64. Friday sunny and humid, isolated T-storms possible, high 87, low around 65. Saturday storms early, and late for the 4th of July some severe, high 86, low around 62. Sunday sunny and cooler, high near 80 with still chances of isolated T-Storms, clearing Sunday night low near 60.
Sports: Twins have game 2 Tuesday night at Houston at 7:10pm. Viktor Hovland wins the Traveler's Championship on Monday morning in a 1 hole playoff over Scottie Scheffler. Team USA is in the knockout round in World Cup Soccer Wednesday night 7pm against Bosnia now need to win to move on.