Stearns County News & Press Releases

County Road 75 Construction Begins

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:23:40 GMT

St. Cloud area motorists are advised that beginning Tuesday, May 28, 2013, the Stearns County Highway Department will begin construction activities on CSAH 75 from 33rd Street South to I-94 in order to reconstruct CSAH 75 including adding a concrete median.

County Auctioning Several Hundred Properties

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:13:04 GMT

Stearns County will be selling approximately 400 prime pieces of property at its tax-forfeited property auction next month.

4-H Summer Camps Open - for Everyone

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:03:19 GMT

Stearns County Extension is offering participation in 4-H summer camps.

Calling all Baby Boomers for Hepatitis Screening

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:39:13 GMT

Health officials advise all people between the age of 48 and 68 to get a hepatitis C test.

Lake Wobegon Trail Caramel Roll Ride

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:52 GMT

The Lake Wobegon Trail Association and the Stearns County Park Department will be holding the traditional Caramel Roll Bike Ride the 2nd Saturday of June.

Lake Wobegon Trail Lady Slipper Nature Ride

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:53:19 GMT

Enjoy a pleasant bike ride on the Lake Wobegon Trail with MN Master Naturalists explaining the natural environment of the trail on Saturday, June 15.

Road Work and Construction of New Park & Ride Closes Street in St. Joseph

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:27:48 GMT

Minnesota Street W in St. Joseph will be closed at the intersection with newly aligned County Road 2 in order to complete construction of Minnesota Street W and the new Park and Ride facility.

Foster Care Orientation; May is Foster Care Month in Stearns County

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:50:08 GMT

The Stearns County Human Services Board, at its Tuesday, April 23, 2013 meeting proclaimed May as Foster Care Month in Stearns County.

Dairyland Trail Grand Opening a Success

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:24:02 GMT

A grand opening celebration was held on Saturday, Saturday, April 27 for Stearns County’s Dairyland Trail.

Brush, Noxious Weeds to be Cleared from Roadsides

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:18:29 GMT

Beginning in May, Stearns County Highway Department, as part of its vegetation management program, will be scheduling some roadside vegetation work along all Stearns County highways.

Veteran's Drive Construction Activities

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:53:50 GMT

St. Cloud area motorists are advised that beginning Monday, May 6, 2013, the Stearns County Highway Department will begin construction activities on CSAH 4 (Veteran’s Drive) from 41st Ave. North to 37th Ave. North in order to construct a concrete median through the intersection at 41st Ave. North.

County Highway 34 Bridge Replacement

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:49:48 GMT

Stearns County/Paynesville area motorists are advised that the Highway Department will re-close the bridge on CSAH 34 over the Canadian Pacific Railroad at the intersection with County Road 180 on Monday morning, May 6, 2013 for approximately one (1) month while crews complete the construction of the new bridge.

MnDOT Highway 28 Resurfacing Begins April 29

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:30:44 GMT

Motorists and residents on Highway 28 west of Sauk Centre will encounter intermittent lane closures, flaggers, pilot cars and possible delays between Highway 71 and Westport beginning Monday, April 29.

Chad Pulju Pleads Guilty to Intentional Murder in the Second Degree

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Chad Matthew Pulju, DOB 8/3/1972, pled guilty today in Stearns County District Court to Intentional Murder in the Second Degree for the stabbing death of his mother.

Benjamin Lenoir and Andre Kidd charged with Attempted Murder

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:45:15 GMT

Criminal complaints were filed today in Stearns County District Court alleging two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm against Andre Shyron Kidd, DOB: 09/05/90, and Benjamin Jonathan Lenoir, DOB: 09/24/89.

Deputy Meemken Justified in Use of Deadly Force

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:52:04 GMT

The Stearns County Attorney’s Office formally declined to file criminal charges against Stearns County Deputy Chad Meemken finding that his use of deadly force against Marcus Michael Barshaw, on October 21, 2012, was justified.

Jesse Smithers Certified for Adult Prosecution

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:15:38 GMT

The Honorable Frank Kundrat certified Jesse Jean Smithers (17 years of age) for adult prosecution on charges of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, and one count of Assault in the First Degree.

Two 911 Call Transcripts Related to Officer Decker Shooting

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:47:12 GMT

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the transcripts of the two 911 calls received at or about 10:47 p.m. on November 29, 2012, the night of the murder of Cold Spring Police Officer Tom Decker.

Barshaw Indicted for First Degree Premeditated Murder

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:58:48 GMT

Marcus Michael Barshaw, appeared in court after a Stearns County grand jury indicted Barshaw on Murder in the First Degree (Premeditated Murder) and Murder in the Second Degree (Intentional Murder).

Marcus Michael Barshaw Bail Set at $3 Million

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:31:43 GMT

Marcus Michael Barshaw, DOB 10/11/1984, made his first appearance in Stearns County District Court today for the shooting death of J.J.S. on October 21, 2012, in Rockville, Minnesota. Bail was set by the Hon. Richard Ahles at $3,000,000 without conditions and $1,500,000 with conditions.

Barshaw Charged with Intentional Murder

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:21:15 GMT

A criminal complaint was filed today in Stearns County District Court alleging one count of Murder in the Second Degree against Marcus Michael Barshaw, DOB 10/11/1984, of Walker, Minnesota, for the shooting death of J.J.S. on October 21, 2012, in Rockville, Minnesota.

Chad Pulju Charged with Second Degree Murder

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:17:50 GMT

Chad Pulju was charged Friday in Stearns County District Court with Murder in the Second Degree for the stabbing death of his mother.

Stearns County Drug Court Celebrates Ten Successful Years

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:03:00 GMT

Powerful testimonials today during a celebration recognizing the 10th anniversary of Stearns County’s drug court.

Nonprofit-Public Partnership Nets Grant Award for Law Enforcement Training

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:15:56 GMT

Anna Marie’s Alliance, the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, and the Stearns County Chiefs of Police Association were awarded grant funded train-the-trainer instruction to implement a domestic violence lethality assessment program.

Gilles Sentenced in Deaths

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:27:09 GMT

On June 14, 2012 Timothy Richard Gilles aka Rickey Gilles (DOB 3/24/1989) was sentenced by the Honorable John Scherer to 432 months in prison.

Rivetts Sentenced to Statutory Maximum

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:47:25 GMT

Eugene Edward Rivetts was sentenced today to the Statutory Maximum sentence of 120 months of prison in the Criminal Vehicular Homicide of 19 year old Ryan Dezurik.

Senator Amy Klobuchar Discusses Domestic Violence Solutions

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:26:17 GMT

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar discussed solutions with the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership.

Frank Bammert Sentenced in Police Officer Shooting

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:31:29 GMT

Frank Bammert was sentenced today to more than 22 years in prison.

2012 Crime Victims' Rights Events

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:46:15 GMT

County Board proclaims April 22 - 28, 2012 as Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Gilles Pleads Guilty in Deaths

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:21:34 GMT

Timothy Richard Gilles entered a guilty plea to two counts of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle resulting in death and one count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle resulting in substantial bodily harm.

Local Program Receives U.S. Department of Justice Funding

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:19:38 GMT

The Tri County Crime Victims’ Rights Week Committee has received $5,000 for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.