Minnesota News Briefs: Authorities still investigating Twin Cites area boat accidents

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Authorities are still investigating two accidents involving boats near the Twin Cities.

The search for a missing boater on Centerville Lake continues this morning. One of two men whose canoe capsized was rescued on Sunday but divers couldn't locate the other man in the murky water. Anoka County authorities call it now a "recovery effort." And a man is dead after an accident involving a boat in Minnetrista. However, there was no body of water involved. Authorities think a retaining wall collapsed and the boat fell on the man.

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A 37-year-old Lake Elmo man was injured on Upper Spunk Lake Sunday near Avon. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Department says Robert Platz was riding a personal watercraft when he fell off and was hit by another personal watercraft. The second vehicle was driven by 34-year-old Pamela Blonigan-Platz of Lake Elmo. Platz was taken to St. Cloud Hospital. His condition is unknown.

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A "No Wake" ordinance is in effect in Aitkin County because of high water threatening homes and businesses. The emergency ordinance has been implemented as a result of recent flooding in the area. Sandbags have been put in place to protect lake and river properties and officials are asking that boaters not create waves that could wash over the dikes.

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A motorcycle rider is dead after a crash in northwestern Minnesota. The State Patrol says the bike went into the median between lanes of Highway-10 near Perham and rolled, ejecting the rider. No identity has been released and no other vehicles were involved.

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The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has identified the 34-year-old woman who died in a crash west of the metro on Saturday. Victoria Dorkins of Otsego was killed when her car collided with a pickup in the town of Greenfield. One of the two men in the truck was treated for minor injuries.

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Minnesota loggers are feeling the effects of the fire and explosion at the Verso Paper mill in Sartell. Scott Dane, executive director of the Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota, says he's not aware of anyone having to quit the business. But, Dane acknowledges many of the logging companies that supplied wood to Verso are looking at losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. Dane is hoping Verso will be able to reopen the mill -- otherwise he fears it could be the end for many Minnesota loggers.

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Another work week begins -- while it's another week of summer vacation for children. Education expert Ashley Norris says kids often lose intellectual steam this time of year. Norris calls it the "summer slide" and says it's a simple fact: kids lose 22-percent of what they learn in the school year over the summer. Norris urges parents to teach children how to cook, or how to make a budget for grocery shopping. She adds parents have to strike a rather delicate balance between letting kids use the computer -- and getting them to try new experiences.

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Here are the winning numbers from the Minnesota State Lottery for Sunday, July 1st, 2012. The Daily Three: 0-0-7. Northstar Cash: 3-6-8-16-17.

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