LOCAL BRIEFS: Names released in stolen vehicle pursuit

The names of the victims and the suspect involved in a chase that ended in a three-vehicle collision Thursday night were released Friday by the Brainerd Police Department.

The suspect, Jason Howard Mattsen, 19, Brainerd, is suspected of stealing a vehicle earlier Thursday from an employee at Peterson's Towing in Brainerd and following a chase that reached speeds between 80-90 mph collided with a pickup and another car at the intersection of South Sixth and Washington streets. Mattsen fled the accident on foot and was apprehended by officers about three blocks away near Gregory Park. Mattsen was arrested and remained Friday in the Crow Wing County jail.

Brainerd Police Chief John Bolduc said the case has been referred to the Crow Wing County attorney's office for possible charges against Mattsen.

Mattsen's passengers in the stolen vehicle were Christina Lecompte, 35, Brainerd, and Kelly Jo Swofford, 20, Pequot Lakes, who suffered injuries in the crash and were transported to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. No condition information was available Friday from St. Joseph's Medical Center.

The driver of the 2008 Dodge pickup was Benjamin Suttonen, 18, West Fargo, N.D. He was not injured. The driver of a 1995 Honda Civic, the third vehicle in the collision, was Brandon Luthjohn, 17, Brainerd. Luthjohn was not injured.

Brainerd teens injured in ATV accident

Two teenage girls were injured when the all-terrain vehicle they were riding rolled Thursday on Crow Wing County Road 45 and 70th Street in Crow Wing Township, reported the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department.

Stephanie Backbard, 15, Brainerd, was driving the ATV with passenger Katherine Hesse, 13, Brainerd, in the ditch on County Road 45 and the ATV was attempting to cross 70th Street too fast and it rolled.

The teens were transported to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd to be treated for minor injuries. It was reported Friday that Hesse has since been released and no information was available about Backbard.

The accident was reported at 4:06 p.m.

Counties to get grants

Pine River and Crow Wing County were among 10 communities in northeast Minnesota to receive a total of more than $4.5 million to help develop neighborhoods.

Crow Wing County received $770,700 and Pine River received $399,600 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Small Cities Development Program.

In Pine River the money will be used to rehabilitate eight owner-occupied homes and eight commercial buildings.

Registration set

PEQUOT LAKES - Registration forms have been mailed to Pequot Lakes School District residents that have a child eligible to attend kindergarten this fall at Eagle View Elementary School.

If you live in this school district and have a child that will enter kindergarten this fall and still need the forms, contact Eagle View School Office at (218) 562-6100.

This fall Eagle View anticipates the largest kindergarten class enrollment in the district's history. In order to plan efficiently for the 2008-09 school year registration forms need to be turned in by May 2. Forms must be completed even if the child attended E.C.F.E.