NEWS --A St. Cloud psychologist will be in court today to face two charges of third degree criminal sexual conduct. 46-year old Eric Felsch is accused of having sex with a client during and outside of therapy sessions. Felsch was arrested Saturday afternoon. He has a private psychology practice in the St. Cloud area. It is against Minnesota law for a psychotherapist to have sex with a patient during or outside of a therapy session. A defendant facing that charge cannot defend himself by saying the victim consented to the sexual activity. The state considers this type of situation to be one where consent cannot be freely given. If convicted, Felsch could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000 for each charge.
--On Saturday, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible building fire at 24256 County Road 13 in Belgrade around 9:00pm. It was unknown if anyone was inside. As authorities arrived flames from the basement of the house were visible. Contact was made with the homeowner, Charles Ampe and it was determined that no one was inside. Despite efforts from the fire departments, the house was considered a total loss. No one was injured in the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
--The St. Cloud Police Department will hold a community notification meeting regarding the release of a man from prison with a history of sexually abusing children younger than 13. 36-year old Billy Mike Peterson is scheduled to be released next Monday. His listed address is in the 100 block of East St. Germain Street in St. Cloud. A community notification meeting about Peterson's release will be from 6:00-8:00pm next Tuesday at the St. Cloud Police Station.
--Two teenagers are safe after their vehicle went through the ice Sunday afternoon. The incident happened at about 12:45pm between Big Lake and Lake Mitchell. Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott says the vehicle broke through the ice while on the channel between the lakes. When authorities arrived they found the vehicle partially submerged. Brott says the driver and passenger, a 17-year old and a 15-year old both from Anoka, were both safe. Brott says this is a good reminder to anglers to use caution on the ice, especially where there is current under the ice.
--St. Cloud Police are looking for the man who robbed the TCF Bank inside the Cashwise East store at 1001 4th Street Southeast Sunday morning. Sergeant Jason Burke says it happened at about 11:30am. The suspect was last seen walking in the northwest direction away from Cashwise. No one was hurt in the incident. No other information is being released at this time.
--A 69-year old man was injured Saturday when the snowmobile he was operating struck a tree in Deerwood. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office reported Bruce Malkerson of Shakopee was snowmobiling on private property on the 25000 block of Evergreen Trail in Deerwood when he struck a tree while not wearing a helmet. Malkerson was transported by North Memorial Air Care to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, where he was listed in critical condition Monday.
--Join AM960 KLTF Party Line live today at Holy Trinity School in Pierz to talk about Catholic Schools Week with staff and students. The program is at 10:05am on KLTF and online at fallsradio.com. You can also go back and listen to today or yesterday's program through the KLTF Streaming tab at fallsradio.com.
--A Cass Lake woman police say was present for the shooting death of Brandi Shank was charged Friday with two counts of aiding another who they say committed second degree unintentional murder. A criminal complaint filed Friday accused 41-year old Sara Renae LaRose of giving investigators "false or misleading" information about the November shooting. 24-year old Brandon Joseph Roy of Cass Lake was charged in November with second degree unintentional murder in Shank's death. According to the criminal complaint, Roy shot the victim through the bathroom door at a Cass Lake apartment while he and a number of others fought over drugs and money in the early hours of Sunday, November 12th. Shortly after the shooting, the Cass County Sheriff's Office released a statement saying that they were searching for Sara LaRose, her husband, 28-year old Anthony LaRose and 25-year old Ilesha Guinn who investigators said fled from the scene. The trio was located in late November. Sara LaRose is scheduled to appear in court Monday and Roy's next hearing is set for Monday, March 12th. Anthony LaRose and Guinn have not been charged.
--An Aitkin woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash around 3pm Friday on Highway 210 and Golf Course Road in Baxter. Baxter Police Department reported 19-year old Aaron T. Hanson of Little Falls was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck west on Highway 210, and 64-year old Marlene M. Ramacher of Aitkin, was driving a passenger car south on Golf Course Road as they collided. Ramacher was transported by North Memorial Ambulance to Essentia-Health St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd to be treated for injuries.
--Electrolux announced Tuesday they are planning to close their plant in St. Cloud. The freezer maker says production is expected to continue through the end of 2019 meaning that about 900 employees will be impacted and be eligible for jobs elsewhere in the company.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --John Hawkins and Heather Delcourt of Royalton, a girl on Jan. 26th
DEATH NOTICE --Harvey Otremba, age 81 of Pierz
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny, windy, high 25. TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, flurries, windy, low -5, wind chill -25. THURSDAY= partly sunny and cold, high 5 above, wind chill -25. FRIDAY= snow showers by afternoon, high 13, low around 0.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins Hot Stove tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1936= The Green Hornet debuted on radio. IN 1940= the first Social Security Check- then called a retirement check was given to Ida May Fuller of Fuller of Vermont. IN 1958= Explorer I the first U.S. Satellite was put into orbit. IN 1987= Madonna “Open your Heart” reached the top 10 making her the first female singer to hit the top 10 with her first 11 songs. IN 1998= N'Sync released their first single “I Want You Back”, now 20 years later, former member Justin Timberlake is ready to be the Halftime show in Minneapolis for Super Bowl 52 on Sunday.