NEWS
--A train engineer was forced to jump from a moving locomotive on Tuesday after a man armed with a knife climbed onto the train and attacked him in Sauk Rapids. Sauk Rapids police say responded around 8:18am to the area of Benton Drive and 1st Avenue North for the report of the assault. According to police, they say the engineer was operating a BNSF engine pulling a rock train out of St. Cloud when a 42-year-old man climbed on board and entered the cab. Police say the man was armed with a knife and attacked the engineer. The engineer was forced to leap from the cab of the running engine to get to safety. The train eventually rolled to a stop in the Sartell area, just north of Sauk Rapids. Police say they were able to find the suspect a short distance from the stopped train. He is being held in Benton County Jail facing assault charges.
--Members of the Sartell Middle School swim team were involved in an incident on a school bus Tuesday afternoon. The Sartell-St. Stephen School District says a bus transporting the team was pulled over by the Morrison County Sheriff's Office while enroute to a meet. The Minnesota State Patrol says troopers stopped the bus and conducted an investigation to alleged driving conduct of the bus driver. District officials say they will be investigating the matter in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office and will handle any personnel matters in accordance with District policy. All of the students are safe and another bus was bringing them back to Sartell. Troopers say no citations have been issued at this time. The state patrol says this remains an open investigation related to the driving conduct of the bus driver, reported by witnesses leading to the traffic stop.
--One person was hurt in a two-vehicle crash in Benton County. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened Tuesday at about 3:20pm at the intersection of County Road 7 and Highway 95 north of Santiago.
A semi was going south on the county road and a cargo van was going east on the highway when they collided. The van driver, 35-year-old Ross Warm of Harris, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The semi driver, 26-year-old Alex Johnson of Becker, and his passenger were not hurt.
--The Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial dedication ceremony is today at 1:30pm in front of the Veterans Service Building on the State Capitol Mall in St. Paul. This event is open to the public and will be attended by five Medal of Honor recipients from around the country, to include the current and former Presidents of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, as well as descendants of recipients. This new Memorial is the culmination of more than a decade of work by the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial Committee and volunteers. The Memorial dedication ceremony will include a cannon volley, a vintage military aircraft flyover, memorabilia from the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, music by the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band, Saint Thomas Academy, and more. The Memorial was constructed around the existing “Promise of Youth” sculpture, which is now encircled by the Memorial itself. It symbolizes the education and inspiration of our youth and the public, supported by the character virtues and values of Medal of Honor recipients. Nationally, there are 65 living recipients; 72 Medals of Honor are accredited to Minnesotans “for the conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration. It is awarded to recognize service members for valor in combat.
--The Little Falls Community High School has announced their candidates for Homecoming King and Queen this year. For King, Noah Dahlberg, Hudson Filippi, Connor Grant, Henry Moore and Alex Oberton. For Girls, Beth Ahlin, Elizabeth Blair, Tori Gottwalt, Korrin Gwost and Sadie LeBlanc. Also their attendants will be 9th grade Chaston Gwost, Sophia Sinclair, 10th grade Carter Gwost, Faith Krawiecki and 11th grade Antonio Becker, Olivia Dempsey. Coronation will be Monday night at the high school.
--The Royalton public schools have announced their homecoming king and queen candidates. Candidates for King in Royalton are Drew Yourczek, Connor Carlson, Ashton Brezinka, Chris Novak and Will Gorecki. Queen Candidates are Cylie Brezinka, Mya Yourczek, Mya Wolbeck, Ashley Knettel, and Kayla Sobiech. Also their attendants will be 9th grade Haylie Wolbeck and Aaron Kloss; 10th grade Heather Volk and Ethan Albright; 11th grade Brooke Wenner and Brandon Trisko. Coronation is this Sunday at 6:00pm in the Cafetorium. Royalton hosts Paynesville in their homecoming game September 30th.
--The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is aware of multiple “swatting” incidents involving active shooter events or mass casualties at schools across Minnesota. No incidents have turned out to be real. Swatting involves making a prank call to law enforcement services in an attempt to bring a large law enforcement response to a particular address. States across the nation have experienced similar mass swatting attempts. Authorities remind students and communities to notify local law enforcement and school resource officers about suspected threats to schools.
--The next Coffee with the Cop event will be October 6th from 8:30-10am at the Little Falls Senior Center. Coffee, donuts and conversation. Open to all community members. Law Enforcement will be on hand to discuss many topics and how citizens can help is assisting law enforcement in noticing drug involvement and behavior which could help police and deputies lead to an arrest of that individual. The conversation can be anything that you wish to discuss to the law enforcement on hand for Coffee with Cop October 6th.
AUTUMN BEGINS
--The Autumnal Equinox takes place at 8:04pm Central Daylight Time tonight which marks the beginning of fall in the northern Hemisphere. Because the equinox is later in the evening this year the equinox will not reach the equator until 12:03am Central Daylight Time for the southern hemisphere to begin Spring on Friday the 23rd.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy skies, high near 60.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, sprinkles overnight, low 42.
FRIDAY= rain showers likely, isolated T-storms, high 56, low near 46.
SATURDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, chance of shower, high 64, low 41.
SUNDAY= sunny and breezy, high 62, low near 40.
SPORTS
TWINS= Kansas City beats the Twins last night in game 2 of series this time 5-2. Twins (73-76) wrap up with Kansas City today, pregame coverage begins at 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL FB= Gophers are at Michigan State Saturday at 2:30pm.
NFL= Vikings host Detroit at noon on Sunday.
HS VB= Little Falls at Pierz volleyball tonight 7pm on 94ROCKS.
HS FB= Little Falls at Albany Friday 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz at Rockford Friday 7pm on 94ROCKS.