NEWS --The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported earlier this week that the detour has been lifted between Little Falls and Pierz on Highway 27. They started work last month to replace and repair the Rice Creek Bridge just west of Morrison County Road 45. Repairs have been completed. The detour was lifted earlier this week.
--A 40-year-old Fort Ripley man and his two passengers were seriously injured just after 3:00pm Wednesday when his pickup collided with a semitrailer on U.S. Highway 10 east of Hawley. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Ryan Cerney of Fort Ripley was driving west when the vehicle rear-ended a semi trailer driven by 64-year old Edmund Anderson of Ulen. Cerney and his 2 passengers, 13-year old Ethan Cerney and 10-year old Drew Cerney were each seriously injured. All three were taken to the Moorhead hospital for treatment of their injuries. The semitrailer driver was uninjured.
--A 44-year-old Pequot Lakes woman has been charged with setting her home on fire last year. Nicole O'Day has been charged with two counts of first degree arson for allegedly intentionally starting a fire at the Maze-N-Pumpkinz which she was owner of. The fire started on September 1st, 2015 at the residence and then another fire the next day near her home. The first fire in the home was contained to the living room and kitchen. The fire did moderate damage but the house was not a total loss. The next day the house was engulfed in flames and the house was a total loss. An area near the house also had grass and debris on fire which was put out by firefighters. Authorities became suspicious of both fires and learned that O'Day was seen moving items from her house and garage prior to the fire so not to be damaged. She also had talked to insurance companies about what would be covered in case of a fire. O'Day will be in Crow Wing County District Court on October 31st at 8:30am.
--The Minnesota State Patrol responded Wednesday night around 7:00pm to semitrailer driving withouth headlights which then moments later collided with a car on Highway 169 north of Elk River. 63-year old Vallerie Neary of Deer River was driving pulling a trailer north on U.S. Highway 169, when the semi collided with 36-year old Crystal Sweet of Zimmerman who was attempting to cross the highway on Sherbure County Road 74 north of Elk River. Sweet and her passengers, 10-year old Dashawn Sandoz of Zimmerman and 9-year old Andrew Sweet of Zimmerman were taken by ambulance to a hosptial in Coon Rapids for non-life threatening injuries. The semi- driver was not injured in the accident.
--Harvest Moon Ball is tonight 7-10pm at Mary of Lourdes Middle School. For $5 you can enjoy many family friendly events for all ages. There will also be a haunted house put on by the Tri Parish Youth Group. Your $5 admission to the ball is also a ticket to the haunted house near the school and church. The Haunted House is open to the public for $5 Saturday night from 7-11pm. For info call 630-2103.
--Another event tonight is the fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity with the Fabulous Armadillos performing at the Falls Ballroom. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. For tickets call 616-2084. Other events this weekend include a large fall sale Saturday at the Little Falls Care Center, quilt bingo Sunday at St. Rita's in Hillman, a lumberjack breakfast Sunday morning at St. James Church in Randall. View other event details on the community calendar at fallsradio.com.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Morrison County Community Development sends congratulations and thanks to the local manufacturers who call Morrison County home during the month of October when Minnesota Manufacturers are celebrated across the state. This time of year is designed to showcase Minnesota’s diverse manufacturing industry and to increase legislative and public awareness of the importance in providing high-wage, high-skill jobs for our communities. The public is invited to tours of 2 of our local manufacturers next Thursday. Tours will be at Four Season Shrimp Farm in Pierz and at Rotomolding, Inc. in Little Falls. Tours start at 1:00 and 2:15pm at both facilities. No RSVP is needed. Due to the temperature and high humidity in the plants, tour participants are encouraged to wear layered clothing and appropriate footwear.
--A Crow Wing County man has died after his boat capsized on Thief Lake. 66-year old Richard Sheik of Pequot Lakes was found about 3:30pm Monday along the south shore of Thief Lake about 13 miles northeast of Middle River. His body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Grand Forks, North Dakota for an autopsy. Law enforcement launched a search after a resident reported at 6:30am Monday a pickup that had been parked along Thief Lake. It is believed Sheik was hunting in the area when his boat capsized. The incident is under investigation. No foul play is suspected. Middle River is about 20 miles north of Thief River Falls.
--The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center is hosting the first ever Running Home for Jacob 5K Saturday at Lake Phalen Park in St. Paul. Saturday marks the anniversary of when Jacob was abducted and killed back in 1989. Wetterling's remains were found earlier this summer. Danny Heinreich of Annandale confessed to the abduction and murder. The race is meant to help raise awareness of the issues of safety, prevention and unified purpose to create a world where kids can grow up safe. A youth race will start at 9:00am followed by the 5K at 10:00am along with many family activities. Cost to participate is $35.00 per person. All proceeds from the event will go to the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Bo and Jennifer and Duffee of Pierz, girl on October 18th
DEATH NOTICE --Raymond “Ray” George, age 82 of Holdingford
WEATHER TODAY= mostly cloudy, high 52, clearing night low 35. SATURDAY= sunny and mild, high 62, partly cloudy night, low 42. SUNDAY= sunny and breezy, cooler, high 52, low around 30. MONDAY= sunny skies, high 53, rain late, low 40.
SPORTS WNBA= Nneka Ogwumike drains the jumper with 3 seconds left to give th LA Sparks a 77-76 win over the Minnesota Lynx. Sparks win series 3-2 and their first WNBA Championship since 2002. COL HK= St. Cloud State at Gophers tonight 7:30pm on KLTF. COL FB= Rutgers at Gophers Saturday 10am on AM960 KLTF NFL= Vikings at Philadelphia Sunday at noon. Vikings are 5-0. NFL= Green Bay held off Chicago last night 26-10. Packers 4-2. MLB= Cubs beat Dodgers 8-4, Cubs lead 3-2- game 6 Saturday.