News

A Morrison County man is jailed in Meeker County after allegedly leading police on a high speed chase Monday afternoon that ended in Stearns County. According to a press release, Meeker County was notified just after 2:00 by the Minnesota State Patrol of a pursuit, which was terminated as they were heading north on Highway 22 near Litchfield. A short time later, Litchfield Police spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the driver, leading to a second pursuit, which was also called off. A Meeker County deputy found the suspect, who fled again. Deputies attempted a Pursuit Intervention Tactic, which forced the vehicle into a ditch, but the driver managed to escape south through the city of Darwin before heading north on Highway 15 toward St. Cloud. As the pursuit entered Stearns County, authorities say a trooper deployed “stop sticks,” which are tire deflation devices, before deputies executed another PIT maneuver, eventually ending the more than 30 mile chase. The pursuit reached speeds of 100 miles an hour, and the suspect is also accused of swerving toward a deputy attempting to stop him. The 20-year-old driver, identified on court records as Hunter Wisch of Hillman, who also had a revoked license, was arrested on charges related to the pursuit and suspicion of driving under the influence. Pending charges also include reckless driving, fleeing police, and drug possession. He is facing charges in McLeod County for fleeing on foot and multiple drug and gun violations stemming from a November 2024 incident in Hutchinson.

A section of Industrial Park Road was closed Tuesday, April 1, after a fire broke out at Crow Wing Recycling in Brainerd. PulsePoint, an app documenting emergency calls, listed the fire call out at 7:12 a.m. with Brainerd Fire Department responding. The Brainerd Police Department responded to the fire and closed a section of Industrial Park Road, from South Sixth to South 10th streets, at around 7:20 a.m. A large water hose could be seen running across the roadway into the recycling center. At around 8am, equipment was seen moving material as large plumes of smoke could still be seen billowing out of the plant area. The fire is currently under investigation by the Brainerd Fire Department. 

Law enforcement is cracking down on distracted driving this month. Namely, they want people to put their phones down. The effort is being coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety. Officials are reminding people that hands-free cell phone use is a requirement in the state. Using a phone to check text messages and social media or browse the internet is illegal when behind the wheel. The law has been in place since 2019. It was passed with the understanding that taking your focus from the road, even for a matter of seconds, dramatically increases the risk of a serious accident. OTS Director Mike Hanson stresses, “Trust me, if you’re involved in a fatal crash, you won’t be thinking about that text you almost missed.” In 2024 alone, distracted driving is cited as a cause in accidents that led to 137 serious injuries and 29 fatalities. That trend has been flat over the past five years. Fines for using a phone while buckled up range from $100 for the first offense to $300 for any repeat violations. If someone is seriously injured or killed due to distracted driving, it can be elevated to a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide. Some tips to avoid distracted driving include mapping out the route with GPS before getting underway, pre-program radio stations to make it easy to switch among your favorites, and avoid messy foods. Drinks are okay as long as they are secured.

The Morrison County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management wants to remind everyone that Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 7 to 11th. On Thursday, April 10th, we will be participating in the Statewide Tornado Drills with sirens being activated at 1:45PM and 6:45PM. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The tornado drills allow everyone in the community to practice their emergency plans for tornadoes. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families. There is no such thing as an “all- clear” siren.
For more information about severe weather safety and preparedness, please visit the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Pages/severe-weather- awareness-week-program.aspx for daily topics during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Each day of the week highlights an important seasonal weather safety topic: Monday- Alerts and Warnings; Tuesday- Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail; Wednesday- Floods; Thursday- Tornadoes (with Statewide Tornado Drills) and Friday- Extreme Heat. We encourage everyone to be informed and prepared. A message from the Morrison County Sheriff's Office. 

Logan from the Friends of the Carnegie Library spoke on KLTF about the the Used Book Sale going on tonight for the members of the Friends group only then open to the public at 10am Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a bag sale on Saturday for books, DVD's magazines and other items. The proceeds from the event go to help scholarships to students at the High School and upkeep of the library that was built in 1905 and is now 120 years old. Questions contact any members of the Friends group or the library.

Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1pm Wednesday. Weather today snow early, then rain and sleet into afternoon, high 37 and gusty winds, tonight rain/snow early then clearing late low 25. Thursday partly sunny, high around 38, low around 22. Friday sunny skies, high 44, low around 19. 

Sports- due to the weather the indoor track meet in Foley Tuesday with Little Falls and Pierz and others has been moved to Thursday April 3rd due to the weather yesterday. The Twins wrap up the series with the Chicago White Sox today at 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.

A Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at 1pm today until 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. Snow will develop by early afternoon, mixing early with rain and sleet today then all...

Very slippery conditions across central Minnesota Saturday night into Sunday with rain around 4 tenths at the Little Falls Airport then changing to freezing rain, leading to very icy conditions...

Eyes will be on the weather as a spring storm could bring all four seasons to Minnesota in a 48 hour period. Today temps in southern Minnesota could be in...

Little Falls Community High School Principal Tim Bjorge along with Becky Abbott spoke on KLTF Wednesday morning on 15 years of the Day of Caring in Little Falls, this year...