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Tuesday, March 25, 2025

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced as of March 24, at 6am spring burning restrictions are in effect in Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Washington, and Wright counties. Burning permits will not be issued in these counties until vegetation gets enough moisture. The fire danger in Morrison County and surrounding area has been high and elevated with lack of snowpack and warmer temperatures and windy conditions. 

A funeral notice informed Little Falls Radio Monday that Ray Schwegler, 63 year old resident of Little Falls is the man who died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 12 at the landfill in Elk River. Elk River police said that the man was found buried in the landfill and pronounced deceased and has ruled out foul play.. A memorial gathering will be held on April 7th at 10am at Emblom Brenny in Little Falls. 

Six fire departments in central Minnesota battled a shed fire for more than six hours on Saturday. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office got a call at around 3:40pm Saturday for a fire in the 61000 block of County Road 18 in Greenleaf Township. The location is south of Litchfield. Deputies arrived to find a shed full of hay bales fully engulfed. The shed is owned by Kaping Farms and is considered a total loss. Fire departments from Litchfield, Grove City, Cosmos, Dassel, Lake Lillian, and Hutchinson battled the flames. No one was hurt in the fire and authorities believe a brush fire worked its way to the shed, causing it to go up in flames. 

An Anoka County Workhouse employee was charged after being accused of having an ongoing sexual relationship with an inmate. Court documents said 30-year-old Kendra Dunblazier, of Princeton, was charged in February with one count each of third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct after her husband found alleged text messages between his wife and an inmate at the county workhouse and handed them over to police. Dunblazier faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted. According to prosecutors, Dunblazier worked the night shift at the Anoka County Workhouse as a work release officer, beginning in July 2024. Court documents said the inmate involved in the investigation had work release privileges, allowing him to leave the facility but remain under supervision, during Dunblazier's employment. A few months later on Oct. 10, prosecutors said Dunblazier's husband contacted law enforcement, revealing his wife had allegedly corresponded with the inmate via text. According to Dunblazier's husband, the messages "alluded to an ongoing sexual relationship" and apparently showed plans were arranged for "meetups and sexual activity" while the inmate was on work release. The criminal complaint said law enforcement obtained screenshots of the messages, which allegedly also included "graphic sexual innuendos" and "nude photographs," as well as conversations in which the pair discussed specific times and dates to meet. Court records said at one point, Dunblazier's children allegedly told their father they saw "Mom and [inmate] kissing each other." When confronted by her husband, investigators claim Dunblazier asked him not to discuss the findings with her boss and became angry with him when he did so anyway. The complaint said law enforcement obtained at least 283 recorded phone conversations between Dunblazier and the inmate, which prosecutors described as sexually graphic. Police eventually got a search warrant for Dunblazier's vehicle, which they claim contained a handwritten note "professing love" for the inmate and "hopes for a future relationship." On Oct. 28, prosecutors said Dunblazier initially denied the longevity of the alleged relationship in an interview with police. When confronted with the recorded calls, Dunblazier reportedly admitted she had a sexual relationship with the inmate, but maintained they never had sex while she was working her shift. Prosecutors said Dunblazier claimed she'd tried to end things with the inmate several times, but alleged he would threaten her into staying. Surveillance records didn't support her claim.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the H5N1 Influenza virus has been found at a Stearns County dairy for the second time. The state says the virus was detected through samples collected under the milk surveillance plan. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Labs verified the results Friday, and the herd is under quarantine until it meets testing requirements, which shows the infection has cleared. They say there is no concern for public milk safety as all milk sold commercially undergoes pasteurization, which has been proven to eliminate active H5N1, along with other viruses and bacteria. This particular herd was previously infected in July 2024. Dairy farms must always dispose of milk from sick animals to prevent it from entering the milk supply. In addition to isolating affected cows and discarding their milk, quarantined farms must achieve three consecutive negative milk tests before the quarantine is lifted.

Friday morning’s shift is unlikely to be forgotten by three Sartell police officers. Officers Steve Mathews, Adam Vande Vrede and Sergeant Matt Gray answered a call for help from a woman who had gone into labor. The baby was not going to wait for the ambulance, and the three arrived at the home in time to safely deliver the girl, appropriately named Patience. She and Mama are healthy and doing well. The three met baby Patience in a much calmer setting Saturday afternoon. They provided the family with a basket of baby essentials and police department swag for its newest honorary member.

DEATH NOTICES- Scott Lillemoe, age 63 of Little Falls

WEATHER today morning sun then PM sprinkles, high 47, evening sprinkles then clearing low 26. Wednesday partly cloudy skies, high near 51, low near 33, Thursday sunny and mild, high 59, low 38. Friday clouds increase with PM rain, high 52, rain likely some heavy into Saturday with low around 35. 

SPORTS- The University of Minnesota named Colorado State's Niko Medved as its next men's head basketball coach. Medved and the U of M have agreed to a six-year contract, which is pending the Board of Regent's approval and the completion of a background check, according to a news release from the university. Medved is from Roseville originally and former student manager for the Gophers back in the day. Recently Medved had his Colorado State Rams within one basket of the Sweet 16 last weekend. Tough night for Minnesota teams as Indiana beat the Timberwolves and Dallas shut out the Wild in hockey. 

Monday, March 24, 2025

A 23-year-old from Onamia was injured Saturday morning around 8:35am on Highway 27 in Granite Township of Morrison County. Karissa Jung was on Highway 27 east near 325th Avenue when...

Friday, March 21, 2025

Thank you for all who attended Ladies Night Out in Pierz last night with WYRQ. The grand prize winner is Julie Rohling of Buckman and Best Dressed for the 70s Disco Theme...

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Today is Q92 WYRQ Ladies Night Out Pierz Style "Staying Alive in 2025" Disco Theme night. Starting at noon today stop into the participating businesses/sponsors and get your brochure stamp...

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

--The man found dead at the Elk River Landfill last week has been identified as a 63-year-old Little Falls man. He was reportedly delivering a load to the landfill at...