News: Tuesday, February 18th, 2025

--Due to the Extreme Cold Warning in effect until 10am, these schools as of 5:30am are 2 hours late, Little Falls and Mid State Education District, Pierz, Royalton, Upsala, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Browerville, Pillager and Onamia. Schools that are closed today Swanville, Holdingford, Staples-Motley, Brainerd, St. Cloud, Albany, ROCORI. EEI is closed and no bingo at Pierz Senior Site today. Another Extreme Cold Warning goes into effect tonight at 9pm and lasts until 9am tomorrow. Air temps of -20 to -30 around the state this morning with wind chills factors near -40 in spots. Tonight again air temps of -22 to -35 and wind chills near or colder then -40 in spots overnight. Listen to Little Falls Radio for weather related details.

--A warrant has been issued for a second gunman wanted in connection to a double shooting earlier this month in St. Cloud. According to the criminal complaint, around 3:00 a.m. February 2nd, police were called to an apartment in the 200 block of 2nd Street Northeast for the sound of gunshots. When they arrived, they found 17-year-old Layson Davis dead from a gunshot wound to the chest and a 19-year-old man from St. Joseph suffering from two shots to the chest. The 19-year-old was rushed to CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital, where he was last listed in critical condition. Investigators watched surveillance video that allegedly showed Davis and the other victim standing inside an apartment building when Bernard Bowens came in and pulled a wad of cash out of his coat pocket before putting it back. About five minutes later, the three are seen on video struggling over a gun. Then, Bowens ended up with the gun and ran down the hallway. Court documents say about a minute after the scuffle, Kevon Marquiose Washington, Quinton McNeal, and another man walked into the building. Davis is then seen running on the second floor with a gun when Bowens is seen listening at a door when Davis jumps out at Bowens from a hallway entrance. The two each drew their guns, and Bowens fired several rounds at Davis and ran. The other victim ran after the gunman when Washington shot him. Washington, Bowens, McNeal, and another man then fled the scene. The criminal complaint says Washington has been charged with attempted second degree murder and aiding and abetting aggravated first degree robbery. As of publication, Washington is on the loose. Bowens is also still at large. He is wanted for second and third degree murder. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts can contact St. Cloud police at 320-251-1200, the Benton County Sheriff’s Department at 320-968-7201, or Tri-County Crimestoppers at 1-800-255-1301. Tips can also be submitted online, and tipsters can remain anonymous. McNeal and his girlfriend, Olivia Williams, have both been charged with aiding and abetting the theft of a firearm and aiding and abetting first-degree robbery, and Williams is facing an additional charge of aiding an offender. She is accused of driving Bowens to a home in Minnetonka and dropping him off.

--A 39-year-old Sauk Centre man died Saturday night in a snowmobile crash on a lake in Becker County. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says about 9:30, they were called to Two Inlets Lake for a snowmobiler who had collided with a fish house. They say Benjamin James Hellerman was not breathing when they arrived, and life-saving measures were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hellerman was one of two snowmobilers on the lake at the time. The other rider told authorities they were out front, and there was a delay before they realized Hellerman was no longer with them. The investigation is ongoing. Another fatal snowmobile accident also occurred in northern Cass County on Friday night just after 9pm, a 50-year-old from Texas died in that accident. A reminder to snowmobilers to put safety first when out on the snow.

--An officer is OK after a 58-year-old man allegedly shot at him during a domestic incident and standoff on Saturday in Paynesville Township. According to a press release from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the home for a domestic incident just after 9:30 a.m. and were able to contact the victim. They gave officers probable cause to arrest the man at the house. He refused to come outside and threatened the deputies if they came inside. He also said he had several guns and was willing to use them. The Benton-Stearns SWAT team was called out just before 2:00 p.m., and when they arrived, they tried to convince the man to surrender. After more than five hours of back and forth, the team went in through a bedroom window. Once inside, the man allegedly fired several rounds from a shotgun, hitting one officer in his safety goggles with what is believed to be birdshot. A search warrant was executed at the home, and investigators say they found “multiple firearms and spent shell casings” inside. The suspect was taken into custody and is awaiting formal charges.

--The field of potential 2026 U.S. Senate candidates is filling out as another Republican throws his hat into the ring. Adam Schwarze is a 21 year military veteran who retired as a Navy SEAL and is also a former infantryman with the U.S. Marine Corps. On his social media Schwarze says after 21 years in the military, he is “I’m ready for a new mission: fighting for the people of Minnesota. I’m an Values-Driven American Enthusiast, running to restore trust in government, and deliver real results for Americans.” In a press release announcing his candidacy, Schwarze says, “Consumer prices continue to skyrocket for Minnesotans and there’s mounting evidence that our tax dollars have not been put to good use. Of all the missions I’ve led as a Navy SEAL and Marine, this is the most important mission of them all-for our community, our state, and our country,” Schwarze said via a press release. “I have spent my life defending America from enemies abroad, and now I’m stepping up to defend our freedoms, our economy, and our way of life from failed policies and political extremism. Minnesotans deserve leadership that is principled, values-driven, and determined to make a difference.” He says his major focus is the economy, supporting law enforcement, securing the border, and standing up for parental rights. Another Republican, Royce White, announced his candidacy shortly after the 2024 senate election, where he lost to incumbent Amy Klobuchar. Current Democratic U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced last week she will not be seeking reelection in 2026 to spend more time with her family. Current Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said a few hours after Smith’s announcement that she would run for the seat.

DEATH NOTICES- Mary E. Birchem, age 80 of Little Falls.

WEATHER- Extreme Cold Warning in effect until 10am, sunny and cold today, high near 0. Extreme Cold Warning again tonight, clear and very cold with lows around -25. Wednesday sunny and cold, high 4 above, clouds increase at night low -11. Thursday partly sunny, high 12 above.

SPORTS- River Lakes at Little Falls Section 5A Boys Hockey playoffs is still scheduled tonight 7pm from the Exchange Arena in Little Falls. Pre-game begins at 6:30pm with James Hershey tonight on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com. The winner would move on to the semi-finals on Saturday and that game would be played at the higher seed between the winners tonight.