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A high-speed pursuit through Richardson Township and Harding ended when an Onamia man drove into the water at a boat access. Timothy Lee Grbich, 37, was charged in Morrison County District Court with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. He also faces misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and driving after revocation. The criminal complaint stated around 1am September 5th a deputy attempted shop a vehicle going over 90mph in a 55mph zone. As the deputy attempted to catch up, the driver activated the left turn signal, then the right, before continuing through a stop sign without stopping. The vehicle then accelerated to 98 mph. The vehicle turned north onto 295th Avenue. The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren as the vehicle reached 110 mph, according to the complaint. The driver continued through another stop sign while approaching Harding, then headed north on Quest Road. Near 263rd Street, the vehicle nearly lost control and entered the ditch before the driver recovered and continued east. The deputy knew the road would lead either to a dead end or a boat access. The vehicle continued toward the access, where the driver “slammed on the brakes at the last second as it entered the water,” the complaint states. According to the complaint, Grbich also said a friend had told him officers would stop pursuing a vehicle once speeds exceeded 100 mph. Grbich acknowledged knowing the deputy was behind him with the emergency lights and siren activated. A check of Grbich’s driving record showed his Minnesota driving privileges were revoked. A judge ordered Grbich held pending further court proceedings.

Minnesota National Guard Army Lt. Col. Steven Hall, Garrison Commander of Camp Ripley Training Center, was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony Friday at the Camp Ripley Memorial Chapel. Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General, served as the presiding official for the ceremony, recognizing Hall’s advancement in rank and continued service to the Minnesota National Guard, Camp Ripley and the state of Minnesota. The promotion comes just over three months after Hall assumed command of Camp Ripley Training Center during a change of command ceremony June 6, 2026. During that ceremony, Hall received the garrison colors from outgoing commander Army Col. Troy Fink, symbolizing the transfer of authority, responsibility, and accountability for the installation and its mission. Hall’s promotion to colonel represents both a significant milestone in his military career and the continued trust placed in him to lead one of the nation’s premier National Guard training installations. As Garrison Commander, Hall is responsible for the daily operations and stewardship of Camp Ripley Training Center, a 53,000-acre military and state civilian agency training installation near Little Falls. His responsibilities encompass installation operations, range management, environmental stewardship, emergency services, infrastructure development and support to the thousands of military personnel, law enforcement officers, emergency responders and partner agencies who utilize Camp Ripley each year.

Elk River High School was evacuated on Tuesday morning as school officials and law enforcement investigated a threat to the building. In a social media post, school officials said the building would be evacuated "out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of everyone in our school community." School was dismissed at 10:45 a.m., with regular bus routes and parent pickup procedures in place. All after-school activities at Elk River High School were also canceled for Tuesday. In a follow-up message, the district stated there were no threats to any other buildings or campuses. "We understand that rumors and misinformation spread quickly, especially on social media," Elk River School District officials wrote. "We ask for your cooperation in avoiding the spread of unverified information during this active investigation. If you or your student have specific details regarding a potential threat, please report it immediately to law enforcement, school administration, or via SaySomething.net." The district said it would provide additional updates as law enforcement continues its investigation.

The Superior National Forest Service announced Tuesday that all wildfires are fully contained in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).  The wildfires began with a lightning storm in July and the flames consumed more than 62,000 acres in northern Minnesota and 9,000 acres in Canada. More than 20 wildfires burned in Minnesota at one point in July, but by early September, that number dwindled to three.  The last remaining wildfires were the Sioux, Bear Trap and Thumb fires. The Bear Trap Fire was the largest, consuming nearly 31,000 acres in the U.S. about 20 miles north of Ely.  As of Tuesday, many campsites in the BWCAW have reopened and Superior National Forest officials have lifted elevated burning restrictions. Officials said the area has gotten more precipitation recently, dampening any residual flames. Parts of the Echo Trail remain closed. Superior National Forest officials stated that about 150 BWCAW campsites were affected by the wildfires and there are still some closures for visitors. 

A Central Minnesota man has been sentenced for sexually assaulting six juveniles over seven years. A Todd County court has sentenced Mervin Kauffman to 30 years for committing six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The assaults took place at Kauffman's family home in Clarissa from August 14, 2015, to September 5, 2022. At his plea hearing, Kauffman admitted he had a significant relationship with each of the six victims. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says nothing can ever make up for the abuse these young people suffered at Kauffman's hands: "I am, however, pleased to see the court impose a stiff sentence on Kauffman for his horrific acts and hope that this marks a moment of healing for the victims. I am grateful to the Todd County Attorney's and Sheriff's Offices for their cooperation with and trust in my Office. I take very seriously my duty to prosecute crime when county attorneys request I do so, and I am proud of my team that won this conviction and sentence." The Minnesota Attorney General's Office prosecuted Kauffman upon a referral from Todd County Attorney John Lindemann, and the Todd County Sheriff's Office investigated the crime.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a person whose body was found in a yard in rural Cass Lake. According to a press release, at around 8 a.m. on Sunday, the body of a male was discovered in a yard in the area of John Moose Drive NW in Pike Bay Township. An autopsy is scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is ongoing. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk says additional information will be released when details are known.

Starting Friday, voters can weigh in on who they want to represent them in federal, state and local offices ahead of the November 3rd midterm election. Ballots will start being mailed on Friday, Sept. 18, and select early voting locations will be open for in-person absentee voting. All counties will have early in-person voting locations starting October 16th. The state already saw a record 1.1 million voters in the Aug. 11 primary — a figure attributed to hot races on the ballot. Here’s what to know as voting begins. Voters can decide who they want to serve as Minnesota’s first woman governor when they choose between DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, running with former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer, and Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, running with attorney Ryan Wilson. Also running for governor and lieutenant governor are the Green Party's Steven Young and Jane Kirby. Minnesotans will also choose who will succeed U.S. Sen. Tina Smith: DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Republican former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, Independent Marisa Simonetti or Libertarian Rebecca Whiting. For secretary of state, voters will choose between DFL incumbent Steve Simon, Republican Tad Jude, Libertarian George "Chip" Tangen and Green Party candidate Seth Kuhl-Stennes. For state auditor, voters can pick from DFL Zack Filipovich, Republican Scott Jensen and Forward Independence Party candidate Jay Reeves. For attorney general, it's Republican Ronald Schutz and DFL incumbent Keith Ellison. There are many county and city elections, school board and some schools putting up referendum votes. To see what is on your ballot this November go to the see my ballot site on the secretary of states website https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot.

Minnesotans who take a young person hunting this weekend won’t need a license to go after small game. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Take a Kid Hunting Weekend is Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th. Adult residents who bring along a hunter younger than 16 can skip the license on both days, but open seasons, limits and all other hunting regulations still apply. The goal is to get more kids outdoors. The DNR says small game is a good way to start new hunters, teaching them how to read signs of where wildlife has been, how to handle firearms safely and how to find land to hunt on. Anyone who wants to learn to hunt can find how-to guides on the DNR’s Learn to Hunt page. Small game seasons and regulations are posted on the DNR’s small game hunting page.

Death Notices: Sandra Joyce Brandle-Resch, age 71 of Royalton. 

Weather: partly cloudy skies today, high near 70. Chance of showers after 9pm tonight, cloudy skies, low around 52. Thursday sunny skies, light winds, high 74, rain possible after midnight Thursday night low 50. Heavy rains are possible Friday could be 1-2 inches during the day, high 65, rain and gusty winds Friday night low around 50. Cloudy, light showers at times Saturday, breezy, high 68, clearing Saturday night low 48. Sunday sunny early then cloudy late day, high 67, rain Sunday night low around 43. Partly sunny Monday still a few showers possible high 68, low around 48. Tuesday sunny skies, high near 70. 

Sports: Yankees beat the Twins 8-1 last night and try for the sweep today at 12:40pm at Target Field. The Twins then travel to the west coast on Thursday. Vikings are at Chicago Sunday at noon, Kyler Murray remains in concussion protocol and listed as improving daily but no word on his status for Sunday, Carson Wentz is taking the snaps this week at practice as the likely starter. Thursday night Football this week is Detroit vs. Buffalo Thursday at 7pm on AM960 KLTF. High School Football Friday night Little Falls at Litchfield at 7pm on AM960 KLTF and Minnewaska at Pierz Friday at 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML both football games can be streamed at fallsradio.com.