Monday, June 30, 2025

Another round of severe weather struck central Minnesota and Morrison County again Saturday night. Storms developed after 8pm and over the next hours heavy rains, straight line winds, and some reports of possible funnel clouds north of Rice and another near Elmdale were reported but the National Weather Service confirmed that two touchdowns occurred in Carver County but none in Morrison or Benton County. Minnesota Power reported between 9:30pm and 2:45am over nearly 6200 residents from Rice to Gilman, Elmdale, Swanville, Bowlus, Upsala to Royalton and then through Little Falls to Belle Prairie and north and also Buckman area to the south all at one point had a power interruption or outage some without power for a number of hours due to rain and wind and one snapped power pole. By 5am Sunday all power was restored to Minnesota Power customers. The Little Falls Airport reported 1.77 inches of rain on Saturday night, added in with over 3+ inches of rain Wednesday and Thursday. Rains play havoc on many events this past weekend including canceling three of the four grandstand events at the Morrison County Fair. 

The St. Cloud Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects involved in the theft of a significant amount of e.l.f. Cosmetic makeup from a local store. According to police, a man and a woman targeted the store. The suspects were seen leaving the scene in a silver or gray BMW four-door sedan. The suspects were accompanied by a young girl, approximately six to 10 years old, and additional children were seen in their car at the time of the theft. Investigators say the duo may have been involved in similar thefts throughout the Twin Cities, suggesting a pattern of organized retail theft. The investigation remains ongoing, and police emphasize that any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be valuable to the case. Anyone with information about the identity of these suspects is encouraged to contact the authorities by submitting an anonymous tip to Tri-County Crime Stoppers or by emailing Officer Rebecca Okerstrom directly at Rebecca.Okerstrom@ci.stcloud.mn.us, referencing case number 25023811 when providing information.

The man accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and wounding another Democratic lawmaker and his wife, made a brief court appearance Friday, where his attorneys successfully requested a delay, citing concerns about jail conditions. Vance Boelter appeared before Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko wearing only a green padded suicide prevention suit and orange slippers. His federal public defender, Manny Atwal, requested the hearing be continued until next Thursday, arguing that the Green Isle man has been sleep-deprived while on suicide watch at the Sherburne County Jail. “Your honor, I haven’t really slept in about 12 to 14 days,” Boelter told the judge, while denying being suicidal. “I’ve never been suicidal and I am not suicidal now.” Atwal described harsh conditions at the jail, saying the 67-year-old has been kept in what’s known as a “Gumby suit” without undergarments since his transfer following his June 16th court appearance. She cited 24-hour lighting, frequently slamming doors, and an adjacent inmate who spreads feces on cell walls, with the smell drifting to Boelter’s cell. The judge agreed to transfer Boelter to segregation and provide him with a normal jail uniform. Prosecutors did not object to the delay and expressed their own concerns about the jail conditions. However, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, which runs the jail, strongly disputed the defense characterization of Boelter’s treatment in a statement released after the hearing. They provided detailed surveillance evidence contradicting claims that Boelter has been unable to sleep. According to a press release, security cameras capturing the activity of the alleged assassin in his cell on ‘suicide precaution’ show he was resting peacefully with his eyes closed for seven straight hours, appearing to be asleep, from approximately 10:40 p.m. Thursday until 5:45 a.m. Friday. The statement noted that correctional officers conducting routine welfare checks believed Boelter was sleeping during those periods. Similar seven-hour rest periods were documented on Wednesday night, according to jail staff. Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott emphasized that Boelter “is not in a hotel” but in jail, where he belongs, given the serious charges. They defended the 24-hour lighting as necessary for welfare checks and described his cell as “spotless clean” with a mattress that has a sewn-in pillow. They said he has daily access to phone calls and showers and has not missed any meals. Boelter faces federal charges that could carry the death penalty for what Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson has called “a political assassination.” Thompson said no decision has been made yet on seeking capital punishment. According to the federal complaint, police video captures Boelter outside the Hortmans’ home and records the sound of gunfire. Security footage allegedly shows him approaching two other lawmakers’ homes dressed as a police officer. Boelter surrendered near his home on June 15 after what authorities called the largest search in Minnesota history. He did not enter a plea Friday, as prosecutors must first secure a grand jury indictment before his arraignment. Authorities say Boelter shot and wounded Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their Champlin home before killing the Hortmans at their Brooklyn Park residence. Federal prosecutors allege he also stopped at homes of two other Democratic lawmakers and had listed dozens of other Democrats as potential targets, including officials in other states. Boelter also faces separate state murder and attempted murder charges that could result in life without parole, but federal authorities plan to prosecute first. The hearing delay came on the same day hundreds of mourners waited in long lines to pay respects to the Hortmans.

Two members of the St. Cloud community have been appointed to Minnesota State Boards. Governor Tim Walz has appointed St. Cloud State University Economics Professor King Banaian to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. His term will run from July 2nd, 2025, to January 3, 2028. The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board administers programs for campaign finance disclosure for state elections, lobbyist registration and disclosure, public subsidy of state candidates and political party committees, and economic interest disclosure for state public officials and local officials in metropolitan governmental units. Governor Walz also appointed St. Cloud's to the Council on Disability, his term also runs from July 2, 2025, to January 3rd, 2028. The Council on Disability provides leadership to strengthen and empower the rights of Minnesotans with disabilities. Banaian and Stafford were part of 16 appointments made by Governor Walz.

Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen mentioned on Friday KLTF Party Line at the Morrison County he wanted to thank longtime jail programmer Tim Brummer who announced his retirement after 34 years of county service. He also thanked the many that helped with the Chaplaincy Golf Tournament recently raising thousands of dollars to help Chaplain Gregg Valentine and his program through the sheriff's office. Larsen mentioned that they are investigating more break ins in the Hillman area and asked if you have surveillance cameras on your property to check them to see if any suspicious activity is spotted and to call the sheriff's office 320-632-9233 with any information. 

The United Way of Morrison County held their ball drop fundraiser yesterday the Morrison County Fair, Mayor Greg Zylka, County Administrator Matt LeBlanc and Veteran Service Officer Kris VonBerge served as judges with KLTF's Ron Specker as the emcee. The $500 winner was Danielle Sobania. There were five drawn $100 winners from the rest of the entries. Due to muddy conditions the event was held in the parking area of the fairgrounds. Meghann Boser of United Way of MC thanks all who entered the ball drop, all who helped volunteered and the sponsors including Minnesota Power with the big truck to drop the balls from. 

Death Notices- Gary G. Wilcek, age 80 of Little Falls 

Weather- Monday sunny skies, high 75 with chance of thunderstorms between 3-7pm then clearing skies Monday night low around 55. Tuesday sunny and dry, high near 82, low around 60. Wednesday sunny to start with PM showers and storms later in the afternoon, high 83, low near 58. Then Sunny skies for Thursday with warmer temps high near 85, low around 66 with strong storms into Friday morning. 

Sports- Twins win 4-1 over Detroit on Friday while the Minnesota Lynx needed overtime to beat the Atlanta Dream 96-92 on Friday night in the WNBA. Detroit slugged out 4 homeruns Saturday to beat the Twins 10-5 to even the series that concluded on Sunday night. Twins have Monday off. Avon beat Buckman on Sunday in the Victory League Game of the Week 7-4 on KLTF.