Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported that 20 year old Lois Wardlaw has been located and is safe, and the family thanks everyone for their support and prayers. Last week the BCA was alerted that Wardlaw had left a facility in Minneapolis on foot and family and friends were concerned for her welfare. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office then stated that Wardlaw has ties to Morrison County. Again the BCA informed the Sheriff's Office that they had cancelled the alert, that Wardlaw reportedly has been located and is safe. No other details about her whereabouts were released.
The Minnesota National Guard will induct five of its retired members into this years Court of Honor while on Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minnesota. Over 550 inductees are presently memorialized and honored for their heroism, outstanding professionalism, and service to both the military and their community. Each inductee served as a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard or civilian employee of the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs. This year’s inductees include: Col. (Ret.) Gary E. Carlberg of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Col. (Ret.) Joseph M. Seaquist of Kimball, Minnesota, Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) James A Bakkila of Perham, Minnesota, Master Sgt. (Ret.) Gregory D. Crow of Elk River, Minnesota and Sgt. First Class (Ret.) James N. Fink of Minneota, Minnesota. Memorialization began in 1933, and since then a perpetual monument in memory of a grateful State and Nation, terrain features on the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, Little Falls, MN, are hereby named in honor of Minnesota citizens, now deceased, who served honorably in our armed forces during time of war. A total of 159 individuals were honored at that time. In 2009, the Memorialization Board added a “Special Recognition” segment to their annual Court of Honor Induction Ceremony to recognize past Service Members for their sacrifices, bravery and historical significance of our organization with a Special Recognition. One change this year is the site, as the Court of Honor event will be Sunday at 1pm on the grounds of the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, 21702 Haven Road now located at the junction of Highway 115 and Highway 371.
As the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule takes effect Thursday, Xcel Energy aims to ensure residential customers who need assistance paying their energy bills this winter can get the help they need. Under the rule, residential customers are protected from service disconnection from Oct. 1 through the following April 30, if the disconnection would affect the customer’s primary heating source. Customers must immediately contact their utility and set up a payment plan if they receive a disconnection notice. Income-eligible customers who contact their energy or electric providers can establish plans to make monthly payments not to exceed 10 percent of household income and may qualify for additional energy efficiency and conservation programs. Xcel Energy will also provide contact information for local community energy assistance programs. Again for more information on the cold weather rule contact your local provider or the Xcel Energy website for more information about the Cold Weather Rule and energy assistance options
A Cold Spring boy was hurt when he was hit by an SUV on Tuesday afternoon. The incident happened around 4:00 p.m. just north of Cold Spring. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says they received a report about a crash with injuries at the intersection of County Road 50 and 158th Avenue. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found 11-year-old Silas Baker with serious injuries. Authorities say 24-year-old Lucy Thelen of Avon was going north on County Road 50 in an SUV. As she neared the intersection, Baker entered County Road 50 from 158th Avenue and was hit by the right side of Thelen's vehicle. Baker was treated at the scene and then taken to St. Cloud Hospital for additional care. Baker was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
A Minneapolis man faces several charges after an assault involving a knife. St. Cloud Police were called to the Days Inn Hotel at around 1:40 p.m. Friday on a report of a stabbing. Officers arrived and met with a child who had red marks on his neck and a fresh cut on his arm that was bleeding. The boy told police that his uncle was on top of his mom, had his hand on her throat, and was choking her. The boy said his uncle was holding a knife in his other hand. The boy said he tried to get his uncle, 48-year-old Larry Gilbert, off his mother. Court records allege Gilbert then went after the boy with the knife and threatened to kill him. The boy's adult sister corroborated the boy's statements. The sister said that all of them have been living in the hotel room for more than a month. According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court, officers say that when they tried to detain and arrest Gilbert, he refused to walk with officers, kicked at them, and said he was not going to jail. Gilbert is also accused of headbutting one officer in the face and spitting into the face of another. Gilbert is charged with felony domestic assault, felony assault of a peace officer, felony threats of violence, and two gross misdemeanors.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is sharing the identities of the man who was killed and the police officer who shot him in rural Otter Tail County over the weekend. Christopher Olson, 39, of Battle Lake, died early Saturday after officer Matthew Cederberg, of the Fergus Falls Police Department, fired his handgun during a standoff that lasted about nine hours. Deputies with the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to a home on the 30000 block of Twin Lakes Road in Battle Lake just before 6 p.m. Friday. According to the BCA, Olson assaulted a family member who had stopped by to check on him with a shotgun, striking the relative in the face with the butt of the but, and then barricaded himself inside the home. “At one point, Olson exited the home and fired his shotgun at an armored SWAT vehicle before retreating back inside,” the BCA says. “Despite repeated requests from law enforcement, Olson refused to surrender.” Negotiators had limited contact with Olson until about 3 a.m. Saturday, when Olson “appeared in the doorway armed with the shotgun” and was shot by Cederberg. When initially announcing the shooting over the weekend, the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office said that Olson “pointed a firearm at law enforcement” before he was shot. The Minnesota BCA release on Wednesday does not mention Olson pointing the gun at police. Olson was pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by first responders. Two shotguns, live ammunition and spent cartridge casings were recovered from the scene. Cederberg, a member of the Otter Tail County SWAT Team, has 16 years of law enforcement experience. Fergus Falls PD has placed him on critical incident leave.
The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the October 2026 Employee of the Month, Renee Loeffler, Fresh Hair Professionals. “I love working with the team at Fresh Hair over the past 8 years. When I look back I realize this has become so much more than a job to me. Its a place where I've grown, learned, been challenged, laughed, and made so many special memories. I'm incredibly grateful for the people who have been part of my journey. I'm excited to see what the next chapter brings." Congratulations to Renee Loeffler the October Chamber Employee of the Month.
Morrison County 4H will be having a fundraiser breakfast on Sunday 8am-12pm at the Falls Ballroom in Little Falls. Pancakes, eggs and more on the menu, free will offering, their is also a silent auction on Sunday and proceeds go to benefit the Morrison County 4H programs.
Death Notices: Taeler Payne Ross, age 33 of Sartell formerly of Little Falls.
Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny skies today, breezy northwest winds, high 63, clear Thursday night and cooler low 38. Friday sunny skies, high near 60, partly cloudy Friday night low near 43. Saturday partly sunny, slight chance of showers after 1pm, high 66, clearing Saturday night low near 44. Sunday partly cloudy and cooler, high 58, Sunday night clear, low near 36 some patchy frost could form into Monday. Monday sunny skies high near 60, low around 40. Tuesday and Wednesday continued sunny in the forecast with highs around 55 to 60 degrees and lows around 38 to 42 degrees.
Sports: Wild Hockey opens the regular season at Nashville tonight at 6:45pm on Q92 WYRQ. Pittsburgh at Cleveland tonight at 6:30pm on Thursday Night Football on AM960 KLTF. Major League Baseball playoffs game 3 today of Phillies and Braves, while the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres each won their wild card series Wednesday and advance to Divisional Round. High School sports are a plenty today with Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Cross Country, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball all on the schedule get the latest info on sports today on AM960 KLTF, Q92 WYRQ and 94ROCKS KFML and check out the local broadcast schedule at fallsradio.com and click on sports.