Thursday, October 29, 2026
Reminder that per the Morrison County Trail Ordinance, the Morrison County Soo Line Trail will be closed from November 1st through the 30th. For questions, please contact Morrison County Public Works at 320-632-0121.
Family and friends are rallying to help a Long Prairie family after a utility terrain vehicle crash claimed the life of 44-year-old Eric Spaeth and left his wife, 45-year-old Nicole Spaeth, with life-threatening injuries. The crash happened Sunday night on Highway 28 in Culdrum Township, which is near Swanville. The UTV ran off the roadway to the right, hit a driveway approach, and rolled. A GoFundMe fundraiser is underway to help the family. According to the campaign page, Nicole remains in ICU and their three children, Rylan, Maddie, and Natalie, are navigating their family’s loss and their mother’s recovery. “Eric and Nikki are part of a wonderful family in our small community,” says the campaign description. “This family has given so much kindness, love, and support to others, and now it’s our turn to surround them with that same love.” The fundraiser for the Spaeth family can be found here(opens in new tab).
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday at 4:15pm on Highway 95 and County Road 64 in Benton County in St. George Township. 60-year-old Tracee Weiss of Zimmerman was on 95 when a pickup driven by 75-year-old Richard Schneider of Foley turned from the county road and the vehicles collided. Both drivers were taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has opened a newly constructed roundabout near Onamia. The roundabout is at the north junction of Highway 27 and Highway 169 north of Onamia. MnDOT reopened direct access to and from Highway 27 at Highway 169 earlier in October. According to a press release form MnDOT, the new four-legged roundabout is designed to reduce severe crashes by lowering vehicle speeds and minimizing high-risk turning movements. In addition to the roundabout, the project includes reconstructed local entrances and new pedestrian crosswalks. More information on the project can be found on the MnDOT website(opens in new tab).
Waite Park Police has reported a higher number of gas thefts either gas drive offs from stores and gas stations and also reports of vehicles having gas siphoned out of it on 24th Avenue South. Waite Park Police are also reporting damage to an e-bike where someone cut the lock and the line on the bike on Park Meadows Drive. Police also remind everyone to look out of trick or treaters on Saturday. She says pedestrians have been hit in the St. Cloud area recently so be careful when driving especially in neighborhoods. If you have information on any unsolved crimes in the Stearns, Benton or Sherburne County area please report information by calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-255-1301, online at tricountycrimestoppers.org and click on submit a tip or use the P3 mobile app and submit your information that way.
Utility Work in St. Cloud has closed parts of eastbound traffic on 2nd Street South/County Road 75 in St. Cloud is closed because of an emergency utility repair. The City Engineer’s Office says the road is shut down between 33rd Avenue South and 29th Avenue South. A detour will be posted. The closure is expected to last through Friday, weather permitting.
A Republican candidate who’s running for Minnesota Senate was involved in a rollover crash in Clay County. Austin Peterson, who’s hoping to unseat DFL state Sen. Rob Kupec in Senate District 4, sustained injuries that aren’t life-threatening when his Toyota Tundra left the roadway and rolled at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. As he drove on Highway 32 in Parke Township, Peterson says he was forced to make “a split-second decision” when a vehicle traveling the other direction entered his lane, and opted to steer into the ditch to avoid a head-on collision. The 40-year-old Hawley man was the only occupant in the Toyota Tundra, according to a Minneapolis State Patrol incident report. Peterson says another driver stopped and helped him get out of the overturned vehicle since his seatbelt wouldn’t release. He was then transported to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo. Peterson says he provided State Patrol with a description of the vehicle that ran him off the road.
Tony Housey from Camp Ripley spoke on KLTF and said Mn Dot snow plow training is underway at the base and orange trucks around. More training in November for an upcoming deployment so more noise at coming from the base next month and more planes flying over. Veterans Day is November 11th remember to give thanks to all who have served and continue to serve our Country. Camp Ripley continues to thank you for the support you show the military base and its members. For more information call Tony 320-616-3122.
Sister Julien wanted to thank everyone who gave at their blood drive this week. They received 152 units of blood over the three days which was above their goal. The Sisters wanted to thank everyone who responded to this great need and will help others have a better life with each donation. The next Blood Drive will be January 5th, 6th and 7th, 2027.
Weather: The Morrison County Airport reported 1.2 inches of rain on Wednesday making over 2.5 inches of rain since Saturday at the airport. There was reports of baseball size hail in parts of Meeker, Wright and southeastern Stearns County yesterday afternoon, and other T-storms warnings in the state. Today will be quieter with skies becoming sunny, high 51, Freeze fog possible late tonight, clear, low 30. Fog early Friday then sunny, high 53, freeze fog again possible Friday night low near 30. Saturday chance of showers after 8am then partly sunny otherwise, high 55, cloudy a few rain showers Saturday night low 45. Sunday mostly cloudy, warmer, high 64, cloudy and mild Sunday night low 50. Rain likely next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the mid 50s to 60 degrees, lows will be in the low 40s.
Sports: World Series: The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series Champions for 2026 as the Brewers beat Tampa Bay 4-1 last night and win the series 4 games to 1. William Contreras is the MVP, the 8th Catcher to be awarded that honor. NBA: Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves is scheduled to be out about 2 months after undergoing a procedure on his right knee, last night Golden State got 44 from Stephen Curry to beat the Wolves 119-114. Wolves host LA Clippers Friday. NHL: New York Islanders at Minnesota Wild tonight. NFL: Carolina at Green Bay tonight at 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF. Vikings at Detroit Sunday at noon. Col FB: Gophers at Indiana Saturday at 2:30pm. High School: Little Falls Myla Ballou competes this morning at 8am at State Girls Tennis Tournament in Bloomington, she will also compete again around noon. Volleyball playoffs continues tonight at 7pm Little Falls at Sauk Rapids-Rice. Royalton at Minnewaska, Swanville at Pine River Backus and Upsala at Mille Lacs. Cross Country sections are today for many teams including Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Holdingford-Upsala, Foley and others to try and advance to state tournament next week. Football playoffs resume Saturday for Little Falls at Becker 1pm on KLTF. Esko at Pierz Saturday 2pm on 94ROCKS. Other teams like Royalton, Upsala-Swanville, Foley, Brainerd and more all in action Saturday afternoon.