Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office has identified the individuals involved in the fatal crash that occurred at the intersection of 30th Street and 120th Ave, south of Bowlus According to Sheriff Shawn Larsen, the preliminary investigation indicates that 25-year-old Juan Rodriguez of Tampa FL, was driving a 2010 Toyota Prius westbound on 30th Street when he failed to stop at the stop sign. His vehicle was subsequently struck by a 2016 Ford F-450 truck, driven by 37-year-old William Anderson of Fulda, MN, who was traveling southbound on 120th Ave. The collision caused both vehicles to roll and come to rest in a ditch, where the power pole was also struck. First responders performed lifesaving measures on Mr. Rodriguez but were unsuccessful. Rodriguez was later pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Anderson was not injured in the crash. The incident remains under investigation and the Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with reconstruction of the crash. Sheriff Larsen expressed his gratitude to the first responders and the bystanders who provided assistance at the scene and offered his sympathy to all affected by the crash.
Morrison County Administrator Matt LeBlanc spoke on KLTF Monday. LeBlanc said he has not heard anything around Morrison County of any flooding issues, No Wake Ordinances, major storm damage or issues with their construction on roadways, unlike other counties where flooding has been a major issues in the past few months. County projects include a closure on County Road 226, and also delays on County Road 227 and County Road 225 for installing centerline culverts this weekend, next week there will be a closure on County Road 220 from CSAH 12 and Minnesota Highway 27. More work continues on County Road 1 on the northwestern part of the county at this time, watch for workers and maintenance crews will also be working on the Soo Line Bridges in the coming weeks. Morrison County continues to do hiring check out their website for the posted positions. Community Development has information on a Raising a Farmer event on July 24th on their Facebook page. The Extension Office has event information on their Facebook page or by contacting their office. LeBlanc said any questions can be directed to him at Administration at 320-632-0296.
St. Cloud Police say a man intentionally drove his car into a home while two people were inside. According to a press release, the incident happened just after 8:15 Sunday evening at a house in the 1500 block of 7th Avenue South. The 25-year-old man behind the wheel had a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order out against him to keep him away from the woman and girl at the home. Only the man was hurt in the crash. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and is in custody. The SCPD says it is still investigating what happened.
The Brainerd Police Department is asking for the public's help to find Cory Degeest, a 61-year-old Brainerd woman reported missing on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Degeest is described as a white female, 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with sandy brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen walking on Beech Street in Brainerd about two weeks ago. Authorities are concerned for her well-being due to pre-existing chronic medical conditions. If you have any information about Cory Degeest's whereabouts, please contact the Brainerd Police Department at 218-829-2805.
The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 15-year-old. Alexavier Flores was last seen at his home in Cosmos early in the morning on July 6th and hasn’t been heard from since. Investigators say they believe he may have run away from home and may have been in the Minneapolis area on July 9th. He is described as 5’7″, 200 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. No clothing description was given. Anyone who sees Flores or knows where he may be is asked to contact Meeker County Sheriff's Office at 320-693-5400 or your local law enforcement.
The West Fargo Police Department is asking for Collegeville area property owners to help in the search for a long-missing North Dakota woman. Jonett Wanner was last seen on July 11th, 2023, leaving work. Investigators believe she fled in her gray 2017 Nissan Rogue, license plate 261-AXY, possibly accompanied by her dog, Scooby. North Dakota officials say they have followed up on all tips that have been submitted in the case, looking around the state as well as here in Minnesota. Other tips suggested Wanner could be in Arizona, Nebraska, Oregon, or Washington. Wanner was not stopped, but a Stearns County deputy ran her plate on August 12th, 2023, before law enforcement here was aware she was missing. On the two-year anniversary of Wanner’s disappearance, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office requested that local landowners and farmers check their properties, from agricultural land to wooded areas, remote spots, abandoned buildings, and sheds. Investigators say anyone with information that could help find Wanner should call 701-515-5500. Anonymous tips can be texted in using the keyword WFPD to 847411. Wanner was 50 years old when she disappeared. She stands 5’2″ and weighs 100 pounds. She has blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. The picture on the Stearns County Sheriff's Office Facebook is from 2023 so it could be a bit dated.
A near miss involving a Blue Earth County sheriff's deputy is prompting a reminder that state law requires that drivers pull over for emergency vehicles. Blue Earth County Sheriff's Captain Paul Barta says the incident happened on July 10 around 10:30 a.m. as two deputies responded to a crash in Lake Crystal. Squad car cameras were rolling as the driver of an oncoming Chevy Suburban not only failed to pull over for the squads - which had lights and sirens activated - but tried to pass a vehicle, nearly hitting one of the deputies. Barta said investigators are in the process of tracking down the driver of the SUV, who could face charges in the incident. Minnesota's Ted Foss law is named after a state trooper who was struck and killed on the side of a highway in August 2000 while conducting a traffic stop. Trooper Foss left behind a wife and two young kids. The Ted Foss law requires: When traveling on a road with two or more lanes going the same direction, drivers must move over one full lane from stopped “authorized” vehicles, stalled vehicles or disabled vehicles with their hazard lights activated. Authorized vehicles include ambulance, fire, law enforcement, road maintenance and construction vehicles. In situations where it's not safe to move over (like heavy traffic), you must slow down. While the Department of Public Safety recommends that people experiencing car trouble stay in their vehicle with their seat belt on, the law also calls on drivers to move over for people visibly present outside the vehicle.
On July 12th and 13th, our Morrison County Jail hosted the 54th annual REC (Residents Encountering Christ) program. This is one of the most powerful programs we offer, and we’re incredibly thankful for the volunteers and staff who make it possible. Lives are transformed, hope is being restored, and hearts are being changed. Redemption is real—even in the most difficult circumstances. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office thanked all who attended the REC event and helped with it at the jail.Death Notices- Louise V. Maleski, age 94 of rural Pierz. Janet West, age 89 passed away in Edina who was born and lived in Little Falls.
Weather- showers and T-storms early today, then muggy and warm, high 83, storms develop again in the afternoon and evening, there is a slight risk some storms could be severe with heavy rain, damaging winds and hail. Storms continue into the evening then low around 59. Showers and storms possible Wednesday at times with cooler temps, high 62, breezy northeast winds then showers ending and cooler Wednesday night with low around 50. Thursday sunny skies, high near 71, and clear Thursday night low around 50. Friday increasing clouds chance of PM showers, high 73, low around 54. Storms possible on Saturday.
Sports- Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh won the MLB Home Run Derby last night in Atlanta. The Twins Byron Buxton had a great round 1 in the derby with 20 homeruns but fell in round 2 in an 8-7 match with Junior Caminero of the Rays. Raleigh beat Caminero 18-15 in the final round. The All Star Game for Major League Baseball is tonight in Atlanta. The American League has won 10 of the last 11 All Star Games and there was one tie. Twins have Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan as part of the American League All Stars. The Lynx rebounded after a loss to Chicago on Saturday to beat the Sky last night in Chicago 91-78 thanks to Napheesa Collier's 29 points. Lynx host Phoenix tomorrow then off for the All Star Break. The KLTF Victory League Game of the Week is Foley at Buckman this Sunday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.