Wednesday, April 23, 2025
A message from Morrison County Public Works to slow down in work and utility zones. The Public Works Department stated there are many projects going on already around Little Falls and Morrison County and some utility crews have asked for motorists to please watch for workers and orange signs and flaggers this week as many crews are working in areas with narrower roads including one project on the road behind the Falls Ballroom. There will be slow downs, lane shifts and prepare to stop in these areas. Public works as just reminding motorists and others to expect a busy year of work projects and to put safety first.
Morrison Soil Water Conservation District is having their Customer Tree Pick Up Day on Friday, April 25th starting from 9am to 4pm at the Little Falls Exchange Ice Arena. If you purchased trees from Morrison SWCD, please be prepared to pick up your trees on Friday. They will also have extra trees available for sale and residents are welcome to visit the arena to purchase the extra trees without ordering ahead. Proceed to the school-side of the arena to see the extra trees for sale any time after 10am.
A St. Cloud man charged in a hit-and-run crash and felony drug possession has pleaded guilty to charges in both cases. Forty-one-year-old Todd Chauvin has pleaded guilty to one count of criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm while under the influence of a controlled substance and one count of 2nd-degree drug possession. The crash happened at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 4th Street South in February 2024. According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court, Chauvin ran a stop sign, collided with another car, and fled the scene. The crash injured two people and sent them to the hospital. Officers found and arrested Chauvin, who allegedly admitted to being involved in the crash and leaving the scene to chase after his dog. A blood test determined Chauvin had THC and fentanyl in his system at the time of the crash. Then, on a day in June, an undercover informant notified authorities that Chauvin was heading to the Twin Cities for a drug buy. Police spotted Chauvin on University Drive later that day and made a traffic stop. Because he was driving without a valid license, Chauvin was brought to the Stearns County Jail, where a scan revealed a foreign object in Chauvin's groin area. A subsequent search allegedly turned up fentanyl and 38 blue pills believed to contain fentanyl. Court records indicate Chauvin will be sentenced to just under two years in prison when he's sentenced in August.
Alexandria police have arrested a man for allegedly firing a gun at a moving vehicle. The incident happened on Saturday evening in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue East in Alexandria. Officers talked to the occupants of the vehicle and confirmed damage to the vehicle's windshield consistent with shots from a gun. They arrested Gregg Dickey and recovered a gun. He is being held at the Douglas County Jail awaiting formal charges and a court appearance. The investigation is ongoing. Police have not released details about what led up to the shooting.
There is a break in the case of a Wright County man reported missing nearly six years ago. Timothy Scott Strand disappeared on June 17th, 2019. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Strand’s family grew concerned because the Cokato man hadn’t been in contact with his mother or son. He was last seen on May 8th, 2019, in St. Cloud. The BCA says they recently got information from their tip line that Strand had been living in shelters in the St. Cloud area. As of last week, all shelters in the city were checked, and the 68-year-old was nowhere to be found. Investigators learned that Strand could be living in a homeless encampment in the St. Cloud area and is going by his middle name, Scott. He is 6’2″ tall and weighs approximately 180 pounds with blue eyes. An updated bulletin has been sent to law enforcement, with a special focus on Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne Counties. If you have any information on Strand’s whereabouts, please email it to sheriff@co.wright.mn.us.
Following an order from President Donald Trump, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has ordered all U.S. and state flags to be flown at half staff in honor of Pope Francis, who died Monday morning at the age of 88.In Walz’s order, he praised the late pontiff for leading by example and “centering his life and papacy on being a voice for the less fortunate. He inspired us all to better embody the teachings of Christ: love, compassion, and justice. Gwen and I are joining Catholics and Christians around the world in mourning his loss.” Pope Francis served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025 and made history as the first Latin American Pope. He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17th, 1936. Vatican officials say he died of a stroke that led to heart failure. He had also been in the hospital for 38 days for treatment of double lung pneumonia. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to lower their flags. Flags will fly at half staff until sunset on Saturday, which is the day set for Pope Francis’s funeral.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is also giving his State of the State Address tonight at 7pm. Due to his recent run for U.S. Vice President many national cable channels like C-SPAN are running his address live tonight which starts at 7pm. For those who wish to view it the Minnesota Governor Utube link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJiWriH6muM.
Death Notices- Raymond "Ray" Sobania, age 78 of Royalton. Otto Pelikan, age 96 of Pierz. Gerald "Jerry" Kapsner, age 84 of Little Falls.
Weather- Wednesday mostly sunny skies, high 62, tonight partly cloudy skies low around 37. Sunny early and then showers and breezy in afternoon, high 56, rain likely Thursday night low around 40. Sunny Friday and less windy, high near 60, Saturday looking dry, rain forecast on Sunday.
Sports- Byron Buxton makes a great catch to end the game and help the Twins win 4-2 on Tuesday over the White Sox. The Twins continue series with the Chicago White Sox tonight 6pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ. The LA Lakers came out hot and beat the Timberwolves last night 94-85 to tie the series at one game a piece. Game 3 is in Minneapolis on Friday night. Kirill Kaprizov scored 2 goals and an assist to help the Wild beat Las Vegas 5-2 last night to tie their playoff series at 1 game a piece. Game 3 is tomorrow night in St. Paul at 8pm then Saturday afternoon for Game 4 in St. Paul.