Wednesday, May 6, 2026
A freeze warning has been issued until 8am this morning for the region. Due to temperatures again dropping into the mid to upper 20s overnight into the morning. Possible frosty mornings are also in the forecast Thursday and Friday mornings.
On Monday at 6:20pm the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 15633 153rd St in Little Falls Township on a report of a house fire. Morrison County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on scene within a few minutes and verified everyone was out of the residence. The Little Falls Fire Department arrived at and saw there was smoke visible from the eaves and roof vents. The residence had two units. Firefighters made entry into the unit where the fire originated. Once inside, firefighters discovered all the fire was in the attic. Firefighters pulled ceiling inside the house and cut several holes in the roof to access the fire in the attic. The fire was contained to the attic area above the unit where the fire originated. The resident of that unit reported that he was frying food on the stove and went outside for a few minutes. He said when he came back in, there was fire in the pan, and the flames were venting up into the vent hood. He was able to put the fire out in the pan and in the vent hood, but after a few minutes, he and his neighbor noticed there was smoke coming from the attic, that was when 911 was called. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the MN State Fire Marshal’s Office, but is believed to be a result of the cooking fire. Two of the residents were transported by Mayo Clinic Ambulance to be checked for smoke inhalation. Little Falls Fire Department was assisted by Morrison County Sheriff’s Department, Mayo Clinic Ambulance, and The MN State Fire Marshal’s Office. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the residents that were displaced by the fire.
Erik Sogge from the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery reported to KLTF Tuesday that the Memorial Day Observance Program is set again on Sunday, May 24th at 1:30pm at the cemetery. Details on the program are still being prepared at this time but the music will again be with the Richfield Symphonic Band at 1:30pm and parade of flags and program to start at 2pm at the cemetery. Sogge mentioned there is work being done around the cemetery grounds right now with hopes of being completed by the program. You are welcome as always during daylight hours to come to the cemetery just watch for the workers at the site. Questions can be directed to Sogge at the State Cemetery at 320-616-2527.
A 72-year-old Merrifield man was charged Tuesday, May 5, with several felonies, including attempted murder, after he allegedly shot his grandson on Sunday at their residence in Center Township. Jonathan Boyd Berg was charged in Crow Wing County District Court with felony first-degree premeditated attempted murder, first-degree assault with great bodily harm, felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon causing substantial bodily harm, felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony threats of violence with reckless disregard of risk. During his initial appearance in Crow Wing County District Court, Berg applied for a public defender. Berg is in custody in the Crow Wing County Jail on $300,000 bond or bail with conditions for release, and $750,000 bond or bail with no conditions for release. Conditions of release include no use of alcohol or controlled substances, submit to chemical testing, remain law abiding, no use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, abide by a domestic abuse-no contact order and have no contact with the victims. Berg’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 14. According to court documents and a news release from the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, at 8:26 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of a shooting at a home on County Highway 19 in Center Township. While en route, emergency dispatchers advised deputies the victim was now at the Dollar General located on County Highway 3 in Merrifield. A deputy was in the area of the Dollar General and pulled into the parking lot. The deputy observed a woman standing outside the front passenger door of a vehicle and saw a man in the front passenger seat. The deputy was aware the woman was the mother of the victim, an 18-year-old Merrifield man, and the daughter of Berg. The deputy told them he would need to remove the 18-year-old Merrifield man from the vehicle in order to get him medical attention. The deputy then picked him up and removed him from the vehicle, and while doing so, the man screamed in pain. The deputy asked the 18-year-old Merrifield man where he was shot and he said he was shot in the back. The deputy asked if Berg or someone else shot the 18-year-old Merrifield man. The man's mother said it was Berg, her dad. The deputy asked what kind of gun was used; the victim said it was a 16-gauge shotgun. Later it was reported that the 72 year old refused to leave the house and was talked out by members of law enforcement and taken into custody later that night.
A St. Cloud man accused of stabbing his wife to death has been found competent to stand trial. The defense team has also filed notice with the court that 23-year-old Dylan Tobler plans to use a Mental Illness or Deficiency defense in the case. Tobler is accused of stabbing his wife, 22-year-old Hallie Tobler, to death inside their south St. Cloud apartment before trying to kill himself. According to the criminal complaint, a witness went to the Tobler's apartment on February 7, 2026, because they had not heard from the victim, Hallie Tobler, since about 5:00 p.m. on February 3rd. The witness told police they knocked on the door for about 15 minutes before it was unlocked from the inside. The witness says once inside, they found Hallie Tobler dead in the bathroom, and Dylan Tobler in the living room, with injuries that appeared to indicate that he tried to kill himself. The complaint says that during a mirandized statement, when asked what had happened, Tobler stated that he was alone with Hallie and thought it was his fault she was dead, and he caused his own injuries.
A 25-year-old Park Rapids man is facing three felonies after leading authorities on a high-speed chase in Hubbard County on April 30th. The Sheriff’s Office reports the chase started when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle Dareine McCormick was driving in Park Rapids. The deputy knew McCormick’s driving status had been canceled, but McCormick did not stop and accelerated away from the deputy. A 16-mile chase with speeds reaching more than 100 mph ensued before McCormick crashed into some trees on Pine Lake Forest Road about four miles north of Emmaville. McCormick fled on foot but was quickly subdued by deputies. Meanwhile, McCormick’s vehicle caught on fire, and deputies used fire extinguishers to put the fire out. They then discovered suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle. McCormick is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, fifth-degree possession of methamphetamine, and first-degree DWI refusal to submit to a chemical test. Judge Eric Schieferdecker set bail or bond for McCormick at $200,000 with no conditions or $100,000 with conditions. McCormick’s next court hearing is scheduled for May 11.
First United Church in Little Falls has their used item sale going on today and Thursday and this will also coincide with their free meal (pizza) is scheduled tonight at 6pm. Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls has a rummage sale Thursday and Friday at the church in northeast Little Falls. There is a Free Bird Walk at the Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Little Falls on Saturday from 8-10am plus other events this weekend can be found at fallsradio.com then community calendar.
Weather: Freeze Warning 2-8am Today. Partly sunny skies today, high near 50, frost possible again tonight, clear skies, low 29. Thursday partly cloudy skies, high 55, frost possible Thursday night clear skies low around 32. Friday partly cloudy skies, warmer, high 66, breezy south winds 15-30mph, rain showers possible early Friday night low near 35. Saturday partly sunny and breezy, high near 60, rain and snow showers Saturday night low around 33. Flurries or sprinkles early Sunday then becoming sunny, cooler, high 55, low around 32. Monday and Tuesday chance of rain showers both days but warmer, high 62, Monday and 72 Tuesday with lows in the 40s.
Sports: Colorado goes up 2-0 in the series over Minnesota Wild last night winning 5-2 in Colorado. The Minnesota Wild will host Colorado Avalanche in game 3 of Stanley Cup Playoffs Saturday night at 8pm on Q92 WYRQ. The Minnesota Timberwolves, up 1-0, are at San Antonio Spurs for game 2 of NBA playoffs tonight at 8:30pm on ESPN. Buxton, Lee and Larnach have big games last night as Twins beat Washington 11-3 to open the series. The Minnesota Twins continue their series today at 5:45pm as the Washington Nationals. The Minnesota Lynx open the 2026 regular season Saturday against Atlanta. Yesterday in baseball Little Falls 12-1 over Pequot Lakes, Pierz wins 15-5 over Milaca, Pierz softball won yesterday over Little Falls 17-5 in 6 innings, also Congratulations to Pierz boys and girls track teams and Holdingford boys and girls track teams all finishing 1st yesterday in their section True Team Track Meet going to the True Team Track State Tournament. Listen to more local sports with Alex today on Little Falls Radio. Victory League Sunday at 1:30pm Pierz Brewers at Freeport on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.