Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 11-3-2025 at approximately 2:06 pm, their office received a report of a one vehicle accident with injuries on Jewel Road south of 273rd Street, approximately nine miles north of Little Falls, MN in Ripley Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 74-year-old David Robinson of Pierz, MN was traveling south on Jewel Road when his vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. Robinson was transported to St. Cloud Hospital by Life Link III with unknown injuries.
A man is lodged in the Stearns County Jail after allegedly fleeing Waite Park Police late Monday after an attempted routine traffic stop. The pursuit started in St. Joseph near Cayley Court and County Road 121. The driver pulled a U-turn and headed back into Waite Park via County Road 138. The chase turned onto 86th Avenue and then Bel Clare Drive before crossing over Highway 23. The driver eventually gave in on Belmar Street. The 22-year-old was evaluated on scene by Mayo Ambulance for possible intoxication and then taken to jail, where he is still awaiting his first court appearance.
Yesterday was Election Day. In the two State Senate races in District 29 Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. won and in District 47 DFL Candidate Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger was the winner. There were many races near the Twin Cities Metro and many School Bond Elections it was reported that Crosby-Ironton passed their referendum and Aitkin's referendum failed. For complete results on the elections yesterday you can click on this link to the Secretary of State's website.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Tuesday awarded $2.4 million to seven local partners to develop and implement agriculture-focused workforce training programs for the Growing Careers initiative. "Minnesota farms are facing new challenges because of policies coming out of the federal government," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "DEED's seven Growing Careers partners will not only alleviate some of that pressure by establishing career pipelines for new entrants into agriculture-related fields, but they will also create opportunities for Minnesotans to overcome barriers to full-time employment through specialized training in a growing industry." The seven include the Anoka County Job Training Center will create a program leading to a Class A Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Commercial Driver's License or a Class B Light Truck Commercial Driver's License, with hazardous materials and air brake endorsements, resulting in agriculture industry-recognized credentials. Central Minnesota Jobs and Training will create the Cultivating Careers in Ag program, designed to address the growing demand for skilled workers in agriculture and agriculture-related occupations across its 11-county region. The initiative is designed to connect dislocated workers with high-demand, livable-wage careers while supporting employers in filling critical workforce gaps. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will bolster its Apprenticeship Program, a nine-month program that trains up to 20 new or beginning farmers annually. The Apprenticeship Program is a formal Registered Apprenticeship at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Otter Tail County will expand its Empowered Worker Program, a workforce development program that provides training and supportive services. The program provides services to individuals to overcome barriers to employment and obtain and maintain high-demand, household-sustaining wage jobs, and Otter Tail County is proposing to expand these services for participants to seek training and employment in the agriculture industry. Rural Minnesota Cep (Detroit Lakes), the program will provide eligible participants with career exploration, occupational skills training, credential attainment and work-based learning experiences designed to lead to full-time employment at or above $20 per hour within Minnesota's agricultural sector, focusing on Crop Production, Animal Production and Support Activities for Agriculture. Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council in Marshall. The program will develop a comprehensive agricultural-focused career pathways initiative to serve 84 dislocated workers from targeted populations across 23 counties. The program features contextualized adult basic education instruction, credentialed training aligned with high-demand jobs in agriculture, work readiness training and support services. Through a sector strategy approach, employer partners help shape curricula, offer business tours, provide on-the-job training and commit to hiring participants and Workforce Development Inc. will create the Growing Opportunity program in Southeast Minnesota, a comprehensive career pathway program focusing on agriculture. Participants will be enrolled into programs at local Minnesota State colleges and the 160 Driving Academy. Each client will be able to choose the specific agricultural training programs that best suit their needs in any of the offices in Workforce Development Inc.'s 10-county service area.
St. Cloud Police are urging residents to resist the temptation of leaving their vehicles unattended while running with the keys inside once the temperature drops. Whether it is letting the cars warm up in the driveway or keeping them on and the heat blasting while stepping inside a store on an errand run, officials warn that criminals are looking to take advantage. A post on X from the St. Cloud Police Department says that between January 1st and March 1st of this year, 24 vehicles were stolen under such circumstances. The department notes vehicle thefts are on the rise in the community, a trend seen elsewhere in Minnesota in the past couple years that is just beginning to take over locally. That could make early 2026 theft numbers even higher than 2025 unless precautions are taken.
The Morrison County Chaplaincy Program is now in its 23rd year helping the community. Chaplain Gregg Valentine invites all to the Chaplaincy Pizza Party on November 30th from 11am-1pm at the Little Falls VFW. All the pizza you can eat for any size donation. There will be coat drive, food shelf drive and donations can also be made to the Chaplaincy Program. Please come and enjoy the pizza and help support the program that has done much for the community in time of sorrow and need.
National News: Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has died. Cheney served as Vice-President under George W. Bush from 2001-2009, he was also former Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford and Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush. Cheney died Monday at age 84.
Weather: today mostly sunny, high near 50, clouds increase tonight low near 30. Thursday cloudy with sprinkles, high near 50, clearing at times Thursday night low 29. Friday partly cloudy and breezy, high near 42, clear and cold Friday night low 22. Snow showers before noon Saturday little accumulation in central Minnesota higher amounts to the northern part of the state less than 1 inch, high 35, breezy in afternoon then temps drop to 20 Saturday night. AM flurries Sunday high 29, low 17.
Sports: The Twins introduced their new manager Derek Shelton on Tuesday afternoon. Shelton replaces Rocco Baldelli as the new Twins manager starting next spring. He’s the first manager the Twins have hired to have prior MLB managing experience since Gene Mauch in 1976. “There are better things ahead," Shelton told the media Tuesday afternoon. "We’re going to build strong relationships and we’re going to have a lot of fun as we move forward. I think people are going to be excited about Twins baseball.” The Vikings host Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at noon. Wild win last night 3-2 in a shootout over Nashville. The State Volleyball Tournament begins today in St. Paul wraps up on Saturday.