NEWS
--An Isanti County man is charged with murder after authorities found the body of a missing woman buried on his property. Prosecutors detail the charges in a criminal complaint against 37-year-old Richard Melvin Peterson, who is accused in the shooting death of Amanda Jo Vangrinsven. The victim was reported missing August 7th after failing to come home or report for work. The complaint states that on August 5th Vangrinsven was drinking while off-duty at her place of work, the Isanti VFW, and was observed to be extremely intoxicated by her fellow employees. Witnesses say Peterson, the Vice Commander at the VFW, began spending a significant amount of time with Vangrinsven, and that the two were touching and showing affection towards each other. Surveillance video backed up those witness accounts. Investigators learned that another patron volunteered to drive Vangrinsven home, but that Peterson allegedly said he would. The two allegedly left the VFW about 9:20pm and were seen at another bar later that night. Prosecutors say cell phone data shows a route of travel that took the truck to Peterson's property on 261st Ave. NW in rural Isanti, and indicates that Vangrinsven's phone was on the property until at least 11:36pm. The data reportedly does not show the two anywhere near a park where Peterson told detectives he dropped Vangrinsven off. The criminal complaint says Peterson gave inconsistent accounts of what happened that night to VFW employees and law enforcement, and that eventually two search warrants executed on the defendant's property. During the second day of searching Peterson's property a blood hound and cadaver dog led authorities to Vangrinsven's body, which was buried on the southwestern end of the property. An examination of her body indicated she had been shot in the head. Detectives were able to recover a number of firearms owned by Peterson, including two he had given to a friend the day after Vangrinsven disappeared. If found guilty of second degree murder Richard Melvin Peterson could receive a 40-year prison sentence.
--Last week talking to each of the Morrison County School Superintendents Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Swanville and Upsala stated they will not be requiring masks in school buildings for the upcoming school year if the schools are allowed to vote on the requirements and not coming from a state or federal mandate. There is a federal requirement on all school buses. However, it is different scenario in Stearns and Benton County where St. Cloud, Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice and Rocori schools have voted to make masks a requirement for all students and staff and those who enter their facilities and any school buildings. Governor Tim Walz from the recommnendation of the Department of Education is letting each individual school make that decision though the CDC had stated they believe masks should be worn in school buildings. Local schools are still putting final plans together to get students back to school in a few weeks when school begins for most on September 7th.
--The Morrison County Sheriffs Office Thursday sent out this statement “Please keep the family and friends of Gary (Bear) Groskreutz in your thoughts and prayers, as Gary passed away yesterday (Wednesday). Gary was the Rice Police Chief for 24 years, retiring in 2010. After retirement Gary worked for the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office as a transport officer. Gary was a kind loving man and he will be missed. Thank you for your service Chief, may you Rest In Peace. He will be missed by those who knew him”.
--Minnesota added 14,500 jobs in July in what officials said was the largest one-month gain since March of this year. Approximately 8,700 of the jobs added last month were in the private sector. Unemployment dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9% in Minnesota and fell by half a percentage point to 5.4% at the national level. The change reflects a mix of successful job hunts and slight decline in labor force participation, according to DEED officials. Minnesota's labor force participation rate, or its share of working-age individuals who are either employed or actively seeking work, fell by by a tenth of a percentage point over the month to 67.8% in July. Job gains were strongest in Minnesota's leisure and hospitality sector, which added 7,700 jobs over the month.
--August has been a busy time for the 5th Annual ‘Tools for School’ program which is offered by Morrison County United Way. This program supports children by providing them with the necessary supplies to go back to school without putting the financial burden on the families. Since its inception, this program has impacted more than 575 area students. This year supplies were provided to Lincoln Elementary, Lindbergh Elementary, Dr. S. G. Knight Elementary (Randall), Royalton Elementary and Swanville Public School (about 3,100 different school supplies were distributed this year). Each year this program has expanded and will continue to grow. If you want to be part of this program next year, contact Morrison County United Way office at 320.632.5102 to see how you can help make an impact.
--The Fransciscan Sisters have a blood drive next Monday and Tuesday at First United Church in Little Falls. As of late yesterday there are only a few slots after 4pm Monday and between 12:30-1:30 and 4-6pm Tuesday. Please call for an appointment, or if you have to cancel your appointment please call 632-0663, so they can refill it.
--Next week is Pierz Oktoberfest week with most of the events happening next Sunday, August 29th including parade at 11am. The Pierz Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt Clues will be read starting in the 6am hour Monday on all three of the Little Falls Radio stations which are Q92 WYRQ, 94ROCKS KFML and AM960 KLTF and all of the stations are streamed online at fallsradio.com.
DEATH NOTICES
--Joe Stein, age 67 of Randall formerly of Big Lake
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high 86, strong stoms after 5pm.
TONIGHT= severe storms possible, heavy rains, damaging winds and large hail could develop between 5pm-11pm tonight, then low 59.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, isolated shower, high 69 and gusty winds.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 73, PM storms develop into the night.
MONDAY= scattered storms, warmer, high near 80, low around 58.
SPORTS
TWINS= Yankees hold off Twins 7-5 last night in New York. The Twins continue series with the New York Yankees tonight with pregame at 5:30pm, then day games at 11:30am Saturday and Inside Twins at 11am Sunday on Q92 WYRQ.
CLASS C= The Class C State Amateur Baseball Tournament begins tonight with our Region 8C teams playing this weekend. Sobieski vs. Windom Saturday at 1:30pm from Waconia, St. Stephen vs. Princeton Sunday at 1:30pm from Chaska then Foley vs. Stark Sunday at 4:30pm also from Chaska. Those games live on AM960 KLTF.