NEWS --Yesterday the Morrison County Sheriff's Office conducted an extensive air, ground and water search for missing 51-year old Glenn Hoppe from Elk River. The search covered the Crookneck Lake and Shamineau Lake areas in Morrison County. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Civil Air Patrol and numerous other agencies. Sheriff Shawn Larsen appreciates the assistance from all agencies involved. At this time, Hoppe is still considered to be missing. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office wants to notify residents that the road closure on West Shamineau Drive is now open. Sheriff Larsen stated that Minnesota K9 Search Rescue and Tracking team has volunteered to continue the search efforts as needed. They can be contacted by phone at (320) 469-4405.
--A St. Cloud man was elected to serve as the national surgeon general for the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the group's national convention. Dr. James Tuorila of St. Cloud, a lifetime member of the VFW Post 248, was selected to serve as the organization's surgeon general for a third time. Tuorila served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1977, stationed in Korea. He has received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Defense Medal and two Army Commendation Medals. Tuorila joined the VFW in 1995. He has served as post commander, All-American District commander and department surgeon. Tuorila was employed by the St. Cloud VA and retired in 2006. He is currently a licensed psychologist.
--A 37-year-old Brainerd man is facing felony domestic charges after allegedly assaulting a woman at a Brainerd home. Michael Anthony Thurstin appeared Tuesday in Crow Wing County District Court. He was charged with felony third-degree assault to cause substantial bodily harm, felony domestic assault by strangulation and gross misdemeanor domestic assault of being in violation of his probation. A jury trial was scheduled for August 15th for the defendant.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's office says a 22-year-old Paynesville man was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident early Saturday morning. Joshua Paul Schmitt crashed at 12:42am on Norway Road just east of Avon. He was traveling westbound on Norway Road when he missed a curve and drove straight off the roadway. Schmitt fell of his motorcycle and struck a road sign. The sheriff's office believes alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
--Authorities say nine children were hurt when a utility vehicle driven by an 11-year-old boy crashed in Becker County. The sheriff's office got a report of an ATV crash involving children in Runeberg Township around 8:30pm Tuesday. Emergency personnel arrived and discovered nine children were on the vehicle when it crashed. Authorities say the 11-year-old was driving the side-by-side on a road when he swerved to avoid hitting a dog. The utility vehicle then tipped on its side. Five children were taken by ambulance to a Detroit Lakes hospital, three were taken to a Park Rapids hospital and a 6-year-old was flown to a hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. All the children were between the ages of 6 and 11.
--One person was injured Thursday afternoon in a rear-end collision on U.S. Highway 10. A car driven by 50-year old Brian Yepma of Becker was eastbound on Highway 10 when the vehicle rear-ended a vehicle driven by 20-year old Abigail Lahr of Big Lake. Yepma suffered non life threatening injuries.
--Halfway Jam continues tonight and Saturday in Royalton.
--Join former State Representative Steve Wenzel of Little Falls today on Up Front with Mark Fyten today at 9:05 on AM960 KLTF.
--An 84-year-old Eden Valley woman was injured Wednesday afternoon in a vehicle collision involving a tractor just south of Litchfield. Officers were called to a two-vehicle collision shortly after 2:30pm at the intersection of 632nd Avenue and Meeker Stearns Street. A car driven by 84-year old Elizabeth Jane Reddie of Eden Valley, was eastbound on Meeker Stearns Street when her vehicle struck a tractor that was driven by 73-year old Arthur Kuechle of Watkins. Reddie was taken to the Paynesville Hospital.
--A federal judge has declined to include parishes and other church properties among assets in the bankruptcy of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kressel ruled Thursday on the request by a committee representing clergy abuse victims. The committee wanted to consolidate the assets of various entities in the archdiocese, which would have meant more money to pay victims’ claims.
--The Morrison County Food Shelf has announced their fundraiser for next year is April 22nd, 2017 with Justin Ploof and Throwbacks. They wanted to get the word out early as there will be a drawing for a Kawasaki Mule 610 at the event and only 250 tickets sold for it. All proceeds go to help the Morrison County Food Shelf. For ticket information or information on the raffle drawing call (320) 232-0747.
--Weekend events include Our Lady of Lourdes Church Bazaar Saturday and Sunday, a free country/bluegrass concert Sunday night at the Swanville Park pavillion. First United Church as a Indoor Outdoor Worship and Picnic Sunday, there will be a Fly in breakfast in Backus Sunday. More info at fallsradio.com/communitycalendar.
DEATH NOTICE --Steve Fenske, age 62 of Conroe Texas formerly of Randall --Jimmy Klous, age 48 of Onamia --James Edward Newman, age 81 of Little Falls
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, high 76, clear night low 54. SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 78, partly cloudy night, low 59. SUNDAY= sunny early, PM storms possible, high 80, low 60. MONDAY= thunderstorms possible, warmer, high 84, low 63.
SPORTS LEGION= Pierz state tournament action begins at 9am today and they will have another game at 9am on Saturday both on FM94. LEGION= Little Falls will open state tournament play today at 10am and win or lose would play again later in the late afternoon or evening, the 10am game will be heard live on Q92 WYRQ. Win or lose they will play again later at 4 or 7pm that game on FM94. REGION 8C= Eight games in 2 days starting Saturday at 11am from Pierz Legion Park for Region 8C Tournament on AM960 KLTF. TWINS= Twins win make up with Baltimore last night 6-2 then after game it was announced that Twins All Star Eduardo Nunez has been traded to San Francisco for minor league pitcher. Twins open with White Sox tonight at Target Field, coverage at 6:30 tonight, 5:30 Saturday and 12:30 Sunday on Q92 WYRQ. MEET= The 2016-17 Sports meeting in Pierz will be on August 8th with registration at 6:30pm in the MAC in Pierz High School.