NEWS
--Law enforcement is investigating after two bodies were found inside a home in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff's Office says on Monday at 10am they got a call for a welfare check at a home in rural Pillager. Deputies found the bodies of a 63-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man inside the home. Autopsies are scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office. The identities and relationship of the two people who died are being withheld until family members can be notified. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting the Cass County Sheriff's Office with the investigation. Cass County said there is no threat to the public.
--Two people were hurt in a single-car crash in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 3pm Wednesday on Interstate 94 near Clearwater. A car driven by 19-year-old Abrianna Sachs of Annandale was going east when she lost control and rolled into the right ditch on top of the guardrail. Sachs and her passenger, 21-year-old Joshua Odden of St. Cloud, were both taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--A Detroit man has been sentenced for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation that targeted the Red Lake Reservation. The U.S. Attorney General's Office says 34-year-old Scot Watkins Jr. has been sentenced to five years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Court records show Watkins planned to distribute fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, and cocaine with co-defendants 32-year-old Douglas McClendon and 41-year-old Christopher Richard in March 2021. According to the documents, the men got the drugs from suppliers in Detroit and then traveled to Bemidji to sell them out of several area hotels. Authorities carried out a search warrant at one of the hotels on March 12th, 2021, and say Watkins and McClendon fled while Richard flushed a large amount of fentanyl down the toilet. Records show the search turned up more than 174 grams of fentanyl, 37 grams of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances. Watkins pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and other controlled substances back in March. A Stearns County judge has sentenced a Sauk Rapids man to a stay of adjudication for sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl. It means the court does not place a conviction on the defendant's record and instead, it is withheld until certain conditions are met.
–The charge against 27-year-old Cole Van Halbeck will be dismissed if he successfully completes his five-year probation. Records show Van Halbeck was working as a personal care assistant in a Sartell home at the time. He was accused of sexually molesting the girl several times in early 2016 as he worked in her home to care for a sibling. Van Halbeck pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 13-years-old. A 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement. According to the criminal complaint, the girl told investigators Van Halbeck sexually abused her for several months while she was just 11-years-old and he was 21. Stearns County Court records show Van Halbeck had worked in the home from February 2016 through April of 2022.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers. A reminder that city offices will be closed on Tuesday for the 4th of July holiday. Most government agencies and businesses are likely to be closed on Tuesday for the July 4th holiday. Some may be closed on Monday next week and others closed a few days for the holiday so check ahead before heading out to them.
--This weekend is the first Minnesota Prepper Expo at the Morrison County Fairgrounds, kids and families can be prepared for disasters with survival camps, speakers, food and music all happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday, gates open Friday at 10am and Saturday and Sunday at 9am, tickets are $10 at the gate for $25 for all 3 days to come and take in the event. Randall Independence Weekend Celebration with the parade at 5pm, events to follow in to the night with live music and fireworks Saturday night in Randall. There is a classic car show in Randall 11am-3pm on Sunday to enjoy also. Bowlus Fun Day is Sunday with polka mass at 10am, parade at 11:15am, water wars with fire departments at 2:30pm, live music and fireworks Sunday night all in Bowlus. Holy Family Church of Bulldog Lake will confessions 930, Mass 10am and refreshments after the Mass on Sunday for all to come and take in. Check out more events by going to fallsradio.com and click on community calendar.
--The 4th of July travel weekend is underway for some and will be soon for others. Sargent Jesse Grabow from the Minnesota State Patrol and MN-DOT Regional Coordinator Bill Van Koevering. Getting to your destination safely is the top priority and Sargent Grabow indicates everyone can do this if they show patience, understand the laws and plan ahead for road construction. 156 traffic related deaths have been reporting in the state so far in 2023 with the last reported death on June 25. 17 of those deaths were pedestrians, 25 were motorcyclists, 3 on snowmobiles, 1 on an ATV and the rest were automobiles. Remember to show awareness of pedestrians motorcycles and other drivers. He promotes the zipper merge when lanes are reduced, don't veer for deer and use common sense on the road. Grabow indicates animal activity is high right now so be aware of those challenges but don't veer for deer or other animals because it could become for serious if you veer away from the animal.
--If you are looking for professional fireworks displays this weekend there are many, tonight following the St. Cloud Rox game where it is military appreciation night. Saturday night in Randall and Melrose, Sunday in Bowlus, Monday in Pearl Lake near Kimball, Joetown Rocks show at St. Joseph, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes all have firework shows on Monday night. Tuesday the large fireworks shows will be at Brainerd High School, St. Cloud, Annandale and Crosby. For more information on the fireworks shows check out the Minnesota Travel Guide online with a fireworks link to see all the shows.
--Congratulations to Kim Stavish who found the Randall Medallion.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 83.
TONIGHT= clear night, low near 60.
SATURDAY= sunny and warm, high 86, clear night, low 63.
SUNDAY= sunny and warmer, high 90, clear night, low 65.
MONDAY= sunny and hot, high 95, storms develop late in day.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins are at Baltimore tonight, pregame at 5:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and an early Inside Twins at 10am on Sunday, hear the Twins games live on Q92 WYRQ.
PIERZ= Pierz will have co-coaches next year for Track. Bridget Bednar and Rich Teske will be co-head coaches for the boys and girls track teams in 2023-2024.
WANDA= Congrats to Wanda Gau of Little Falls #10 on World's Marathon list for her age group from 60-64.