NEWS --On Wednesday 25-year old Jerad Whitford plead guilty as charged to a single count of Murder in the Third Degree in Morrison County District Court. Whitford admitted to Judge Anderson that on June 14th, 2016 he had arranged to purchase heroin that ultimately resulted in the overdose death of Travis Scherping of Little Falls. Judge Anderson had previously dismissed the Third Degree Murder charge back on August 23rd, 2017 but the Morrison County Attorney’s Office appealed the order of dismissal to the Minnesota State Court of Appeals. On February 28th, 2018 the Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal, and the charge was reinstated. As part of a plea agreement, Whitford has promised to cooperate with investigators and testify truthfully in the jury trail of co-defendant Jason White. White’s first trial ended with a hung jury in February. The agreement calls for a 60 month prison sentence. Whitford will not be sentenced until after White’s trial. Jason White’s new trial date will be set following Judge Anderson’s rulings on several pretrial motions. Those rulings are expected in the next thirty days. Co-defendant Callie Statema plead guilty to Third Degree Murder and is due to be sentenced by Judge Anderson today. Statema provided $450 to Whitford for purchase of the heroin. Whitford delivered the heroin to Statema who then, in turn, provided the heroin to Scherping.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of vehicle theft which occurred sometime between noon and 3:45pm on Wednesday off Willow Lane in Randall. A 1997 Green Chevy Club Cab truck was stolen from the residence, bearing MN license plate 179KRC. The vehicle was unlocked and the keys were left inside the vehicle. The truck has Star Fire tires on the front of the vehicle and Cooper tires on the back. The hood of the vehicle is faded. The suspect unhooked a boat trailer before driving away with the truck. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information pertaining to this case to contact their office at (320) 632-9233.
--Firefighters from the Pillager Fire Department responded to a grass fire between Pillager and Baxter that threatened nearby structures Wednesday afternoon. The property on the 12000 block of Clark Drive Southwest is south of Legacy Courses at Cragun's and north of Highway 210. The fire was reported about 3:45pm. Firefighters worked for hours to keep the fire from reaching any of the structures. With the recent rains and green up the fire did not get as crazy as if the dry conditions from last month had continued. Vehicles from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also responded to the Cass County grass fire. There were no injuries.
--Workers impacted by the planned 2019 closure of Electrolux's St. Cloud manufacturing plant will have access to additional help when they are laid off in the coming year. The U.S. Department of Labor has approved a petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance that will provide long-term training and support to impacted workers. The TAA program provides assistance to laid off workers in firms hurt by foreign trade. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will manage the program, review eligible worker applications and distribute program funds. Sarah Saito, TAA supervisor with DEED, said workers will receive certified letters notifying them of the program, and meetings will be held for workers to explain the program and benefits offered.
--One person was injured Wednesday afternoon in a one-vehicle accident in Wadena County near Sebeka. 80-year-old Michael Kliss of Alexandria was on Highway 71 crossed lanes and struck the guard rail causing the vehicle to leave the roadway. He was taken to the Wadena hospital and treated for injuries.
--Yesterday would have been Minnesota singer Prince’s 60th birthday, and Warner Brothers has announced a brand new release of rare outtakes. The album “Piano & A Microphone 1983” is comprised of recordings Prince made at home working through a number of songs which included some top tracks like “Purple Rain” and other unreleased works including a spiritual “Mary Don't You Weep”.
--There are plenty of local weekend events. Tonight there is a smorgasbord in Hillman; golf extravaganza tomorrow at Little Falls Country Club; cleanup day at Pulaski town hall Saturday; Sartell has their big Sommerfest Saturday; Linden Hill is hosting a Houses of Style event Saturday with special tours and talks throughout the day; Royalton Sportsmen Club hosting their 15th Annual Rough Fishing Contest Saturday west of Royalton where kids can fish for free to win prizes. Adults are $10 and raffle and prizes will also be awarded for them. John Hellie youth baseball tournament is this weekend in Pierz. Sunday is the Holy Family Belle Prairie Heritage Festival with a polka mass 10:30am followed by dinner, games and lots of fun. Learn about Father Joseph Bue at the event on Sunday too. Habitat for Humanity will host their golf tournament on Monday. Get details on that event by calling 616-2084. Get more details on all other events at fallsradio.com and then click on community calendar.
--The Little Falls Dam Festival is next Friday and Saturday. The Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union medallion hunt begins on Monday. Listen for clues daily beginning Monday at 8:25am on each of our three Little Falls Radio stations, AM960 KLTF, 92.1FM WYRQ, and 94.1FM KFML-FM94 and all 3 online at fallsradio.com.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Thomas and Jessica Evans of Long Prairie, girl on June 6th
DEATH NOTICES --Charles Benson, age 77 of Onamia
WEATHER TODAY= partly cloudy, more clouds late day, high 75. TONIGHT= storms in overnight, low 58. SATURDAY= storms early, cloudy then PM storms, high 74, low 58. SUNDAY= sunny and warmer, high near 80, storms late, low 65. MONDAY= storms likely, some severe, high 77, low around 60.
SPORTS TWINS= Jose Berrios throws a complete game and strikes out 10 as the Twins beat White Sox 7-2 yesterday to split the 4 games. Rosario, Escobar and Adrianza all homered in the game. The Twins (27-32) host the Angels tonight 6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday are 12:30 pregames on your home for Twins Baseball Q92 WYRQ. PIERZ= St. Cloud Cathedral hit a walk off in the 7th inning to beat the Pierz Pioneers 4-3 last night and win the Section 6AA title. NHL= Washington Capitals scored 2 goals in the 3rd period to win the Stanley Cup in 5 games winning 4-3 over Las Vegas last night. LYNX= Lynx win 88-80 over Washington on Thursday.