NEWS --At 7:29am Wednesday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of business burglaries in the city of Randall at Building Supply and Vanessa’s Place. Sometime between 6:30pm Tuesday and 7:29am Wednesday the suspect(s) made entry into Randall Building Supply. Once inside the building they cut open a safe and took cash. The suspect(s) also entered Vanessa’s Place, where they took cash and jewelry. If you have information regarding these burglaries, you are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233.
--A fatal accident occurred around 6:30am Thursday on Highway 23 in Munson Township of Stearns County. Two vehicles were northbound on Highway 23 when a vehicle driven by 68-year old Brian Johnson of New London rear ended a car driven by 35-year old Albert Hemmesch from Fort Ripley. Hemmesch was taken to North Memorial Medical Center with life threatening injuries. The 22-year-old passenger from Little Falls was killed. At this time that name has not been released by the Minnesota State Patrol. The report stated Brian Johnson was taken to Paynesville Hospital for his injuries.
--Authorities have released the names of the two Motley women involved in an accident Monday in Wadena County. 67-year-old Razia Qureshi of Motley died from injuries in the accident. 58-year-old Farha Naz was taken to St. Cloud with life threatening injuries. The semi-driver in the accident Monday was not injured.
--The evacuation order that was put into in place for Raymond in Kandiyohi County Thursday morning has been lifted after a fiery train derailment. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office says a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train had numerous cars derail on the western edge of the city but within the city limits at around 3am. One of the cars started on fire and was determined to be carrying a form of ethanol and other flammable liquids. Fire departments from Raymond and numerous other cities responded to the scene. Firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement assisted in evacuating the city within a half mile of the derailment site. Residents were instructed to leave their homes but yesterday afternoon they were allowed to return after the fire and area was contained. There were no injuries.
--A man who was charged in an attempted train jacking in Sauk Rapids last September has been sentenced. 41-year-old Samuel Hohman of Loretto, Minnesota was given an 18-month prison sentence. He gets credit for having served approximately six months in the county jail. Hohman pleaded guilty to a charge of 2nd-degree assault in February. A charge of 1st degree criminal damage to property was dismissed at his sentencing. According to the criminal complaint filed in Benton County, the train's engineer said Hohman hopped aboard the locomotive in Sauk Rapids, wrapped his arms around the engineer's neck, and told him to speed up and get out of town. Hohman then rummaged through a bag and grabbed a small folding knife before stabbing the victim in the forehead. The rail worker was able to bite Hohman's hand, free himself and jump from the train. The train came to a stop where Hohman was arrested.
--A reminder from the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce that the light take down event they originally had scheduled for today was postponed earlier this month. When the logistics are taken care they will announced a makeup date for the light take down event. If you have questions contact Purva at the Chamber at 320-632-5155.
--President Joe Biden plans to visit Minnesota next week as part of a national tour touting his economic agenda. On Monday, the president will be in the Minneapolis area as part of the “Investing in America Tour”. Details on the exact time and location have yet to be released.
--The Little Falls City Council will meet Monday night at 7:30pm at the Little Falls City Hall council chambers. A work session before meeting.
--Approximately 80 Soldiers including four from Little Falls, two from St. Cloud and one each from Baxter, Sauk Rapids and Sartell from the Brooklyn Park-based 347th Regional Support Group returned home in late January after a nine-month deployment to Kuwait and Iraq and will participate in their first reintegration event this weekend. While deployed, the 347th Soldiers supported more than 9,000 personnel across four locations in Kuwait and Iraq. They provided base operations support, managed facilities, provided administrative and logistical support, and ensured the security of personnel and facilities on the bases. Reintegration events are scheduled approximately 60 days after a unit returns from a deployment. The ceremony is Saturday at 11am at Bethel University in St. Paul.
--The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize 89 Minnesota farms as 2023 Century Farms. Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Since the program began in 1976, more than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms. Although there are no farms being recognized this year in Morrison County. Some nearby include Bordwell Farm in Deerwood of Crow Wing County; Schreur Farm in Milaca and Burke Farm in Princeton of Mille Lacs County; Wicker Farm in Kimball, Hemmesch Farm in Richmond and Gohman Farm in St. Cloud of Stearns County; and Mark and Deb Sieben Farm of Burtrum in Todd County.
NATIONAL NEWS --On Thursday, a lawyer for Donald Trump said that the former President has been indicted in New York on charges involving payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter. He is due in court on Tuesday or will have to surrender to authorities.
DEATH NOTICES --Peter Brutscher, age 96 of Little Falls. --Richard (Pete) A. Peterson, age 88 of Staples. --W. Edward Stukey, age 88 of Hillman.
WEATHER WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1PM ICY CONDITIONS THIS MORNING CAUSING MANY SPINOUTS. WINTER STORM WARNING 1PM TODAY TO 7AM SATURDAY SNOW DEVELOPS AND GUSTY WINDS OVER 40MPH. TODAY= freezing mix changing to snow, gusty winds over 40mph, temps rise to 35 early then fall to 26 by late in the day, 1/4 inch ice, 1 inch rain/snow. TONIGHT= snow likely 2-4 total inches, gusty winds up to 50mph, low 13. SATURDAY= sunny and breezy, high 33, low around 17. SUNDAY= partly sunny, breezy and warmer, high 45, low 28. MONDAY= partly sunny, less windy, high 41, low near 23.
SPORTS TWINS= The Twins shut down the Royals 2-0 to win the opener on Thursday. The Twins are off today. They continue series with KC tomorrow at 2:30pm and Sunday at 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. NCAA= Final Four for Men and Women in basketball this weekend.