NEWS
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported yesterday morning that the man who was killed Wednesday around 5:45pm in Crow Wing County was 31-year-old Stephen Moran of Brainerd. Reportedly Moran was on Highway 371 and went off the roadway at Lennox Road and rolled in the median. He was pronounced dead when authorities arrived.
--A two-vehicle crash blocked traffic Wednesday in Brainerd. The Brainerd Police Department responded to a reported crash with injuries at 9:57am on the corner of South Sixth and Laurel streets. Reportedly a 2018 Mazda CX-3 was northbound on South Sixth Street when a 2013 Dodge Ram collided with it. The drivers both gave conflicting stories and both said their light was green. Traffic was blocked for a short time. The driver of the Dodge, a 47-year-old man from Brainerd, and the driver of the Mazda, a 45-year-old woman from Bemidji, both declined medical care at the scene.
--The DFL Party Chair for the 8th Congressional District has been charged after allegedly hitting a pedestrian and leaving the scene. Charges say Cynthia Martin was on Highway 169 near Nashwauk on July 3rd when she ran over 19-year-old Carter Haithcock, stopped briefly, and then drove away. She then called 911 the next day to say she may have been involved in a crash, hitting what she believed was an owl or a turkey. Court papers say someone who was on the phone with Martin heard her say, “I hit something,” and they told her to call 911. She said she would when she got home. She is accused of waiting until the next day to do so. Investigators said they found blood on the side mirror of her SUV and a portion of the passenger side windshield wiper. A piece of fabric was lodged in the hood and was consistent with the hooded sweatshirt Haithcock was wearing. Someone had earlier called 911 to say they saw someone in dark clothing walking along the highway, and it was difficult to see them. Investigators believe that may have been Haithcock. Martin was charged via summons in Itasca County Court with criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash. Court documents show here next court appearance is December 26th.
--Deputies are asking for the public’s help in finding a vulnerable adult who has been missing for two weeks. Harvey Pearson was last seen leaving his Sturgeon Lake home on November 6th, stating he was headed to Texas. According to the Pine County Sheriff’s Office, Pearson is 82. He is 6’2″, 235 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. He drives a 2005 silver Chevrolet Silverado with Minnesota plate number CGL-491. Pearson left a voicemail on November 7th saying he was in Corpus Christi, but no one has seen or spoken to him since. Investigators say he is typically very active on social media and his phones. His phones are turned off, and he has not posted on social media since November 7th. Anyone who has seen Pearson or his vehicle or has any information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Pine County Sheriff’s Office at 320-629-8380 or dial 911.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday that they are partnering with the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Tots program. Drop off at the sheriff's office Monday through Friday, between 8am-4:30pm at the Morrison County Sheriff's Office lobby. All drop off donations stay local. Donations will be accepted through Thursday, December 19th at 4:30 pm. The sheriff's office also posted a list of other drop off sites on their Facebook page.
--Give to the Max Day was another success. The website reported a little over 37-million dollars was raised to over 6,500 non profits, schools and charities on Thursday. If you were unable to give yesterday you can still go to the website givemn.org today it is just not included in the one day total on Thursday.
--A reminder to parents with students of Staples-Motley Schools. Due to the Staples-Motley Cardinals playing in the Class AA State Championship today in football at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. There will be no school today for any students in the district so those who wish to see the game live are able to do so. The game will also be shown live on KSTC Channel 45 Television for the AA title game.
--Weekend events include the Ramey-Morrill Lions hosting a breakfast on Sunday at the St. Joseph's Parish Hall at the church with proceeds going to community projects. Holy Family Church of Belle Prairie will have their Turkey Bingo at 1:30pm Sunday at the fellowship hall at the church. Check out more events at fallsradio.com on the calendar.
NATIONAL NEWS
–Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The Florida Republican’s announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department. President elect Trump announced that Pam Bondi is his new pick for the job.
DEATH NOTICES
--Donald Lowe, age 94 of Little Falls.
--Daniel Andrew Peka, age 64 of Bowlus.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy skies, high 34.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, low around 23.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 35, low around 27.
SUNDAY= snow showers possible, high 38, low around 17.
MONDAY= sunny and cold, high near 25, low around 10.
SPORTS
HS FB= The Prep Bowl gets underway today with four games in Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium. Class A starts at 10am, the 4A match to follow with Becker vs. Totino Grace, 2A is at 4pm with Staples-Motley vs. Jackson County Central and then 6A wraps up the first day. Day 2 is the 9-man, 3A championship & 5A championship.
HS= Brainerd-Little Falls girls hockey wins 3-0 over Sartell last night and in girls hoops Pierz beat Swanville, Bemidji beat Little Falls.
COL FB= Gophers vs. Penn State Saturday 2:30pm in Minneapolis. Also the Gopher game with Wisconsin has been moved back a day and that game will now be on Friday, November 29th at 11am.
NFL= Vikings at Chicago Sunday at noon on AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1917= National Hockey League forms, first 5 teams from Canada.
IN 1927= first snowmobile goes on sale in Sayner, Wisconsin.
IN 1934= Eddie Cantor sings “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on his radio show to help the Christmas Shopping season, the song is considered a change of commercial Christmas Music to be on radio.
IN 1963= President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald, traveling through in a motorcade.
IN 1968= Capt. Kirk and Lt. Uhura kiss on TV's Star Trek.