NEWS
--The Firearms Deer Hunting Season begins tomorrow and a reminder that feeding and attractant bans are in place across the state of Minnesota to prevent concentrations of wild deer in areas with a higher risk for disease. Deer feeding includes: placement or distribution of salt, minerals, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay and other food that is capable of attracting or enticing deer. People who feed birds or small mammals must do so in a manner that prevents deer access. Place the food at least six feet above ground level. Food placed as a result of normal agricultural practices is generally exempt from the feeding ban. Cattle operators should take steps that minimize contact between deer and cattle. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office wishes all a safe and productive deer hunt, hunters are asked to refrain from trespassing and be respectful of other people's property, be aware of your target and what lies behind it, be sure to be as visible and use extra caution when utilizing a deer stand, make sure to tell someone where you plan on hunting and when you plan on returning, have a charged cell phone in case of emergency, and please refrain from drinking alcohol during your time time which can hamper you target awareness. The DNR is reminding all hunters to have their licenses, check on property lines if you hunt near residences which may be near or around those lines to not spark controversy in hunting lands. Follow deer hunting guidelines and of course use safety first as thousands of hunters are expected out this weekend and through the hunting season.
--On Thursday, Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation be issued for several Minnesota counties so that farmers could access federal programs to help recover from recent weather events and losses. “In recent years, farmers in the Midwest have faced numerous challenges and Minnesota producers are no exception. From low commodity prices, to uncertainty around trade, farmers have struggled to find stable, profitable markets for their crops. These challenges have only become more acute with the severe weather conditions plaguing our state,” reads the letter from Governor Walz, going on to describe the widespread flooding, rain, and snow that have led to smaller harvests, lower quality crops, and even crops left to rot in the field. Governor Walz last night issued Executive Order 19-36 declaring an emergency and lifting regulations on motor carriers and drivers to alleviate the strain on farmers in Minnesota during a particularly difficult harvest season after meeting with around fifty farmers and agriculture leaders in East Grand Forks to discuss the weather-related crisis facing farms in the region.
--Weekend events include performances of Shakespeare's a Midsummer Nights Dream at Little Falls Community High School tonight and Saturday night at 7pm, Charles Kapsner presents his collaborations of art tonight at Great River Arts in Little Falls. Saturday there is the Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls has their Fall Bazaar from 9am-1pm with soup, crafts and many items, Harvest supper at the St. Francis Convent Saturday 4:30-7pm, Sunday there is a quilt bingo at 1pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Little Falls, turkey bingo Sunday at 1:30pm at St. Stanislaus in Bowlus and other events to view at fallsradio.com and community calendar.
--Listen to special Veterans weekend programming tomorrow on AM960 KLTF around the Gopher game sponsored by Falls Ballroom.
--Murder charges have been filed against a Swatara man in connection with the disappearance and death of 35-year old Michelle Mae of Outing who was reported missing October 3rd and whose body was found October 15th on the suspect’s property. Authorities arraigned 34-year old Joshua Karjala of Swatara, on second-degree murder charges Thursday in connection to the strangulation death of Mae. The Aitkin County Judge David Hermerding set unconditional bail of $5 million or conditional release of $2 million bond and $500,000 cash bail. Over the course of the following ten days numerous agencies participated in daily ground searches and K-9 searches in a 5 mile radius of the location where the vehicle was recovered. On October 15th while executing a search warrant at Karjala’s residence, Mae’s body was located. Mae was taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner for autopsy, where the examiner determined Mae’s manner of death to be homicide.
--Authorities continue to ask for the public's help in finding a St. Cloud man who has been missing for almost four months. 51-year old Adam Peckham was last seen on July 25th at the Colverleaf Trailer Park in St. Cloud. It's believed he may have left the park on a red bicycle to head to his job, but he never arrived and hasn't been seen since. Peckham is described as white, 6'2", 235 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a St. Cloud State University jersey and a Twins baseball cap. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call the St. Cloud Police Department at (320) 251-1200.
--A St. Cloud man was hurt in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday evening near Clear Lake. The incident happened around 5:30pm at the intersection of Highway 25 and County Road 16 in Palmer Township. The Minnesota State Patrol says a pickup truck driven by 53-year old David Eull was waiting to turn from Highway 25 southbound onto eastbound County Road 16 when it was rear ended by a second truck driven by 21-year old Tyler Petersen of Roseville.
Both drivers received non-life threatening injuries.
--A Twin Cities icon from the golden age of children's television has died. Allan Lotsberg played detective “Willie Ketchem” during the 1960's and early 1970's on WCCO-TV. Lotberg’s character was sidekick to Clancy the Cop, played by John Gallos, on the “Clancy and Willie” show. Allan Lotsberg was 87 years old.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jeremy and Sarah Jurek of Little Falls, a girl born November 5th.
DEATH NOTICE
--Orvin Yatckoske, age 81 of Pierz/Morrill area
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, high 34, partly cloudy tonight, low 25.
SATURDAY= snow early, mixing with rain & sleet, high 40, low 19.
SUNDAY= snow showers early, clearing, windy with dropping temps.
VETERANS DAY= sunny and cold, high 15, low around 3 above.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz vs. Perham in state quarterfinal football Saturday in Alexandria, kickoff at noon on FM94 KFML. There will be a sendoff through the streets of Pierz tomorrow morning at 8:15am.
COL FB= Gophers vs. Penn State Saturday 11am on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Vikings at Dallas Sunday night 7:20pm on AM960 KLTF.