NEWS
--Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck yesterday afternoon stated that shortly after 7am Thursday members of my office and the Sherburne County Drug Task Force came under fire as they attempted to execute a knock and announce search warrant at a Benton County residence. Five members of the task force sustained non-life threatening injuries and were transported by ambulance or air ambulance for medical treatment. Because all were working in an undercover capacity, he cannot provide their names. But did state that the injured officers include three Sherburne County sheriff’s deputies, one of whom sustained a gunshot injury and two who were shot in the vest; one Elk River Police Department investigator was shot; and one Princeton Police Department investigator was shot. As of right now, the two Sherburne County deputies who were shot in their vests were treated and released from Centra Care St. Cloud Hospital. The three other officers were taken to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale where they continue to be treated for gunshot injuries. All are expected to survive. The suspected shooter is Karl Thomas Holmberg, age 64, of Glendorado Township in rural Benton County who was injured during the incident and is also being treated at North Memorial Health Hospital. A woman who was inside the home during the exchange of gunfire was taken to M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center in Princeton where she was evaluated and released. Task Force members arrived at Mr. Holmberg’s residence on 190th Avenue Northeast shortly after 7am today. They announced their arrival multiple times before entering the home. At one point the officers came under fire. Multiple officers returned fire and the officers retreated to outside of the residence. At 10:47am after several hours of negotiations, Mr. Holmberg was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to North Memorial Health Hospital where he continues to be treated but it is unknown the extent of his injuries. The involved agencies have requested that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Force Investigations Unit conduct an independent investigation of the incident.
--A teenager was hurt in a single-vehicle crash in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just after 8pm Wednesday on Interstate 94 near Melrose. 18-year-old Makayala Preusser of Watkins was traveling west when her vehicle went off the road. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--The Minnesota State Patrol says three people were hurt about 1pm when the vehicles they were in collided. An SUV driven by 73-year old Bonnie Bieniek of Little Falls was going East on Highway 10 when it collided with an SUV at the intersection of County Road 11 that was traveling North. The Northbound SUV was driven by 33-year old Zachery Nording of Monticello, who was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Bonnie Bieniek and her passenger, 77-year old Victor Bieniek were also both taken to St. Cloud Hospital what the State Patrol said were non-life threatening injuries.
--Flags are to be flown at half staff to honor victims in Israel. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has ordered all Minnesota and United States flags to be flown at half staff immediately and through sunset on Saturday in remembrance, and to mourn the Israeli's harmed by Hamas attacks. St. Cloud will join the Transportation Department by lighting the water tower and Lincoln Statue. Businesses, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to lower their flags.
--Lots of weekend events a Trunk or Treat tonight at the Morrison County Fairgrounds and due to the rain it will be inside the barns, where you can help donate to area schools. The Carbles Tournament for the Morrison County United Way is tonight beginning at 6pm at the Sobieski Community Center, the Fall Fling tonight with music, dessert and auction of items is at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls at 7pm, Royalton FFA is hosting a chili cookoff tonight at 6:30pm prior to the Royalton football game, the annual Salon put on by local artist Charles Kapsner is tonight 6-9pm at Great River Arts which is a free event, the Darling Cemetery cleanup Saturday morning, Steak and Wine event with large auction is Saturday night at Frosty's in Pierz, Heartland Symphony Orchestra performs Shall We Dance at 7:30pm Saturday at Little Falls Community High School then Sunday at 2:30pm at Center for the Arts in Brainerd. Holy Family School in Albany has their fall festival starting at 3pm Saturday. Little Falls Senior Center has their 39th Anniversary event and breakfast on Sunday starting at 8am with items through the morning Sunday. Get more details on events at fallsradio.com or on the Facebook page.
–A North Dakota woman missing for months could be in the Stearns County area. Jonett Wanner was last seen on July 11th when she logged out of work at her home in West Fargo. On August 12th, a Stearns County Deputy randomly ran the 50-year-old woman’s plate. The grey 2017 Nissan Rogue with North Dakota plate 261-AXY was not stopped, and the plate information wasn’t immediately available. She could be traveling with her dog, a Chihuahua Terrier mix named Scooby. The family says she sometimes frequents Sauk Lake near Sauk Centre. If you have any information about Wanner’s whereabouts, please call the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office at 320-259-3700 or the West Fargo Police Department at 701-515-5500.
--Members of the Darling Church Memorial Incorporated spoke on KLTF Party Line yesterday and spoke on a Darling Church Memorial Event on October 21st at 1pm at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls. Social at 1pm the Bill Johnson performs and explains the meaning of the Darling Church Music CD at 2pm. There will be coffee and snacks, photos and displays of the Darling Church and what is being done on the memorial for the church and the cemetery in Darling. CD's can be purchased for $10 to help with work on the church site or the cemetery. Questions call Earl at 320-217-8612.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Adam and Teegan McAlister of Little Falls, a baby girl on 10-10.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dennis W. Meyer, age 79 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain likely, could be 1 inch or more, gusty winds, high 47.
TONIGHT= rain likely, gusty winds, low near 40.
SATURDAY= rain early, then cloudy and breezy, high 50, low 38.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, less windy, high 55, low near 35.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high near 53, low near 37.
SPORTS
HS FB= Little Falls at Detroit Lakes tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Montevideo at Pierz tonight 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
NFL= Vikings are at Chicago on Sunday at noon.