NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported that the US Geological Survey is contracting an airborne geophysical survey in the western part of Morrison County, and that the survey may begin in the next week or two. The airplanes that will by flying low around the county can be seen at the sheriff's office Facebook page. The sheriff's office also stated they are transitioning from white squad cars to black. So look for the new squad cars now black in color around the county.
--Local sheriff's offices posted a scam that surfaced in southern Minnesota and may be making it way into the St. Cloud and central Minnesota Area. The Brown County Sheriff is warning of a heavy machinery scam. Officials say they’ve received reports of a company calling themselves ALT Family Farm selling heavy construction machinery out of a location in Minnesota. The website uses pictures of equipment that does not exist in Brown County. The suspects tell buyers to make payments through wireless transfer and then disappear. Customers who try to look at the equipment in person are unable to make contact with the suspects once they realize they’re being scammed. The Sheriff’s Office is also aware of YouTube videos promoting the website. They’ve received reports from across the United States notifying the office of the scam. If you have noticed scams like this in your area contact your sheriff's department.
--Police are investigating an incident where gunshots were fired in south St. Cloud Wednesday night. The incident happened near the 900 and 1000 block of 11th Avenue South at around 6pm. Police say the preliminary investigation shows that two groups exchanged gunfire with one group firing from a vehicle on University Drive and the second group firing shots from the sidewalk. There are currently no reports of any injuries, but two vehicles that were parked in the area were damaged by the gunfire.
--J. Brad Person, partner in the longstanding Breen & Person law firm in Brainerd, and city attorney for Baxter, Crosslake, and Jenkins and Hill City in Aitkin County, was suspended from practicing law for a minimum of four months. Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson suspended Person in an order issued September 28th after the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility in May filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging Person committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline. Specifically, the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility alleged Person in one matter failed to exhibit the requisite preparedness, thoroughness and legal knowledge required for the representation; assisted a client to engage in conduct that he knew was fraudulent; and made knowingly false and misleading statements in furtherance of that conduct. In another matter, it was alleged Person failed to communicate his rate and expenses to a client before or within a reasonable time after commencing his representation thus calling for the suspension.
--After a cloudy and wet week, the U.S. Drought Monitor only showed slight improvements in the drought conditions in Minnesota. Thursday's update from the U.S. Drought Monitor says eight percent of the state is still in an Extreme Drought, the same as last week which includes central and southern Morrison County south to St. Cloud then expands west of the Twins Cities and southeastern Minnesota. There is also an extreme drought area in northern Cass County. The moderate to severe drought areas still encompass well over 80% of the state. For rain is in the forecast today.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--Events this weekend Grand Opening ceremony tonight 6pm for the Falls Theatre with events both Saturday and Sunday to enjoy also. St. John's Church in Swanville has their craft sale on Saturday at the school's commons area from 9am-3pm. Burtrum Bean Bake is Saturday night at the Burtrum Community Center from 4:30-8pm for $10 baked beans, chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes and pie all homemade and all the proceeds go to help the Moses Dane Cemetery. There will be the Blessing of the Animals Sunday at Washington Playground in Little Falls at noon. Gethsemane Lutheran Church has their spud fest on Sunday from 4:30-7pm come for fully loaded baked potato bar with all the fixings along with salad and homemade bars with proceeds going to their youth group and the painting fund at the church in Upsala. Get details on events by going to fallsradio.com and click on community calendar.
--The Highway 25 Bridge construction project is on track to finish within the next month. Kirk Allen, project manager with the Minnesota Department of Transportation said that he expects the bridge to be open to traffic around Halloween, give or take a day or two, which is in line with the original projections. The $6.4 million project, which began in April, includes replacing the bridge over the railroad tracks between 10th Avenue Northeast and Red Pine Road, resurfacing the road north and south of the bridge, adding right-turn lanes to Red Pine Road and 28th Street East and constructing a pedestrian multi-use trail along the west side of Highway 25 from 10th Avenue Northeast over the new bridge at 28th Street East.
--A Sauk Rapids man who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced. A Benton County judge has given 20-year-old Daniel Nguyen a stayed prison sentence of 12 years after pleading guilty to felony 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was also sentenced to 180 days in the county jail that he must serve. According to the charges, Nguyen was having a sexual relationship with the girl despite knowing she was only 13 years old.
--Royalton High School has their homecoming parade beginning this afternoon at 5:30pm around the schools, tailgate event after and the homecoming game at 7pm against Cathedral. Royalton is asking all alumni to come and take part in the event tonight in Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain showers likely, mostly cloudy, high around 50.
TONIGHT= cloudy and breezy, frost overnight, low 33.
SATURDAY= becoming sunny and cool, high 49, low near 30.
SUNDAY= frost in AM, then sunny, high 54, low near 36.
MONDAY= sunny skies, less windy, high 56, low near 31.
SPORTS
HS FB= KMS at USA in Upsala today 2pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS FB= Pierz at Sauk Centre tonight 7pm on 94ROCKS.
HS FB= Little Falls at Fergus Falls tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
MLB= The first four games of the ALDS will be on Saturday with Texas at Baltimore at noon, Twins at Houston at 3:45pm, Philadelphia at Atlanta at 5pm and Arizona at Los Angeles at 8:20pm. Twins and Houston can be heard live with pregame at 2:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. It was announced that Game 2 Sunday night would be at 7pm first pitch with pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL FB= Gophers vs. Michigan Saturday at 6:30pm.
NFL= Kansas City at the Vikings Sunday 3:25pm.