NEWS --Former Albany Police Chief Jason Falconer will not face any criminal charges for shooting and killing a man who stabbed 10 people last month at Crossroads Center mall. The announcement was made Thursday morning at a press conference where videos from inside the mall were shown. Authorities stated they believe this attack was premeditated. Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall said Jason Falconer, the off-duty police officer who fatally shot Adan, was justified in his use of force and will not face charges. The FBI said Dahir Adan grew increasingly interested in Islam and withdrew socially before he stabbed 10 people at Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud on September 17th. FBI Special Agent Rich Thornton stated “One could reasonably conclude his actions were consistent with the philosophies of violent radical Islamic groups".
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that an adult male has been arrested and is in custody for the theft of a truck and an ATV from two separate residences in Pike Creek Township, west of Little Falls. Shortly before 7:00pm on Tuesday the Sheriffs office received a report of a stolen 2010 Polaris ATV from a shed at a residence west of Little Falls. Shortly after that, they also received a theft report of a 2-ton Chevy chipper truck from the same area. On Wednesday, both the chipper truck and the ATV were located, abandoned in separate remote locations. According to the Sheriff’s Office, it is believed the suspect first stole the chipper truck and got it stuck in a remote field. The suspect then abandoned the truck and stole the ATV. During the investigation, Morrison County Deputies were given a photo from a citizen’s trail camera which showed the suspect driving the ATV near the location it was stolen. A witness also came forward and told deputies the suspect stopped at his residence on the stolen ATV and asked for directions. The suspect, 25-year-old Bryce Tschida of Little Falls was identified and later located in Little Falls. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant and probable cause for theft and is being held in the Morrison County Jail pending formal charges.
--A Benton County man was struck and killed by a motorist after falling from his bicycle into the road Wednesday. Shortly after 5:00pm Wednesday the Sauk Rapids Police Department responded to a report of a bicyclist that had been struck by a vehicle in the southbound lane of North Benton Drive, under the Minnesota Highway 15 bridge. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 61-year-old Benton County man had been riding his bike south along the right lane of the road when he fell in the roadway. Vehicles tried to avoid him, but a vehicle driven by a 64-year-old St. Cloud resident struck and killed the fallen bicyclist. The Benton County medical examiner is evaluating the victim to determine if there were any underlying medical issues. Names of both the victim and the driver of the vehicle have not yet been released.
--A 63-year-old Brainerd man was injured when the motorcycle he was operating collided with a vehicle just before 4:00pm Monday on Executive Acres and Crow Wing County Highway 3. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office reported Steven Lund Olson was traveling on a motorcycle westbound on Executive Acres Road when it crossed the centerline while negotiating a curve. The motorcycle then collided into the front drivers side of a vehicle traveling eastbound. Olson was injured and transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. The driver of vehicle, 66-year old Vicky Lynn Laplant of Brainerd, was not hurt.
--On Wednesday in Hopkins, Minnesota, a 15-year old girl was arrested for making terroristic threats via social media using a clown profile. She is currently facing criminal charges for this social media posting. Across our nation in the past few weeks, there have been numerous reports of people dressed as clowns which has heightened fear and concern. Around 6:00pm Wednesday the Little Falls Police Department responded to a report of a person dressed in a clown costume. An investigation is ongoing and it has been determined that there is no threat to the Little Falls community or schools. Students and adults are reminded that disguising yourself to hide your identity in a public place is considered a crime (Halloween is an exception). Little Falls Community Schools and area law enforcement will not tolerate anyone attempting to incite fear or panic by dressing or posting as a clown. They ask parents to remind children about the consequences of inappropriate behavior on social media.
--Reports of menacing clowns have been spreading across the country including St. Cloud State University. The college's Public Safety Department sent out an information message email to staff and students Wednesday after people dressed as clowns were spotted on campus. By the time authorities arrived on scene there was no sign of anyone around. It is seen by some people as a hoax or a joke. Authorities said if you see something suspicious you should contact campus security or St. Cloud police right away. The Safety Department reported there’s nothing illegal for wearing a clown suit, but students taking part in this should know their actions are inappropriate, not welcomed, and dangerous.
--Weekend events include an ATV ride for Camp Ripley/Veterans trail this afternoon in Fort Ripley, Heartland Symphony concerts Saturday and Sunday, Color Run for Little Falls Schools arts program Saturday at Belle Prairie Park, meatball supper in Grey Eagle Saturday night, Bouja at Our Lady of Lourdes on Sunday and many other weekend events can be found at fallsradio.com then community calendar.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Randy and Lori Pekula of Holdingford, boy on October 4th
DEATH NOTICES --Audrey Goldman, age 87 of Onamia.
WEATHER TODAY= increasing clouds, cold and windy, high 46. TONIGHT= frost likely, mostly clear, low 30. SATURDAY= frost early, partly sunny, cool, high 49, low 31. SUNDAY= frost early, then sunny, warmer, high 60, low 47. MONDAY= sunny and mild, high 70, low around 50.
SPORTS HS FB= USA at Royalton tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ it is homecoming for Royalton with a parade scheduled at 5:30pm. HS FB= Paynesville Area at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML it is homecoming tonight for the Pierz Pioneers. HS FB= Little Falls at St. Cloud Cathedral from Husky Stadium tonight with kickoff at 7:45pm on AM960 KLTF. COL FB= Gophers host Iowa Saturday 10am on AM960 KLTF NFL= Vikings host Houston Sunday at noon at U.S. Bank Stadium. WNBA= Lynx host LA Sparks in game 1 of WNBA finals Sunday 2pm.