NEWS --The Morrison County Sheriff ‘s Office responded Thursday morning just after 7:30am to a one vehicle accident with injuries on Nature Road, approximately 2 miles west of Highway 25, in Buckman Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 24-year old Mark Gillitzer of St. Cloud was traveling east on Nature Road when he left the roadway and hit a driveway approach. The vehicle went airborne and rolled, coming to a final rest against some trees. Gillitzer, along with two passengers, 30-year old James Maldonardo of Bowlus and 28-year old Amanda Rockenbach of Sauk Rapids were transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with unknown injuries.
--A St. Cloud man is being held on $150,000 bail after he allegedly stabbed a 17-year old girl at Walmart Thursday night. Twenty-nine-year old Christian De Beche is charged with 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon. According to the criminal complaint, the victim and her mother were shopping at the St. Cloud Walmart store at around 7:30pm and noticed a man who appeared to be following them throughout the store. The mother told police that just prior to the stabbing, the man was standing next to them. She testified she heard a noise and looked over to see the man appear to be choking her daughter. She then realized her daughter was stabbed as she fell to the ground. Security arrived and detained De Beche who records show made statements consistent with “I did it,” “I’m guilty,” and “Arrest me”. Police arrived to find the girl lying in an aisle in a pool of blood with a stab would to her back and shoulder area and a three-inch folding knife nearby. The girl told police she doesn’t know the man and he didn’t make any comments prior to the attack. De Beche did not provide any statements before being arrested. He has another court hearing scheduled for May 1st.
--The 24th annual Morrison County Sheriff's Department Sandbox Fill will be held on Tuesday, May 11th. Anyone within a three mile radius of Bank Square in downtown Little Falls may have a sandbox filled. All that is required is a donation to the food shelf. Donations can be given at the time of the sandbox fill or left by the sandbox if you are not home. To place your name on the list, call 631-2880 this week on Tuesday or Wednesday or on May 3rd between the hours of 8:30am-12:00pm. If no answer leave your name, address, phone number and where the sandbox is located on the answering machine.
--Sauk Rapids police stated a 51-year old died in a motorcycle accident on Benton Drive at 1st Street South. Just after 4:30pm Friday, witnesses say the man on the cycle veered to the right and struck the curb at the intersection. The man was pronounced dead when authorities arrived on the scene. The man's name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
--A Flood Warning is in effect through Wednesday for the Mississippi River in eastern Crow Wing and Aitkin County. The waters are expected to subside by Wednesday depending on the rainfall this week. The river is also at 9 feet currently at Fort Ripley in northern Morrison and southern Crow Wing County which is below flood stage for now. No warning has been issued in that area yet.
--As part of the utility construction project, water will be shut off in Little Falls on 4th Avenue Southeast from 6th to 7th Street today from approximately 8:00am until approximately 3:00pm.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall. Also a City Property Planning Committee meeting is set for 6pm tonight.
--The Minnesota State Patrol responded to a two-vehicle accident in Motley Saturday morning at the intersection of Highways 10 and 210. Around 11:20am, 53-year old Barbara Fleischer of Andover was on Highway 10 with the green light at the intersection when she was struck broadside from an eastbound vehicle driven by 18-year old Jonathon Fairchild of Aitkin. Fleischer and her 2 passengers, 55-year old Anne-Marie and 80-year-old Frederich Fleischer all sustained injuries and were taken to the Staples Hospital for treatment. Fairchild and his 16-year old passenger were not injured.
--The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office wants to thank all involved in finding a missing Breezy Point man Saturday. 75-year-old Gary Davis was reported missing by his wife early Saturday morning. He had left his residence and called from Crosby around 5:00pm Friday but had not been heard from since. Davis recently was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and did not have a cell phone. The Sheriff's Office said that within a few hours after the first report was sent out, Davis was located safe in Beltrami County and his family was contacted. Again the sheriff's office thanks all in finding Davis.
--Little Falls Community High School will have Parent/Teacher Conferences on today from 3:45-6:45pm. You will also have the opportunity to purchase Musical Tickets, Prom Grand March Tickets and Activity Banquet Tickets during conference hours.
--A Little Falls author and former book store owner has been named a finalist in the 27th Annual Midwest Book Awards. Midnight River by Laura Hansen has been named a finalist in the 27th Annual Midwest Book Awards in the category of Poetry. Winners will be announced at the Midwest Book Awards Gala to be held on May 12th in Saint Paul. Hansen is putting the finishing touches on a new poetry collection titled Deja Vu. Deja Vu is scheduled to be released by Finishing Line Press in July 2017.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS --Actress Erin Moran, best known for playing Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi, died Saturday at 56.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Michael and Gabrielle Stoner of Little Falls, a boy born April 19th
DEATH NOTICES --Marion Reintjes Gilman, age 87 formerly of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= rain develops in afternoon, windy, high near 60. TONIGHT= rain likely, low around 40. TUESDAY= rain likely, mainly in afternoon, windy, high 51, low 30. WEDNESDAY= rain/snow mix early then cloudy and cool, high 40.
SPORTS WILD= The Wild season ended Saturday after St. Louis scored with 9:42 in overtime to win 4-3 over Wild and won the series 4-1. Wild did trail 3-1 in the 3rd and rallied to send the game to overtime. TWINS= Twins rallied to beat the Tigers Friday 6-3 to end their losing streak. Twins clear the benches, Sano ejected and over 4 hours for a game Saturday but Tigers hold on to win 5-4. Tigers rout Twins Sunday 13-4. Twins travel to Texas tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. HS BAB= Little Falls at Albany Tuesday at 5pm on AM960 KLTF.