[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Monday, April 25th 2016[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–The Minnesota Court of Appeals traveled to St. Cloud on Thursday, and one of the cases they heard was the appeal of a man convicted of shooting another man during a drug deal behind the Sartell Sprint store. 25-year old Demetreus McGinnis was convicted February 24th, 2015 of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and witness tampering for the shooting death of Maurice Galvin Jr. The jury found McGinnis not guilty of first-degree murder, a second count of second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The appeal that a three-judge panel heard Thursday focused mainly on what McGinnis’ attorney called inconsistency in the verdicts and improper jury instructions. The three-judge panel took the case under advisement and will issue an opinion later.
–The Pierz City Council meets tonight with a public hearing on the Ronald Avenue Variance at 6:00pm. Their regular council meeting begins at 7pm at city hall.
–The Minnesota Supreme Court granted further review of two issues of the decision of the Court of Appeals to uphold Robin Hensel’s misdemeanor disorderly conduct conviction. Hensel had previously been tried and convicted for disorderly conduct related to a June 7th, 2013 Little Falls City Council meeting at which Hensel moved her chair forward beyond the usual public seating area and refused to move, despite repeated requests from city staff, law enforcement and Council members. Hensel was removed from the meeting by law enforcement and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The Minnesota Supreme Court will review the Appellate Court’s decision on the issue of whether Minnesota Statute 609.72, subdivision 1(2) violate the First Amendment, as its language reaches a wide swath of protected speech is undefined. It will also review whether the district court erred in denying Hensel’s requested jury instructions.
–The University of Minnesota is planning to launch the country’s largest autism research study. The idea is to gather and analyze D-N-A from more than 50 thousand people with autism and their families. The program called SPARK also plans to round up feedback to better develop reach research goal. U of M associate professor Suma Jacob is the leader of the study.
–Motorists on Interstate 94 between St. Cloud and Collegeville should watch for slow or stopped traffic as segments of the road are reduced to a single lane beginning Monday. No lane closures are currently scheduled on westbound I-94 Fridays from 1:00pm-8:00pm, nor on eastbound I-94 Sundays from 10:00am-8:00pm. Also, motorists traveling near the I-94/Highway 15 interchange in St. Cloud, just east of the I-94/Highway 23 interchange, should watch for slow or stopped traffic as eastbound I-94 at Highway 15 is reduced to a single lane now through May 26th. That lane closure is needed while the eastbound I-94 bridge spanning Highway 15 is closed for resurfacing and repairs.
–One person was injured after their vehicle was sideswiped near Maple Lake. A car driven by 33-year old Brendan Mooney of Maple Lake was traveling west on Wright County Road 37 at Minnesota Highway 25. Mooney’s vehicle was sideswiped by a car driven by 25-year old Matthew Holton of Falcon Heights attempting to turn north onto Highway 25. The State Patrol report said a passenger in the vehicle Jock Mooney suffered non life threatening injuries.
–FM94’s Ladies Night Out Little Falls Style is this Thursday at noon.
–A 14-year-old Hillman boy was killed Saturday when his dirt bike collided with a tractor on 173rd Street in Leigh Townhip west of Hillman. Morrison County deputies stated that Damien Hebler was driving westbound on 173rd Street when he struck the back of a tractor driven by 23-year-old Kylee Hoheisel of Hillman. Hebler was deceased when authorities arrived on scene. Hoheisel was not hurt. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office stated the case is still under investigation and the state patrol is assisting.
–The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Lindy Land Program is asking for cards or notes of thanks about first responders and emergency personnel that have helped you or someone you wanted to recognize about their heroic efforts. A picnic is being prepared later this year for all names and responders received by the cards and notes of thanks. Please mail, email or drop off you letters by April 29th to the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls or call for information at 632-5155.
–A Community Health Fair will be held from 10:00am-6:00pm next Monday, May 2nd at the Little Falls Community Middle School. A prescription drug take back event will be on hand. Community members can drop off unused or expired medication for safe disposal at the event on May 2nd. There is also a medication drop off point at the Little Falls Police Department during their regular hours.
–The northbound lanes of Highway 169 north of Milaca between County Road 11 and the Rum River Rest Area is closed as traffic will switch onto narrow, temporary lanes with a reduced speed limit. The lane closures and speed limit reduction will continue through August while crews reconstruct seven miles of northbound Highway 169.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
–It was reported Saturday that the body of Minnesota Rock Star Prince was cremated and a private service was held at his residence and music studio Paisley Park in Chanhassen. An autopsy was performed on Prince before cremation to determine cause of death.
DEATH NOTICES
–Kennth M, Perry Sr. age 52 of Little Falls.
–Kimberly A. Armstrong, age 30 of New York formerly Little Falls.
–Ervin J. Kinzer, age 89 of Pierz formerly of Hillman.
–Kathryn T. Czech, age 64 of Flensburg.
–Earl A. Williamsen, age 85 of Little Falls.
–Adetha Setterlof, age 104 of Onamia.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain likely, high 47 and breezy, over 2 inches rain Sunday.
TONIGHT= showers early, low 37.
TUESDAY= cloudy, possible showers, high 47 low 35.
WEDNESDAY= showers early then partly sunny, high 51, low 34.
SPORTS
TWINS= Washington beat Twins Friday 8-4 then beat then again on Saturday 2-0. Twins blow 2 leads and lose 6-5 in 16 innings Sunday. Twins host Cleveland tonight if weather cooperates, 6:30pm on Q92.
WILD= Mikko Koivu scored in overtime Friday to lift Wild over the Dallas Stars 5-4. Wild battled but came up short Sunday losing 5-4 to Stars in St. Paul. Dallas wins series 4-2.
HS SB= Holdingford at Pierz today at 4:30pm on FM94 KFML.
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