NEWS
--A Rice man faces a felony assault charge after allegedly brandishing a gun during an argument with his girlfriend. The Benton County Sheriff's Office was called to a home in the 11000 block of Highway 10 Northwest in Watab Township just after 3:30am Tuesday. A witness called 911 to report an assault at that location. Deputies arrived to find the suspect, 42-year-old Benjamin Nelson, had left the scene in his pickup. The officers found a female victim at the scene who was shaken and visibly upset. The woman told authorities that Nelson had been calling her phone repeatedly earlier in the day and came home angry and screaming. The witness said she heard Nelson and the victim arguing when Nelson flipped over a bed and then went into the kitchen and grabbed a handgun. She told authorities Nelson cocked the gun and went into the bedroom where the victim was. The sheriff's office found Nelson in Morrison County about an hour later. Court records show Nelson admitted to arguing with the woman grabbing a handgun and showing it to her. He said he did that to show the victim he wasn't suicidal. The victim said she didn't know what Nelson would do because he was screaming and not settling down. Search warrants were used to search Nelson's pickup which turned up two other guns. Police say the gun used during the incident was ultimately found inside the home.
--A Chisago County woman will serve 21 months in federal prison and pay one-point-seven million dollars in restitution for her role in multiple schemes from 2017 through April 2022. Prosecutors say 70-year-old Gayle Ferngren of Rush City was part of a scheme to launder proceeds that were fraudulently obtained from victims including the proceeds of romance fraud scams and schemes to defraud Federal Pandemic Assistance Programs. Fergren admitted to receiving at least 68 debit cards containing one-point-three-million dollars in fraudulent unemployment benefits from California and Nevada. She pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.
--The Anoka County Sheriff's Office is reminding everyone that ice on some Minnesota lakes and ponds is not thick enough to walk on Officers say two ice fishermen and a dog fell through the ice and were unable to get to shore Sunday afternoon in Nowthen. A passerby was able to push a canoe out to them after they had been in the water for an extended period. The two men were showing signs of hypothermia and a deputy and first responders rescued them from the water. They were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
--The official in charge of Minnesota’s elections spent time in the classroom on a trip to St. Cloud Friday. Director of community engagement and communications for St. Cloud Area School District Tami DeLand stated that Secretary of State Steve Simon’s visited Apollo and Tech High Schools on Friday. DeLand said that a big reason was that students he would be meeting with students that are in their government and US history classes at both Apollo and Tech. Some of them are general sections, and some of them are advanced placement. Many of the students are juniors and seniors. Minnesota passed new legislation in 2023 that allows 16 and 17 year olds to preregister to vote but still their registration takes effect on their 18th birthday to legally vote if that comes before the 2024 elections.
--Pierz Freedom Fest announced their lineup for July 20th, 2024 as Chase Rice, Phil Vassar, Lauren Watkins and Mason Dixon Line. Tickets are available at pierzfreedomfest.com or as some special locations around the city of Pierz already for the event.
--Little Falls Radio was informed Friday night of the passing of William (Bill) G. Hubbard who died Tuesday at age 81. Bill was a longtime educator in Little Falls of accounting and business administration for 35 years. Bill also founded the Wrestling Program at Little Falls Community High School, along with coaching football and girls golf. As per Bill Hubbard's wishes there will be no funeral service.
--A 19-year-old from Bowlus was struck by a vehicle in St. Cloud Sunday morning. The State Patrol said that 32-year-old Matthew Riekena of St. Cloud was traveling on Highway 23 at Lincoln Avenue Southeast when he struck a pedestrian walking across the roadway. The pedestrian identified as Shawn Kimmons of Bowlus sustained life threatening injuries and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital.
--Two people were hurt last Friday night in a crash near Gillman. The Minnesota State Patrol says at about 11pm a pickup driven by 36-year-old Evan Anderson of Hastings was going south on Golden Spike Road, and a car driven by 19-year-old Amanda Lewandowski of Foley was going south on Highway 25 when they collided in the intersection. Both Anderson and Lewandowski were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--Slippery roads Saturday into Sunday led to over 200 accidents on Minnesota roadways, 100 spin outs, at least 3 fatalities in northeastern Minnesota, just another reminder than we have not had a lot of wintry weather this year, but when it happens to use caution.
--Another scam is being reported by central Minnesota law enforcement. The most recent reported is that an email is being sent out stating a call or message saying your computer is infected and you must call the Federal Trade Commission immediately or all your items will be lost and your computer could be incriminated from items found on your hard drive. This is a scam. Do not call the number that is given where the number leads to questions that could be used against you from financial and personal losses. The sheriff's office said to got call or reply to the email if you given information that says call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 reportedly a fake number and also the email reportfraud@ftc.gov is a phony email. If you have concerns contact your local law enforcement or bank to make sure that nothing was taken from your accounts from these scams.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“Love Story” actor Ryan O'Neal has died age 82. O'Neal appeared in many movies in the 1970s and is also known for his real life love affair that he shared with Farrah Fawcett from 1979-1997.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, high 32.
TONIGHT= clearing overnight, becoming breezy, low 10.
TUESDAY= sunny and colder, windy, high 23, low near 12.
WEDNESDAY= partly cloudy and warmer, high 36, low near 25.
SPORTS
NFL= a 4th quarter field goal is all the offense if yesterday's game as the Vikings beat Las Vegas 3-0. Vikings improve to 7-6. Nick Mullens replaced Josh Dobbs late to lead the Vikings to their only points. Justin Jefferson returned only to be injured in the chest in the first half and did not return to the game for Minnesota. The Vikings take on Cincinnati Saturday at noon on AM960 KLTF.
HS= check out the local broadcast schedule at fallsradio.com.