NEWS
--A semi driver was hurt when his rig went into the ditch and rolled. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 11:30am Wednesday on Highway 24 in Forest City Township in Meeker County. Forty-one-year-old Todd Gerwing of Little Falls was taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office are helping Todd County identify a person of interest in a possible burglary. Picutres of the individual is on the sheriff's office Facebook page.
--34-year-old James Cody Whittenton of Richfield, was arrested on one count of possession of ammo or a firearm - conviction or adjudicated delinquent for crime of violence; one count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle; and one count of receiving stolen property. According to the criminal complaint, on November 11th a person who resides in Cold Spring allegedly reported to the Cold Spring Police Department that their vehicle had been stolen. The victim allegedly reported that the suspect was Whittenton, whom they had allowed to stay at their apartment before he allegedly took their keys and stole a vehicle. On December 1st, a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol was on routine patrol on Highway 371 in Morrison County when he allegedly observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The sergeant allegedly clocked the suspect vehicle traveling 82 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone. The patrol officer allegedly activated his squad car’s emergency lights and the vehicle pulled over to the shoulder, but when the sergeant parked his vehicle, the driver allegedly sped away. The sergeant engaged in a pursuit of the suspect vehicle, which was allegedly now traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The chase allegedly continued north into Crow Wing County, as multiple agencies were now involved. Law enforcement deployed stop sticks on the highway and the chase ended when another trooper executed a PIT maneuver. Troopers allegedly identified the driver as Whittenton, and that he was allegedly driving the vehicle that had been reported stolen in Cold Spring. Whittenton allegedly did not have a valid driver’s license and had several warrants out for his arrest. During a search of the vehicle, Whittenton was allegedly discovered to be in possession of a .45-caliber handgun and a .45-caliber ammo box. A State Patrol trooper allegedly took Whittenton to the Aitkin County Jail on one of his warrants. Whittenton allegedly admitted that he “played with the gun a little bit” that morning. He allegedly admitted he knew there was a box of ammo in the vehicle. When he was asked whose car he was driving, Whittenton allegedly told law enforcement he “had no idea.” He allegedly claimed he got it from “a buddy down in the cities,” Whittenton allegedly told officers that the “buddy” told him the vehicle “might be hot,” meaning it might be stolen. Whittenton’s criminal history shows multiple prior convictions. He had been convicted of fifth-degree posession of a controlled substand in 2018, which is considered a “crime of violence” which makes him ineligible to possess firearms or ammunition. If convicted, Whittenton faces up to 23 years imprisonment and/or up to $45,000 in fines.
--The City of Little Falls announced they will be open December 31st from 8am-noon, a change from their earlier from their website. Also recycling will be picked up on Wednesday instead of Thursday this week, so have recycling out on Wednesday this week.
--Staples Motley Schools announced they will be going back to full in-person learning starting January 11th.
--Pine Grove Zoo in Little Falls is taking applications for zoo keeping interns for the 2021 season. Interns gain knowledge and experience with all of Pine Grove Zoo’s animal family, not just certain species. Internships allow individuals to learn and discover things about all areas of the Zoo, which can guide students in deciding which part of this field interests them more. Pine Grove Zoo has received high ratings from interns that have been part of the Pine Grove Zoo Team, while some even continue as paid staff during the season. Pine Grove Zoo’s mission is to promote environmental conservation and aid in the creation of a superior zoological park through fundraising and educational activities. Guests are encouraged to explore, encounter and rediscover the wonders of the wild. In addition to zoo keeping internships, Pine Grove Zoo is also offering education and photography internships as well. Those interested in an internship and who are currently attending a post-secondary school or college, contact Pine Grove Zoo at (320) 616-5595.
--Thursday Report 1917 new cases, 79 new deaths 1 in Morrison of a person in their 90s and 3 new cases of COVID on Thursday. No Report on Friday due to Christmas Day. Saturday it was reported 2,190 new cases and 57 new deaths linked to the virus. Morrison County reported 15 new cases on their Saturday report. Sunday showed 2,534 new cases, 40 new deaths. Morrison County 7 cases.
--Governor Tim Walz Wednesday authorized the Minnesota National Guard to provide emergency services for motorists left stranded by the strong winter storm that pounded the state last week. The National Guard has been activated in Renville and Martin counties already, and will be available in other parts of the state if needed. The National Guard announced it is opening its armories in Olivia and Fairmont to provide shelter for stranded motorists in southern Minnesota. The Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management organization said in a Facebook post that the National Guard will use its small unit support vehicles (SUSV) to help rescue any stranded motorists in the Martin County area.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall, a public hearing is scheduled on zoning codes for the city of Pierz.
DEATH NOTICES
--Arthur “Art” R. Durene, age 88 formerly of Holdingford.
--Stanley Torkkola, age 82 of Little Falls.
--Richard Posch, age 68 of Bowlus.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning flurries then partly sunny, high 16.
TONIGHT= clear skies, lows around -6, wind chills near -20.
TUESDAY= increasing clouds, snow after 3pm, high 18.
TUES NIGHT= snow likely, 2-5 inches by morning, low 17.
WEDNESDAY= snow early, another inch, then clearing, temps drop.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushes for 6 touchdowns tying a record set back in the 1920s as the Saints beat up the Vikings 52-33. The Saints win the NFC South now at 11-4, Vikings are now 6-9 and wrap up the regular season Sunday at Detroit against the Lions. Green Bay beat Tennessee to stay on top of the NFC playoff picture, Tampa Bay beat Detroit, Chicago wins big.
GOPHERS= Gopher men get a big win 102-95 in overtime over #4 Iowa Friday night, Gopher men at 8-1 have Michigan State tonight.