NEWS --One of two people accused of selling methamphetamine to undercover officers in St. Cloud last fall has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for his role. 29-year old Cory Spiegel of Sartell earlier pleaded guilty to a felony charge of selling 17 grams or more of methamphetamine within a 90-day period and a felony charge of aiding and abetting narcotics sales. A second defendant in the undercover drug buy operation faces six felony drug charges. 26-year old Kayla Derosier of Sauk Rapids has a settlement conference scheduled for April. The two were arrested after a search warrant uncovered more than $3,500 in cash, multiple cell phones, paraphernalia and meth inside a backpack they were carrying.
--Both drivers and a passenger were seriously injured in a two-vehicle, head-on crash at 1:19pm Wednesday on Highway 6 north of Crosby. The Minnesota State Patrol reported a car driven by 66-year old Cosy M. Watschke of Hackensack, was traveling north on Highway 6 as a truck driven by 55-year old Lee A. Johnson of Burnsville was south on 6 when the two vehicles collided head-on. The road conditions were reportedly dry. Watschke was airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital while Johnson and his passenger, 58-year old Francisca B. Johnson of Pequot Lakes were transported to Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby with life-threatening injuries. The state patrol reported the Johnson's were not wearing their seat belts.
--A Hastings man pleaded guilty to a felony charge in a case involving a 2016 hit and run that caused the death of a 10-year old girl in Aitkin County. 45-year old Steven L. Meier changed his plea on a charge of criminal vehicular homicide for leaving the scene of an accident during a hearing Thursday in Aitkin County District Court. His sentencing is set for 1:30pm March 23rd. Meier had originally pleaded not guilty to the two charges in the death of Caylin Donovan, who died after a vehicle struck her near Lake Mille Lacs. Witnesses told authorities that Donovan, who was staying with family at a home near the lake, may have been collecting rocks when she was struck and killed the evening of June 10th, 2016, at the end of the home's driveway along Minnesota Highway 18. DNA matching Donavan's was later found on a boat trailer pulled by a vehicle driven by Meier. Meier was arrested June 20th, 2016, in connection with the crash. A woman, who was traveling with Meier but driving a separate vehicle, told investigators she knew there was a body on the road and she felt horrible for not stopping.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff's Deputy 41-year old Pat Pickar announced he will run for sheriff in the November election. Pickar of Baxter, has been with the sheriff's office for more than 20 years and before that spent seven years with the Crosby Police Department. He currently works part-time as a police officer for the Pequot Lakes Police Department. He is also deputy chief for the Cuyuna Police Department, where he supervises six police officers. Pickar says that his experiences will help him understand there is a greater need in the sheriff's office to serve all the residents of Crow Wing County.
--Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs and his farmer partner from California won the first Land O Lakes Farm Bowl Thursday in Minneapolis. Craig Roerick of Upsala area with partner Luke Kuechly of Carolina Panthers finished 4th. Farm Bowl organizers hope that future Super Bowls will continue this special event. See pictures on the Little Falls Radio Ag facebook page.
--A hit and run suspect from Little Falls ended up in the Stearns County Jail Thursday night after police reported they found methamphetamine on him. At 6:56pm Thursday, officers were dispatched to a hit and run. The suspect fled the scene on foot and a witness was chasing him. The suspect was later apprehended and identified as 37-year old Joshua Charles Keith of Little Falls. Keith was arrested and searched. During the search, officers located 1 gram of a substance in Keith's sock. The substance field tested positive for methamphetamine. Keith admitted it was methamphetamine. Keith was taken into custody on a possible charge of felony fifth-degree drug possession.
--Police are investigating a report of shots fired Thursday night on 32nd Avenue North in St. Cloud. Officers responded to a report of gunshots. When they arrived, officers found several shell casings in the street they believed to be a part of the incident. Police didn't find any property damage or people injured from the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
--One woman was hurt in a two vehicle crash Friday afternoon in Litchfield. Shortly after noon a car driven by 77-year old Eugene Rudolph of Sauk Rapids was heading west on Highway 12 when he went through a red light and hit a pickup heading south on Davis Avenue. Rudolph's passenger, 73-year old Shirley Rudolph of Sauk Rapids was taken to Meeker County Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Eugene Rudolph and the driver of the pick-up, 41-year old Steven Schweim of Litchfield were not hurt.
--The Pierz Area Commercial Club announced their first Outstanding Employee Award winner last week as Judy Riley who works at Red's Auto and Bait. Riley has been with the store pretty much since its inception 20 years ago. If you wish to nominate an Outstanding Award winner from a Pierz business pick up a nomination form from any Pierz Area Commercial Club business.
DEATH NOTICES --Doris L. Rehaume, age 82 of Cushing. --Patricia L. Doble, age 60 of Royalton formerly of Orr.
WEATHER TODAY= partly cloudy, high 13 winds pick up in afternoon. TONIGHT= clear and cold, low -15 wind chills near -30. TUESDAY= partly cloudy, high near 10, snow likely late night WEDNESDAY= snow early, then sunny, high 13, low -10.
SPORTS NFL= Philadelphia shocked New England to win Super Bowl 52 last night in Minneapolis 41-33. The game was an offensive masterpiece with Tom Brady throwing for 505 yards and 3 touchdowns and Nick Foles tossing for 373 yards and also 3 touchdowns. Trey Burton also tossed a touchdown to Foles making him the first quarterback to throw and catch a touchdown in the same Super Bowl game. Nick Foles was the game MVP and the Eagles win their first ever Super Bowl for Philadelphia in their third appearance. NFL= Tom Brady at age 40 is oldest to win league MVP. Also Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss among the names announced as the latest class to be inducted into NFL Hall of Fame in August in Canton, Ohio. Moss in first year to be eligible. HS GBB= Howard Lake Waverly at Pierz tonight 7:15 on FM94.