NEWS
--A 43-year-old from Sauk Rapids was seriously injured in an accident Thursday at 5:43pm on Highway 27 in Bruce Township of Todd County at the Todd/Morrison County line. A semi-truck driven by 50-year-old Eric Fochler of Royalton and a Yukon driven by 43-year old Justin Trueblood of Sauk Rapids were each heading east on Highway 27. The semi was turning off of Highway 27 onto County Road 31 as Trueblood attempted to pass the semi and he collided with the semi causing his vehicle to enter the ditch and roll. Trueblood was wearing his seatbelt but was ejected from the crash. Trueblood was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with reported life threatening injuries. Fochler was not hurt in the crash.
--A one-vehicle accident Saturday morning sent one person to the hospital. Around 6:45am, 42-year-old Mark Pipenhagen, of Little Falls was on Highway 27 east of Lastrup in Granite Township when he went off the road, struck a guardrail, rolled in the ditch casuing Pipenhagen to be ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt. Pipenhagen was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of serious but ruled non life threatening injuries. Pierz Firefighters and Hillman First Responders aided at the crash site.
--On Friday the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force conducted a search warrant in the 300 block of Park Meadows Drive, in Waite Park. Several months ago, investigators from the Task Force received information that 31-year old Jacob William Curtis Peterson from Waite Park was suspected of distributing cocaine throughout Central Minnesota. Investigators were able to purchase suspected cocaine from Peterson during undercover buys. Investigators then learned that Peterson was suspected of storing large amounts of cocaine at his residence. Investigators applied and were issued a search warrant for Peterson’s residence. On Friday, investigators executed the search warrant on Peterson’s residence. Inside the residence, investigators located Peterson, a female identified as 27-year old Ariadne Gabrielle Snyder of Waite Park, along with a toddler. Investigators also located approximately 160.9 grams of suspected cocaine, scales, and other items believed to be associated with the distribution of controlled substances. Peterson was transported to Stearns County Jail where he is being held on 1st degree possession of controlled substance charges and 2nd degree sale of controlled substances. Snyder was not taken to jail but will have long form charges for 2nd degree sale of controlled substances. The toddler was placed with an adult relative with the assistance of Stearns County Human services.
--About 200 demonstrators including actress Marisa Tomei rallied against the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project Thursday, at the Shell City Campground near Menahga. The river is set to have three to five drilling sites where clams and manoomin, or wild rice, are abundant. These are some of the very aspects the group gathered to protect as portions of the 1855 treaty territory, event organizers said. The water and land have been harvested for thousands of years as a “sustainable economy,” according to Winona LaDuke, Honor the Earth executive director. Actress Marisa Tomei calls on President Joe Biden and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy to revoke the Line 3 pipeline permits. She also stated that a comprehensive review of how tribal treaty rights as well as the water, land, air and climate will be impacted. Speakers Thursday also called on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to stop the project.
--On Saturday afternoon at 4:35pm the Little Falls Fire Department and MN DNR were dispatched to 120th St just west of 87th Ave in Pike Creek Township on a reported meadow fire. Upon arrival we found a large hay field along with numerous round hay bales burning. The fire was actively spreading. The DNR requested air resources along with additional track vehicles to assist with extinguishing the fire. We also requested assistance from Flensburg Fire Department. Firefighters were on scene until close to 10pm. The cause of the fire is believed to be from a mechanical issue with the baler.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office in the past two weeks have been notified of mailboxes damaged on Dove Road near Randall, a number of theft reports of items left in most cases taken from unlocked sheds or vehicles or bikes that were left unattended. Two businesses around the July 4th weekend reported gas drive offs and a church in Hillman on 213th Street reported a possible break in where items around the church were busted up including a bird bath and bench. Anyone with information on suspicious activity should call the sheriff's office in Morrison County at 320-632-9233. The Little Falls Police Department in the past weeks dealt with a number of domestic calls and thefts and frauds were call called into the police department. They can be reached at 616-5570 if you have information in the city of Little Falls or see suspicious activity.
--Organizers at the Ag Learning Center at the Morrison County Fair will once again offer the friendly competition of the “Big Round Bale Decorating Contest” during the Morrison County Fair July 29th-31st. Brenda Rudolph will lead the Ag Learning Center and contest this year. In 2018, about 20 bales were decorated for the competition. More than 1,000 people cast their votes. Anyone who would like to decorate a bale can call Rudolph at (320) 360-9485 by this Friday or message the Morrison County Ag Learning Center on Facebook.
--Governor Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today on July 19th, 2021 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesotans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.
DEATH NOTICES
--James Switters, age 33 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, hazy conditions, high 92.
TONIGHT= clear night, hazy conditions, low 63.
TUESDAY= sunny skies early, PM storms possible, high 90, low 60.
WEDNESDAY= early shower, then sunny and hot, high 93, low 66.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins were rained out for both games on Friday and played two on Saturday. Detroit won Game 1 Saturday 1-0 and won on a walk off hit 5-4 in 8 innings to take both games of the double header. Detroit gets the sweep shutting out the Twins 7-0 on Sunday. The other game rained out from Friday will be made up on August 30th in Detroit. Twins open a series with the Chicago White Sox starting with a double-header today, pregame at 3:30pm on Q92
VL= The Victory League regular season has wrapped up. Victory League Playoffs begin Saturday. There will be playoff game both Saturday and Sunday this weekend on AM960 KLTF.