NEWS
–Another Air Quality Alert has been issued until 6pm tonight for most of northern and central Minnesota. Fine particles in the air from pollution and haze and smoke from wildfires from western part of Canada are to blame with the poor air quality today. Again those with breathing or health issues related to the air could have issues today.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen stated Saturday that the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was privileged to assist and support the Fargo Police Department today in Pequot Lakes, while honoring Officer Jake Wallin. The impact of this tragedy has tugged on all of our hearts and his legacy will never be forgotten. We continue to pray for everyone impacted by this event, to include Fargo Police Officer Andrew Dotus and Tyler Hawes, who were critically injured. We ask that you pray for the families, friends and colleagues impacted by this tragedy. We can’t thank you enough for supporting our law enforcement. Also the Motley Police Department along with Firefighters from the Motley Fire Department and the Scandia Valley Fire Department and more individuals paid their respects to fallen Fargo Officer Jake Wallin as his procession traveled through Motley Saturday morning on their way to Pequot Lakes for his funeral. Motley police wanted to thank all of those who attended and all of you who are keeping his family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers. It was wonderful to see the support of our community given to this fallen officer.
--A Stearns County judge has sentenced a St. Cloud man to 30 years in prison for raping a young girl multiple times over the years. A jury found 37-year-old Jairo Fernandez Sorto guilty of three counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct in April. The girl told authorities the abuse happened dating back to 2016 when she was just eight years-old. The abuse came to light when the 14-year-old victim told a teacher about it. The girl said Fernandez Sorto would rape her about three times a week. She also said he bought her the morning-after pill on two different occasions because he was worried she might be pregnant. Fernandez-Sorto gets credit for already serving 281 days.
--A Michigan man who pleaded guilty to shooting at another driver during a road rage incident near Avon has been sentenced. A Stearns County judge has sentenced 24-year-old Shannon Woods of Inkster, Michigan to a stayed sentence of three years in prison. He must serve 270 days in the county jail in staggered 90-day terms. Woods pleaded guilty to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon in April. The incident happened on Interstate 94 between St. Joseph and Avon last September. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says a caller told them another driver fired a gun at his vehicle, striking him in the nose. Woods was found and arrested near the Melrose exit.
--A 32-year-old Brainerd man faces felony assault charges after allegedly threatening several people with a hatchet. Alex Waed Coleman was charged Thursday in Crow Wing County District Court with two counts of felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of felony threats of violence and one count of misdemeanor obstructing the legal process. Coleman is being held in the Crow Wing County Jail on $60,000 bond or bail with no conditions. According to state court records, since 2012 Coleman has convictions for felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, three counts of felony fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, felony theft of a motor vehicle, felony theft of a firearm, felony possession of a firearm and felony third-degree burglary.
--Maintenance employees will be replacing culverts on County Road 275 north of Harding. This will include daily road closures from starting today through Thursday. Please use caution around work crews, flashing lights and obey signing and flaggers.
--The Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud has issued a statement following a fire at a church Tuesday afternoon. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office says fire crews were called to St. Edwards Catholic Church in Elmdale at about 5:40 for a report of smoke coming from the rear of the building. The Upsala and Bowlus Fire Departments worked to keep the flames from spreading throughout the church building. Bishop Patrick Neary says, “I was sorry to learn of the fire that occurred in the sacristy of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Elmdale on Tuesday. Thankfully, the fire damage was limited to the church sacristy, although the church interior did experience smoke damage. The fire was apparently set intentionally and is under investigation by the authorities. Our prayers are with the pastor, Fr. Jimmy Joseph, and the parishioners of St. Edward’s. On behalf of the Diocese of St. Cloud, I’m grateful to Fr. Jimmy Joseph and the first responders for managing this situation so well.” A 12-year-old boy is being investigated in connection to the blaze.
--A busy Tuesday with events tomorrow including Log Jam 7 at Maple Island Park a free concert with comedy and music starts at 6pm in Little Falls. Also the Circus comes to Pierz sponsored by the Pierz Area Commercial Club with shows at 5pm and 7:30pm at the school in Pierz with Tent raising at 9:30am and midway starts at 4pm on Tuesday get event info by going to fallsradio.com on the calendar.
NATIONAL NEWS
--The federal judge overseeing the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump has decided the criminal trial will begin May 20, 2024, in Fort Pierce, Florida.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Singer Tony Bennett has died at age 96. Bennett served in the military during World War II and started his music career with break out hits likes Rags to Riches in 1951 and his #1 hit I left my heart in San Francisco in 1962. He got a big surge comeback in the 2010s after teaming with Lady Gaga on a number of classic songs. Bennett died from complications from Alzheimer's Disease on Friday.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 87, slight chance of PM thunderstorm.
TONIGHT= early storm possible, then clearing, low 62.
TUESDAY= sunny and hot, high 92, storms late, low 66.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and very hot, high 98, low around 72.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins belt out 4 homers on Friday to beat Chicago at Target Field 9-4. Twins take the lead in the 7th inning Saturday and hold on to win 3-2 over Chicago. Ryan Jeffers gets the game winning hit in the bottom of the 12th yesterday to win 5-4 over White Sox and get the 3 game sweep. Twins open series tonight at home against the Seattle Mariners who they split a 4 game road series with last week. Pregame begins at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
VL= check out the Victory League playoff scores by going to the Victory League site at fallsradio.com click on sports tab.