NEWS --On Friday in Morrison County District Court Callie Statema was sentenced to 54 months in prison for her role in the overdose death of 23-year old Travis Scherping of Little Falls in 2016. Statema had plead guilty to Murder in the Third Degree on March 30th. Statema, along with Jerad Whitford, admitted going to Minneapolis on June 14th, 2016 with the specific intent to purchase heroin. Statema provided $450 to Whitford for purchase of the heroin. Whitford purchased the heroin from a dealer identified as “Jay.” Whitford then delivered the heroin to Statema who then, in turn, provided the heroin to Scherping in Little Falls that evening. Scherping later died as a result of drug overdose. Whitford plead guilty to Third Degree Murder on Wednesday. Witnesses identified “Jay” as Jason White who was also charged in this case. White’s first trial ended with a hung jury in February. Statema’s attorneys asked Judge Douglas P. Anderson to sentence her to local jail time and probation. Assistant Morrison County Attorney Todd Kosovich asked for 60 months in prison, stating, “She knew full well that distributing heroin can cause death. She admitted she knew that and did it anyway.” Kosovich added after the hearing, “This cycle of people running to the cities, buying heroin, and bringing it back to Little Falls has to stop.”
--Last week the Morrison County Sheriffs Office received a report of a stolen pickup in Randall. The stolen vehicle has been recovered in Swan River Township. The case is still under investigation. The Morrison County Sheriffs Office wishes to thank the public for their assistance in this case.
--According to a facebook post from the Pierz Police Department counterfeit cash is circulating around the Pierz area and eastern Morrison County. While the use of counterfeit cash isn't new, small and large business should still be on the lookout for fakes. Some tips from the Pierz police Department: 1) Always examine the feel of the bill. If it feels extra thick or thin, this can be an easy giveaway. 2) Compare and contrast with another bill. 3) Inspect the print quality of the bills. 4) Analyze the portraits on the bills. If you feel someone is trying to pass counterfeit money, get a description of the suspect along with a vehicle description and call authorities.
--A 66-year old Brainerd man died of an apparent drowning in Gilbert Lake Thursday afternoon. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office received a report of a possible drowning near the Gilbert Lake access just before 4:30pm. Upon arrival, responders learned from witnesses that a person was submerged in the water. Personnel attempted a rescue from shore and found the victim unresponsive in about 8 feet of water. After the man was pulled onto shore, lifesaving measures were immediately implemented. The mas was later pronounced dead at the scene. His name not released pending notification of family.
--A 74-year old from Foreston was injured in a two vehicle accident around 12:45pm on Thursday in Ronneby east of Foley. Joan Knutson turned from Highway 23 and was struck from behind by an SUV driven by 50-year old Jody Eidsvoog of Milaca. Knutson was treated for injuries at an area hospital. There were 7 (including 5 children under 18) in the SUV. None of them were injured.
--The Little Falls Dam Festival kicks off with the medallion hunt from Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union. Listen to Little Falls Radio Q92 WYRQ, FM94 KFML & AM960 KLTF today at 8:25am for the first of the clues. Clues will be posted at MMFCU.org by 9am to see.
--Two from Maryland were injured in Todd County near the Otter Tail county line, just before noon Wednesday when their vehicle collided with a freight truck. 26-year old Tyler Ginevan and 21-year old Dominic Fonseca were both taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The truck driver from Henning was not injured.
--One person was injured early Wednesday when a car and semi-truck collided on Highway 6 in Remer Township of Cass County. Around 7:45am, 34-year old Michael Farrier of Zimmerman and 72-year-old David Henry of Bethel collided. Both drivers were not injured. Henry's passenger 73-year-old Sandra Carlson of Coon Rapids was taken to the Itasca Hospital for treatment of injuries.
--The battle of the bog ended with success this past weekend. After numerous attempts volunteers finally moved the bog on North Long Lake after cutting it into over a dozen pieces and dozens of boats moved the bog away from the Legionville beach used as a summer camp. Unfortunately the timing to remove the bog, ended up canceling the camp for the youngsters at Legionville this year.
--Major traffic slowdowns will be the result of lane closures on I-94 in Monticello. The left lanes of traffic will be closed in each direction beginning today. The lane closures will take place between Highway 18 and Highway 25. The closures will shift traffic to two narrow, temporary driving lanes. The traffic shifts are needed while crews build the new Fallon Avenue bridge that will span I-94 in Monticello. The bridge will reduce congestion in the area and improve safety. The lane closures will be in place until late July.
--A 16-year old boy from Baxter was pinned beneath the all-terrain vehicle he was driving Wednesday on County Road 3 north of Tamarack Lane in Crow Wing County. Jared A. Senger was driving the ATV south in the ditch when the vehicle struck a mound of dirt near a stream. Senger lost control of the ATV, which rolled, pinning him underneath it. Senger was transported to the Brainerd hospital where he was treated for unknown injuries.
WEATHER TODAY= AM sun, storms develop after 3pm, some severe, high 72. TONIGHT= strong/severe storms in evening, clearing late, low 52. TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 73, partly cloudy, stray storm, low 49. WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 79, storms late, low 56.
SPORTS TWINS= Angels score late to beat Twins 4-2 Friday. After 4 hour rain delay, Angels held off Twins Saturday 2-1. Twins battle back to beat Angels 7-5 on Sunday to take 1 of the 3 games. Twins off today. NBA= Golden State sweeps Cleveland to win the NBA Championship once again by winning Game 4 Friday 108-85 in Cleveland. HORSE= Justify wins the Belmont Stakes making the horse the 13th in history to win Horse Racings Triple Crown. The last to accomplish that feat was American Pharoh in 2015, before that Affirmed in 1978. VL= check out Victory League scores and highlights from the this past weekend's games at fallsradio.com then click on Victory League.
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1742= Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin Stove. IN 1898= U.S. Marines enter Cuba to start Spanish/American War. IN 1927= Charles Lindbergh given Distinguished Flying Cross. IN 1936= The Presbyterian Church founded in Philadelphia.