NEWS --A 52-year-old Cushing man died Thursday when he fell out of a tree. Crow Wing County Deputies stated that the accident happened around 4:20pm on East Pinewood Point in Nisswa. The man later identified as Dennis “R.J” Orozco was part of a tree company when he fell and lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful by law enforcement.
--Little Falls Police and Morrison County Sheriff's Deputies are participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics again this year. Runners, walkers, bicyclists and roller bladers are welcome to take part in the event that on Wednesday. Meet in the parking lot at the Tractor Supply in Little Falls at 7:30am. Participants will start near Fort Ripley and continue down Highway 10 south to finish in Royalton in a relay style event so participants will not be expected to complete the entire route. There is a $25 participation fee, $15 will go towards your t-shirt and $10 will go towards a donation to Special Olympics. Food will be provided at the end of the event for all participants. For information contact officer Josh Andrea at the Little Falls Police Department at 616-5570.
--The State Patrol is asking for help locating a possible witness to a hit-and-run crash Friday night that killed 10-year-old Caylin Donovan of Lake Park in Aitkin County. The girl was hit just before 8:00pm while walking on Highway 18 near Mille Lacs Lake. Investigators would like to talk to the driver of a white Ford pickup pulling a white fifth-wheel camper with black trim who was in the area and may have witnessed the crash. Anyone with information about the incident should contact State Patrol Lt. Adam Fulton at 218-316-3025.
--A St. Cloud woman has been charged with one count of third-degree murder after being accused of providing Fentanyl to a man who overdosed on the drug. 35-year old Amy Wanda Lauer is expected to make her first court appearance Monday. She is accused of giving Fentanyl patches to 33-year old Ryan Stirling Boen, who died from a toxic level of the synthetic narcotic. When questioned by police, Lauer admitted giving the Fentanyl patches to Boen the day he was released from detox. She also admitted providing Boen with Fentanyl on prior occasions. Investigators searched Lauer's phone and found numerous communications related to selling Xanax, Fentanyl, Percocet, and other prescription medications.
--A fatal head-on collision occurred 3:30am Friday. 20-year-old Shanna Dahlen of Milaca was on 23 when she crossed the center-line and struck a semi-truck head on. Dahlen was dead at the scene. The semi driver 61-year-old William Jones of Oglivie had non serious injuries. The crash closed parts of Highway 23 in the area for several hours while the crash scene was cleared by authorities.
--Two trucks collided Thursday afternoon on Highway 18 east of Brainerd. The State Patrol stated that 91-year-old Frank Robinson of Isle was stopped on the westbound shoulder when he began to turn left onto the highway and was struck broadside by 55-year-old Ellen Mailhot of Crosby. Mailhot received non-life threatening injuries in the accident but was not transported to the hospital. Robinson received serious injuries and was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital.
--A Nisswa bicyclist was injured Thursday morning when his bike was struck by a vehicle on County Road 18 near Nisswa. 44-year-old Sean Kaneski of Pequot Lakes was driving in a roundabout when he collided with the bicycle driven by 72-year-old Charles Alsop. Alsop was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
--Due to water main construction, water will be turned off tomorrow from approximately 8:00am until approximately 5:00pm (weather permitting) on 1st Avenue Northwest from 3rd Street to 6th Street and on 4th Street NW from West Broadway (Trunk Highway 27) to 2nd Avenue. This is in addition to a water shutoff scheduled today from approximately 8am to 5pm on West Broadway (trunk Highway 27) from 3rd Street West to 7th Street West and also 4th Street Southwest from West Broadway (trunk Highway 27) to 1st Avenue Southwest. Questions can be directed to to Little Falls City Hall 616-5500. Every effort will be made to complete the project as quickly as possible. Listen to Little Falls Radio for updates if weather cancels.
--Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7:00pm. Agenda items include a public hearing at 6:00pm on Pierz Economic Development and loan policies then the regular meeting at 7:00pm with Oktoberfest permit requests, air system for senior center and an industrial part lot request. They will also hear from city agencies on their reports.
--Five people were hurt Friday when their vehicle rolled in a ditch on Highway 27 in Mille Lacs County. Around 5:30pm 46-year-old Corina Moose of Isle was traveling on 27 veered off the road and rolled. She along with four passengers, including a 10 and 9 year old child were all taken to the hospital with reportedly non life threatening injuries.
--A one vehicle accident Thursday afternoon on Highway 371 resulted in one person being injured. 79-year-old Patricia Anderson of Crosslake went off the road and rolled in the median. Anderson was taken to the Brainerd hospital for her injuries.
DEATH NOTICES --Georgia R. Johannes, age 90 of Little Falls. --Evangeline “Van” Rynning, age 86 of Pierz. --Dennis “R.J.” Orozco, age 52 of Cushing. --Garold “Griffy” Winscher, age 68 of Pierz. --Florence M. Freudenrich, age 86 of Little Falls. --Richard Meyer, age 87 of Pierz.
WEATHER TODAY= decreasing clouds, high 78. partly cloudy night, low 55. TUESDAY= morning sun, PM storms, heavy late, high 73, low 58. WEDNESDAY= storms early, then clearing, high near 70.
SPORTS HS BAB= Little Falls was seeded 4th in Class AAA and will face #5 seed Rocori Thursday at 12:30 at Siebert Field in Minneapolis. Pierz got the #3 seed in Class AA and will face Paynesville Area Thursday around 5:30pm at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud. Hear the Flyers game Thursday on AM960 KLTF and the Pierz game on FM94 KFML. TWINS= Boston beat Twins 8-1 Friday & 15-4 Saturday. Twins win on walk off home run by Max Kepler in the bottom of the 10th Sunday 7-4 over Red Sox. Twins at Anaheim tonight 8:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. LYNX= Lynx beat Atlanta 110-78 Friday, and Washington 83-76 on Saturday- The Lynx are now 10-0 on the WNBA season. HOCKEY= The man known as Mr. Hockey who played over 35 years in pro hockey, Gordie Howe died on Friday at age 88.
THE DAM FESTIVAL MEDALLION HUNT BY MID MINNESOTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BEGINS TODAY. LISTEN FOR THE CLUES AT 8:25AM DAILY ON LITTLE FALLS RADIO.