NEWS
--On Saturday at 2:39am the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 21577 Grouse Road in Green Prairie Township on a reported garage fire. When the fire department arrived, the fire was in the attached garage. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the garage and keep it from spreading to the house. The fire extended up into the attic space, so extensive overhaul was required to extinguish smoldering insulation. There was heat and smoke damage throughout the garage. All the occupants were able to exit the residence before the fire department arrived. There were no injuries to anyone. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
--Sister Julien announced Friday afternoon that there has been an emergency within the Red Cross Staff and they need to cancel this Wednesday at the St. Francis Convent. So the blood drive will only be today from 1-7pm and Tuesday from 12-6pm. If you had an appointment for Wednesday and wish to come in Monday or Tuesday please call Sister Julien at 320-632-0663 or go to redcrossblood.org. The Red Cross is sorry for any inconvenience on this. Sister Julien also stated there will be another blood drive August 22nd and 23rd.
--34-year old, David Hoft of Pierz was charged in Morrison County District Court with a felony count of threats of violence, along with gross misdemeanor charges of obstructing the legal process with force and fifth-degree assault. The charges stem from a June 11 incident when, at about 10:51 pm., an employee at Tiny’s Tavern in Lastrup contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report that there was a patron “causing problems.” The report states that Hoft began making sexual remarks to the female bartenders throughout the evening, prompting them to eventually cut him off due to his level of intoxication. This made him upset, and he allegedly pushed one of the bartenders and went into a cooler to grab a beer for himself. After being told to leave many times he allegedly advised bar staff that they should call the cops and “have them send out their SWAT team. Multiple law enforcement officers responded to the report and discovered that Hoft had left the bar and returned home, located on 285th Avenue. When officers pulled up, they allegedly observed several small children standing in the driveway, who were said to be screaming and crying. A trooper from the Minnesota State Patrol and a deputy from the Sheriff’s Office were standing near the front door attempting to assist. The report states that officers turned around and observed Hoft approaching them from around the back of the home. He was holding an AR-15 rifle. The report states that his girlfriend stepped in between law enforcement officers and tried to get him to stop. According to that complaint, officers drew their weapons and told Holt to set down his rifle. He continued to reach back and officers told him to keep his hands off of his weapon. A sergeant eventually approached and pulled the rifle away from Hoft. Officers attempted to handcuff Hoft but, according to the report, he struggled with them and fought back. He continued to resist and allegedly kicked at the officers. Once officers got him in cuffs, they discovered that he had a handgun in his waistband. Law enforcement was able to secure the weapon and unload a round from the chamber of the rifle and a magazine with ammunition in it. Hoft refused to walk and had to be carried to the squad car. He was transported to the jail, where he allegedly continued to fight with law enforcement officers and correctional staff. The felony threats of violence charge carries a maximum penalty of five years prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Not counting the other charges in case.
--After a very hot Sunday more hot weather today with temps expected in the upper 90s and heat index values over 100 degrees.
--Today is now a Federal Holiday approved last year by the U.S. Government for “Juneteenth”. This means that federal offices are closed today, most banks and financial institutions, post offices, some libraries, schools, businesses and other entities are closed today in observance of this new federal holiday. There is no regular mail delivery today. It was reported that many State offices are closed today but many city and county offices have decided on using this day as a floating holiday, so this is one of the days to call ahead before you venture out today.
--A Sauk Rapids man accused of trying to steal the catalytic converter off of a car at Yellow Cab in St. Cloud has pleaded guilty. 34-year-old Shawn Iees pleaded guilty to felony possession of burglary tools. St. Cloud police were called to the business in the 2600 Block of 7th Street North just before 5:00am on April 23rd. Authorities say Iees was pinned under a vehicle when they arrived. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. Records show authorities found tools at the scene which are commonly used to remove catalytic converters. Police also found a bag containing about 7 grams of meth. Records show Iees told police the methamphetamine was his and he was trying to cut the catalytic converter from the vehicle when it slipped off of the jack and pinned him. No sentencing date has been set.
--68-year-old, Gregory Ulrich, the man who stormed a medical clinic in Minnesota, fatally shot one person and wounded four others was sentenced to a mandatory term of life in prison without parole on Friday. A jury earlier this month found Ulrich guilty of the 11 criminal charges against him, including premeditated first-degree murder for the death of medical assistant Lindsay Overbay.
--A car crash Thursday in St. Cloud sent three t o the hospital. St Cloud Police were sent to the corner of 11th Street Southeast and 12th Avenue Southeast on reports of a two-vehicle crash. Officials say a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Makayah Lee Neeley of St. Cloud ran a stop sign and hit another vehicle driven by 62-year-old John Delante Smith from St. Cloud and a 66-year-old passenger, Kenneth Wade. The crash caused the vehicles to roll, and the St. Cloud Fire Department had to cut Smith and Wade from their vehicle. All three were treated at the scene and sent to St. Cloud Hospital. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
DEATH NOTICES
--Michael Determan, age 69 of Little Falls.
--Dennis Welle, age 65 of Pierz.
--Edward “Ed” Gottwalt, age 82 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1AM TUES.
TODAY= sunny and very hot, high 98, heat index near 104.
TONIGHT= thunderstorms after 8pm, some heavy rains, low 68.
TUESDAY= sunny and breezy, high 86, cooler night, low 58.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and less humid, high 81, low around 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Arizona beat Twins 7-2 Friday. Twins win big 11-1 Saturday over the D-Backs. Arizona won Sunday 7-1. Twins are off today.
NHL= Colorado wins 7-0 over Tampa Bay Saturday, leads Finals 2-0.
BAB= Randolph, Fairmont, Benilde-St. Margaret's and Stillwater wins the 4 baseball championships for Minnesota Friday at Target Field.