NEWS
--A felony third degree murder charge against 37-year old Jason Lee White of Minneapolis, was dismissed in Morrison County District Court last week after prosecutors motioned for the case to be dismissed. White was accused of selling the heroin that eventually made its way to Little Falls and was used by 22-year old Travis Scherping, the night of June 14th, 2016, when he suffered an overdose that ended up killing him. In January 2017, prosecutors charged White with third degree murder, alleging 23-year old Callie Mains Statema, 26-year old Jerad Michael Whitford, and another individual who was not charged purchased drugs from White and took them back to Little Falls. While the three, plus Scherping, were using heroin that evening, Statema left the room the group was in. When she got back, Scherping was found having trouble breathing and had vomited. Emergency responders were called and Scherping was taken to the hospital where he passed away June 18th. During the trial, Statema, Whitford and the other individual testified about the purchase of the heroin. Defense attorneys for White said the three had given conflicting stories about the event and the three had given vague descriptions of the drug dealer, who they knew as “Jay.” At the end of the trial, the jury decided it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case. The case against White was going to be brought to another jury trial June 10th. The prosecution motioned for the case to be dismissed due to a lack of evidence and a lack of witness cooperation. Statema is currently serving a 4 and a half year sentence while Whitford pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on July 24th.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday their office received several reports of mailboxes that were damaged along Highway 25, north of Pierz, in Buh Township. Morrison County deputies responded to the area and observed several mailboxes that appeared to have been damaged with sandbags from the construction signs in the area. According to the sheriff’s office, these incidents are believed to be related and happened sometime overnight in the evening hours of Thursday into Friday. If you have information regarding these damaged mailboxes, you are asked to call the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 320-632-9233.
--A large construction project to rebuild Highway 15 will close the road starting Monday. Drivers who use Highway 15 between Kimball and St. Augusta will be forced to detour around the 12-mile work zone. Highway 15 will be closed from Highway 55 in Kimball to 66th Avenue in St. Augusta. Access to local businesses will remain open and you should contact the business directly to get the best route as Highway 15 will be impassable at different locations while crews replace underground pipes. Highway 15 is scheduled to reopen in late July. Details at the Mn Dot website.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office has received several reports of phone scams in the past few days. Area residents are receiving calls from scammers acting as Stearns County Sheriff’s Office employees and the call is coming from a Stearns County Sheriff’s Office phone number. The scammer is stating a relative is in jail and needs money. These calls are scams and should be ignored. If you have further concerns, please contact our Office at 320-251-4240.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30 at City Hall.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the Little Falls City Hall Council Chambers.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard reports that level three predatory offender, Christopher Eugene Wheeler will be moving to an address in the vicinity of Wise Road and Gregory Way in rural Brainerd on or about May 13th. Wheeler has a history of sexual contact with known female children and teens. A Notification of Release Fact Sheet is available on the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office website located through www.crowwing.us.
--Despite it being cool and wet last week, much of the Department of Natural Resources' northwest Minnesota region is under burning restrictions, limiting burning to campfires and variance permits allowed only under strict circumstances. Other than small campfires, permits are always required. In addition, those who burned recently should revisit the site of old burn piles to check for long hidden embers that can cause trouble. The latest DNR map shows south of the Twin Cities Metro Area and the three northeastern counties are in burning permits required at that this time. All other counties including all of central Minnesota remain in restricted burning with variance permits only. For more information contact your local DNR office.
--The Electrolux Plant in St. Cloud will end production effective November 1st. The company had stated last year that they would close the plant in 2019 but did not give a definite date of closure until last Friday. About 90 percent of their employees will be permanently laid off at that time. The company says they are working closely with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Federal programs, hosting new job skill and training sessions at the factory and helping employees with job search assistance.
--Conservation officials conducted an investigation into four piles of fish filleted and discarded in large numbers on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake's Wigwam Bay. A joint exploration of the issue Thursday, May 2, by state and tribal authorities determined the harvest and disposal were legal, as defined by treaty rights and the co-management plan for the lake.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dale W. Roger, age 77 of Little Falls.
--Inez A. Schultz, age 90 of Little Falls.
--Christine M. Chock, age 92 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, high 54.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, frost likely, low 28.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 57, sprinkles late, low 38.
WEDNESDAY= isolated showers at times, high 53, low 32.
SPORTS
TWINS= Yankees beat Twins 6-3 on Friday. Twins win at Yankee Stadium for the first since 2016 on Saturday with a 7-3 victory. Yankees win a rain shortened game on Sunday 4-1 to take series. The Twins are at Toronto tonight at 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BAB= Royalton at Pierz today at 4pm on FM94 KFML.
HS BAB= Royalton at Upsala/Swanville Tuesday 5pm on FM94.
HS SB= Pierz at Little Falls Tuesday at 5pm on AM960 KLTF.
DERBY= Country House won the Derby after the first to cross the finish line Maximum Security was disqualified for interference during the race. Country House was a 65-1 long shot to win. Appeal likely.