NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Friday their office received several reports of mailboxes that were tampered with, north of Royalton, MN. Approximately eleven mailboxes were either damaged or stolen along Imperial Road and 180th Avenue in Bellevue Township. Morrison County deputies responded to the area and observed several mailboxes that appeared to have been smashed with a green colored object. A full-size truck, unknown make or model with loud exhaust and after-market lights on the front was seen in the area. According to Sheriff Shawn Larsen, these incidents are believed to be related and happened sometime Thursday night between 10:30-11:30pm If you have information regarding the damaged mailboxes you are asked to call 320-632-9233.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports Thursday at 8:31pm a motorcycle near the intersection of 320th Street and 20th Avenue, approximately six miles south of Motley in Scandia Valley Township, was traveling west on 320th Street approaching 20th Avenue. 22-year-old Joseph Sumner of Little Falls stated his foot caught the road causing him to lose control in the curves and run off the roadway. Sumner was ejected off the motorcycle and was transported to Staples Hospital with unknown injuries.
--A rural Minnesota police department has deactivated its services as its former chief has been charged with theft. Damien Robert Stalker, 38, of Emily, Minnesota allegedly stole $942.47 worth of "Kratom Extract Products" from a local business without paying for them. The city council voted to have the police department "temporarily deactivated" as it can't operate without a chief. Stalker took the products without permission from a business in the city. He admitted to an investigator he took the products without paying, but claimed he was going to and "had an agreement with the business to take the product and pay for it at a later time." However, the manager of the undisclosed store denied that any agreement or arrangement was made with Stalker. If he's convicted, he faces up to a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. His first court appearance is on May 10th.
--30-year-old, Ryan William Schmidt of Motley was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one felony count of threat of violence. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 20. Morrison County Sheriff’s received a report of shots fired at a residence in Morrison County. A deputy arrived on the scene and met with the victim. According to the report, the victim got into a verbal argument with Schmidt. A witness at the scene told the deputy that she was standing next to the victim during the argument when Schmidt threatened the victim by pointing a gun at them and then firing a shot just short of where the victim was standing. The two felony charges against Schmidt are punishable by up to seven years imprisonment and/or a $14,000 fine.
--The late pop superstar Prince will have a highway by his famous home, following a vote by Minnesota lawmakers Thursday. The Senate vote was 55-5 to rename the highway that runs past Prince’s Paisley Park museum and studios. The bill passed the House unanimously last month and now goes to Governor Tim Walz, who is expected to sign. Purple signs will soon go up along a seven-mile stretch of State Highway 5 in the Minneapolis suburbs of Chanhassen and Eden Prairie designating it the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway. Paisley Park, where Prince lived and recorded, now draws visitors from around the world. Prince died back in 2016.
--After two dozen wildfires reported by the DNR on Thursday alone last week, the DNR has ramped up burning restrictions in the state. On Friday they announced the restrictions have strengthened in many counties and that all of central and north central Minnesota including Crow Wing, Cass, Wadena, Todd, Morrison and Mille Lacs are in burning restrictions no burning permits being issued at this time.
--A Sartell student will be featured on the cover of a national kids magazine later this month. Madison Evans is a 5th grade student at Riverview Intermediate School, and one of 12 kids across the country named to the 2023 Junior Council for The Week Junior. This month's edition feature's a collaborative piece from all 12 kids about the importance of protecting animals and the environment. Each student came up with a specific idea, conducted research, interviewed experts, and wrote their own stories for this issue. Evans wrote on how taking photographs of animals can help raise animal awareness.
This month's issue will be arriving in mailboxes if not already in the coming days. The Week Junior is a weekly magazine for kids ages 8-14 and is packed with news, science, animals, nature, sports, entertainment and puzzles.
--The fishing opener for walleye, sauger and northern pike is Saturday, May 13. All Minnesota residents aged 16 to 89 must have a current Minnesota fishing license unless an exemption applies. Non-residents also need a license, however, kids 15 and younger do not need a license if a parent or guardian is licensed. Anglers need to carry their license to and from the location where they are fishing.
Muskie Opener is June 3rd. The DNR Website has information on who and why you need a fishing license starting on May 13th for opener.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
--King Charles III official Coronation was done Saturday in London, England. Though Charles became King of England last year upon the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth the official coronation was held this past Saturday with many in attendance from all over the world.
DEATH NOTICES
--Delores “Dee” Bloch, age 71 of Woodruff, WI formerly St. Louis Park
--John B. Deering, age 86 of Little Falls.
--Virgil Hoheisel, age 79 of Hillman.
--Lucille “Lucy” Hanson, age 54 of Pierz.
--Patsy “Pat” Hayes, age 92 of Little Falls formerly of Hillman.
--Albert Mahling, age 91 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM fog, then partly cloudy, high 68.
TONIGHT= showers and T-storms possible, low around 48.
TUESDAY= hazy sunshine, PM storms develop, high 70, low 52.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and mild, high 78, again chance of PM storms.
SPORTS
TWINS= Bailey Ober shuts down the Cleveland Guardians on Friday with a 3 hitter as Twins win 2-0. Cleveland wins 4-3 on Saturday and won 2-0 on Sunday. The Twins are off today, host San Diego Tuesday.
HS SB= Pierz travels to Mora on Tuesday for a double-header of softball, first game at 4pm second to follow right after, you can hear both games on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.
DERBY= Mage wins the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.