NEWS
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported 117 crashes Friday into Saturday due to slippery roads for the second day in a row. One person died near White Bear Lake, 18 were injured but not seriously. There were also 33 jack knifed semi trucks. Authorities said there also a number of accidents Thursday nigh into Friday. Colder temps will continue this week with snow showers causing more slick spots.
--A hot exhaust is to blame for starting a grass fire Tuesday at 79th Avenue and 92nd Street in Cass County. The Motley Fire Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources responded to the fire Tuesday at 11:10am in Byron Township, north of Motley. According to Motley Fire Chief Brad Olson, a hunter pulled his car to the side of the road and walked into the field to go hunting. After some time, he went back to his vehicle and started it to warm up when the fire started. Sustained winds and gusts quickly escalated the situation and when fire crews arrived, mutual aid was called in from Staples, Pillager and other available DNR fire crews. Backus area DNR fire program manager Craig Schultz said about 100 firefighters were able to contain the fire to about 80 acres of swamp and low-lying grass fields. No structures were involved in the fire, though two structures and four outbuildings were threatened. The fire prompted officials to contemplate evacuating nearby residents. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch said the sheriff’s office is often called in to assist with rural fires to help keep pedestrians out of the area. Burch said initially the fire was out of control but firefighters were able to get it under control and mass evacuation was not needed.
--An Albany man was hurt in a two-vehicle crash in Mille Lacs County. The Minnesota State Patrol says 43-year-old Gary Mortensen was traveling west on 80th Street, which is the Highway 23 detour when his pickup collided with another vehicle. The crash happened just after 5pm and troopers say Mortensen was driving with no headlights on. Mortensen suffered non-life-threatening injuries. His nine-year-old passenger was not hurt. The driver of the second vehicle, 63-year-old Victoria Kroschel of Brook Park, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 17-year-old passenger in that vehicle was not hurt.
--A woman was taken to the hospital after a fire extinguisher came crashing through the windshield of her vehicle. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just before 7am Friday on Highway 29 near Carlos, north of Alexandria. Sergeant Jesse Grabow says it is unclear at this point where the fire extinguisher came from, and the incident is still under investigation. Thirty-seven-year-old Lindsay Fluegel of Carlos was taken to Alexandria Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--A one vehicle accident happened at 9:37am Friday in Cass County. A Chevrolet Equinox was traveling southbound on highway 84 near Island Lake Dr. NW. The Equinox left the roadway to the right and overturned onto its side. 92-year-old John Bernard Egan of Longville, had non life threatening injuries and taken to Crosby Hospital.
--Another one vehicle accident at 7:10am of Morrison Township of Aitkin County,. The Chevrolet was traveling South on Highway 169, at 405th Lane, when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch. The driver 36-year-old Fayth Lynn Nelson of Mcgregor was taken to Riverwood Hospital with non life threatening injuries.
--Though the firearm deer hunting season in central Minnesota ended last night, there is still hunting in north region of state until 20th and the muzzleloader hunting continues until December 11th.
--Morrison County Emergency Management wants everyone to know that this week November 14th-18th is Winter Hazard Awareness Week. To help residents minimize the risks of winter the Department of Public Safety sets aside certain items on certain days to get prepared for the winter season ahead. Today is winter weather review, Tuesday Outdoor Winter Safety, Wednesday Winter Fire Safety, Thursday Indoor Winter Safety and Friday Winter Driving. The information for the week can be used in conjunction with schools, churches or any civic programs to help get the word out that Winter weather is back.
--A reminder from Pierz Police that the winner parking hours are now in place in Pierz. No parking on city streets from 2am-6am starting November 1st until April 1st vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
--Shala Holm never expected to see one of the largest sapping turtles which the photo she took has started a frenzy online to check it out. Holm of Buffalo was on vacation in Brainerd, when she saw the large turtle and thought it was a beaver or a deer in the water. According to the DNR an average size for a snapping turtle is 8-14 inches and about 10-35 pounds. The turtle spotted and photoed by Holm was on average of a whopping 65 pounds and possible around 30 years old. The post has reached thousands of social media sites for the turtle.
DEATH NOTICES
--Joan Ann Czech, 66 year old resident of Little Falls,
--Justin Morris, age 19 of Little Falls.
--Diane Thommes, age 76 of Burnsville formerly of Pierz area.
WEATHER
TODAY= snow 1-2 inches, high 29.
TONIGHT= snow likely, up to 1 inch, low 24.
TUESDAY= snow and sleet possible, ½ inch of slush, high 31
TUES NIGHT= snow showers coming to an end, high 21.
WEDNESDAY= snow early morning, then cloudy skies, high 27.
SPORTS
NFL= The Vikings in the final seconds of the game first get stopped at the goal line, then Buffalo fumbles in the end zone for Vikings to take the lead, Buffalo then tied the game as regulation expired to go to overtime. Vikings score a field goal and with time running picked off Buffalo in the end zone to win 33-30. The Vikings are 8-1.
COL FB= Gophers run over Northwestern big 31-6 on Saturday, the Gopher football team is 7-3 and have Iowa coming up on Saturday.
SWIM= a great job by the Flyer Swim Team on Saturday as they finished 7th as a team and lot of top 4 or 5 finishes unfortunately not enough to advance anyone to the state tournament in swimming.
STATE VB= The State Volleyball tournament wrapped up Saturday, Minneota won Class A, BBE finished 4th, Cannon Falls beat Pequot Lakes in Class AA finals, Annandale finished 3rd. Marshall won Class AAA with Detroit Lakes finishing 5th, Wayzata won in Class 4A.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1832= first streetcar in New York begins, the cost was 12-cents.
IN 1851= Moby Dick was published by Herman Melville.
IN 1889= Nellie Bly started trip around the world in 72 beating the 80 days of Philias Fogg by traveling around the world.
IN 1908= Albert Einstein presents his quantum theory of light.
IN 1960= Ray Charles released Georgia on my Mind.
IN 1991= Fox TV premieres Michael Jackson's “Black or White” video.
IN 1993= Don Shula becomes winningest coach in NFL History.