NEWS
--The Minnesota State Patrol is asking for the public's help after a 56-year-old woman was killed last Monday, November 13th after she was struck by a vehicle while walking along Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County. The State Patrol put out a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook asking for “anyone who was traveling on Highway 169 between Onamia and the casino or nearby on Twilight Road between 4:40 and 5pm that afternoon to call them. Even if you think you didn’t witness anything, investigators would like to talk to you to see if you have information that may help.” On Monday, the State Patrol responded to the hit-and-run, reported at 4:51pm in Kathio Township, north of Onamia. According to the crash report, Cathy Ann Donovan, Onamia, was walking her dogs near her home along the highway when they were struck by a northbound vehicle, which left the scene. In a news release Tuesday afternoon, the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office said one of the dogs is deceased and the other survived. Donovan was a doctor for the past 27 years with Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia. Any information could help in locating who struck Donovan to help in giving closure to the family.
--One person was taken to the hospital following a fire at a multi-family home in St. Cloud Friday morning. The St. Cloud Fire Department says crews responded to a report of a fire on the third floor of a home in the 300 block of 15th Avenue North shortly after 11am. Firefighters arrived to find the third floor engulfed in flames and heavy black smoke. Authorities say some people were exiting the home while others remained trapped. Crews quickly put out the blaze and rescued the remaining people inside. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause is still under investigation.
--An Annandale man was critically Friday morning when he rear-ended a straight truck. The Minnesota State Patrol says they were called to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 55 just after 6:30am. Authorities say the crash happened just southeast of Annandale at the intersection of Highway 55 and 63rd Street Northwest. 65-year-old Paul Harcey of Bethel, was stopped while waiting to turn left onto 63rd Street. The car then rear-ended the truck, seriously injuring the car's driver, 51-year-old Michael Leinonen. Leinonen was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries. No one else was injured.
--One person has died in a single-car crash early Saturday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says at about 2:30am an SUV driven by a 20-year-old man from Vadnais Heights was entering southbound Interstate 35 from Main Street in Lino Lakes traveling at a high speed when it left the access ramp to the east. The SUV went down the embankment, hit a culvert, and rolled several times before landing on its roof on the center median. The name has not yet been released.
--The Minnesota Department of Health is warning consumers salmonella from Arizona-based produce manufacturer Trufresh who has announced a recall of all sizes of cantaloupe with the “Malichita” sold between October 16th and 23rd due to potential contamination and a related salmonella outbreak in the United States and Canada. The MDH says five Twins Cities residents got sick between October 25th and November 4th and one of them was hospitalized after eating a contaminated cantaloupe. Health officials say to contact your care provider if you are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea and fever after eating one of the cantaloupes.
--The Santa Parade is at 6pm Friday. If you want a float in the parade contact Mary at the Chamber at 320-632-5155.
--The City of Motley got a facelift with new mayor, city council members, police chief, clerk and treasurer after recent resignations and departures from over the summer months. Disagreements led to former mayor Mike Schmidt former Police Chief Jason Borash, Council Member Brenda Borash, Police Officer Cody Holtz, Clerk/Treasurer Darci Odden and Administrative/Accounting Assistant Sarah Lenzen all resigning. At the recent meeting it was announced that Kari Jacobson was hired as the new clerk/treasurer. Earlier it was announced that Al Yoder, who was serving as interim police chief at the time is now the city’s new permanent police chief. Dennis Erickson was appointed to take over the council seat vacant by Borash. Pat O’Regan, who was at the time a council member and acting mayor, was appointed as mayor for the remainder of the term with Council Member Nikki Bjerga being appointed as acting mayor if he became unable to serve in the position. The Council voted to appoint April Skeesick-Larson as a council member to fill O’Regan’s seat until the end of the term. There are still some positions, a police officer and administrative/accounting assistant that need to be filled but for now Motley is ready to get back to business.
--Join the Christmas Tours at the Little Falls Attractions starting on Friday. Linden Hill Historic Estate “Christmas at the Mansions” There are Angels Among Us is November 24th through December 3rd starting at 1-7pm though Sunday's will be 11am-6pm. Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame “Christmas Tree Lane and special displays” will be Sunday through Friday 12-6pm and Saturday 10am-6pm with Santa Claus there on Saturday and Sundays both weekends. The Rosenmeier Home will have “Nutcracker Suite” this year organized by the Morrison County Animal Humane Society from 1-6pm Monday through Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sundays. The Charles Lindbergh House and Museum will have “A Holiday Flight” as the rooms are decorated by many of the countries that Lindbergh traveled in the times he was there. This is Friday through Sunday only both weekends from 10am-5pm. Details on all of the events can be found by going to the littlefallsmn.com website.
NATIONAL NEWS
--former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has died at the age of 96. Her husband Jimmy Carter remains in hospice care at the age of 99.
DEATH NOTICES
--Cathleen “Cathy” Frerichs, age 78 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, rain showers at times, high 46.
TONIGHT= rain mixing with wet snow late night, low 29.
TUESDAY= sunny and windy, high 37, low around 23.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 46, low near 19.
THANKSGIVING= sunny and windy, high 27, low near 10.
SPORTS
NFL= Russell Wilson throws a go ahead touchdown for the Denver Broncos too hold off the Vikings last night 21-20. The Vikings will now host Chicago next Monday night at 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
GOPHERS= Ohio State beat the Gophers 37-3 on Saturday. Gophers at 5-6 need to win to get a bowl game hosting Wisconsin Saturday.
PREP= The Prep Bowl for High School Football begins on Friday.