NEWS
--The Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley hosted the Apple Valley Boys High School Hockey Team this past Friday and Saturday to build team cohesion and experience various aspects of the National Guard. The idea from Army Col. Scott Rohweder, Minnesota National Guard’s Director of Operations, and Apple Valley Boys High School Hockey Team’s Coach. Approximately 50 hockey players, grades 10 through 12, came to Little Falls Friday for a scrimmage game with the Little Falls Flyers Hockey Team. That evening, the team stayed at Camp Ripley and then had a full day Saturday learning about the Guard’s role and the opportunities and benefits available to those who desire to serve. The team will experience Camp Ripley’s leader reaction course and an indoor, small-arms training simulator. The coach, team along with guard members will teach, educate and show each other the ideas of teamwork and being part of a well oiled team in the military and on the hockey ice.
--A Waste Partners garbage truck driver suffered serious injuries after hitting a deer and rolling a truck Friday in Maple Township, near rural Pequot Lakes. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reported the crash happened at 6:06am Friday on County Road 1. The truck was southbound when two deer entered the roadway, striking the truck and causing it to leave the roadway and roll over. The 50-year-old male driver was extricated from the vehicle, treated on scene and transported via helicopter to a St. Cloud area hospital with serious injuries. Cass County did not release the driver's name.
--A Louisiana woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash early Friday, in Deerwood Township of Crow Wing County. The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the crash, reported at 2:48am on Highway 6. 57-year-old Julie Miller, from Covington, Louisiana, was driving southbound in her 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle near milepost 7 when the vehicle left the road to the right and came to rest in the west ditch. Miller was transported to Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby for non-life-threatening injuries. Roads were snowy and icy at the time of the crash, and Miller was wearing a seat belt, according to the state patrol.
--A Stearns County judge has sentenced a Richmond man for a series of crimes against a multi-racial family in Cold Spring. Thirty-three-year-old Benton Beyer was given a prison term of eight years and nine months. In September, a jury found Beyer guilty of stalking, violations of harassment restraining orders, 1st-degree criminal damage to property, theft of a motor vehicle, and multiple counts of 2nd-degree assault. The jury also found the charges were motivated by bias and there were aggravating factors because the crimes happened at the family's home and children were witnesses to the offenses. Beyer was charged with intentionally crashing a vehicle into the family's home because his girlfriend had cheated on him with a black man. The criminal complaint outlines several incidents of Beyer allegedly vandalizing the family's property and stalking them. The family was granted a harassment restraining order which court records show Beyer violated a number of times. In July of 2021, Beyer stole an SUV, pointed it at the family's home, used a large piece of granite to hold down the accelerator, and fled the scene as it crashed into the house. He was arrested a short while later.
--Little Falls High School Senior Anastahja Steadman has committed to compete in women's soccer at Bemidji State University. Ana is the daughter of Gregory Steadman (Little Falls) and Heidi Jeub (Royalton) coming off a tremendous season again for Little Falls High School.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office sent out information last summer regarding drug overdoses and recently wanted to make sure that we are educating the public to the best of our ability. Recently, we have seen a re-occurrence of overdoses and want to make sure that we list organizations that are out there to help. The office will continue to pursue individuals providing drugs who are responsible for overdose deaths. However, we want the public to be informed that there is a state statute that the legislation passed in Minnesota a few years ago, MN statute (604A.05) that states when people call for medical assistance for an overdose, or those who call in and are experiencing the overdose, they will not face criminal drug charges. Again, this law was passed by legislation, this has nothing to do with law enforcement. Prevention and education remain a critical component and needs to be addressed by everyone, not just law enforcement personnel. So, if you are struggling, or know someone who is struggling with drug addiction, please act immediately and seek help, as tomorrow may be too late. Our office has two investigators dedicated and assigned to the Central Minnesota Violent Offenders Task Force. The Task Force is responsible for the investigation of mid-to-high level drug dealers and violent crimes. The Task Force serves the counties of Morrison, Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne. In Morrison County, methamphetamine remains to be the drug of choice for many drug users, followed by Heroin/Fentanyl. While all drugs are dangerous, Heroin laced with Fentanyl and pure Fentanyl, is causing most overdoses in our area, as well as, within Minnesota and nationally. Investigators have observed the trend of Heroin being replaced by Fentanyl for many reasons to include: a stronger high, availability and cost per dosage. Fentanyl can be pressed into pills and smuggled into the United States from Mexico and China. The task force has observed an increase in fake Percocet pills, which is really Fentanyl. The task force has seized numerous amounts of Fentanyl and pressed pills in the last year in the area that we cover. Law enforcement will continue our enforcement efforts. There also needs to be accountability with the people who continue to distribute illegal drugs within our community. Community and family members can get involved and help direct folks with the numbers listed below if you know someone who is struggling. No one has to face their struggles alone, there is help available. The numbers are on the sheriff's office Facebook page or call 320-632-9233.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--founding member of the group Alabama, Jeff Cook has died. Cook played guitar and fiddle on many of the groups top hits and is mentioned in “If your gonna play in Texas”. Cook died at age 73.
DEATH NOTICES
--Peggy Ann Monahan, age 61 of Little Falls.
--Shirley VanScoik, age 87 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 26, cloudy night, low 10 above.
TUESDAY= cloudy skies, high 32, clearing at night, low 16.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, mild, high 37, clouds at night, low 20.
SPORTS
NFL= Dallas routs the Vikings Sunday 40-3. Vikings fall to 8-2.
COL FB= Iowa keeps the pig beating Gophers 13-10 on Saturday.
HS FB= Rocori and Eden Valley Watkins eliminated in state semis.