NEWS
--Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, was stabbed by another inmate and seriously injured Friday at a federal prison in Arizona. The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an incarcerated person was assaulted at FCI Tucson at around 12:30pm local time Friday. In a statement, the agency said responding employees contained the incident and performed “life-saving measures” before the inmate, who it did not name, was taken to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation. No employees were injured and the FBI was notified, the Bureau of Prisons said. Visiting at the facility, which has about 380 inmates, has been suspended. Chauvin’s stabbing is the second high-profile attack on a federal prisoner in the last five months. In July, disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar was stabbed by a fellow inmate at a federal penitentiary in Florida. Chauvin, 47, was sent to FCI Tucson from a maximum-security Minnesota state prison in August 2022 to simultaneously serve a 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights and a 22½-year state sentence for second-degree murder.
--Last week, the Little Falls Police Department was asking for the public’s help to locate a missing person. It was reported that 47-year-old Joshua Reed was last seen in the NW side of Little Falls. He is described as 5'9", 135 pounds with brown eyes and a white beard. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, black jeans, tennis shoes and a green camo jacket. Police were trying to locate Reed and last last week it was reported that he has been found safe.
--A man staying at a St. Cloud homeless shelter is charged with felony assault after allegedly attacking another man and beating him unconscious. According to the criminal complaint filed in Benton County, police were called to the Salvation Army Shelter just before midnight on Sunday for an assault. Officers say they arrived at 400 Highway 10 South to find 29-year-old Marlon Whittaker stomping and punching the head of an unconscious man. Court records show the victim was bleeding profusely from his head with a large pool of blood forming. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. In witness interviews and surveillance video, Whittaker is accused of approaching the victim and immediately starting to punch him. After more of an altercation, Whittaker allegedly ran after him and punched him until the victim fell to the ground. Court records say the video then shows Whittaker punching and stomping the man's head and torso as many as 18 times as the man lay motionless. Whittaker is charged with one count of 2nd-degree assault and one count of 3rd-degree assault. He's due in court on December 5th.
--A herd of followers is tracking a moose on the loose in southern Minnesota, hoping the majestic animal's journey ends safely after it was spotted Tuesday northwest of Minneapolis. Fans have been tracking the young male moose for weeks and posting updates on a Facebook page that has more than 30,000 followers. Moose typically only roam in northern Minnesota, making the now-famous moose's visit to south and central Minnesota a rare treat. The moose was seen walking across Interstate 94 northwest of Minneapolis, then seen in Sauk Centre before reportedly a picture was taken of the moose in Staples last Wednesday. As it looks like the moose is tracking north, motorists are reminded to watch for any animal at this time of year that could still be tracking especially without a lot of snow on the ground in the state this time of year.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--Tim Sumner wanted to thank the Falls Ballroom, all the businesses and organizations who donated to the Community Thanksgiving meal last Thursday. They served around 450 people at the ballroom. Again thank you too all who came, the 104 volunteers and everyone involved on putting this event on. Sumner said they have received inquiries on more of these type of events in the future. Sumner said that his group and others are taking it under advisement right now.
--On Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota State Patrol posted a picture of a vehicle in question seen on November 13th on Highway 169 leaving Grand Casino Mille Lacs around the time of the fatal hit and run accident that killed Dr. Cathy Donovan of Onamia north of the Casino. The State Patrol shows that the vehicle also had some damage on the passenger side and at taillight was out. It is unclear if the picture was taken before or after the hit and run accident. The vehicle is a smaller darker style car and can be seen on the Minnesota State Patrol X social medial site formerly twitter. Anyone with information on the vehicle is asked to contact the Minnesota State Patrol info on the site.
--Two people were hurt Friday morning at 8:24am on Highway 10 in Verndale. 33-year-old Tony Desrocher of Verndale collided with a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Joshua Olson of Verndale. Of the six people involved, Desrocher was treated at the scene and released and one passenger in the Olson vehicle 61-year-old Sharyl Olson of Wadena was taken to the hospital in Wadena for her injuries.
--Two people were hurt in an accident Thanksgiving afternoon on Highway 23 in St. Cloud of Benton County. 28-year-old Daniel Dols of St. Cloud and 66-year-old Donald Sauve of Mora were both taken to the St. Cloud Hospital with non life threatening injuries from it.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office is launching a program designed to educate children on drug prevention, safety, and crime prevention. The sheriff's office is partnering with the National Child Safety Council to provide educational materials designed for kids pre-school-aged and older. The program will also provide materials on safety, identity theft, and internet safety for senior citizens. The sheriff's office is asking for help to cover the costs of the program through donations. Contributions are tax deductible and sponsorships will be listed on activity manuals and magazines or on the sheriff's office website.
DEATH NOTICES
--Gary R. Schwanke, age 72 of Staples.
--Lawrence “Larry” Zylka, age 80 of Red Wing.
--Mary T. Brenner, age 89 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and cold, high near 20, wind chills near zero.
TONIGHT= clear and cold, low near 0 then rising to teens early AM
TUESDAY= increasing clouds, high near 30, low around 16.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, warmer, high 37, low around 24.
SPORTS
NFL= Green Bay held off Detroit on Thanksgiving 29-22. Dallas routed Washington 45-10 and 49ers beat Seahawks 31-13 Thursday.
HS FB= Minneota, Eden Valley Watkins, Hutchinson, Centennial won Friday, Nevis, Stewartville & Chanhassen win Saturday at Prep Bowl.
COL FB= Wisconsin gets the ax beat Gophers 28-14 on Saturday.
NFL= Chicago at Minnesota tonight 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF.