NEWS --Today is Columbus Day. A federal holiday but unlike other federal holidays many offices and businesses in the previous years have used this day as a floating holiday for later in the year. Some city halls, banks, financial insitutions, post offices and other offices are closed. Many like the government center, schools and others are open today. This is one of those holidays you need to call ahead to see who is taking the day off and who is not. There is no regular mail delivery today but other parcel services are running normal hours.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that another stolen vehicle was located at a residence on Dove Road, in Pike Creek Township, southwest of Little Falls. The vehicle was reported stolen from Red Wing in Goodhue County on Saturday. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office has connected this case with previous ones and the suspect, 25-year old Bryce Tschida, is already in custody at the Morrison County Jail. During the investigation it was learned that the suspect(s) stopped at multiple residences and if confronted, asked for directions or made up a reason as to why they were there. Sheriff Larsen is asking residents to contact his office if this has happened to you. If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233. Sheriff Shawn Larsen wants to remind residents to lock up their buildings, residences, vehicles and keep items of value out of sight. Also, if you witness any suspicious activity please contact law enforcement immediately.
--On Wednesday the Central MN Violent Offender Task Force along with the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Little Falls Police Department executed a search warrant on Prairie Drive in Little Falls. The search warrant was in response to an investigation that took place after a tip was called in regarding drug activity at the residence. As a result of the investigation Probable Cause was established to search the residence for drugs and related paraphernalia. As a result of the search and investigation, 30-year old Lauren Dauphinais of Little Falls and 36-year old Jason Foster of Little Falls were taken into custody and are awaiting possible charges of Drug Possession and Child Endangerment. Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia along with a large amount of cash were seized from the residence. A young child was removed from the house and placed into foster care for health and safety purposes. Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen and Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers want to remind the public to continue reporting suspicious or suspected drug activity. The Morrison County Drug Tip Line is available to leave anonymous messages. The local number is 632-0377 and the toll-free number is 888-378-4847.
--Authorities say an Elk River man is dead after a head on collision in Sherburne County Thursday. The incident happened just before 2:30pm near the intersection of 100th Avenue in Clear Lake Township. Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott says 85-year-old William Johnson, of Elk River, died at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle, 20-year-old Dennis Stawski, of Clearwater suffered non-life threatening injuries.
--There will be a meet the candidates event tonight at 7pm at the Royalton Middle/High School. Included will be candidates vying for local, county and state seats at the event tonight in Royalton.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--Ladies Night Out Little Falls Style is this Thursday from FM94.
--Tuesday there will be a Minnesota District 9 State Senate Forum on AM960 KLTF Up Front with Senator Paul Gazelka and challenger Jason Weinerman. Questions need to be in before the program on Tuesday by email at upfront@fallsradio.com or call Corey 632-2992.
--Two people were hurt in Wright County early Friday morning. Around 12:40am, 25-year-old Raychel Rooney of Kimball was on Highway 24 when her vehicle went off the roadway, hit a stop sign causing the vehicle to go across Highway 24 and crash into some trees. Rooney and a passenger 29-year-old Daniel Krebsbach of Annandale were taken to the Monticello Hospital with what the state patrol called non-life threatening injuries.
--The Anoka County Sheriff Office confirms that two people lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Lino Lakes Thursday night. The chopper went down in a field around 5:30pm near Main Street and Sunset Avenue. Authorites say the size of the impact area plus a large fireball of the debris that followed made it impossible for anyone to survive the crash. The trail of debris from the initial impact site was several hundred yards long. The pilot was a 48-year-old man from Minneapolis and his passenger was a 47-year-old woman from Blaine. Their names are being withheld until family notification. Authorities are asking that if anyone finds debris from the wreckage to turn it into investigators. The FAA has joined the investigation.
--The Minnesota Grocers Association announced District 9 Senator Paul Gazelka as a 2016 Hero of the Food Industry. Gazelka received the honor for his leadership in advancing the food industry’s priorities during the 2016 Minnesota Legislative Session. Gazelka was presented the award at Coborn’s Superstore in Little Falls by store manager Greg Zylka before touring the store to further understand the complex nature of the industry and the many challenges faced to remain viable in today’s competitive marketplace.
DEATH NOTICES --Herman E. Stangl, age 84 of Buckman --Laverne F. Schneider, age 92 of Little Falls. --James “Jim” E. Hoheisel, age 73 of Hillman. --Charles “Chuck' Tabatt, age 98 of Pierz Villa formerly Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= sunny and mild, breezy south winds, high 68. TONIGHT= clouds increase, low around 50. TUESDAY= rain showers at times, cloudy, high 55. TUES NITE= rain mixing with wet snow late, low 36. WEDNESDAY= clearing skies, cold and breezy, high 44, low 30.
SPORTS NFL= Vikings win 31-13 Sunday over Houston to go to 5-0. Detroit Lakes native Adam Thielen 127 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings have their bye week then head to Philadelphia on October 23rd. HS FB= Pierz wins 41-20 over Paynesville Friday, USA downed Royalton 19-14, Cathedral held off Little Falls 13-6. Holdingford beat Melrose 28-14 and Albany defeated Foley 30-12 in HS FB Friday. WNBA= Alana Beard hit the buzzer beater Sunday to help Los Angeles beat the Lynx 78-76 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Game 2 of the best of 5 series is Tuesday night in Minneapolis. COL FB= Iowa gets late score to beat Gophers 14-7 to keep Floyd. MLB= Toronto sweeps Texas in playoffs- other series continue today.