NEWS --Last night Swanville crowned their king and queen. Congratulations to Gage VanRisseghem as King and Grace Schultz as Queen. The homecoming game is on Friday.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen announced the commencement of a Law Enforcement Scholarship program for 2018. The Minnesota Sheriff’s Association has established a scholarship fund for awarding up to fifteen $600 scholarships for this year. These scholarships are due to the coordinated efforts of all 87 Sheriff’s in the state of Minnesota. The members of the MSA understand the financial needs of students attending the Peace Officer Skills Course, or one of the two or four-year law enforcement degree colleges across our state. “The Board of Directors feel peace officers in our democratic society have complex duties to perform” said Sheriff Larsen. MSA recognized the importance of pre-entry training for people considering law enforcement as their career choice. MSA recognizes some students need outside help in meeting the costs of such training, even though they excel academically. The scholarship committee, in making its selection of awards, intends on achieving representation from all geographical areas of the state. Scholarship awards will be announced by December 30th of this year. Application forms and a statement of procedures are available at the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office. Applications will only be accepted until October 12th. Scholarships are only available to students currently enrolled in one of the following three categories: Mandated POST Skills Program 2, In the 2nd year of a 2-year law enforcement program 3) In the 3rd or 4th year of a 4-year college Criminal Justice Program. Students meeting these criteria are invited to obtain a scholarship application online at www.mnsheriffs.org.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has announced Deb Lentner of the Little Falls Community Schools District at Lincoln Elementary is their October Employee of the Month. Deb has been a first grade teacher for the past 32 years with the Little Falls School District. Congratulations to Deb Lentner, the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce October employee of the month.
--The preliminary levy for the Upsala School District was certified at the maximum level by the school board at its meeting on Wednesday. The projected increase in the levy is approximately 4.8%. Since FY 2018 has not been finalized for the district yet, the exact figure cannot be determined yet because it is based on projections. When determining levies, the levy can be lowered when finalized but can not be raised.
--A number of signal closures are planned along County Road 75 between Waite Park and St. Joseph. The traffic signal at the intersection of County Road 134 near Michelich Granite will be shut down and stop signs will be used on Monday. No left turns will be allowed as the median will be closed. The signal shutdown is expected to last one day. Similar shutdowns are planned for the intersection near Bee Line Sports Center Tuesday and Wednesday and at County Road 133 in St. Joseph Thursday. The median closures and signal shutdowns are needed as part of the County Road 75 construction project. Work is scheduled to begin today.
--The Pine Grove Zoo's annual Zoo Fest is this Saturday from 11am-3pm, cost is $6 per person no matter of age. FM94 KFML will be broadcasting live on Saturday starting at 11am.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported a two-vehicle accident with injuries on Nature Road in Morrill Township Friday just after noon. 30-year old Chasidy Kampa of Foley, was traveling west on Nature Road and 65-year old Richard Popp of Royalton was traveling east on Nature Road in a Freightliner dump truck. Initial investigation appears the car driven by Kampa was making a left turn into a driveway approach when it was struck by the dump truck. Kampa was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries. Popp was transported to St. Cloud Hospital with unknown injuries.
--A St. Cloud man has been arrested after he told police he killed a woman. Just after 8:00am Saturday 38-year old Daniel Kenning went to the St. Cloud Police Department and told officers that he had killed a female acquaintance in his home. Officers went to Kenning's home and found a deceased 45-year old woman from Blaine. The body has been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Kenning is being held in the Stearns County jail and is expected to be charged with 1st Degree Murder.
--A Browerville woman was hurt when the car she was driving collided with a grain truck. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 7:30pm Saturday on Highway 12 near Atwater in Kandiyohi County. A car driven by 47-year-old Melissa Sutlief of Browerville was going west on the highway. Meanwhile a grain truck driven by 18-year-old Natalie Barka of Litchfield was going south on County Road 2. The vehicle collided in the intersection. Sutlief was taken to Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar with non-life threatening injuries. Barka was not hurt.
NATIONAL NEWS --The Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines Friday to move Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor, with one condition that a one-week FBI investigation into sexual assault accusations against him be done. The nomination now goes to the full Senate, where a final up-or-down vote will not be done until at least Friday due to the FBI investigation.
DEATH NOTICES --Bertha A. Sanders, age 92 of Randall.
WEATHER TODAY= scattered showers, mostly cloudy, high near 50. TONIGHT= isolated showers early, mostly cloudy, low 38. TUESDAY= partly sunny skies, high 51, temps rise at night. WEDNESDAY= showers & T-storms possible, warmer, high 71.
SPORTS TWINS= Twins win both games of a double-header Friday, game 1 Jose Berrios pitched a dandy in a 2-1 win. The nightcap was a slugfest for the Twins who won 12-4 over White Sox. Twins win again on Saturday 8-3 over White Sox. Twins get the sweep Sunday winning 5-4 over White Sox to finish the season in 2nd place in the AL Central at 78-84. There are two one game playoffs today in the National League as Rockies and Dodgers tied in NL West and Cubs and Brewers tied in the NL Central. Wild Card round begins Tuesday. HS FB= Pierz wins 46-0 over Eden Valley, Royalton wins over Kimball Area 34-13 to both go to 5-0. Foley won, Little Falls, Holdingford and Upsala-Swanville lost their games on Friday night.