NEWS --A fatal accident Friday morning on Highway 25 killed a Pierz driver. Around 9:15am 26-year old Alvaro Rodriguez of Pierz was heading south on Highway 25 near 30th Street in Daggett Brook Township of Crow Wing County, when he lost control as passing another vehicle and slid into the northbound lane. A semi driven by 60-year old Rodney Lund of Fargo, North Dakota collided with the car driven by Rodriguez. Both vehicles ended up in the east ditch. Rodriguez died as a result while the semi driver was not hurt. Roads were covered in snow/ice at the time.
--The wintry weather led to two crashes in Stearns County Friday with injuries. Around 5:30am, 66-year old Joel Lindberg of Annandale was driving a semi truck on Highway 23 near St. Joseph when he was unable to stop in time with the slushy highway and struck 39-year old Antonio Perez of St. Cloud. The impact caused Perez's vehicle to leave the highway. Perez was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Lindberg was not hurt. The other accident occurred around 4:45am on Highway 23 and Interstate 94 near St. Cloud when a semi-truck jackknifed into the median. The driver, Mohammed Aldawoodi of Coon Rapids was taken to the hospital for non life threatening injuries.
--A three vehicle accident east of Pillager Thursday afternoon around 3:00pm killed one person injured another. 17-year old Christopher Cherne of Pillager was westbound on Highway 210 and was being passed by 58-year old Randy Karppinen of Pillager. Karppinen did not see a pickup in the opposite lane and struck it head on at a high speed. Karppinen was dead at the scene. The pickup driver, 18-year old Darion Anderson of Crosslake was taken to the Brainerd hospital with injuries. Cherne's vehicle left the roadway and slid onto the embankment toward the ditch. He and his two passengers, ages 10 and 14 were not injured.
--A large amount of cash and multiple guns are missing after a burglary in Sartell Thursday. The Sartell Police Department says someone burglarized a home in 600 block of 7th Street South during the day. There were no signs of forced entry, and police say the suspects likely got in through an unlocked door. The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sartell Police at 320-251-8186.
--Motorists who travel Highway 10 near Lake Orono in west Elk River will find all permanent lanes, and all intersections, open after crews removed the final temporary traffic control devices from the roadway at 4:00pm Thursday, October 26th.
--Authorities are looking for two suspects involved in a burglary in Rockville. The incident happened sometime between midnight and 3:45am last week Friday. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says they received a call from a neighbor watching the home that the garage door was open, a window was broken and several items were taken from the home. On Tuesday the Sheriff’s Office received another call, this time from the homeowner, who said she was missing several credit cards and the suspects have charged about $1,200 at various stores in St. Cloud. The stores were notified and surveillance video of the suspects were taken. If anyone has information about the burglars you’re asked to contact the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office at 320-251-4240.
--Trick or Treating events in Little Falls & Pierz on Tuesday afternoon.
--There will be a Spooktacular Fun Run today at 3:30pm at the Little Falls Community High School Track. The event is family friendly and safe for children and adults to run the track and the wooded area around the school. This is a free event and refreshments will be served. For more info contact Sheila Funk at the high school.
--An eastbound BNSF Railway train hauling 124 cars of coal hit an unoccupied vehicle Friday morning, blocking several intersections in downtown Brainerd while the track was cleared. Although no injuries were reported, the blocked intersections caused traffic to build up during the morning commute hours. It took about an hour and a half after the crash before the train was able to move again. The collision occurred about 8:00am near East River Road in Brainerd. A car reportedly attempted to cross the railway where there was no crossing before it was hit by the train.
--A Richmond woman was injured early Saturday in Stearns County in Munson Township. 39-year old Leeann Athmann left the roadway, struck a tree and ended up in a lake just after 1:00am. Athmann was taken to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.
--Four people were hurt Saturday afternoon just before 3:00pm on Highway 23 in Munson Township of Stearns County. 52-year old Pamela Gregor, her passenger, 48-year old James Klug both from Mineota, 35-year old Eric Stein and his passenger 35-year old Crystal Klein both of Willmar were all injured and treated at a local hospital. The Stein vehicle crossed the center-line and collided head on with the Gregor vehicle causing it to leave the roadway.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a fatal accident Friday night around 9:30pm on Highway 169 in Sherburne County near Princeton. A 58-year old from St. Paul was on the highway, spun out on an icy patch, causing the vehicle to roll several times, coming to a stop on its roof. The driver was dead at the scene. The State Patrol has not released the name of the driver.
DEATH NOTICES --Elizabeth “Betty” Hovet, age 107 of Little Falls. --Lorraine Rosty, age 85 of Little Falls. --Rick G. Holtz, age 58 of Little Falls. --Leona M. Ringwelski, age 89 of Little Falls formerly of Flensburg.
WEATHER TODAY= rain and snow showers, windy and cloudy, high 35. TONIGHT= snow showers early, then partly cloudy, low 22. TUESDAY= partly sunny and cold, high 32, snow late night, low 25. WEDNESDAY= snow likely 1-3 inches in morning, windy, high 38.
SPORTS VIKINGS= Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph caught touchdowns Sunday in London as Vikings beat Cleveland 33-16 to go to 6-2 on season. Vikings have their bye week now and off until Nov. 12th. COL FB= Iowa holds off Gophers 17-10 to take Floyd of Rosedale. The Gophers fall to 4-4 and are at Michigan Saturday night. HS FB= Royalton beat Aitkin 24-6 Saturday to advance to section finals Thursday in Esko. Holdingford beat Minnewaska 21-18 to advance to section finals Friday at St. John's University. Upsala/Swanville got a late score to beat BBE 20-14 and Pierz rolled over Melrose 41-7 to advance to section finals later this week. WS= Houston leads World Series 3-2 over LA, Game 6 Tuesday.