NEWS
--A Stearns County jury found Robert Kaiser not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his infant son, but convicted Kaiser on Friday of two counts of second-degree murder. The jury deliberated for half a day Thursday and half a day Friday before returning the verdicts over the noon hour. The jury then began deliberating whether aggravating factors existed that would allow the Stearns County District Court Judge to sentence Kaiser to a prison term longer than that called for in state sentencing guidelines. The jury needed less than 15 minutes to determine that aggravating factors were present in this case to convict of 2nd degree murder.
--A grand jury indicted 25-year-old Zachary Todd Anderson of Coon Rapids, Friday on 19 counts including first-degree murder, kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, motor vehicle theft and interference with a dead body. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. A criminal complaint details how Anderson kidnapped 5-year-old Alayna Ertl and took her back to his family's rural cabin near Leader in Cass County north of Motley. Her body was found by authorities in a nearby swamp, where an autopsy showed she died from homicidal violence and strangulation. Charges say there was also evidence the girl had been sexually assaulted. Anderson was a family friend of Ertl's parents and had crashed at their home the night before she went missing.
--The BCA is investigating an officer involved shooting in Stevens County. A Stevens County Sheriff’s Office deputy was responding to a report of an erratic driver. The deputy located the driver and after being asked to show proof of ID, he took off in the vehicle and a pursuit ensued. At one point while east of Wheaton on Highway 27, the subject fired several shots through the back window at the pursuing squads. Law enforcement eventually stopped the vehicle and attempted to negotiate with the man for several minutes. He ignored officers’ commands, emerging from the vehicle with the handgun and heading into a field on the west side of the highway on foot. From about 25 yards away, the subject then pointed the handgun at the officers. One officer fired his weapon, striking the subject. The subject died before he could be transported. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man as 37-year old Jay Johannes Holmgren of Evansville. The officer is currently on standard administrative leave.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office responded to a fire call Wednesday around 3:15pm on Thoroughfare Drive in Cushing. A vehicle reportedly was on fire and Scandia Valley Firefighters were called in and extinguished the fire. No injuries.
--Wreaths for the Fallen announced their next wreath laying ceremony at the State Veteran's Cemetery will be December 17th at 11am sharp. Those planning to attend should be there before 10am when refreshments will be offered. Many volunteers from Camp Ripley, the Minnesota Patriot Guard, Civil Air Patrol, VFW's, American Legion's and other organizations will help with hundreds of families and friends of those at the cemetery to place a wreath on grave sites. Donations are appeciated so that all graves can get a wreath as well over 550 new interments were done this year at the state cemetery making the total of wreaths close to 5,000 this year. To donate or find out more about Wreaths For the Fallen call John at (218) 829-6622 or go to the website which has all the info wreathsforthefallen.org.
--Today is Halloween. Expect a number of trick-or-treaters later today and tonight around the area. Motorists and pedestrians are asked to watch for each other to make it a safe evening. There is business trick or treating today 3-5:30 in Pierz and 3:30-5 in Little Falls for many businesses, the courthouse in Little Falls, and others to hand out treats including at Little Falls Radio. Also join Corey Fink live from 3:30-5 today at Drelleck Insurance during the Trick or Treating event in Little Falls and hear him live on FM94 KFML. Sherrif Shawn Larson and Police Chief Greg Schirmers remind motorists to watch for pedestrians tonight with trick or treating and please make this a safe and fun Halloween later today and especially tonight.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussels in Kimble Lake in Crow Wing County. As with a recent confirmation at another Crow Wing County Lake, zebra mussels were reported on boat lifts that had been removed from the water at the end of the season. Zebra mussels are an invasive (non-native) species that can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors, and cause expensive damage to water intake pipes. Less than two percent of Minnesota’s lakes are listed as infested with zebra mussels.
--Two men from out of town were robbed at gunpoint early Friday morning in downtown St. Cloud. Officers responded to a robbery report shortly before 1:00am and met with two men, a 32-year-old from Albertville and a 45-year-old from Monticello. The victims said they were walking east in the 1100 block of St. Germain Street when they were approached by a lone male suspect. The suspect was described as a black man around 20-30 years old, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9, with a medium build, a thin goatee and dark clothing. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call the St. Cloud police department or Tri-County Crime Stoppers.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Alex Bzdok and Chelsie Buerke, girl October 26th
DEATH NOTICES
--Joseph Stavish, age 85 of Little Falls.
--Gerald H. Stuckmeyer, age 93 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, isolated sprinkles, windy, high 55.
TONIGHT= windy early, mostly cloudy, low 43.
TUESDAY= becoming sunny, high 55, clear night, low 40.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high near 60, low around 40.
SPORTS
HS FB= Royalton wins 13-0 over Crosby Ironton Saturday to advance to section finals vs. Rush City Thursday in Esko on Q92. Pierz defeated St. Cloud Cathedral 19-14 Saturday and move on to face Mora Friday night in St. Cloud at 8pm on FM94. Pillager and Browerville won Saturday while Mayer Lutheran beat USA 14-0.
WS= Indians shut out Cubs 1-0 Friday then beat Cubs 7-2 Saturday, Cubs avoided elimination 3-2 win Sunday. Indians lead series 3-2.
COL FB= Gophers routs Illinois Saturday 40-17. The win makes the Gophers bowl eligible at 6-2. Gophers host Purdue 2:30pm Saturday.
NFL= Vikings travel to Chicago tonight 6:45pm on AM960 KLTF. Vikings running back Jerrick McKinnon is out for the game tonight.