NEWS
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen posted a number of items related to sexting on the sheriff's office facebook last Friday. Sheriff Larsen stated unfortunately we see cases involving sexting as early as elementary-aged students. In the past, cell phones were never an issue, because many of us didn't own one and depending on your age, they may have not been invented. Cell phones can be a great tool and device if they are used properly. Please pay attention to your child/teenager's phone and be aware of what phone apps and activity they are involved in. The first of three meetings on internet safety, sex trafficking and items related to making sure our children are safe on their cell phones and computers is tonight at 6pm at Holy Trinity School in Pierz. There will be others October 21st at 6pm at the Falls Ballroom, and October 28th at 7pm at the Swanville School Auditorium, all are free of charge.
--At 10:48am on Friday the Morrison County Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries just north of the intersection of 93rd Street and Sage Road, approximately seven miles south of Hillman, in Lakin Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 64-year old Carl Rinkel of Maple Grove was traveling south on Sage Road and 49-year old Marvin Horwedel of St. Cloud was traveling north on Sage Road. The vehicle driven by Horwedel crossed over the center line and struck the vehicle driven by Rinkel on the front and driver side. Horwedel was transported by Mayo Clinic Ambulance to the St Gabriel’s Hospital with unknown injuries. Rinkel was taken to Onamia Hospital by personal vehicle with unknown injuries.
--A St. Cloud neighborhood was rocked by heavy police and SWAT activity Thursday evening. St. Cloud Police were called to the 300 block of 16th Avenue North around 3:30pm on a report of an intoxicated man with a loaded shotgun inside his house threatening to kill another man. When they arrived, officers set up a perimeter around the house. Shortly after, the man who was reportedly being threatened left the house and met with officers. He was unhurt. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Wyatt Labeau, remained in the house and police confirmed he was alone. Officers attempted to talk with Labeau over the phone and with a megaphone but were not successful. The St. Cloud Police SWAT team then arrived, reinforced the perimeter and continued trying to negotiate with Labeau. The streets surrounding the house were blocked off during negotiation attempts. The SWAT team eventually executed a search warrant on the home around 9pm Labeau was taken into custody and police recovered the loaded shotgun. No one was hurt, and streets around the home reopened around 9:30pm. Labeau was taken to Stearns County Jail where he is being held on charges of threats of violence.
--One person was taken to the hospital after a three-vehicle crash in St. Cloud. The State Patrol say the crash happened on Highway 10 at the intersection of Minnesota Boulevard Thursday around 3:30pm. A car driven by 50-year-old Jacqueline Ufford of Becker was eastbound and stopped at the stop sign at Minnesota Boulevard. Ufford pulled out onto the roadway and was struck by a car driven by 23-year-old Jason Garland of Holdingford. Ufford's car was then hit by another car driven by 43-year-old Harry Ballard of West St. Paul. Ufford was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--Homecoming coronation for Little Falls Community High School will be tonight at 7pm at the high school auditorium.
--Little Falls City Council meets tonight 7:30pm at LF City Hall.
--The Morrison Soil and Water office are hosting their free nitrate clinic this week. Bring in your 1 cup water (in a baggie or mason jar) for testing the well water for nitrates. Shannon Wettstein stated that the sandy soil in our area leads to a higher percentage of nitrates in the water. Stop in today through Friday during their business hours and get your water tested, it only takes about 5 minutes to complete. For questions and information call the office at 631-3551.
--Two people were arrested after a drug bust in Sartell netted about a pound of methamphetamine and a gun. Commander Jay Salzer of the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force says on Friday, the force, with the help of the St. Cloud SWAT team, executed a search warrant on a home in the 200 block of 4th Ave. N. In Sartell. Several weeks ago, authorities began an investigation into 37-year-old Danielle Dvorsak of Sartell and 45-year-old John Martinez of Minneapolis after learning the two were distributing methamphetamine around central Minnesota. Investigators purchased drugs from Dvorsak during this time. During the Friday search, investigators found about a pound of methamphetamine and a handgun. Dvorsak was arrested on a number of charges. Maritinez as later arrested by authorities on an outstanding warrant. The home where the warrant was served is located near an elementary school, and authorities say the school was notified and put into containment until the suspects were in custody.
--The Cass County Sheriff’s Office requests the public’s assistance in locating a 35-year-old woman, who was last seen Wednesday, October 2nd in the Outing area. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reported the sheriff’s office is investigating a report of a missing person, Michelle Mae, 35, of Outing. Mae is described as 5 feet, 1 inch tall with green eyes. Her vehicle is also missing and described as a 2004 Jeep Liberty black in color. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mae or her vehicle is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 218-547-1424 or 1-800-450-2677.
DEATH NOTICES
--Robert “Bob” Ficek, age 97 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, calm winds, high 61.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 45.
TUESDAY= sunny and warmer, windy again, high 66, low 48.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies in AM, clouds increase late, high near 70.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins hit 3 homers in opener but Yankees rebounded with a surge in the middle innings to beat the Twins 10-4 in Game 1. Yankees get a grand slam in a 7 run 3rd inning Saturday to beat the Twins 8-2 in Game 2 of ALDS. Twins need to win tonight to keep the series going with Jake Odorizzi on the mound. Game 3 starts at 7:40pm with pregame at 6:30pm live on Q92 WYRQ. If Game 4 is necessary than that is scheduled for 7pm Tuesday on Q92.
GOPHERS= Gophers roll to win homecoming over Illinois Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium 40-17. Gophers are now 5-0 on the year and will host Nebraska on Saturday kickoff at 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Kirk Cousins throws two touchdowns to Adam Thielen for the Vikings to beat the New York Giants 28-10 Sunday. Vikings are 3-2. Packers beat Dallas, Oakland ousted Bears in London, Lions were off so Packers 4-1, Lions 2-1-1 and the Vikings and Bears are both 3-2.