NEWS
--Today marks the 16th Anniversary of the 9-11 attacks from September 11th, 2001 when airplanes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93 going down in a field in Pennsylvania. The terrorist attacks were the worst on U.S. soil dating back to Pearl Harbor in 1941. Memorial services will be held throughout the nation today in honor of the victims of 9-11. A nationwide moment of silence will take place at 7:46am central time which was the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center in New York. A patriotic rosary will be held at 12:45pm this afternoon at St. Joseph's Church in Pierz to give time to pray for our country and all who live, work and lead it into the future. All are welcome to attend at 12:45pm.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office has had an increase of vehicle theft reports in the last week. There have been four reported vehicle thefts: two from residences and one from a business east of Little Falls and one from the Rice Skunk Lake Public Access in Little Falls Township. The two thefts from residences: one occurred off of Highway 25, north of Pierz in Platte Township, and the other off of Cable Road in Sobieski. According to Sheriff Larsen, three of the vehicles stolen were left unlocked with the keys inside the vehicle. The fourth vehicle stolen had its window smashed out and it’s unknown if there were keys inside of the vehicle at the time of the theft. The vehicles that were stolen are a 1996 Red Ford F-250 diesel single cab pickup truck, MN LIC/191TTG; 1998 Maroon Buick LeSabre Limited Sedan, MN LIC/711KWW; 1999 Red Pontiac Grand AM SE Sedan, MN LIC/365LKW; 2006 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Cab pickup truck, MN LIC/998LKM. Sheriff Larsen encourages residents to lock your vehicles and don’t leave any valuables in plain view when unattended. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office asks that you continue to report any suspicious activity. If you see a suspicious vehicle, please attempt to get a license plate number so that law enforcement can follow up with the registered owner. Call the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233 with any information regarding these thefts.
--The three men accused of kidnapping Jasmine Block in Alexandria have been charged with a total of 12 felonies Thursday in Douglas County District Court. Thomas Barker of Carlos was given six charges including kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct and assault, Steven Powers of Benson was charged with kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct and false imprisonment, Barker's roommate Joshua Holby was charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment. Block was taken from outside her home on August 8th and found by a farmer in Grant County on September 5th after escaping her captors and swam across a lake to find a residence to get help.
--Even though the calendar says it is still summer, adequate rainfall nearly statewide combined cooler than average temperatures this summer have started the fall color season already in the state. The DNR has started the fall color website on September 7th to map out the peak color progress in the state and programs and events that are part of the autumn months in Minnesota. The cooler temperatures this past week with northern Minnesota dropping into the 30's started some scattered frost in areas which could put a hamper on the fall colors this year. Warmer temps this week with adequate sunshine will brighten up the trees in the days ahead.
--Cheers to Morrison County event is this Saturday at the Camp Ripley Hangar. Get details at cheerstomc.com.
--Seven people were injured when a semitrailer collided with an Air Force Reserve bus on Interstate 94 near Albertville Thursday. The bus was stopped in traffic in the right lane around noon between Monticello and Albertville. The semi rear ended the bus, which rolled into the median. The semi ended up off the shoulder of the westbound lane. The bus then struck two other passenger vehicles. Six of the 13 people aboard the bus were hurt but most injuries were not believed to be life threatening. One person received serious injuries and was airlifted for treatment. The semi driver received minor injuries. Passengers in the two other vehicles were unhurt. Air Force Reserve spokesman Paul Zadach with the 934th Air Lift Wing in Minneapolis says the bus was on its way to a training site near Fargo, North Dakota. The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed a section of Interstate 94 earlier Thursday, but the area was cleared and all lanes were reopened. Traffic was backed up to the Albertville Outlet Mall and Monticello exits throughout the afternoon. The crash remains under investigation.
--An Iowa man has been charged with second degree murder in the death of another Iowa man, after an altercation around 6:35am Tuesday in St. Cloud. 22-year old Robin Hanson of Deloit, Iowa, appeared in Stearns County District Court Thursday morning. Bail was set at $1 million or $400,000 with conditions. Hanson is accused of stabbing 22-year old Andre Reaves of Deloit, Iowa in the chest with a knife. Reaves is also from Deloit, Iowa. Reaves was transported to St. Cloud Hospital, but was pronounced dead at 7:25am. The two had traveled to St. Cloud together, arriving September 1st. St. Cloud Police Department and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the case. Hanson remains in custody at Stearns County Jail. The next court hearing has not been set.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jon and Melanie Mick of Royalton, baby girl born September 7th
DEATH NOTICES
--Ronald J. Niewohner, age 72 of Little Fall
--Robert “Bob” Brenny, age 76 of Rice.
--Kimberly Richard Lucken, age 61 of Harding.
--Sister Mary Mathias Gangl, age 95 of St. Francis Convent in LF.
--Alfred B. Luczinski, age 74 of St. Cloud.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high near 80, clear night, low around 60.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low around 60.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high 82, low around 57.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz beat Holdingford 35-14 Friday, Royalton and Upsala Swanville both got shutout wins Friday to go to 2-0 on season. Little Falls, Foley and Staples-Motley lost Friday.
TWINS= Eddie Rosario drove in 4 as Twins win 8-5 Friday over KC. Royals score 3 in 8th to beat Twins 5-2 Saturday. Royals beat up the Twins Sunday 11-3 to split the series. Twins are off today.
COL FB= Gophers roll over Oregon State 48-14 Saturday night.
NFL= The Vikings open the 2017 regular season tonight at home against Adrian Peterson and the New Orleans Saints as part of a Monday night double header. Pregame at 5:30pm on KLTF.