NEWS --There will be an informative session tonight on Suicide Prevention and Intervention for veterans, family members, those who have to deal with depression or suicide, military officials, organizations and clergy at the Little Falls VFW to discuss how to help and intervene with these issues. Also free gun locks will distributed. The event is free of charges starting at 6:00pm.
--A 46-year old Brainerd man was killed around 9:20am Tuesday when he lost control on Highway 371 exit ramp to the business highway 371 south of Brainerd. Wyatt Jacobs died at the scene. Jacobs was not wearing a seat belt.
--A Stearns County grand jury has indicted 33-year old Gregory Allen Scheel of Paynesville on four counts of 1st degree murder and two counts of 2nd degree murder. The charges are in relation to the deaths of 93-year old Wilbert Scheel and 80-year old Gloria Scheel. The bodies of the Paynesville couple were found in their car along a rural road in Kandiyohi County on March 22nd. Wilbert Scheel was found with his arms and legs bound and with a plastic bag over his head. Gloria Scheel had an electrical cord wrapped around her neck. After the bodies were discovered, their grandson Gregory Scheel was arrested when he was spotted walking in the area. In Minnesota, a 1st degree murder conviction carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Scheel remains in Stearns County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail or $1.5 million bail with conditions.
--A 37-year-old Cambridge man was indicted by a grand jury in connection with the stabbing death of his sister Danyele Marie Johnson of Ironton. David Otey was indicted on first degree murder with premeditation which carries a life in prison sentence. This came after the district court found Otey competent to stand trial. Otey reportedly met his sister on January 13th at the Heartwood Senior Living Community in Crosby where she worked. The report stated that Otey was let in by his sister, helped in the kitchen with her before stabbing her with a knife multiple times. He was arrested without incident when authorities arrived on the scene.
–A 24-year old Brainerd man is accused of raping a 15-year old girl and assaulting her older sister. Carlton Sturkey was charged with Crow Wing County Court on two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct using penetration and force along with a number of other charges from an April 17th incident where Sturkey allegedly punched the older sister and threatened her multiple times after Sturkey was confronted about raping the 15-year old girl. His next court appearance date is May 2nd.
--A 62-year old man was taken to the hospital Sunday after an accident in Aitkin County. James Rambo of Isle was on Highway 18 east of Garrison when he apparently had a medical event that led to his leaving the road and striking a group of trees. He was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries.
--A pedestrian was seriously injured Sunday night in Cass County after being struck by a vehicle. The 37-year old woman apparently was walking on Cass County 13 in Turtle Lake Township of rural Walker when the vehicle struck her and then left the scene just before midnight. The victim, whose name was not released, had to be airlifted to Fargo with serious life threatening injuries. The State Patrol is looking for a vehicle that likely would have damage to the passenger side of the vehicle and a broken mirror which was found at the scene. Anyone with information should call authorities.
--A River Flood Warning has been issued for the Mississippi River near Fort Ripley. As of early afternoon Wednesday the river was at 9.5 feet and is expected to reach flood stage by Saturday afternoon. Although it is expected to crest around 10.3 feet it could get closer to 11 feet, causing minor flooding in some areas over the weekend. The waters should begin to recede by Sunday evening.
--A North Dakota man is charged with making terroristic threats after a Sartell woman said he threatened to kill her. A Stearns County charging complaint alleges 47-year old Danuel Hauptmann of Watford City, North Dakota had come to the woman's home started drinking. Later as she went upstairs to get her daughter, the victim said Hauptmann pulled out a handgun and put a bullet in the chamber. He allegedly told her that if he couldn't have her, no one could and then said he was going to kill her and then kill himself. Police say they found a .38-caliber handgun on the kitchen table with a live round in the chamber. Hauptmann is due back in court May 7th.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation will participate in Worker Memorial Day observances this week and next to honor transportation workers who were killed or injured on the job. Governor Dayton proclaimed Saturday as Worker Memorial Day in Minnesota in recognition of the high price transportation workers have paid in the construction and maintenance of the state’s transportation system. Since 1960, 35 MnDOT workers and 15 contractors have lost their lives while working on Minnesota highways. As part of the observance, the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis will be lit orange on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
NATIONAL NEWS --Subway Restaurants announced Wednesday they will be closing over 500 stores in the United States by later this year. No word yet on which stores will close. The announcement stated that the sandwich chain plans to expand more internationally.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Kyle Breth and Ashlee Billig of Freeport, a boy born April 23rd.
DEATH NOTICES --Conner Anderson, age 73 of Little Falls --James “Jim” Peka, age 75 of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= isolated sprinkles early, clearing and breezy in PM, high 57. TONIGHT= clouds increase, low around 35. FRIDAY= becoming sunny, breezy and cool, high 54, low near 30. SATURDAY= sunny skies, not as windy, high 57, low around 38. SUNDAY= sunny and warmer, breezy, high near 70, low near 45.
SPORTS TWINS= Miguel Sano homered in the 1st inning but then Yankees score 6 in the first 4 innings to win 7-4 over Twins last night. The Twins wrap up their series in New York against the Yankees today with an 11:30am pregame on Q92 WYRQ. NBA= Houston eliminated the Timberwolves from the NBA Playoffs last night winning 122-104 to win the series 4 games to 1. HS SB= Eden Valley Watkins at Pierz in a double-header today. The first game starts at 4pm on FM94 KFML and fallsradio.com.