NEWS
--There will be an official groundbreaking ceremony for the Camp Ripley Veteran State Trail on tonight at 5:00pm with actual ground being excavated in the days to come. The trail will connect the Soo Line and Paul Bunyan bike trails. The ceremony will be at the Lindbergh State Park in Little Falls with a gathering of supporters scheduled after at Starry Eyed Brewery in Little Falls.
--Clint Kathrein spoke on Little Falls Radio Tuesday about the Morrison County Fair August 9th through the 11th, because of the 3 day fair there are a few events even on Wednesday night August 8th including motorcross. Thursday is Military Day, Friday is Motoring Day and Saturday is Kids Day with Paw Patrol characters being at the fair Saturday at noon. Grandstand events include tuff truck Thursday, truck pull Friday and Demolition Derby at 3pm Saturday. Live music, lots of food, white tiger exhibit, historicial society display, rural school house and lots of exhibits and agriculture to take in at the Morrison County Fair next week. Parking is $3 a day or $5 for all 3 days. For more information go to fallsradio.com and click on the fair logo.
--Little Alan’s Law provides consistent application of DWI laws. A new law that went into effect Wednesday means people convicted of driving while intoxicated – regardless of the vehicle they’re driving – will lose their driver’s license and be prohibited from operating motor vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, motorboats and snowmobiles. The state Legislature passed the law following the death of 8-year-old Alan Geisenkoetter Jr., who died in January after being struck by a snowmobile driven by a man whose driver’s license was revoked after multiple DWI offenses. Before the law change, people convicted of DWI in a highway-licensed vehicle still could legally operate ATVs, motorboats and snowmobiles. The changes apply to violations that occur on or after August 1st.
--On July 11, 2018 the Avon Police Department contacted the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and referred a sexual assault investigation to the Sheriff’s Office due to a potential conflict-of-interest. The Avon Police Department had received information from a parishioner of the Avon Community Church reporting that Pastor Charles Norman Pelkey, 49, was having a sexual relationship with another parishioner during the course of ongoing counseling sessions. Pelkey, at the time of the report, was the Chaplain for the Avon Police Department which is the basis for the conflict. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the allegations and confirmed that Pelkey was Pastor at the Avon Community Church. While providing counseling, Pelkey in March of this year, began a sexual relationship with the victim. The sexual relationship continued until May 2018. During that time Pelkey continued to provide religious and marital guidance to the victim. Minnesota Law prohibits a member of the clergy from engaging in a sexual act during the course of a meeting in which the victim sought or received religious or spiritual advice, aid, or comfort from the suspect in private or during a period of time in which the victim was meeting on an ongoing basis with the suspect to seek or receive religious or spiritual advice, aid, or comfort in private. Consent is not a defense. On July 30, 2018 Pelkey turned himself in to deputies at the Stearns County Law Enforcement Center and was booked pending a court appearance on the charge of Third Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
--Around 8:00pm Tuesday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man that was run over by a tractor at a residence off of 118th Street, southwest of Pierz in Agram Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 60-year old Donald Tschida of Pierz was working on a tractor when he was run over. Tschida was transported by Life Link helicopter to St. Cloud Hospital where he is listed in serious condition.
--A social media post made last week spread information about a false attempted abduction, according to a St. Cloud Police press release. The post was made Friday, and described an attempted abduction at Walgreens at 2505 Division Street in St. Cloud. According to the press release, the police department was "immediately concerned" about the post because no report had been made to the department. The criminal investigation unit was assigned to look into the information. Police contacted the author of the original Facebook post and the alleged victim and discovered the attempted abduction never happened. Officers also looked at video surveillance from Walgreens and confirmed the person went to Walgreens, but never had any incident or encounter with any other people. As of Wednesday, police say several organizations and many people are re-posting the Facebook post as fact, falsely spreading "fear, anxiety, and an incredibly dangerous false narrative". Social media can be a useful tool for law enforcement, according to the press release, but it can also have "potentially irreversible consequences" when false information is spread. The police ask the public to verify information from social media posts such as this one
with local law enforcement or media outlets.
--Yesterday, legislation authored by District 9B Representative Ron Kresha of Little Falls to make improvements to foster child care in Minnesota became state law. The bill, HF3265, was passed by lawmakers with overwhelming bipartisan support, and received the governor’s approval back in May. A key component of the new law is a provision referred to as the Foster Care Sibling Bill of Rights, which creates guidelines to help keep foster youth connected with their siblings who are in the care of different foster parents. It does so by promoting close connections for foster siblings (when it is in the best interest of each sibling), including visits, phone calls, and taking part in important celebrations like birthdays. The new law also includes one hour of fetal alcohol syndrome training as a part of the existing annual training for licensed foster care providers.
--Events tonight include the next Rock Roll and Stroll in Pierz beginning at 5pm with the classic car show. Also the annual hog roast event at Linden Hill in Little Falls is tonight starting at 5:30pm.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Kristopher Crosby and Latasha Nelson of Little Falls, a girl 7-31.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, a bit warmer, high 73.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 55.
FRIDAY= sunny, warmer, T-storms develop late, high 85, low 70.
SATURDAY= storms likely, some severe, high 79, low 63.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, T-storms possible at times, high 82.
SPORTS
TWINS= Indians beat Twins 2-0 Wednesday. Twins have today off.