NEWS
--A reminder from area law enforcement, with the recent detour switch in Little Falls, please use caution around the detour areas, stop signs are posted and some intersections are now 4-way stops that were not before so please remember to watch for the signs, watch for pedestrians and bikers on 5th Avenue and 1st Street that use those roadways and expect some slow downs during busy times of day. Highway 27 is still closed from 1st Street and now to 9th Street East.
--Police have released the names of the woman killed in a Paynesville trailer fire and her father, arrested on suspicion of setting it. Officials say 22-year-old Jamey Newport of Paynesville was discovered in the bathroom of the home during the fire. She was taken to Paynesville Hospital where she later died. A man identified as 46-year-old John Newport, also of Paynesville, was arrested at the scene. Officials say the suspect is the victim's father. The Paynesville Police Department arrived at 420 Minnie Street, Trailer 20 just before 7 p.m. on July 23. Officials say they responded to the fire on a tip from a caller. According to the caller, a man was pouring gasoline inside the trailer before setting it on fire. Police say the entire home was engulfed when they arrived. Jamey Newport’s body was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Cause of death is listed as “Inhalation of products of combustion” and the manner of death is “Homicide.” John Newport was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and then brought to the Stearns County Jail, where he faces charges of second-degree murder. The incident is still under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.
--A St. Cloud man is charged with felony assault after an incident at a Melrose area campground early Saturday. According to the criminal complaint, 58-year old Ervin Murdo got angry when he saw a woman hug another man, pulled out a 10-inch hunting knife and made stabbing motions as he walked toward her. Records show the woman was talking to another man in their group around 2am about his girlfriend and when he became emotional she gave him a hug. Witnesses say Murdo got angry and started yelling at the woman as he approached with the knife. Witnesses stepped in and prevented Murdo from getting closer to the woman. Authorities believe alcohol played a role in the incident and no one was hurt. Murdo was booked on suspicion of 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office issued a Public Service Announcement regarding the website DOTservice.com. Several residents had reported receiving a letter in the mail from “DotService.com” regarding DOT (Department of Transportation) numbers. The letter informed recipients their DOT number was “PAST DUE” and they needed to complete their “Biennial Update.” The letter also indicated failure to renew may result in the DOT number deactivation and a civil penalty of $1,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000. The Sheriff’s Office issued a statement to notify residents of a potential scam but now said that was inaccurate. The information contained in the letter from DOTservice.com regarding the need for a “Biennial Update” and potential fines if the DOT number is not updated was correct. However, DOTservice.com is what most people may know as a “third party vendor.” They will provide the described service for a fee. There is no obligation or requirement to use this or any other vendor for this service. Information on DOT numbers and submitting this “Biennial Update” is at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that Tuesday at approximately 7:19 pm, their office received a report of a residential burglary approximately ½ mile west of Cushing, MN on 260th Street.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the burglary was interrupted by a neighbor that morning and the suspect is described as a white male, 25-35 years old, approximately 5’10” to 5’11” tall, average build and according to a witness, he appeared kind of scruffy. The suspect was driving a 2000’s Ford Taurus, 4-door car, white in color, with Oregon license plates. The front license plate was hanging half-off the vehicle. Several rare coins were stolen from the residence, to include 1886 Morgan and Liberties Silver Dollars, Silver Rounds, Silver Quarters, Buffalo Head Nickels and ½ Dollar Kennedy’s. If you have information regarding this burglary, you are asked to call the Morrison County Sheriff’s office at 320-632-9233.
--A Paynesville man accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl has turned up dead. Stearns County had issued a warrant for his arrest and Paynesville Police issued a missing person case for 50-year old Steven Row who was last seen at his home on that date. At the time, police said Row had searched the internet about suicide before leaving his home and his subsequent disappearance. Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze says they received a call from a landowner near Grove City on Monday, July 15th about Row's vehicle on or near his land. The sheriff says after finding Row's vehicle and a body nearby, they initiated a death investigation. Sheriff Cruze says it appears Row committed suicide but a final cause of death is being determined by the medical examiner's office. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office has recalled the arrest warrant and the County Attorney's Office has dismissed the charges. Paynesville Police Chief Paul Wegner says the missing person case is considered closed. Row's wife, 55-year-old Stacy Row, is still facing a criminal sexual conduct charge in the case.
--Stearns County has removed the No Wake warnings on lakes, as the water level have receded to safer amounts around the lakeshore.
--Tonight's Cone Zone Summer Block Party will present Kid's Day at the Boys and Girls Club on the west side of Little Falls. Come out and bring the kids for a fun summer night out. Events start around 5:30.
--Today is also the unveiling of the remodeled basketball court at Lindbergh Elementary School. The unveiling ceremony starts at 4pm.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, breezy, high 81.
TONIGHT= storms likely after 7-8pm, some strong, low 63.
FRIDAY= sunny and humid, high 89, low around 66.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 86, storms likely after dark.
SUNDAY= storms early, some sun, storms back in PM, high 85.
SPORTS
TWINS= Another wild game for the Twins last night as it was 9-6 before 4 innings completed, Yankees would hold on to win 10-7 last night to take the series. The Twins (61-40) only have a 2 game lead in the AL Central over Cleveland as they open a series at the Chicago White Sox tonight, pregame at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Washington beat Lynx Wednesday 79-71, Lynx 10-10.
REGION 8C= four games on Saturday starting with Randall vs. Nisswa, Ft. Ripley vs. Upsala, Pierz Bulldogs vs. St. Stephen and the final game Buckman vs. Avon. Four more games will be played on Sunday from Pierz. Action starts at 11am Saturday on AM960 KLTF and all games are streamed online at fallsradio.com.