NEWS
--The Freeport man who on Tuesday afternoon went through the ice in a skid loader has died. 46-year old Duane Herzog went through ice covering an abandoned manure pit on Herzog's farm in Krain Township of Stearns County. The skid loader was completely submerged trapping Herzog inside. Herzog had been submerged approximately twenty minutes before being pulled from the skid loader. Local rescue workers were able to get into the water and extricate him from the machine but Duane Herzog passed away at the Hennipen County Medical Center.
--A grand jury indicted a Wadena man in connection to his wife’s murder nearly four months ago on the same day he had been released from jail on domestic assault charges. According to court papers, Antonio St. Marie shot his estranged wife, Margaret St. Marie, in her Wadena home November 7th, 2016 after holding her at gunpoint. Her brother, James Flath, Jr., and a young child were also held at gunpoint but were able to escape. Police pursued the suspect in a high-speed chase while another officer found Margaret St. Marie dead in the home from a gunshot wound. Antonio St. Marie was later involved in a head-on crash with another vehicle and continues to be held in an out of county medical facility due to his injuries. Wadena County Attorney Kyra Ladd called a grand jury to consider first degree murder charges. The indictment lists nine felonies against Antonio St. Marie: five variations of first-degree murder, two second-degree murder charges, kidnapping and possession of a pistol by a prohibited person. Prior to the events last November, court records show he was arrested and charged with felony domestic assault the week before and booked into the Wadena County Jail. He was released on bail the morning that St. Marie was found shot to death in her residence. If convicted for first-degree murder, he could face life in prison without parole.
--Two men have been arrested after the Pope County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to an online ad and solicited sex from what they thought was a 14-year-old. 35-year old James Michael Latzke of Stearns County, was arrested after he drove to Pope County and attempted to meet the 14-year-old for sex. Before driving to Pope County, Latzke described sexual conduct and solicited sex from the minor, but was instead communicating with a sheriff’s deputy. 33-year old Tyler David Rosenfeldt of Clay County also responded to the ad. While communicating with an undercover sheriff’s deputy, he described sex, sent sexual photos and solicited sex to the deputy. Latzke has made an initial court appearance and was released with conditions. Rosenfeldt appeared in Clay County Court and was being held on $15,000 bail.
--A 23-year-old Motley man was injured Saturday when the Lincoln Continental he was driving crossed over the eastbound lanes on Highway 210 in Jevne Township in Aitkin County, went into the ditch, hit a driveway approach and rolled. The state patrol reported Nathaniel Allan Sampson was traveling west on Highway 210 and the snow was heavy and visibility was poor. When the Lincoln crashed, it landed on its roof around 10:20pm. Sampson was transported to the Riverwood Healthcare Center Hospital in Aitkin for his injuries.
--Pierz Healy High School announced they have changed the dates for their spring play. It is now March 24th 7pm, March 25th 5:45pm and March 26th at 2pm. The calendar had the play as a week earlier.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is seeking the public's help in locating a semi-truck driver and vehicle that may have been involved in a fatal incident Wednesday morning. According to the State Patrol, 53-year old Lloyd Stuart Parker of Avon was killed after he jumped from a bridge and subsequently was struck by a semi-truck. Just before 8:00am Wednesday Parker jumped from Stearns County Road 9 down onto eastbound Interstate Highway 94. Parker was then struck by an unknown semi. The State Patrol does believe a semi was involved but the vehicle left the scene before it could be identified further. Witnesses indicated a white semi-truck traveling in the right lane may have struck Parker and may not have realized it hit someone. The patrol is asking for the public's help in locating the driver of the semi-truck, which may have damage to its front bumper area. Anyone with information should call the State Patrol.
--The Minnesota Department of Human Services revoked on Tuesday the day care license of Sartell resident Amanda Rupar. In a letter to Rupar, the DHS cites a Stearns County Human Services and law enforcement investigation that revealed "multiple children sustained unexplained injuries while in (Rupar's) care including: black eyes, bruising to arms, legs and buttocks; a broken arm; a cervical spine fracture; and scrapes and bruises." Rupar operated the day care at 239 Sixth Avenue South in Sartell. She has the right to appeal.
--Authorities were unable to apprehend a suspect during a vehicle pursuit Monday night near Garrison in which the suspect fled at speeds over 100 mph. The Minnesota State Patrol clocked a gray Grand Prix just before 6:00pm traveling on Highway 169 at 117-119 mph. A trooper began to pursue the vehicle, but lost visual contact several times. Troopers located the Grand Prix when it was on the straight stretches of the highway. The car was heading west on Highway 18 and then turned north on Highway 6 heading to Deerwood. The state patrol lost visual again, but Deerwood police located the passenger car and began pursuit. The car turned east on Crow Wing County Road 10, then went east on County Road 133 to 295th Street, heading toward Aitkin. The car crashed on 295th Street, east of Partridge Avenue and the suspect fled on foot. A search began on ground and air, with assistance with K-9 teams, but the suspect was not located. The investigation by police continues.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Ryan Keppers and Maria Peltz of Bowlus
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and cooler, windy, high 24.
TONIGHT= clear and cold, low 5 above.
FRIDAY= increasing clouds, snow showers at night, high 30, low 20.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, mild, high 46, low 28.
SUNDAY= sunny and very mild, high 58, low around 37 with rain late.
SPORTS
WRE= State Wrestling Tournament starts today with team competition. Pierz wrestled KMS at 11am, win or lose they wrestle again at 1pm, if they compete in the medal rounds 3rd and 5th place are at 5pm and championships at 7pm. Hear all the Pierz team matches live today on Q92 WYRQ and online at fallsradio.com.
GBB= Pierz at Pine City tonight in playoffs 7pm on FM94 KFML
COL BB= Gophers vs. Nebraska tonight 5:30pm on AM960 KLTF