[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Thursday, November 5th 2015[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–Almost 16,000 voters turned out Tuesday to vote on the largest referendum in the history of St. Cloud public schools. The $167 million pricetag failed to resonate with most voters. That leaves district leaders with a choice: reform their appeal to residents or brace for deferred maintenance costs at Technical and Apollo high schools that could run more than $100 million in the next 10 years. With all 13 voting sites reporting by about 12:20am. and 15,853 ballots counted, totals were 7,393 yes votes (46.6 percent) to 8,460 no votes (53.4 percent). The referendum would have provided $113.8 million to replace the existing Tech, built in 1917 and expanded five times — though not since 1975. District task forces, including community representatives, have recommended four times in the past decade that a new Tech be built.
–A judge ruled Wednesday there’s sufficient evidence to keep Daniel Heinrich in custody. An overflow crowd turned out for Heinrich’s court appearance in St. Paul. The 52-year-old Annandale man is facing federal child pornography charges and has been identified as a “person of interest” in the Jacob Wetterling abduction. DNA also links Heinrich to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a Cold Spring boy in January of 1989, but charges in that case can’t be filed due to the statute of limitations. The judge stated the evidence provided creates “a chilling context and gravity of danger to the community”.
–A Sartell man was injured Monday evening after a sideswipe crash in St. Cloud. Officials say a Hummer driven by 51-year old Robin Ritsche of St. Cloud, and a car driven by 21-year old Tyler Marschall of Sartell, were both traveling south at Minnesota Highway 15 and 3rd Street when the Hummer crossed the lane and sideswiped the other car. Authorities believe Ritsche was under the influence of drugs during the time of the crash. Officials say Marschall suffered injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
–The Stearns County Sheriff Department is investigating a string of garage burglaries in the Riveria Road and LeSauk Township areas. Deputies arrested an 18-year-old woman in connection to the burglaries. The release did not provide the name of the woman. The release said deputies received a call shortly after 3:00am Monday after a homeowner on Riviera Road heard their garage door open.
–Waite Park police say a Brooklyn Park man was arrested Tuesday in Waite Park for recruiting and promoting prostitution. 38-year old Terrell Fields of Brooklyn Center was arrested as a result of an investigation conducted by the Central Minnesota Sex Trafficking Task Force. Fields is being held in Stearns County Jail.
–A deputy found a vehicle parked along the roadway that was occupied by the woman. Deputies smelled marijuana and later found drug paraphernalia, along with items that did not appear to belong to the woman. Deputies spoke with area residents who said some of the items found had been missing from their garage. The release said deputies are still attempting to locate a male acquaintance of the female who may be involved. Area people who may be missing property are encouraged to contact the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department at (320) 251-4240.
–The Annual Thanksgiving meal in Little Falls will be on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th from 11-1 at the Little Falls Community High School Commons. Volunteers are needed. Contact Tim at 632-2540 for more information.
–Emergency response personnel were called to the Minnesota Highway 15 bridge in St. Cloud after a vehicle went into the Sauk River shortly after 9:00pm Tuesday. A witness saw the vehicle leave the ramp from Stearns County Road 120 and drive into the median. 55-year old Kevin Kissner of St. Cloud, was driving south on Highway 15 when authorities say he had a medical emergency and drove off the bridge. Kissner was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with injuries the State Patrol did not consider life-threatening.
–The National Rememberance Ceremony at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery will be December 12th north of Little Falls. The event is organized by Wreaths of the Fallen who are hoping to place wreaths on all the graves at the state cemetery. Last year there were 3,800 wreaths and there have been at least 500 additional interments in the past year. The event is at 11am sharp on December 12th if you plan on attending or helping be there by 10am that morning as the laying of wreaths goes quickly. For more information contact John Thomas at 218-829-6622 or go to the website www.wreathsforthefallen.org.
–In honor of those who have served our country in the armed forces, Kinship is hosting a Veterans Program on Tuesday, November 10th, from 6-8:30pm at the Little Falls Alliance Church. Veterans with three different stories will be in attendance to share their experiences. The program will also include an American Legion Color Guard, patriotic songs, hors devours and more. Speakers for the evening include: Mr. Larry Mitberg (US Army), Mr. John Justin (US Navy, Marines & National Guard) & Mr. Jeramie Larson (US Marines & National Guard). Please RSVP by calling (632-8806) so that Kinship staff can plan for appropriate amounts of refreshments, snacks and seating. Again the event is free and open to the public.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
–Christopher and Shelly Witucki of Little Falls, girl November 2nd
DEATH NOTICES
–Lenora M. Mohler, age 90 of Pierz.
–John Kalusche, age 34 of Little Falls formerly of St. Cloud
–Lucille M. Anderson, age 97 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning showers & T-storms, high 60 early, temps fall.
TONIGHT= showers likely into evening, temps falling into 30s.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, breezy, high 42, low near 25.
SATURDAY= partly cloudy, less windy, high 43, low around 33.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high near 52, low around 40.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz vs. Tri City United Friday 7pm on FM94 KFML.
CC= Al Windsperger will talk to area coaches as the fall season winds down and the winter season starts up this Saturday on Coaches Corner Saturday at 9am on AM960 KLTF.
ACES= Deer Hunting game tonight for Aces 7:05pm in Little Falls.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1639= first post office opens in U.S. colonies in Massachusetts
IN 1935= Parker Brothers introduces there 1st version of Monopoly.
IN 1988= The Beach Boys hit #1 with Kokomo, the song was the bands first #1 hit in over 21 years.
[/fusion_text][/fullwidth]