NEWS
--Yesterday marked the 2 year anniversary of the death of Terry Brisk. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office will continue to prioritize the Terry Brisk homicide case until the person responsible is brought to justice. With the assistance of the BCA and FBI they are still actively investigating this homicide. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact one of their investigators at (320) 632-9233. Authorities continue to ask for the public’s assistance in the investigation of Terrence “Terry” Brisk’s death that occurred on Monday November 7th, 2016. The Sheriff’s Office has joined with Crime Stoppers of Minnesota to invite the public to come forward easily and anonymously with any information, large or small, about this case. Crime Stoppers will forward the information to the investigators while preserving the anonymity of any person submitting information. Sheriff Larsen states that there is up to a $30,000 reward from local donors for information that leads to the arrest of the person who shot and killed Terrence Brisk. The Sheriff’s Office confirms that Terry Brisk’s own rifle was the weapon used in the homicide. Because this is still an active and ongoing investigation, no other details will be shared.
--An unofficial voter turnout of 72.01% in Morrison County was higher than the estimated 63.63% voter turnout statewide. There were 14,424 of 20,029 registered voters who voted in Morrison County. These numbers don't account for voters who registered on election day. Finalized numbers will be released at weeks end.
--The Royalton School Board elected three positions on Tuesday. Russ Gerads (878 votes), Randy Hackett (743) and Mary Lange (613) each won a position. In the race Rian Hofstad 589 votes, Doug Wagner received 570 votes, and Tyler Struffert received 294 votes. For the Upsala School Board there were four candidates and the top three were elected. Elected were Dean Peterson (644), Ryan Thomas (517) and Trevor Soltis (418). Jennifer Brockway-Servatius (414) was defeated. More election results from Wednesday: Scott Goddard elected Crow Wing County Sheriff, Steve Soyka elected Stearns County Sheriff, in Senate District 13- (GOP) Jeff Howe won the special election Senate seat. State Representative 15B- went to (GOP) Shane Mekeland, (GOP) Sondra Erickson won in District 15A for State House, (GOP) Josh Heintzeman won in District 10A and (GOP) Dale Lueck won in District 10B for state house. There were many uncontested races in Morrison County and central Minnesota that can be checked out for full numbers on the Secretary of States website. Many local and state races that have been received since Tuesday night can be found at fallsradio.com and news.
--The Holdingford School District passed both questions on their school district referendum. Question one which was for an $11.14 million dollar bond referendum for betterment of the school sites passed with 1,419 (57.92%) yes votes to 1,030 (42.08%) no votes. Question two narrowly passed on the Holdingford referendum to increase the per pupil funding by $200 for ten years. The 2nd question passed 1,235 (50.39%) yes votes to 1,216 (49.61%) no votes.
--The Sartell St. Stephen School District rejected their per pupil increase on Tuesday's ballot. There were 4,924 (60.39%) no votes to 3,230 (39.61%) yes votes.
–Drama students at Little Falls Community High School will present their fall play “The Complete History of America (abridged)” tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7pm at Little Falls High School.
--In Morrison County there were six races with write in candidates only on the ballot Tuesday. For Buckman City Treasurer Tom Seelen was elected with 16 votes, 6 votes to Grant Stangl and seven others with two votes or less. For Flensburg City Mayor John Gessell was elected with 21 votes, Julie Zupko received 7 votes and 20 others with three votes or less. For Flensburg City Council (2 to be elected) both Brad Pederson (14 votes) and Michael Zupko (9 votes) were elected. In that same race both Gary Fafara and Julie Zupko received 8 votes while 28 others had 4 votes or less. Tammy Giuliani was elected Genola Clerk with 9 votes. For Lastrup Special Council Election (2 Year Term) Ross Schoultz was elected with 5 votes. In that race Thomas Block received 4 votes, Kirby Seelen 3 votes, Julie Laney 2 votes and seven others with one vote. In Rosing Township Supervisor B Tom Longanecker was elected with 16 votes while five others had two or less votes.
--Second-degree murder charges are pending against two individuals who were arrested late Monday afternoon in the homicide death of David Medellin Jr. The body of the 24-year old Willmar man was found Wednesday in a plowed field near Willmar and on Friday law enforcement said Medellin’s death was being investigated as a homicide. The names of the individuals will be released when they are formally charged, but Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog said they were arrested on probable cause of second degree murder and second-degree murder – liability for crimes of another. Medellin’s body was found October 31st; however, he may have been missing since October 24th.
--A 19-year old Willmar man is in custody following a police chase Friday that began in Nisswa and reached speeds of 100 mph during the pursuit. The driver did not stop for police and a pursuit began on Highway 371, where the driver exceeded 100 mph. The driver continued on Highway 371, near See Gull Road, crossed the center median and was back in the northbound lane, where it went down Peterson Road, a dead-end road, and struck a tree. The driver fled out of the vehicle and a foot pursuit began where the man was later arrested. Officers also talked to a juvenile male was shaken and called out that he didn't do anything and he wanted to get out of the vehicle, but the driver did not let him. He was not charged.
--Plans are underway for the annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, to be held at the Little Falls Community High School commons, Thanksgiving day from 11am-1pm. Those who would like a ride to and from the meal can call Tim Sumner at (320) 632-2540. Needed are those willing to volunteer their time or to make a donation of money. Call Tim Sumner at the above number if you can do either. Anyone willing to provide a dessert with a Thanksgiving theme may bring them to the commons area of the high school after 8:00am on Thanksgiving Day.
DEATH NOTICES
--Alexander J. Klinker, age 78 of Cold Spring formerly Buckman.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, less windy, few flurries at times, high 26.
TONIGHT= cloudy, snow showers overnight, coating, low 16.
FRIDAY= snow showers, blustery and cold, high 21, low near 5.
SATURDAY= scattered snow showers, cloudy, high 26, low 12.
SUNDAY= scattered flurries, high 31, low around 20.