NEWS
--At 3:04pm Tuesday the Morrison County Sheriff's Office received a report of a one vehicle accident near the intersection of Dove Road and 350th Street, approximately four miles south of Pillager in Scandia Valley Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 37-year old Justin Rice from Remer was traveling south on Dove Road in a semi pulling a full load of hay. As Rice’s vehicle rounded the corner of a curve, a strap came undone which caused the load to shift. Rice lost control of the semi and went in the ditch. The semi came to rest on its side. Rice denied medical treatment at the scene but was later transported by private vehicle to Staples Hospital with unknown injuries.
--On Friday, people near Sauk Rapids schools may see a North Memorial medical helicopter coming and going from the area. As a part of the DARE program, North Memorial Air Care will be bringing a medical helicopter to Pleasantview Elementary and Mississippi Heights Elementary schools in Sauk Rapids. The staff of North Memorial will be landing at the schools and doing a brief presentation on the helicopter and its capabilities for the students. One of the goals of the DARE program is to build rapport between students and first responders. While the presence of a medical helicopter at an elementary school could be cause for alarm, authorities would like to assure the public that the flights is for educational purposes only.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office stated their our agency did some A.L.I.C.E training (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) for some licensed daycare providers in our area. The training took place at Pierz Healy High School. If you would like to be trained on how to respond to a violent intruder, please call their agency at (320) 632-9233 and ask to speak with Deputy Al Yoder. The training is being offered free of charge.
--A Sauk Rapids man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for filing false tax returns. United States Attorney Erica MacDonald says 41-year-old Adam Lashinski pleaded guilty in June. He was sentenced Monday. According to Lashinski's guilty plea and documents filed in court, he falsely claimed to be a certified public accountant, prepared and filed dozens of fraudulent federal and state individual income tax returns for his acquaintances between 2013 and 2015. Lashinski admitted to repeatedly filing returns in the names of the taxpayers that omitted taxable income and claimed false adjustments, deductions, and business expenses, which resulted in larger refunds than what the taxpayers were actually entitled to receive. The total tax loss was $208,550.
--One man is in jail and another is in serious condition after a fight involving a knife in St. Cloud. Police were called to the fight on the 500 block of 4th Ave. N.E. on Tuesday just before 6:30am and found the 40-year-old male victim from St. Cloud with multiple knife-related injuries. Officers say the victim had been working on a car outside the home where he had been staying when he was confronted by the suspect. During an argument, the suspect reportedly punched and stabbed the victim before fleeing the scene on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and began searching the area. They found him around 7:45am hiding behind a business, the man identified as 44-year-old Chad Rowlett of St. Cloud surrendered without incident. Rowlett was taken to the Benton County Jail on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges. Police say the knife has yet to be found. The victim, who has not been identified, was taken by ambulance to the St. Cloud Hospital in stable condition with serious injuries.
--Tonight is the Annual Kiwanis Trivia Night in Little Falls. Teams of 6 are allowed take park in the event put on by area sponsors and organizations and the Little Falls Kiwanis Club where the monies go toward recent playground equipment and future works for kids projects. The top team can receive $300 cash and a trophy and there are open tables where the general public can stop in and participate on a team tonight at the Little Falls Country Club. Stop in around 6pm and enjoy free pizza and play some trivia to win the top prize.
--A coach and teacher in the Kimball Area School District is on paid administrative leave and a complaint against him is currently under investigation. Johnny Benson was put on paid leave on October 10th, the same day the district learned of the complaint. Benson was hired in 2017 and has been the head football coach as well as a junior high special education teacher. The school could not elaborate on the specifics of the complaint. Meanwhile, Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka confirms that his office is investigating, but because it is an open investigation he cannot release any other details.
--The Minnesota Milk Producers Association Board of Director named Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park, as their 2019 Legislator of the Year. The presentation will take place during the organization’s annual Dairy Conference and Expo December 3rd. Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman was an integral part in securing the 2019 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing budget that included investing $8 million for the Dairy Assistance Investment, and Relief Initiative, as well as, funding for mental health programming and high-speed broadband internet service in Minnesota’s rural communities.
--A workshop that teaches homeowners and property owners about wood window restoration will be hosted in St. Cloud’s Southside Neighborhood Historic District on Saturday, November 16th. Wood window specialist Paul Schmidt will demonstrate how repairing original windows can save money, improve window operation, boost energy savings, and maintain architectural integrity. Paul will explain the differences between original and replacement windows and why old windows can be just as efficient as new ones. Attendees will learn about repairs they can do at home: sealing drafts, reglazing, fixing rotted wood, and improving overall function. Paul will offer demonstrations and his suggestions for tools and products. General admission is $35. Registration is available online through the Rethos website: rethos.org/classes.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marlene E. Ruegemer, age 75 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high near 40.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 26.
FRIDAY= sunny and a bit warmer, high 51, low around 33.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, breezy, high 54, rain/snow late night, 30
SUNDAY= snow shower early, then partial sun, high 42, low 24.
SPORTS
VB= Little Falls advanced to take on Pequot Lakes in volleyball playoffs on Friday night 7pm on Q92 WYRQ. Pierz was defeated.
NFL= The Minnesota Vikings are in action tonight hosting the Washington Redskins, hear the game live at 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
WS= Washington wins 12-3 last night to go up 2-0 in World Series.