NEWS
--A reminder that per the Morrison County Trail Ordinance, the Morrison County Soo Line Trail will be closed from November 1st through November 30th. For questions, please contact Morrison County Public Works at 320-632-0121.
--A St. Cloud man has been formally charged with murder after a shooting incident that killed a woman outside an east St. Cloud business Monday morning. 36-year-old Michael Carpenter is charged with one count of 2nd degree murder. Court records show Carpenter shot the 28-year-old woman after she rebuffed his romantic advances. Authorities have released the name of the woman killed in a shooting outside of an east St. Cloud business this week. She has been identified as 28-year-old Nicole Hammond of St. Cloud. Hammond was shot in the neck outside of Dubow Textile and died at the scene. Police say a review of the victim's phone showed several text messages between the two from the previous night where the woman said she didn't want to be touched or manipulated by Carpenter and that he shouldn't make it uncomfortable at work. The woman's co-workers told police Carpenter had made numerous advances toward her over the past month, but the advances were repeatedly rebuffed. They also noted Carpenter had a bad temper. After the shooting, officers learned Carpenter was at his sister's house in Sauk Rapids and arrested him there. A search warrant was used to search his vehicle. Police say they found a loaded 9mm handgun in the back seat. Court records show the bullets matched the brand and style of the shell casing found at the scene. Police say Carpenter made several conflicting statements about the incident after his arrest. He was to be arraigned in court yesterday. Co-workers and friends have already set up a memorial outside the business in memory of Nicole Hammond.
--Morrison County Historical Society Director Mike Worcester spoke yesterday on KLTF. Mike has been director for about 6 months and continues to work on a number of items. The big one is the erosion issue with the riverbank that is along the border to the historical museum. A survey was recently done including soil boring and going on the hillside taking measurements and beginning a process of a mitigation plan. One has not been picked as of yet but with the recent information they want to pick the best plan for the river, the scenic look of the riverbed and riverbank but also keep the banks from eroding into the river which in the long run could also damage the landscape and the building. Another item added into this is next summer that the historical society has received funding for an archeological did will be done on the property of the 4 acres around the museum. The Lindbergh Site are and State Park has done this in the past but never has been done at the historical society to see what was in the land, what might also help in making the historical site to be put on a national register of historic sites as the museum will celebrate 50 years in 2025 and already they are working with Lindbergh on a large event in 2027 the 100th Anniversary of the famous flight of Charles Lindbergh. Mike said if you have items to donate to the museum, want to come and see the items that in place, find out about events like Gingerbread House art event in November and December call him at 320-632-4007 or check out their website at morrisoncountyhistory.org. They museum is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday after 10am.
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced their will be a heavier law enforcement presence out for the Halloween weekend. Over 400 agencies will be out watching for impaired drivers over Halloween.
--The City of Little Falls has their leaf pickup on Saturday starting at 6am. Leaves must be put in bags with a rock placed nearby. Don't tie the bags. Leave them on the curb on boulevard of your street or avenue for pickup. Questions call the City of Little Falls at 616-5500.
--A St. Cloud man was seriously hurt in a crash involving a semi in McLeod County Wednesday morning. The incident happened around 7:30am on Highway 7 at Babcock Avenue, south of Winsted. The Minnesota State Patrol says a semi was going east on Highway 7 and an SUV was going south on County Road 1. Authorities say the two vehicles collided in the eastbound lane of Highway 7. The driver of the SUV, 58-year-old Paul Heinen of St. Cloud, was taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi, 70-year-old James Kalenberg of Hutchinson, was taken to Ridgeview Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The state patrol says they do not believe alcohol was a factor and both men were wearing seatbelts.
--Authorities say $9 million worth of meat was stolen in a number of Midwestern states including Minnesota by an organized crime ring. Officials began investigating a report of several stolen semi-trailers and loads of frozen beef in Nebraska in June. The initial investigation estimated the total loss was $1 million. The highly sophisticated organized crime enterprise is based out of Miami, Florida and has been targeting beef and pork packaging plants. Three people were recently arrested in Miami and three tractor trailers were recovered with about $550,000 worth of meat in them.
NATIONAL NEWS
--Daylight saving time is coming to an end on the first Sunday of November, but could this be the last time? Clocks will "fall back" one hour still on November 6th at 2am central time granting most people an extra hour of sleep. Then also in March of 2023 we will still spring ahead. One federal bill, already fully approved by the U.S. Senate, could change things before the clocks switch back again in 2023. The Sunshine Protection Act proposes permanent daylight saving time for all states. Using the daylight time instead of standard time to keep later sunsets. The bill hasn't seen progress since March as it currently awaits a review by the House of Representatives and if passed then goes to the President's desk for signing.
DEATH NOTICES
--Helen Kuehne, age 93 of Clarissa.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain showers during the day, high 53.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, few showers early, low 39.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, warmer, high 61, low near 40.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 63, low around 40.
SUNDAY= partly sunny, a bit cooler, high 56, low near 33.
SPORTS
HS VB= Little Falls at Alexandria playoffs tonight 7pm Q92 WYRQ
HS VB= Pierz at Milaca playoffs tonight at 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML
HS FB= Little Falls at Rocori Saturday at 1pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz at New London-Spicer Saturday 2pm on 94ROCKS.
HS FB= Upsala/Swanville at BBE Saturday 2pm on Q92 WYRQ.
AM960 KLTF will rerun Debate Night in Minnesota with debates for state offices Saturday after the football game starting around 4pm on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.