NEWS
--On Tuesday, after approximately five hours of deliberation, a Morrison County jury convicted Jonathan Greyblood of murdering his wife, Jeanine Greyblood. Greyblood was convicted of Second Degree Murder-Without Intent-While Committing a Felony as well as the lessor included crime of Second Degree Manslaughter. Morrison County Attorney, Brian Middendorf, stated, “I am pleased with the jury’s verdict. Although the conviction will not bring Jeanine back, her killer has finally been brought to justice. I would like to thank the members of the jury for their time and careful attention throughout this long trial.” Middendorf further stated, “The convictions in this case were the result of many months of teamwork. I would like to thank all the law enforcement officers that worked on this case, including officers from the Little Falls Police Department, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Little Falls Fire Department, the Todd County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.” “In addition, I would also like to specifically thank two very dedicated prosecutors, Assistant Attorney General John Gross and Assistant Morrison County Attorney Laura Welle, for the many months they spent preparing this case for trial. Thanks to their combined efforts, Mr. Greyblood will be held accountable for his crimes.” Greyblood’s sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for December 16th.
--Tuesday, November 2nd is Election Day but this year is considered an off election year for many races that will have many up for a vote next year in 2022. There are a number of elections in the Twin Cities Metro Area and 111 schools have elections or bond referendum votes on November 2nd. In Morrison County the only district that has a vote is Upsala but there are two schools in Todd County- Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and Osakis have bond votes on Tuesday. In Stearns County- Sauk Centre, Holdingford and Paynesville on the map for voting on November 2nd. According to the school election website Crow Wing, Cass and Benton Counties had no reports of any elections for their school districts next week.
--Morrison County Public Works announced that Morrison County’s Belle Prairie Park will see some changes during this fall and winter months as part of a habitat improvement and old growth white pine restoration project sponsored by the State and Outdoor Heritage Fund. As outlined in the park’s Master Plan, Morrison County Public Works will begin mulching of the understory starting the first week of November. They ask that folks visiting the park this fall and winter keep a safe distance as they enjoy the different features of the park. Questions can be directed to Public Works 320-631-2862.
--Good luck to members of the local FFA chapters including 5 students from Little Falls Community High School competing at the National FFA competition through the weekend in Indianapolis. This is also Farm to School Week in Little Falls with food from the farms being served for the lunches at all Little Falls Community Schools.
--A reminder from Sister Julien that the Blood Drive wraps up today at First United Church and there were some openings still for today. The blood drive is 8:30am-2:30pm. If you need to cancel an already made appointment please call 320-632-0663 so they can schedule someone else from a waiting list in that time slot and thanks again to all who gave blood Tuesday where 88 units were accepted, their goal for the day was 86 but they also had 12 no shows and that is why it is so important to fill their cancelled slots for the blood drive today.
--Tonight is the Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County fundraiser The Great Escape at Great River Arts in Little Falls. Dinner with a number of food truck vendors and restaurants locally at 5:30pm then show with hypnotist Kate Escape starting at 6:30pm. Tickets are 40 dollars and can still be purchased online today at eventbrite.com or contact Habitat for Humanity at 616-2084. All proceeds tonight go to support of the next Habitat Home to be built in Morrison County.
--A Stearns County jury has found a St. Cloud man guilty for his role in the kidnapping and rape of a woman at a St. Cloud park last fall. 22-year old Abdirahin Omar Ali has been convicted on three counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of kidnapping. The jury also found the crimes were committed with aggravating factors such as the assault was committed by a group of three or more, the victim was subjected to threats of death and she was subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault. The Stearns County Attorney's Office says those aggravating factors allow for a maximum sentence of 30 years. Abdi will be sentenced in December.
--Minnesota has announced its plan to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to children ages five to 11 years old after the Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee voted to recommend the use of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group. More than 530 pediatric and family medicine clinics, primary care providers, and others say they are prepared to vaccinate Minnesota children. Additionally, over 600 pharmacies are planning to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to children under the age of 12 in some or all of their locations. The administration will also partner with school districts and charter schools to host vaccination clinics in school buildings. The state is still waiting on the FDA's official authorization of the Pfizer vaccine in this age group, as well as the recommendation from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is expected to meet on the matter early next week. Since July 1st, there have been more than 45,200 pediatric cases and more than 300 child hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in Minnesota.
DEATH NOTICES
--Anna B. Schulte, age 94 of Melrose formerly of Burtrum.
--Lucille Geise, age 71 of Bowlus.
WEATHER
TODAY= showers likely into afternoon, fog and mist, high 50.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, fog and mist possible, low 37.
FRIDAY= becoming sunny, pleasant, high 55, low near 30.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 56, clear night, low 27.
SUNDAY= sunny, windy and colder, high 43, low near 25.
SPORTS
HS VB= Little Falls at ROCORI playoffs tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ
HS VB= Pierz at Melrose playoffs tonight 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML
HS FB= Paynesville Area at Royalton Saturday 2pm on 94ROCKS.
HS FB= KMS at Upsala/Swanville Saturday 2pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS FB= Morris Area at Pierz Saturday 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
COL FB= Gophers at Northwestern Saturday, pregame at 12:30pm with kickoff at 2:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Vikings take on Dallas Sunday night 7:20pm on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Green Bay (6-1) at Arizona (7-0) tonight 7pm AM960 KLTF.
MLB= Astros bounce back to win 7-2 to tie World Series with Atlanta at one game a piece, game 3 in Atlanta is Friday night.