NEWS --Around 7:05pm Sunday the Morrison County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call regarding an ATV accident off of Haven Road, south of 203rd Street, in Belle Prairie Township. 30-year old Justin Bateman of Little Falls was traveling on an ATV northbound along Haven Road when he hit a driveway approach and was ejected off the ATV. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Bateman was not wearing a helmet. Life saving efforts were performed but were unsuccessful. Bateman was later pronounced dead at the scene.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has announced Jim Schilling is their August Employee of the Month. Jim has been a Charter Bus Driver for Andy’s Charter Service for the past 25 years. Congratulations Jim Schilling, August employee of the month.
--Tonight is the National Night Out/Falls Festival on Foot and the Critter Crawl in Little Falls. Tonight from 5-7:30pm there will be playing in the streets as 1st Street Southeast from 2nd- 5th Avenue will be closed to motorized traffic. There will be a free meal, K-9 Demostration, kitchen grease fire demonstration, meet members of the police and fire department, bike rodeo, body balance and yoga demonstration, BMX bike demo, bicycle surreys to ride and a critter crawl 1K loop at 6pm to Le Bourget Park beginning at Maple Island Park. Events are all free of charge. All are welcome to attend.
--A Pequot Lakes man was injured Sunday morning around 6:45am on Highway 10 in Villard Township of Todd County when he left the road on his motorycycle and struck the ditch. 76-year old Roger Dondelinger sustained non life threatening injuries.
--A Breezy Point man was injured Sunday around 9:45am on Highway 169 in Garrison Township of Crow Wing County. 75-year old George Lamotte of Clear Lake was on 169 when a vehicle tried to cross from a side road and was struck broadside. Lamotte and his passenger were not hurt. 74-year old William Heuther reportedly sustained multple injuries in the accident and was taken to the hospital.
--Morrison County Deputies responded to a number of theft reports last week including medication stolen from a mailbox on Karen Lane in Little Falls, a trailer broken into on Highway 10 in Little Falls, two cords of wood taken from Lake Shamineau area, items stolen from a boat in Fish Trap Lake near Cushing, and reports of someone trying to break into a garage on Ronald Street in Pierz. In that report it appears nothing was taken. The Sheriff's Office reminds residents to please report any suspicious activity in your area so that deputies can investigate. Call their office at 632-9233.
--After getting his job back twice through arbitration, it was reported Thursday that Crosby Police Officer Jesse Smith has resigned. Smith was scheduled to start work this Wednesday again with the department but an email through his attorney last week stated that Smith voluntarily is resigning effective immediately. Smith had been put on administrative leave two times in the past four years for alleged officer midconduct in 2012, terminiated in 2013, got his job back in 2014 and then brought up on misconduct charges in 2016.
--The Crow Wing County Fair starts today. Tuesday is Military Day along with Midway at 3pm, opening ceremonies at 5:30 and the dirt kicking bull riding event tonight at 7:00pm. Join AM960 Party Line live at the Crow Wing County Fair Wednesday at 10am.
--Firefighters from Brainerd and Nisswa responded to a recreational vehicle engulfed in flames Monday night at Pleasureland RV Center north of Baxter. Around 9:45pm the call came in to the main building at the center. The building was not on fire but a vehicle nearby was. Smoke was visible from the highway as you approached the business. The vehicle was a total loss. No report of any injuries. Due to darkness it was unclear if the business sustained any exterior damage and would be evaulated on Tuesday.
--A train hit a dump truck Monday morning at U.S. Highway 10 and 32nd Street Southeast in Sherburne County. The crash sent the truck driver to the hospital and damaged a power line that crossed the highway. The truck was crossing the railroad tracks at 7:42am. That intersection does not have lights nor crossing arms, but it does have a stop sign. 26-year old Allen Keene of St. Cloud was the driver of the truck. Keene sustained what is believed to be minor injuries and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. Two other semi trucks and three passenger vehicles were damaged from crash debris. No one other than Keene was injured. The truck lost its dumping bed. Crews collected large pieces of the truck to tow away. The truck and trailer were otherwise intact, though damaged. Electrical crews worked on power lines following the collision on both sides of U.S. Highway 10.
--Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. A vigil is planned tonight for those killed, injured and those trapped when the bridge collapsed August 1st, 2007. In honor and remembrance of those who were killed or injured a decade ago, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags today to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset.
--A rollover crash on I-94 Thursday afternoon injured two Waite Park residents. At 2:30pm a car was traveling east on I-94 approaching Stearns County Road 11 when it ran off the right side of the road. The driver of the vehicle, 28-year old Amal Abukar Mohamud of Waite Park and his passenger 23-year old Sauda A Tahir of Waite Park, were both transported to St. Cloud Hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
--A Waite Park woman was injured Thursday around 2:00pm on Interstate 94 near Albany. 66-year old Candice Lee was on I-94 went off the road and struck the median and then the cable barriers. Lee was taken to Melrose Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
DEATH NOTICE --Justin Bateman, age 30 of Little Falls
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, high 82, clear skies tonight, low 57. WEDNESDAY= increasing clouds, PM storms possible, high 75 WED NITE= heavy rains posisble 1-2 inches, low around 53. THURSDAY= rain likely, windy and cooler, high 65.
SPORTS TWINS= The Minnesota Twins were off yesterday and are back in action in San Diego tonight at 8:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. Before yesterday's trade deadline the Twins dealt their all star closer Brandon Kintzler to the Washington Nationals for a pitching prospect. PIERZ= Pierz American Legion will start their Central Region play Thursday at 4:00pm and at 1:00pm and 6:00pm on Friday.