NEWS
--At 1:07am Sunday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an ATV accident on Barrel Road, approximately one mile south of Upsala. 63-year old Todd Walker of Burtrum was traveling north along Barrel Road lost control of the ATV, hit a power pole and was thrown from the machine. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash is still under investigation.
--At 5:55pm Friday the Morrison County Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident with possible injuries at the intersection of Highway 27 and Dove Road, approximately seven miles west of Little Falls in Culdrum Township. 62-year old Lisa Lano of Little Falls was traveling east on Highway 27 as 21-year old Jesse Bartkowicz of Swanville was traveling west on Highway 27. The vehicle driven by Bartkowicz attempted to make a left turn onto Dove Road and was struck by Lano’s vehicle. Lano was treated at the scene for minor injuries and released. No other injuries were reported.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a black dump trailer and a SK 800 Ditch Witch that were stolen from a property on 133rd Street in Little Falls. The trailer is a black tandem axle, 2015 LOAD with Plate #5914CTB. There is rust in multiple areas on the trailer and the passenger side door has extra metal welded on to it. It has a Sparks Trailers sticker on the side and there isn't any paint on the floor from use. There is a spare tire mount on the right side, as well as white and red reflective tape on the upper side portions of the trailer as well as the hitch itself. The SK800 Ditch Witch has a broken latch on the hood and has a Branch Manager grapple on the front. Photos of the trailer and ditch witch are shared on the Little Falls Radio Facebook page. If you have any information regarding this theft, call (320) 632-9233.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen and Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers are asking residents to pull in their bird feeders, any garbage and food sources as they are attempting to move a bear out of the area Monday. On Sunday pictures and videos of a bear on the southeast side of Little Falls near the middle school was taken then more reports of sightings on Monday. The sheriff sent out phone call voice messages to the public warning of the bear and not to approach it. Police Chief Schirmers said to only call if the bear is sighted at 616-5570 for tracking purposes.
--The Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging school districts statewide to prepare for three potential scenarios this fall. 1) Allow all students to return to school buildings under CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. 2) Allow a hybrid model of students in school buildings and distance learning. 3) Implement distance learning, with no students in classrooms. The Department of Education announced they will consult with the Department of Health, and the Governor's office and announce a decision on which scenario will be in the best interest of students and school communities by the week of July 27th.
--Pierz City Hall is now open to the public. Only two people are allowed in the waiting area for proper social distancing. Face masks are not required but are encouraged. Please do not enter city hall if you feel sick. There are still many contact free ways to pay utility payments if you choose. You may use the drop box at Pierz City Hall, pay online at pierzmn.org, Also the City of Pierz announced that they will be spraying for mosquitos in the city of Pierz Wednesday night.
--Blood Drive continues 12-6pm today at First United Church.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office annnounced that the Little Falls Outdoor Warning Sirens will be tested today at 1:00pm. This is only a test to ensure the siren is working properly. If this were a real event, please remember to take the following precautions for safety: Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris and listen to your local radio station for weather details like Little Falls Radio.
--At least one business suffered damage and an unknown number of people were arrested early this morning when a large crowd gathered in south St. Cloud. Shortly after midnight today, law enforcement officers used chemical irritants to try to disperse a crowd of about 100 people at Ninth Avenue South and University Drive.Some demonstrators chanted slogans such as "No justice, no peace" and "I can't breathe”. A dumpster also was set ablaze and pushed into the middle of a street. Law enforcement used tear gas and other measures to disperse crowds, telling demonstrators they would be arrested if they did not leave. At least four people were detained by police, who at times chased the crowd north up Ninth Avenue and east toward Eighth Avenue. Authorities also used their vehicles to cordon off the Southtown Liquors store. The store at 930 Ninth Ave. S appeared to have been broken into earlier as broken bottles and glass littered the area around it. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released the name of the suspect that was involved in the struggle with police. The incident left an officer with a gunshot wound to his hand. The BCA has identified the man as 18-year-old Sumaree Dashon Bosse of St. Cloud. He has been arrested and is expected to be charged with Second Degree Assault. One gun was recovered at the scene. Another gun was recovered in the yard of a home near the incident scene. St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson says the officer who was hurt is a 14-year veteran of the department. Four St. Cloud police officers are on standard paid administrative leave. The names of the officers will be released once the initial round of interviews is complete. The St. Cloud Police Chief did hold a news conference Monday morning to debunk rumors that began on social media overnight Sunday into Monday but it still turned into a violent and dangerous night in St. Cloud last night.
--There was no change in COVID numbers on Monday, 54 cases in Morrison County with one confirmed death. There were 6 more deaths in the state linked to COVID-19 and another 230 cases.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Ridge Olson and Miranda Stanfill of Little Falls, a girl on June 12th.
DEATH NOTICES
--George J. Hoefler, age 64 of Buckman.
--Linda Hines, age 53 of Long Prairie.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny and hot, very windy, high 93.
TONIGHT= clear night, very windy and warm, low 74.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and hot, windy 95, storm late night, low 68.
THURSDAY= storms early, then hazy sun, more storms late, high 84.
SPORTS
TWINS= another classic Twins game Thursday at noon on Q92.