NEWS
--The Morrison County Department of Public Works will be closing the Soo Line Trail at Ranch Road just west of Hillman today. The closure is necessary in order to replace a culvert structure through the trail that is not functioning. The hope is that this closure will only last one day and the trail will be open again tomorrow.
--Around 9:55pm Friday the Morrison County Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries on 180th Street, approximately 7 miles southwest of Randall, in Parker Township. 26-year old Joshua Roden of Long Prairie was traveling west in a car on 180th Street as 47-year old Kurt Behsman of Randall was driving a pickup, pulling a trailer full of haybales near his residence on 180th Street. Roden’s vehicle struck the back of Behsman’s trailer as they were pulling into their driveway. Roden was transported by North Air Care to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale with unknown injuries. Roden’s passenger, 30-year old Cory Stumpf of Little Falls was taken by ambulance to CHI St. Gabriel’s Hospital with unknown injuries. Behsman and his 12-year old passenger were not injured. Both vehicles and the trailer sustained severe damage.
--The Little Falls Dam Festival was this past weekend and we have received a list of winners from their raffle. The grand prize of $10,000 was won by Tina Pauli and Johnny from Johnny C's. Three seperate winners of $1,000 prizes were Tim Witucki, Lori Pekula, and Mary Schilling. Three more $500 prizes were won by Jessica Brigman, John Kreuser, and Caleb Ochoa (Tomas, and Carlos). Congratulations to the winners and a thank you to all who supported the Dam Festival.
--Motorists who travel Highway 27 between Lastrup and Onamia will encounter a detour and delays after Highway 27 between Morrison County Road 47 and 350th Avenue/Ranch Road closes next Monday, (June 25th), through late July. Motorists should follow the signed detour along County Road 47 and County Road 23, or plan their own
alternate routes. The closure is needed while crews replace the Highway 27 bridge spanning the Skunk River tributary. When complete, the project will replace the existing bridge with a new, lower-maintenance box culvert bridge with wider shoulders and upgraded guardrail. The project will preserve the river tributary crossing, and improve safety and drainage in the area. For real time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.
--Shortly before 1:00am Sunday the Little Falls Police Department assisted the Little Falls Fire Department with a vehicle fire at the address of 200 6th Street SW in Little Falls. As authorities arrived on scene the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished. The vehicle owner stated he was having starting and fuel issues with the car prior to the fire. Nothing indicated the fire was intentional. The Little Falls Police Department also responded to a vehicle theft reported by Tim Robinson Friday around 4:45pm at 201 8th Street SE Apartment 2. The police department earlier this month also responded to numerous other domestic disputes, thefts, vehicle accidents and a couple reports of potential fraud. Authorities continue to ask citizens to report any suspicioius activity you witness.
--On Monday's AM960 KLTF Partyline program a horse was reported missing from an area two miles west of Randall. It has been missing since Sunday so it may have wandered quite far in that time. If you spot the missing horse call the Morrison County Sheriffs Office.
--Fire destroyed a Crosby home during the early morning hours on Friday, June 15th. The Crosby Fire Department was called about 2:00am to a structure fire that started in the garage. A Crosby police officer was on routine patrol on the 100 block of Second Street Southeast in Crosby, when he saw the garage on fire. The officer got into the home and alerted the homeowners, Michael and Susan Bushard, who were asleep, and called 911. The Bushards and their dog were not injured. The garage was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The fire spread through to the attic, but firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading into the house. However, with all the smoke and water damage, the house was destroyed. A car and boat in the garage were also destroyed. The cause of the fire is undetermined and the State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating. The fire did not appear to be suspicious. There were close to 30 firefighters on scene for about five hours.
--Stearns County issued an arrest warrant for a St. Cloud teen who allegedly fired a .9 mm handgun at a man who claimed the boy stole money. 16-year old Cole Samuel Tran is accused of driving a stolen vehicle, selling marijuana and firing a gun on Tuesday, June 12th. According to a Stearns County Juvenile Delinquency Petition: "The whereabouts of the juvenile are unknown and there is a substantial likelihood the juvenile will not respond to a summons," which is public because the boy is 16 or older and facing felony-level charges. "The serious nature of the charge presents an imminent threat of harm to public safety." Tran will face five charges including 2nd degree assault, terroristic threats, possession of an assault weapon while under 18, receiving stolen property and 3rd degree drug sales.
--The name of the driver who died in a three vehicle crash on Saturday has been released. The crash occurred around 5:25pm on Highway 169 south of Garrison. A truck pulling a utility trailer rear-ended another vehicle pushing it into a third vehicle. All three vehicles were traveling north on Highway 169. The driver of the second vehicle, 81-year old Robert Allen Stoll of McGregor was taken to Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, and died. No one else was injured including his passenger or either of the other two drivers or their passengers. Everyone was wearing their seat belts.
DEATH NOTICE
--Albert “Bill” Nieman, age 86 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= morning showers, then partly cloudy, high 74.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low 57.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low around 55.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low around 55.
SPORTS
TWINS= The Minnesota Twins (31-37) open up a six game home stand tonight facing Boston. First pitch at 7:10pm with pregame coverage starting at 6:30pm on 92.1FM WYRQ.
LYNX= The Minnesota Lynx (4-6) host Dallas tonight at 7:00pm.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1865= word came of the Emancipation of slaves in all the southern U.S. States following the end of the Civil War from back in April. Today is Juneteenth or Freedom Day in many southern states.