NEWS
–The man who was shot and killed in what police believe was a "random incident" Sunday morning has been identified by family as a St. Cloud State University professor. The St. Cloud Police Department said Monday that the man was identified as 68-year-old Edward Ward of St. Cloud. According to the police department's original release, Ward was shot in a "random incident" Sunday morning on Island View Drive. Police arrested a suspect at around 7am Sunday, whom they said admitted to shooting Ward. The police department said there are no known connections between the suspect and Ward or the neighborhood. The incident happened at about 6:15am Sunday when officers were sent to a report that a man was shot while standing in the doorway of a home in the 2600 block of Island View Drive. Officers found a man with gunshot wounds inside the home. The shots had appeared to come from outside the residence. The unknown gunman had left the area prior to the arrival of the police. Mayo ambulance took the victim to the St. Cloud Hospital where he later died. Officers set up a perimeter and tried a police dog track in attempts to locate the suspect however were not successful. At approximately 7am dispatch received a call that a man was walking in the area of the 1200 Block of 4th Avenue South with a handgun. Officers arrived, located the male, and took him into custody without incident. Officers did recover a handgun at the time of the arrest. The man was identified as 45-year-old Jason Beckman from Duluth. Beckman admitted to officers that he had shot the victim. At this point the investigation is ongoing by police.
--One man has been arrested and a teenage boy was treated for injuries after a shooting in downtown St. Cloud. Police say the incident began just before 1am Sunday in the 500 block of 1st Street South. Officers were on proactive patrol in the downtown area when an officer observed a volatile crowd gathering in the back or west side of the H-lot parking lot. As the officer approached he observed a male from the group raise a handgun and begin firing multiple rounds towards the west or the northwest corner of the parking ramp. After the shots, the crowd scattered and officers tried to find the suspect and any potential victims. During this time several other fights broke out in the surrounding parking lots. Officers were able to locate a 17-year-old boy inside the parking ramp that had been shot in the arm and foot. He was taken by Mayo Ambulance to the St. Cloud Hospital where he was treated and eventually released. No other victims were located. Officers also located the alleged suspect in the area, 25-year-old Antwon Jenkins of St. Cloud, who was arrested. A handgun was recovered at the scene. Officers from several other agencies responded to the area to assist with the shooting investigation and the other fights that occurred in the area immediately after the shooting. Two other women were arrested for disorderly conduct charges relating to the other fights.
--Four more deaths on Minnesota roadways over the past weekend. The Minnesota State Patrol reported fatal accidents between Friday and Sunday in Rock, Chisago, Sherburne County near Clear Lake and Benton County in Watab Township. There were 37 injury accidents reported from a time period from 5pm Friday to 5pm Sunday.
--The Little Falls Police Department on their recent report, stated that there has been a number of thefts again in the city and remind those to please leave sheds, outbuilding and homes locked when you leave and also lock up vehicles and keep valuables out of sight.
--The Minnesota DNR reported Monday that areas where rain fell Sunday has moved the fire dangers to a moderate level over central Minnesota but that is still an area where fires can start easily and spread at a quicker rate with less than adequate moisture. An area in northern Minnesota remains in the high fire danger. Because of the higher dangers in nothern Minnesota the DNR has issued burning restrictions over most of northern and central Minnesota from a line of Stearns and Benton County to the north shore, the arrowhead to the northwestern corner of the state. Morrison and the other counties remain in burning restrictions with no open burning but it was reported that campfires are allowed with use of a fire ring. More counties have been added in the state on burning restrictions until more moisture returns to the forecast and there is only a few chances of and they are slight chances of that this week.
--Kris Vonberge of the Little Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau is inviting everyone to the Markets and Music on the Mississippi event this Thursday. Markets from local items, attractions, organizations and groups will be on hand at LeBourget Park off of Highway 27 and Paul Larson Memorial Drive begins at 3pm and will continue to 7pm. Music will start at 6pm with Michael Shynes performing and also local author Frank Weber talking about his latest book. All are invited to come as there is no admission fee to see all the events on Thursday.
DEATH NOTICES
--Daniel Commerford, age 65 of Brainerd formerly Pierz/Buckman
--Ernest “Ernie” Seelen, age 72 of Little Falls.
--Luella “Lu” T. Bialke, age 89 of Buckman.
--Lynn Kretsch-Pingeon.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, warmer, high 76.
TONIGHT= clear nights, low 53.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and hot, high near 90, storms overnight, low 64
THURSDAY= early storm, then sunny and warm, high 86 more storms possible by mid to late afternoon, some could be severe.
SPORTS
TWINS= a wild Twins game last night as it was tied at 3 after 9, both teams scored 2 in the 10th to continue on and the Twins win it in walk off fashion on a Miguel Sano homerun 7-5 in 12 innings last night over the Reds. Twins have won 5 in a row and try for #6 in a day game today with the Reds to wrap up their short series today with pregame at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ. Then Wednesday day off.
ELI= former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is officially back with the organization in a business operations and fan engagement role. He also will work on original content development, which includes a new lifestyle series that premieres this fall. The 40-year-old Manning retired after the 2019 season following 16 seasons as the Giants quarterback winning 2 Super Bowls with them.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1633= Galileo shows that the Earth orbits the Sun by use of a early telescopes. He would be excommunicated from church for it.
IN 1775= The Continental Congress issues first U.S. Currency to replaced the British Monarchy currency in the new country.
IN 1808= Zebulon Pike reaches the peak later named for him.
IN 1847= Hanson Gregory introduced his ring shape pastry/doughnut