NEWS
--Last week Camp Ripley hosted the Canadian Lake Superior Scottish Regiment (LSSR) and 2/147 Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB) to conduct joint training missions at Camp Ripley Training Center. The LSSR trains on Camp Ripley every year and can use various ranges all at once, including the CBRN Chamber, Pistol and Rifle Ranges, Confidence Course, and Platoon/Squad Live Fire. The 2/147 AHB and LSSR used cold load and hot load aircraft training which consists of detailed hands-on training for LSSR Troops to interact with Minnesota National Guard UH-60M and UH-60L medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) equipment and personnel. LSSR Troops will train to enter and exit an Assault aircraft platform and train on loading and unloading a litter into a MEDEVAC aircraft platform. This culminated with an event of an air assault of three squads into the Individual Squad Battle Course (ISBC). On Sunday the Consul General of Canada based in Minneapolis, Ariel Delouya visited the LSSR troops and observe the training and the partnership between Canadian forces and American forces while touring Camp Ripley. Mr. Delouya and his office represent Canada in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska, connecting American and Canadian businesses and policymakers, and providing services to Canadians visiting and living in the United States. This was to be his first visit to Camp Ripley.
--A St. Cloud woman was shot and killed in Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner says 30-year-old Ta-Nasha Austin of St. Cloud was shot around 7:30am Friday outside of a home. She was taken to a healthcare facility where she died from a gunshot wound to the chest. Minneapolis police say there was an argument at a gathering that escalated into gunfire. No arrests have been made.
--A man from St. James, Minnesota is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in Stearns County stemming from an alleged rape of a young girl. Court records show the information came to light when a teacher in southern Minnesota came across the victim's work and became concerned about possible sexual abuse. A social worker interviewed the girl who said she had been raped by two of her uncles multiple times when she was younger and that her mother doesn't believe her. Court records show the uncles lived with the girl and her family in Brooten from 2011 to 2015, starting when she was 5-years-old. The girl told investigators that she was raped when she was as young as 5-years-old and up until she was 10-years-old.
--A vehicle running a red light was the catalyst for a five-vehicle crash on Highway 210 in Baxter Thursday morning, March 17, near the Cypress Drive intersection. A vehicle running a red light was the catalyst for a five-vehicle crash on Highway 210 in Baxter Thursday morning, March 17, near the Cypress Drive intersection. The Baxter Police Department reported the crash occurred at 9:58am when a vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the second vehicle in the intersection. The impact sent those two vehicles crashing into three other vehicles stopped at the light on eastbound Highway 210. Two drivers suffered injuries and the driver of the vehicle that ran the red light was transported to the hospital. Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes said firefighters did not need to free anyone from the crashed vehicles. One driver of a truck was able to exit their vehicle through the passenger side. Several vehicles are heavily damaged with emergency responders at the crash site. None of the injuries were reportedly serious from the accident last Thursday.
--Ladies Night Out Pierz Style is Thursday 12-7pm in Pierz, get the details at fallsradio.com and listen to Q92 WYRQ for more info.
--A 22-year-old Big Lake man is charged with the abduction of a two-year-old boy in Pope County last week. The boy's mother says she returned home from work Thursday and found her child gone. A note written in Spanish and English asking for forgiveness for taking the boy was left behind. The mother called 9-1-1 and an Amber Alert was issued for the child. A homeowner in Zion Township discovered the boy in her garage late Thursday night. The suspect, Victor Ramirez, was arrested outside his home just after 11pm Thursday following a brief struggle. The boy's mother had told authorities that she knew Ramirez and that he was fond of her son – frequently buying things for him and taking photos with him.
--A Staples man was injured in a two-vehicle accident Sunday morning in Villard Township of Todd County. At 8:31am 54-year-old Alan Meyer was stopped at the stop sign at Highway 10 facing southbound on 305th Avenue. As the vehicle pulled out it was struck by an oncoming semi-truck traveling westbound on Highway 10. Meyer was taken to Staples Hospital with non life threatening injuries. His passenger 57-year-old Judy Thompson of Staples was reportedly not injured. The semi driver and his passenger were from Fargo, North Dakota were not injured.
--Congratulations to Little Falls Community High School Junior Beth Ahlin on her recognition as a Minnesota State High School League ExCel award recipient because of her commitment to community service, education, and leadership. Beth Ahlin was honored at the state basketball tournament this past weekend.
--The 24th Annual Share Sunday raffle will be held Sunday. LaVerne Bzdok stated yesterday there were a few tickets left for $30. The proceeds go to help the are food shelves, Oasis Central Minnesota and the Boys and Girls Club. If you want a ticket for the Share Sunday fundraiser call LaVerne at 320-237-4655. The Grand Prize is $700 and the drawings will be done live on KLTF Polka World Today Sunday in the 9am hour on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com. There will be no talent show this for the event only the raffle on Sunday morning. Hope to have the show back next year.
DEATH NOTICES
--Edward Drong, age 81 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain likely, breezy, high 36.
TONIGHT= rain likely, changing to wet snow, low 28 up to 1 inch.
WEDNESDAY= snow early, then rain/fog, high 37, low around 23.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, windy, high 44, low around 16.
SPORTS
BBB= State Boys Basketball quarterfinals begin today at Williams Arena and Target Center in Minneapolis.
NHL= The Minnesota Wild Monday announced they were sending a conditional first-round draft pick to Chicago for goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The 37-year-old Fleury had to waive a no-trade clause in his contract, something he was apparently willing to do to escape the rebuilding Blackhawks, and join a team that was a contender.
WNIT= South Dakota State eliminated the Gopher Women on Sunday in the WNIT 78-57 in 2nd round of the tournament.
COL HK= four Minnesota teams got bids into the NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament. The Minnesota Gophers, MSU-Mankato, University of Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State all got in.
TWINS= Twins spring game today at noon on Q92 WYRQ.