NEWS
--A Minnesota man was among five U.S. Army soldiers who died in a helicopter crash. The Department of Defense Monday announced the deaths of the five U.S. Army Special Operations aviation soldiers killed during routine flight training on Friday in the Mediterranean Sea. Twenty-four-year-old Sergeant Cade Wolfe of Mankato is among the soldiers who died. There are no indications the crash was caused by enemy or hostile actions. The MH-60 Blackhawk was conducting aerial refueling training when the aircraft experienced an in-flight emergency resulting in the crash.
--A boy is recovering after accidentally shooting himself while hunting. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened at about 4pm Saturday near Nelson. The person who called 911 said the boy shot himself in the leg. He was able to walk to a nearby property and ask for help. He was flown from the scene by Life Link, but the injury did not appear to be life-threatening.
--Authorities are investigating a suspected arson fire in Kandiyohi County. The Sheriff's Office says they responded to a house fire after 11:30pm Friday in New London. Fire fighters forced entry into the home and determined that it was empty. Due to the suspicious circumstances of the fire, the State Fire Marshal was notified. It is believed it was intentionally set. The house suffered moderate damage and there were no reports of injuries to any responders.
--A Glenwood woman was injured in an accident Sunday at 5:47pm on Highway 29 in Douglas County near Alexandria. 59-year-old Kristi Carlson was northbound went of the road and rolled the vehicle in the ditch. Carlson was taken to North Memorial Hospital in the Twin Cities for her deemed non life threatening injuries.
--Three people were injured in a two-vehicle accident Sunday near Jenkins in Crow Wing County. At 3:21pm, 58-year-old Mark Leahy of Shoreview was on Highway 371 at Veterans Street when a vehicle pulled out in front and they collided. Leahy, his two passengers 84-year-old Richard Behling of Minnetonka and 56-year-old Nadine Leahy of Shoreview were all taken the Pine River Hospital and treated for their non serious injuries. The other driver, 69-year-old Larry Evenson of Jenkins was not injured in the accident.
--Six central Minnesota fire departments battled a fire that engulfed a grain dryer at the Farmers Elevator on Sunday. The fire was reported at 6:31pm at the elevator, which is located at 406 East Junius Avenue, just southeast of Fergus Falls downtown. Arriving crews noticed the grain dryer was on fire and there was risk of flames spreading to the wooden structure of the elevator. Fergus Fall Fire Chief Ryan Muchow said quick water application prevented the fire from extending to the wood constructed elevator, however it took time to clear the dryer of burning debris. Fergus Falls crews were on scene for 5 hours. Muchow shared that the fire was unintentional. Drying beans was the cause. No damage estimate was yet available.
--The Minnesota DNR announced there will be free admission at all State Parks in Minnesota the day after Thanksgiving, November 24th.
--Check out the Fall Dramas at area schools this week. Royalton performs a murder/mystery of CSI Wonderland Saturday night at 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Upsala will perform a comedy Bad Auditions by Bad Actors Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm. Pierz will perform the Wizard of Oz on Thursday and Friday night at Pierz Healy High School at 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Details on the performances on each of the school's websites.
--One person was injured Monday morning just before 7:30am on Highway 27 near Game Farm Road east of Little Falls. 45-year-old Sue Atkins of Grey Eagle was eastbound and left the roadway and entered the ditch. Atkins was taken to the hospital in Little Falls for what the State Patrol deemed non life threatening injuries.
--A 61-year-old from Rice was injured in a two-vehicle accident Monday at 11:54am on Highway 10 in Watab Township of Benton County. Patricia Moore was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for injuries. The other driver in the accident from Lakeville was not hurt.
--Rifle season totals continue to be slightly behind last year. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says preliminary figures show 125,579 deer were taken over the last week and a half. That is down from just over 137,000 in 2022. While bucks are liked by hunters as trophies, antlerless kills are preferred to manage the size of the herd. Over 45,000 does were bagged since November 4th, about 36% of the overall haul. Numbers broken down by harvest area are only updated through Thursday, November 9th, but central Minnesota districts are faring well. Area 213, which includes Sauk Centre and Alexandria, was at 2,995 harvested. Area 215, covering most of Stearns and southern Morrison Counties, was at 2,590. Benton County is part of Area 221, which recorded 2,437. Area 241, near Detroit Lakes, is the only district in the state to have eclipsed 3,000 before this past weekend.
--There will be a former Flyers Coaches Show scheduled tonight at Johnny C's Sports Bar in Little Falls put on by Flyer Media Productions. The event is former coaches coming together to talk about Flyer sport and their glory days at the helm of Flyer teams. Randy Tabatt will be the moderator. Those expected to attend are John Ahlin, Ben Benson, Dick Culshaw, Sherwin Goodreich, Ron Hinnenkamp, Rod Miller, Don Sorensen and John Wagner. The recording for this first episode will take place starting at 5pm today.
--The Little Falls School Board will meet Thursday at 5pm at the Media Center of the Middle School. They will receive a presentation from the Student Council, World's Best Work Force Summary and Chris Dobis on Readers in Flight program. A resolution on combined polling places, authorize official signatures and removing of old not longer authorized signatures. They were also work on approving policies that are being revised or added to the policy handbook.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the Employee of the Month candidates for 2024. Forms were recently sent out to businesses and others to see if there is someone they wish to nominate for Employee of the Month details by contacting the Chamber office at 320-632-5155 to pick up the form.
DEATH NOTICES
--Kenneth J. Koll, age 78 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy very mild and breezy, high 63.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, cooler night, low 32.
WEDNESDAY= sunny, less windy, cooler, high 53, low 27.
THURSDAY= cloudy and breezy, near 60 with sprinkles in PM hours.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls at Monticello starts the Winter Broadcast season live on November 24th at 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.